What Jesus Did : Mark 10:35-37 - A Favor Please
by Phil Ware
A Favor Please - Mark 10:35-37
Then James and John, sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. They said, "Teacher, we want to ask you to do something for us." Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" The sons answered, "You will have glory {in your kingdom}. Let one of us sit at your right, and let one of us sit at your left." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Sometimes the Scriptures are just too honest. I'm being a little sarcastic ... but just a little. The people we see, even those that are potentially our heroes, are so much like us. Their feet of clay help make the grace of Jesus real and accessible. Jesus' closest followers reveal that they don't really understand what he has just said to them and what his life, ministry, and purpose are supposed to be. They've told Jesus a few verses earlier what they gave up to follow him. They seem to ignore what he has just told them in the previous verse that he will pay a horrible price for them. They can only think of glory. So while they courageously overcome their fear and dread to follow him to Jerusalem, they also have a great desire to get the big pay off from their association with him. Of course, the real question is whether or not they follow him just because he is Lord and worthy of their allegiance. But then, their lack of understanding and their greed become the opportunity for us to ask ourselves the same question. Will we follow Jesus even if the costs are high and the appearances suggest that there is no earthly pay off? Hmm? Ouch! God help me.
Today's Prayer
O glorious Father, please forgive my selfishness. I confess that I want to be treated favorably and be blessed for following you. Please give me the courage to follow no matter the cost in this life as I reach in faith for what is life indeed! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Then James and John, sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. They said, "Teacher, we want to ask you to do something for us." Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" The sons answered, "You will have glory {in your kingdom}. Let one of us sit at your right, and let one of us sit at your left." Jesus said, "You don't understand what you are asking. Can you accept the kind of suffering that I must have ? Can you be baptized with the same kind of baptism that I must have?" The sons answered, "Yes, we can!" Jesus said to the sons, "You will suffer the same things that I will suffer. And you will be baptized with the same baptism that I must have. But I cannot choose the person that will sit at my right or my left. There are some people that will have those places. Those places are prepared for them." The other ten followers heard this. They became angry with James and John. Jesus called all the followers together. Jesus said, "The non-Jewish people have men they call rulers. You know that those rulers love to show their power over the people. And their important leaders love to use all their authority over the people. But it should not be that way with you. If one of you wants to become great, then he must serve you like a servant. If one of you wants to become the most important, then he must serve all of you like a slave. In the same way, the Son of Man did not come for other people to serve him. But the Son of Man came to serve other people. The Son of Man came to give his life to save many people."-- Mark 10:35-45 (ERV)
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