Day 39 - Mark 10:32-45

32 Jesus and his disciples were on the road that went up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was leading them forward. The disciples were filled with wonder and amazement at his bravery, but those following along with them were very afraid. As they approached the city, he took the Twelve aside privately and told them what was going to happen. 33 “I want you to know that we are going to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be handed over to the ruling priests and religious scholars and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Romans. 34 And they will mock him, spit in his face, torture him, and kill him, but three days later he will rise again.”

35 Jacob and John, sons of Zebedee, approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, will you do a favor for us?”

36 “What is it you’re wanting me to do?” he asked.

37 “We want to sit next to you when you come into your glory,” they said, “one at your right hand and the other at your left.”

38 Jesus said to them, “You don’t have a clue what you’re asking for! Are you prepared to drink from the cup of suffering that I am about to drink? And are you able to endure the baptism into death that I am about to experience?”

39 They replied, “Yes, we are able.”

Jesus said to them, “You will certainly drink from the cup of my sufferings and be immersed into my death, 40 but to have you sit in the position of highest honor is not mine to decide. It is reserved for those whom grace has prepared them to have it.”

41 Now the other ten disciples overheard this, and they became angry and began to criticize Jacob and John. 42 Jesus gathered them all together and said to them, “Those recognized as rulers of the people and those who are in top leadership positions rule oppressively over their subjects, but this is not the example you are to follow. 43 You are to lead by a different model. If you want to be the greatest one, then live as one called to serve others. 44 The path to promotion and prominence comes by having the heart of a bond-slave who serves everyone. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come expecting to be served by everyone, but to serve everyone, and to give his life as the ransom price in exchange for the salvation of many.”



Tori's Comments:
I'm not sure I understand why Jacob and John asked this. Was it as simple as greed for glory?
"live as one called to serve others" We live in a culture all about serving yourself. YOU matter first. But Jesus, the son of God Himself, did not live this way, so why should we? He calls us to a life of humility and love.


Terrie's Comments:
Jesus did not come expecting to be served by anyone... I feel like there is a desire in most of us (almost an entitlement) to come to a place in life or possibly many places, where we want to be served.  We enjoy being served and waited on hand and foot.  How many of us could even go a whole year without ever expecting or desiring to be served even once?  It is almost built into our North American culture.  What would happen if we embraced the model of leadership that Jesus layed out.  The higher up you get, and with every promotion, you choose to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ.





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