Request From Jesus Mark 10:35-45
Today’s reading is another place where I think Jesus shows remarkable restraint in the face of disciples who just don’t get it. Verse 35, “Then John and James…came to him. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want you to do for us whatever we want.’” Brazen, aren’t they? And what does Jesus do? Does he call down fire from heaven? Does he shout loud enough to shake the mountains? Does he cast them away into the deepest pit? No, Jesus just stands there and asks calmly in verse 35, “What do you want me to do for you?” Verse 37, “Let one of us sit at your right, and the other at your left in your glory.”
What are your opinions of James and John? Do you think these two should have been cast aside? These two definitely didn’t understand what Jesus was there to do. They didn’t understand their position in Christ. And they had a misguided idea of what their association with Jesus meant. And they are many of mankind throughout time. And they are me.
I never asked Jesus to sit at his right hand, but all of us can misunderstand what Jesus came to do. Jesus came to offer salvation and eternal life with God. He didn’t come to make believer’s lives perfect. But through his salvation, Jesus did come to make us content with our lives; Philippians 4:11-13, “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
James and John weren’t content with the place Jesus made for them, they wanted more. Are we content? Do we want more? It’s alright to ask for more so your spouse or children will be taken care of. It’s alright to want more so you can help more. It’s not alright to ask for personal power and glory.
I never prayed to sit on the throne next to Jesus, but I did pray, “God, I know I didn’t study, but could you give me an “A” on today’s test?” Jesus didn’t come to earth so I could pass chemistry. Even in regard to our church, I used to pray for the pews to be full. Jesus didn’t come to earth to fill chairs. Now my prayers are that God continues to make us a safe pace to learn about him. That God continue to lead us in ways to expand his kingdom. When our prayers and desires are centered on God, we become content in our lives, as our lives are.
James and John, by asking to sit in the throne room of heaven next to Jesus, tells us a lot about what they believed their position was as believers. They wanted to sit above and preside over all other believers. They believed themselves to be kings, or at least princes to Jesus as king. They believed they had the right to be bowed to and served by the angels and believers in heaven. They didn’t yet understand that to be a follower of Jesus meant you served Jesus, and you served others before yourself.
Jesus says in Luke 14:11, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” James and John wanted to be looked highly on because of who they knew. God looks highly on you by what’s in your heart. Every act of service you do, no matter how small, has value in God’s eyes.
In John chapter 13 Jesus washes his disciple’s feet. This is one of the greatest demonstrations of what he teaches. God on earth, the only one who can rightly demand our genuflection and devotion, kneeling down and washing the filth off of men’s feet.
Mark 10:45, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” Through his actions in John 13, Jesus explains the totality of Mark 10. We are to serve others. We are to bend down, get dirty, do whatever task, no matter how menial, no matter if we think it’s beneath us. We are to do whatever is needed to lift another up, whatever is needed to relieve another’s pain or want, whatever is needed to restore another’s dignity and worth.
James and John wanted to ensure their dignity and worth, but Jesus commands us in Mark 12:31, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” And to love our neighbor, we must see them. We must see their worth. We must respect them. And we must reinstate their self-esteem. Mankind cannot love each other in the way Jesus wants if we look away or avoid others because of the way they are dressed, their lifestyle, or the condition of their life.
When my boys were little, we went to the state museum in Albany. Across the street there is a small park I was bringing them to to play. On a bench was a man disheveled, wearing old clothes and sleeping under a newspaper. One of the boys mentioned the “bum” as I led them down another path. Protecting my children is one thing, but I could have spoken about how this man was hurting, how he still deserved our attention, even how we should be thankful God gave us a different life path. I could have given a lifelong lesson to my boys if I had gone to get food and coffee and given it to him. Sadly, I did none of this. I failed to love my neighbor. I failed to respect his humanity and dignity.
What are we told Jesus will do in its appropriate time? Matthew 25 verses 31 and 32, “When the Son of Man comes in his lory…he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people from each other as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats…” Jesus will come one day to judge and separate us, believers from non-believers.
“Let one of us sit at your right, and the other at your left.” These are the seats of glory next to Jesus. By placing themselves as equal to Jesus’ position, James and John are placing themselves in a position of judgement, and they are misguided in their idea of their worthiness of such a position.
We ‘ve talked about this before. there are plenty of “Christians” on the internet, on TV, walking around, all saying “Jesus saves, Jesus loves, but…” But you’ve had an abortion. But your LGBTQ. But you have tattoos. But you’re divorced. But any of a hundred things they judge will keep you out of heaven. I’ve had “Christians” tell me, “I accept Jesus, I don’t sin anymore.” Wrong. And by the way, that statement shows self-pride, which happens to be a sin. Only one person who walked on earth can judge others and that’s because only that one person lived perfect and sinless. For the rest of us, especially those who follow Christ, we’re told in Matthew 7:3, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye, and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
James and John wanted to place themselves on equal footing with Jesus. None of us can do that. And though none of us can, what happens when Christians try? What happens when Christians judge? What happens when Christians think they’re above non- Christians? Verse 41, “When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.” When we believe ourselves better than others, when we sit in judgement of others, they become disgruntled with us. And rather than drawing them into the kingdom of God, we drive them even farther away from it.
Today, two disciples ask Jesus a question, a question that exposes their heart and understanding of Jesus. A question that exposes their misconception of a believer’s position in Jesus.
We must understand Jesus came for the salvation of our souls, not to grant wishes like a genie set free from a bottle.
We must understand our position as Christ’s followers is a position of service. Our goal is to fulfill a need, respect one’s humanity, and restore one’s dignity.
We must not put ourselves in a position of judgement. We must love each other, not condemn each other. Our job is to expand God’s kingdom. If we ignore, if we judge, we will push others away from the kingdom.
Lord, thank you for your love and care. Thank you for forgiving our sins. Fill us with your compassion for others. Help us to serve you in all we do. Amen.