The Request of James and John – Mark 10:35-45
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In Mark 10:35-45, we see the request of James and John as to who would sit to the left and right of Jesus. This is a similar request to the one the disciples asked in Mark 9:33-35. For the Jews, sitting on the left or right hand side next to a respected teacher was a sign that you were somebody of importance. To understand the passage we need to look at what is “true greatness?”
- We all desire “true greatness” – Mark 10:35-36. We all desire true greatness. We need to consider how we would answer Jesus’ question in Mark 10:36. The way we answer this tells us a lot about the motives of our hearts.. When we pray, we often pray from mixed motives asking for things that honour and bring glory to God through Jesus and also make us look good. We all desire greatness and importance.
- What is true greatness? In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus explains what true greatness is. First in terms of how the world sees greatness as power and authority. Secondly, what true greatness means in the Kingdom of God. In the Kingdom of God true greatness is to be a servant – Mark 10:45. To be a servant means loving others and caring for them – doing everything for others and not being concerned about yourself. This is the complete opposite of the world’s view of greatness which is selfish and self-seeking. True greatness is service and loving others – 1 John 3:16, 1 John 4:14.
- Jesus demonstrates true greatness – Mark 10:45. Jesus through his sacrifical death on the cross demonstrates true greatness. Jesus paid each of our ransoms through his death and resurrection. Isaiah 52:15, Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 1:18.
True greatness is the gospel. True greatness challenges us to say “no” to selfishness and being self-centred but saying “yes: to being like Jesus – a servant to all.
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Mark 10:35-45
The Request of James and John
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, [1] 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave [2] of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (ESV)
Latest sermons from this series
- The Resurrection of Jesus – Mark 15:40-16:8 (6 Dec 10)
- Jesus’ death on the cross – Mark 15:16-39 (29 Nov 10)
- Jesus and Pilate – Mark 15:1-15 (24 Nov 10)
- The Trial of Jesus and Peter’s Denial – Mark 14:53-72 (18 Nov 10)
- Gethsemane – Mark 14:32-52 (15 Nov 10)
- The Lord’s Supper – Mark 14:12-25 (2 Nov 10)
- The Immediate Fulfilment and the Yet to Come – Mark 13 (20 Oct 10)
- A Warning and An Example – Mark 12:38-44 (11 Oct 10)
- The Great Commandment – Mark 12:28-37 (28 Sep 10)
- Difficult Questions – Mark 12:13-17 and Mark 12:18-27 (20 Sep 10)
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