Learning Servanthood (Mark 10:35-45)

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."

A Request

Here, we find two of Jesus' disciples responding to Jesus' announcement about his death. Their response is dense and out of touch. "Teacher," they said, "We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you" (35). We know you are about to die in Jerusalem, but we have something we want you to do for us, just a small request. Let us sit at the positions of highest honor when you come into glory (37).

They wanted the highest positions of honor in Jesus' kingdom -- to sit at the right and left hand of the King. Perhaps they thought they had a chance -- they were often in Jesus' inner circle. Maybe Peter had said enough awkward things to bump him out of the top two. Maybe they could get the positions of honor.

Now, we must not berate these men too harshly. They did, after all, still believe Jesus would be glorified (37). And right after he tells them of his coming death, they talk to him of his coming glory. They believe in their Messiah.

But the timing and content of this request are terrible. I think they knew as much because Matthew tells us their mother was involved in asking for this favor (Matthew 20:20-21). Their mother?!? This is a bad prayer.

Out of Touch Prayers

Looking back, James and John would agree with us that their request was woefully out of touch. We might castigate them for such a request, but aren't our prayers often out of touch with Jesus' mission? He has already died and risen, but now he seeks and saves that which is lost (Luke 19:10).

He is working to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). And, though we should cast all our anxieties on him (1 Peter 5:7), we must also guard against asking amiss for our own desires (James 4:3). Instead, we should consider Jesus' mission and pray accordingly.

Jesus did not ridicule his men for their requests. Instead, he interviewed them.

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."

They Didn't Know What They Were Asking

Jesus told them they didn't know what they were asking (38). Can you drink my cup and partake in my baptism?

Both terms -- the cup and baptism -- speak of times of difficulty. The cup was often an emblem of God's wrath. And the baptism Jesus spoke of here was not the one he received at the Jordan River from cousin John. It is the deluge of pain, the flood of tragedy Jesus would endure on the cross.

They did not know what he meant, so they said, "Yes, we are able" (39). And they were right. Jesus said they would partake of his cup and baptism.

Both James and John would suffer for Christ. James was the first apostle to die -- he was martyred by Herod (Acts 12:1-5). John was the last to die, but he suffered much along the way, and his final days were spent as a persecuted prisoner on the isle of Patmos (Revelation 1:9).

Still, the positions of honor in glory were not Jesus' to grant (40). He would defer to his Father for that decision.

Incidentally, many have wondered if James and John thought back to the events of the cross with their immature request echoing in their minds. As they looked at the two criminals flanking Jesus on crosses of their own, did James and John realize the folly of their request?

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, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave 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."

They Needed to Serve

After hearing of their special request, the ten were angry at James and John (41). They were not angry at their insensitivity towards Jesus or their misplaced desire for honor. They were angry to have been undercut for the positions they also craved.

Jesus gave them yet another lesson on servanthood. This was his constant teaching for these men. He did not mind their desire to be great or first -- he was happy they wanted to excel (43, 44).

But they hadn't the first clue on how to get there in Jesus' kingdom. They needed to become servants and slaves of all (43, 44).

He had taught them about servanthood before, and he would teach them again. Even during the last supper, Jesus took the household servant's position and washed the feet of his disciples.

"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." (John 13:14–15, ESV)

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."

Jesus Served

The big example of service they needed to follow was Jesus. Even the Son of Man -- the Messiah himself -- came not to be served (45). He came, he stepped out of eternity, the glory of heaven, and did not expect to be served. He came to serve.

And his service was to give his life (45). He knew we needed his death so we might live. He gladly gave his life.

And he served humanity by giving his life as a ransom for many (45). We usually reserve the word "ransom" for paying off a kidnapper or terrorist. But it means to pay the price. Jesus' life was the price to purchase us out of our slavery to sin. His death sets us free from ours. His life is our life.

We Must Serve

With all this in mind, it must be assumed that a hallmark of Christ-followers today is service. Jesus served by laying down his life. He told his disciples to be great by serving and it is a mark of true Christianity when we serve today.

We need to serve. Why? Because all too often we read books and collect preachers who tell us it's all about us, and their messages are designed to help "empower" us -- all this comes from a culture drunk on power. But is that what Jesus came to teach? Instead, he promotes a power from above that embraces weakness and expresses itself in love.

But how are we to serve? How are we to reject the patterns of power often found in the world? Jesus was conscious of how the "Gentiles" did things. How can we serve, Jesus-style?

First, Consider Jesus

He came as the slave and servant of all, but he did not attempt to do everything there was to be done. He left the earth with people unhealed and nations unreached. He had his role to play, and he would not be distracted from the mission the Father gave him. These disciples followed this pattern in the early days of the church, refusing to involve themselves in tasks that took them away from prayer and teaching (Acts 6). Like Jesus and these disciples, we must know who we are and what we're meant for on earth. Then, serve humanity by doing those things.

Second, Have a Broad Vision of Service

We too often read passages like these and assume we must sign up for Calvary Kids. But we would be mistaken if we confined Jesus' commission to a life of service only to Sunday mornings or our church-life. Instead, you should see everything you do as an act of service to others. If you're a golf-professional, serve the people around you. If you're in finance, serve. If you're in education, serve. If you're in the military, serve our nation. And, by all means, in every relationship, take a posture of service.

Third, Serve in Calvary Kids – Or Other Church-Related Ministries

To lead a life group, to serve the next generation, or to help the congregation congregate, is a joy. Serve.