GREATNESS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Passage: Mark 10:32-45

Key verse: 45

NIV

Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time(A)

32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve(B) aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,”(C) he said, “and the Son of Man(D) will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law.(E) They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him(F) and kill him.(G) Three days later(H) he will rise.”(I)

The Request of James and John(J)

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”(K)

38 “You don’t know what you are asking,”(L) Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup(M) I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”(N)

39 “We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,(O) 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,(P) 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,(Q) and to give his life as a ransom for many.”(R)

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

32 (A)And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and (B)Jesus was walking ahead of them. And (C)they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, (D)we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will (E)condemn him to death and (F)deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will (G)mock him and (H)spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And (I)after three days he will rise.”

The Request of James and John

35 (J)And James and John, (K)the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us (L)whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, (M)“What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us (N)to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, (O)in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, (P)“You do not know what you are asking. Are you able (Q)to drink the cup that I drink, or (R)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, (S)“The cup that I drink (T)you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, (U)you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, (V)but it is for those for whom it has been (W)prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 (X)And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles (Y)lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But (Z)it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[a] 44 and whoever would be first among you must be (AA)slave[b] of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but (AB)to serve, and (AC)to give his life as a ransom for (AD)many.”

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Footnotes
  1. Mark 10:43 Greek diakonos
  2. Mark 10:44 Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The disciples were astonished and afraid. Jesus had predicted the suffering and death that was waiting for him in Jerusalem. Yet, here he was, leading the way. Jesus was purposeful and deliberate. He faced his destiny with courage and determination. For a third time, Jesus took his disciples aside and told them about what was going to happen to him. This time he included details of how he would be mocked and scourged by the Gentiles. Somehow, James and John felt that this was the proper time to ask Jesus for positions of honor in his kingdom. They seemed consumed by their future security and glory, instead of understanding the meaning of what Jesus had just said. The other disciples were indignant with James and John for seeking these high ranking positions behind their backs.

Was it wrong for the disciples to seek greatness? Not at all! We are to seek greatness, but in the way that Jesus defines it. Those who are truly great are those who lay down their lives for the sake of others. Jesus is the perfect example of such greatness. Although he is the Lord and Master of all, he did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others and to die for the sins of the world. He came to seek and to save the lost. We can be great by following his wonderful, life-giving example and serving others with his sacrificial love.

Prayer: Jesus, give us a servant’s heart like yours.

One Word: Jesus willingly gave his life for us.