The Road to True Greatness - Mark 10

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?” 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.”

Oftentimes we wonder about the things that come out of the disciples mouths, and today's passage is no different.  As Jesus starts talking about his suffering and death at the hands of the religious leaders, James and John surprisingly ask, "We want you to do for us whatever we ask."  Jesus further reveals their motives when he asks them what do they want.  At least the disciples are honest when they say, "We want to sit at your right and left hand in your glory." I can almost hear Jesus saying, "Really you want to be at my right and left hand.  Do you know what that will mean?"  

You see the disciples are still grossly misunderstanding the true purpose of Jesus' coming to the earth.  They were looking for a political Messiah who fulfill their desire to restore Israel to a ruling power.  I guess they quickly forgot a few chapters back that Jesus said, "Whoever wants to follow me must deny themselves take up their cross daily." Meanwhile the other disciples are fuming over James and John's request.  Maybe they were upset they didn't get to ask Jesus the same question.  So Jesus realizes it is time for a conference call.   

Jesus realizes it is time to define true greatness.  The disciples have obviously missed the point, though they would get it later when he was gone.  Jesus says true greatness is not controlling or lording it over others but being a servant.  And he defines a servant as someone who puts other's interests as greater than their own.  Jesus modeled this true greatness every day of his life.  Jesus, though in very nature God, came not to be served but to give his life for the world.  

If we were honest we are not too much different than the disciples.  Often the question we want to ask Jesus is, "What can you do for me?".  If I follow you will I be happy and prosperous?  Yet Jesus realizes that we really want and need is to do something bigger than ourselves.  True greatness comes when we empty ourselves, roll up our sleeves, and offer ourselves in service to God and others.  Maybe we need to turn the question around.  Instead of asking Jesus what he can do for us, we should ask him what we can do for him.  As we follow his path for our lives and imitate his love and service of others, we can be truly great.