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211. The Sons of Thunder's Request

Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 10:35-45,
Key verse: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all."
Mark 10:43B-44

In our readings for yesterday, in which Jesus outlined what was about to happen to Him, for His disciples, the passage in Luke ends: "The disciples did not understand any of this. It's meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what He was talking about." (Luke 18:34) Now, we see just how truly clueless they were. Jesus had laid out a plan before them of pain and suffering and death and now James and John are focused on a promotion. The disconnect is so obvious.

It's really not important to know whether James and john came up with this request on their own or if their mother put them up to it. The request was made and James and John thought that they could handle the responsibility that would come with it. What is that saying, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread?" That is what is happening here. James and John are certain that Jesus is the promised Messiah. They have stuck with Him from the beginning. They have been singled out, along with Peter, to do special things with Jesus, such as witnessing His transfiguration. Jesus has already been singling out Peter. It was Peter who walked on the water, and Jesus actually had changed his name from Simon to Peter and said that He would build His church, beginning with him. Perhaps James and John wanted to be sure that they weren't left out of the special inner circle.

Then, we are told that the other disciples were indignant! After all, it is one thing to be offered a high ranking position, but to request it really takes "hutzpah!" In truth, however, James and John were probably saying what they were all thinking and hoping. To them, Jesus was on top and they wanted to be there with Him. All this talk about death just didn't make sense. With Jesus, they would be well fed and cared for.  Why, they didn't even need to fear death because Jesus had proved that He could just raise them again. They seem to have completely forgotten Jesus' admonition to become like a child, and this servant talk, well don't we consider leaders to be, "servants of the people," sort of? Wink, wink!

How backwards we have it because we have the world's values. We think it's all about power and recognition and wealth and honor. For Jesus, it is all about service to others, especially the least, who will never be able to pay you back. "Whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." (Mark 10:44) This is Jesus’ life. For Him, it's not about who we are or what we become, rather, it's about what we have given. That's what matters most.

Paul says it this way: "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay Him? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:34-36) When Jesus died on the cross for you, when He paid the price, through His death, for your sins, He placed you in a debt that you can never repay. Repayment is not what He wants. He has earned the right to be Lord of your life, if you will let Him and then, He wants you to live a life of gratitude to Him by giving to others, through service, as you have been given.

You may never be great by this world's standards. That's okay. When you know that you are a precious, cherished child of the creator, how much greater do you need to be? Know who you are in Him, and serve accordingly. That is what Jesus calls "GREAT!"

Hymn: "Jesu, Jesu" 

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