35And James and John, the sons of Zeb'edee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 36And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" 37And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." 38But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" 39And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 41And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 43But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
What a wonderful reading. It is about the nature of true discipleship and leadership. Following Jesus is not about seeking honor, privilege, or power, but rather about embracing a life of service, humility, and sometimes even suffering. Jesus warns James and John that sitting on his right and left is no walk in the park. It is a commitment to walk the path he walked. This turns the world’s values upside down. The greatest is he who serves not he who uses power to suppress and take advantage of others.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection on Mark 10:35-45 beautifully captures the essence of Jesus' teaching on true discipleship and leadership. You highlight the key point that following Jesus is not about personal gain, but about selfless service, humility, and sometimes suffering. By pointing out how Jesus turns the world’s values upside down, you're acknowledging the radical nature of His message: true greatness is found not in dominating others, but in lifting them up through service and love.
DeleteJames and John’s request for honor reveals a human tendency to seek recognition and power. Jesus' response not only corrects their misunderstanding, but also calls us to a higher standard—to a life marked by service rather than status. This reading challenges us to reevaluate how we approach leadership and influence in our own lives. The greatest leaders, in Jesus' view, are those who serve others with humility and compassion, reflecting the ultimate example of Jesus giving His life for many.
Your takeaway about walking the path Jesus walked is powerful, as it points to the reality that true discipleship involves sacrifice. It's a path that often requires letting go of worldly ambitions and comfort, embracing the difficult but transformative call to serve others as Christ served us.
Your reflection captures the heart of this passage: following Christ is not about seeking greatness for ourselves, but about becoming vessels of love, service, and grace to others.