Holy Spirit, speak not only to my mind, but to my heart, as I read in the Word today. Help me to change those things in me that need changing so that I might better serve my Savior.
Read MARK 10:32–45
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
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 baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized 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.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
‘Breathe on me, breath of God, / fill me with life anew, / that I may love what thou dost love, / and do what thou wouldst do.’1
Think Further
Jesus knew what awaited him in Jerusalem – protracted torture and suffering, culminating in a cruel and ignominious death. Yet again he tried to explain this to his inner circle, but to no avail. The fact that he would rise again was lost on those who could not accept his death in the first place. Yet there was an uneasiness, an ominous atmosphere as they trod the path which everyone knew would lead to Jerusalem. The disciples were amazed that Jesus would risk going there at all, but to their credit, they followed him anyway. Other people, who also followed Jesus, were afraid the Romans might think them a dangerous political rabble, an uprising they must quell with violence, but these loosely attached followers would soon enough disappear, melting away into the city crowds.
Reading Mark’s carefully structured gospel, we are again surprised, even appalled, that on the road to Jesus’ death and passion, James and John are still consumed by their desire for recognition and status. That today’s reading is a single unit is made more obvious by removing the intrusive heading, the verse numbers, spaces, and punctuation. This gives considerable literary force to the word ‘then’ (see v. 35). Jesus finishes telling the disciples about his approaching death and resurrection. Then James and John try to ingratiate themselves. Jesus asks if they are willing to endure what he is about to endure. Unknowingly, they say they can, not realizing what they are saying. But Jesus knows. He knows that they will soon follow him to martyrdom. By then, however, they will have understood. By then, their faith will not be in power and prestige but in the dying, rising, and ascending Jesus, whose path of humility and self-sacrifice they will finally comprehend and embrace – the only path to God’s eternity.
Apply
May Jesus, Lord of destiny, grant me the grace and fortitude to follow the path that I must tread, his path of humility and self-sacrifice, the path to everlasting life.
Closing prayer
Jesus, Lord of destiny, grant me the grace and fortitude to follow the path that I must tread, your path of humility and self-sacrifice, the path to everlasting life.
Last Updated on November 13, 2024 by kingstar
