Mark 10:35-45 (NRSV)
Read Mark 10:35-45 on biblegateway.com
Verse 35James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." Verse 36And he said to them, "What is it you want me to do for you?" Verse 37And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." Verse 38But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" Verse 39They replied, "We are able." Then 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; Verse 40but 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."
Verse 41When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. Verse 42So Jesus called them and said to them, "You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. Verse 43But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, Verse 44and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. Verse 45For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."
Devotion
This Sunday we remember James, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. This Gospel story is the one where James and his brother John ask to sit in glory at Jesus’ right and left sides when the time comes. It is easy when we read this story to imagine ourselves as the other disciples, angry with James and John for asking such a thing! But isn’t it true, if we continue our imagining, that we are also a little jealous we didn’t think of it first?!? Who among us doesn’t want to be in the place of honor and glory? Who among us doesn’t want to be patted on the back for our good works? And yet we are constantly reminded that the kingdom of God doesn’t work that way. Honor and glory do not come from sitting in the seat of power, but from serving at the feet of the lowliest among us.
Prayer
Forgiving God, help us to put away our selfishness and to point people, not to us and what we are up to, but to your Son, from whom all good things come. Amen.