Word Live: Ambition And The Kingdom
Remember that we are not only to hear God’s Word but put it into practice as well. Pray that today as you read you will know how you should respond.
Bible passage
Mark 10:32–45
Jesus predicts his death a third time
32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 ‘We are going up to Jerusalem,’ he said, ‘and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.’
The request of James and John
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want you to do for us whatever we ask.’
36 ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked.
37 They replied, ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.’
38 ‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said. ‘Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with?’
39 ‘We can,’ they answered.
Jesus said to them, ‘You will drink the cup I drink and be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.’
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Explore
Ambition is a good thing as long as it doesn’t consume us or make us pushy and ruthless in our desire to succeed. Some of the disciples were ambitious in an unhealthy way which is why Jesus speaks again about servanthood. In the kingdom, leaders are first and foremost servants.
A third reminder of the fact that Jesus is going to Jerusalem to die underlines the truth that he is the suffering servant, spoken of in Isaiah (52:13 – 53:12). In this context the unseemly arguing about position in the coming kingdom seems out of place. Jesus speaks of his coming death as a cup to be drunk and a baptism of suffering, reminding them that leaders must also be prepared to suffer.
Leadership in the kingdom is not like leadership in the world. The emphasis is not on power and position. It is not about bossing people about like a little dictator. Jesus might well have deserved privileged status, but he chose to humble himself and offer his life as a ransom to set others free (v 45). That is why greatness is to be seen in how well we serve, not in what position we hold (vs 43,44).
Author
Tony Horsfall
Respond
Leaders are servants first, and leaders second. What do you think that means? How might it be worked out in your life?
Deeper Bible study
‘The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for [a discerning heart].’1 Oh Lord, I want to please you in what I ask from you.
Another day, another event ‘on their way’ (v 32). For the third time, Jesus explains what he is about to face (vs 32–34),2 but for the first time reveals that Jerusalem is the destination of their journey. Instead of asking what they can do for Jesus, James and John are merely interested in what he can do for them (v 35). Jesus plays along with their request for a wild card, asking them what they want him to do for them (v 36). Sadly, their request for status and honour in verse 37 reveals that they have failed to grasp Jesus’ earlier teaching about being the last and the least.
Jesus points out their ignorance; all he can offer them is a share in his impending suffering and death (v 38).3 James and John confidently accept the challenge, hardly realising what they are signing up to. God’s design for discipleship is to follow Jesus on the road of the cross, to commit to a life of dying to self and of aspiring to be the last and the least. There is irony in verse 41 in that the other disciples are angry at James and John for getting ahead in asking Jesus for what was probably on all their minds.
Once again, and for the last time, Jesus provides a lesson in servant leadership (vs 42–45). In the church, there is no place for the patterns of domineering leadership and authority that exist in some sections of our societies.4 Greatness can only be achieved through service. This goes further than the occasional act of service. If we claim to follow Jesus, the Servant-King, we must adopt a servant identity: we serve because that is who we are!
What do you want from Jesus? Our requests reveal our desires. Pray for wisdom to know what to ask for.
11 Kings 3:10 2 Cf Mark 8:31; 9:31 3 FJ Moloney, The Gospel of Mark, Hendrickson, 2002, p205 4 FJ Moloney, 2002, p207
Author
Cor Bennema
