10:39,40
Probably not knowing what they were accenting to, James and John declared that they could drink the cup that Jesus had to drink. Jesus knew they were talking nonsense, but even so He also knew that they would indeed be able to drink it. James was martyred, and John went on to live to an old age, but that included much suffering. We are weak and, to be honest, sometimes rather stupid, not knowing what we are talking about half the time. Even so, Jesus is able to enable us to do amazing things in His name. And this includes sharing in His sufferings. But note also that there is a limit to this, for James and John would not be on the crosses either side of Jesus.
10:41
Jesus also had words for all the disciples. The other ten got wind of what James and John had asked and were indignant. Now why were they indignant? Because they realised how crass was the request that they had made? Or was it because they feared that James and John were moving ahead of them in the blessing queue?
10:42,43
Jesus’ answer suggests that it was the latter of the two reasons put forward in my comments on v41. Jesus has to again explain to them that the kingdom of God operates on very different principles to those of the kingdoms of the world. In the world the rulers lord it over the ruled. In God’s kingdom the emphasis is on serving others. Our question should not be how can I get on, but how can I help others get on.
10:44,45
Jesus now draws the answer back to Himself. In order to be “first” we need to be the slave of all, and the supreme exemplar of this is Jesus Himself. He is the one through whom and for whom all things were created, yet He came to die for us, to serve us in a most extraordinary way. He gave His life as a ransom for many, to set many people, including you and me, free.
No comments:
Post a Comment