Mark 10:35-45

 

When I look at our two sons argue over the slightest thing, I remember how my brother Don and I argued and bickered without any regard for my parents. We could start a quarrel just by looking at each other. I thank God that we grew out of that as we emerged from our adolescence.

 

When I read of this incredibly selfish request of John and James, I can imagine that they probably argued over who would get the seat at the right of the Lord and who would get the left without regard to what the Lord wished.  Jesus had just finished saying to the disciples that he will soon be betrayed, condemned, mocked, spit upon, flogged and killed before rising on the third day yet one gets the impression they really haven’t heard Jesus. The brothers are just out for themselves.

 

Just as these disciples acted selfishly we often are selfish in our requests before God. And like these disciples often we don’t know what we are asking for. Jesus’ response must have sent a bit of a chill down their spines because he used language they would understand to be symbols of death. (Verse 38) “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”  To drink the cup was a symbol of martyrdom and the baptism Jesus speaks of is a metaphor for his impending death. James and John answered, “Yes we can.”

 

 

One wonders, were they saying yes in a timid way or were they completely naïve in their confidence? Are we prepared to receive what we ask of God? Do we prepare our hearts for his answer?

 

In this passage Jesus was preparing his disciples for what would become of Him and what would become of them. He responds to John and James with “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with.” And we know that James was indeed martyred for his faith and John probably suffered a similar fate.

 

So what does this mean to prepare for God’s answer?

 

This season of lent is a time of preparation. We use this time to commemorate what Jesus did to prepare for the cross and to prepare to give God thanks for the great sacrifice he made through his son.  Traditional practices during lent include prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. And we also associate giving up something pleasurable or meaningful to give us the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice of our Lord. These practices can tie together to give us a deeper spiritual understanding even though we know we can never mirror the suffering of Christ. John Wesley promoted fasting among his new band of Methodists preaching on the practice of refraining from eating on Wednesdays and Fridays until three in the afternoon. That was the time when followers would return from a day of public service.  When hunger threatened, one would say a prayer to ask for strength or to focus on a particular spiritual need. Money saved during fasting was traditionally given as alms to the poor.

 

We might observe lent by giving up something to promote a healthier lifestyle.  But remember we are preparing for the new life promised in the resurrection. So we can also give up those practices that detract from or demean Christ’s message. We can avoid hateful or hurtful speech; avoid gossip and meaningless criticism. We can avoid complaining about or lot in life and look for ways to improve someone else’s life. We can give up a day in front of the tube for a day serving in the thrift store or at a soup kitchen. We can schedule nights where the whole family gathers instead of running off each in our own direction. We can read our Bible instead of reading our magazines.

 

We can spend the season of Lent learning new ways to honor God. Lent is a season of hope that ends not with Christ’s crucifixion but with his resurrection and redemption of us all and the anticipation of his glorious return.

 

Jesus ends this passage with “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be a slave to all. 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.”

 

Are you asking selfishly of God as James and John did?  Will you be surprised by his answer or will you be prepared?

 

Gracious heavenly Father, you have offered us a wonderful gift and too often we ignore you. Forgive us for our selfish desires. Help us to come to you prepared to serve even when, especially when that is not our desire. Give us strength to put our desires aside that we may do your will. We ask this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen. 

--Ben Ball