He Knows My Desire to Be First
Scripture Reading: Mark 9:30-37; 10:32-45
Meditation
The road to Jerusalem leads to a cross but Jesus walks the path anyway. Though they pledge their allegiance to the Master, the disciples, however, want to go their own way. They want to walk the way of glory. They run after the crown and away from the cross.
As they make their way to Jerusalem, Jesus tries to explain to his disciples what is about to happen.
Back on the road, they set out for Jerusalem. Jesus had a head start on them, and they were following, puzzled and not just a little afraid. He took the Twelve and began again to go over what to expect next. “Listen to me carefully. We’re on our way up to Jerusalem. When we get there, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Romans, who will mock and spit on him, give him the third degree, and kill him. After three days he will rise alive.”1
But Jesus’ predictions about his Passion are difficult for his disciples to accept. Betrayal. Humiliation. Murder. These thoughts are abhorrent, unthinkable. Such things are hard to believe and even more loathsome to embrace.
The disciples have it set in their minds that the road to Jerusalem should lead to a throne, not a cross. The political climate is right. All of Jerusalem is ready for a Messianic king and Jesus’ followers are determined that he is destined for a coronation, not a crucifixion. The disciples reject his words and spurn the course to the cross. Instead, they run after dreams of kingdom crowns.
As they walk toward Jerusalem, the disciples plot ways to leapfrog themselves over their brothers and up the political pecking order. Each of them is planning to rule. Power. Prestige. Places of honor. These are the perks that come to those who sit at the right and at the left of the Messiah. But there are only two seats next to the throne of glory. In the kingdom, positions on the Messianic cabinet are limited and the Father is the only one who can assign them.
Two of the disciples, James and John, come up to Jesus and whisper a request,
“Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.”
“What is it? I’ll see what I can do.”
“Arrange it,” they said, “so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in your glory—one of us at your right, the other at your left.”2
James and John are called “the sons of thunder” and the moniker fits their stormy personalities. Whenever there is any type of resistance to Jesus’ ministry, their suggested solution is to call down fire from heaven and incinerate those who get in the way. Like bolts of lightning, they strike first and hear the rumbles later.
Earlier, the disciples had argued among themselves about who was the greatest. At that time there was no resolution, just a firm rebuke from Jesus.
“So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all.”3
Though reprimanded, James and John still push for the first place. The “sons of thunder” pull Jesus aside in order to push the other disciples out.
“Jesus, give us the highest places of honor—one at your right, the other at your left.”
Where there’s lightning, rumbling soon follows.
The brother’s preemptive and presumptuous request sires a tempest among the other disciples. Tempers flare. Words fly. Accusations swirl.
When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you.”4
Jesus enters into the tumult. He grabs the disciples by their arms, separates them, sits them down, and tells them to cool off. When the red of rage has left their faces, Jesus begins once again to explain that life in the kingdom of God is a paradox: what’s last is first; what’s weak is strong; the one who serves is the one who rules.
Once more, he tries to explain that the cross inverts the values of the world—upside down to right side up. In the kingdom of God self-sacrifice sits on right side of the Messianic throne and servanthood on the left. These are the seats of honor.
“Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.”5
As Jesus walks toward Jerusalem, he’s preparing to die. Though the Jews will hand him over to Rome and Pilate will sentence him to death, they won’t be the ones who will take his life. In fact, no one is going to steal Jesus’ life; he’s going to give it away.
He will voluntarily pay the ransom and become the sacrifice of substitution. Sin’s hostages will be redeemed. Death’s prisoners will be released. Heaven’s children will be bought back, purchased by the Son. And from his cross, Jesus, the Messianic King, will rule. As he opens his arms to the nails, he’ll give the gift of salvation: forgiveness of sins that sets the sinner free to serve.
Reflection
When was the last time you were in an argument or lost your temper with another Christ follower? What was it about?
Is there anything about the cross of Christ that you find hard to believe, abhorrent to think about, or loathsome to embrace?
How is Christ asking you to take the last place instead of the first?
What is your view of the kingdom of God and your place in it?
Prayer
Father,
Though your Son was the greatest, he became the least. He took on human flesh and set aside the privileges of deity. He became a servant—humble, lowly, and obedient. He lived a selfless life and died a sacrificial death. In life and in death, he gave his life away.
During this day, remind me of the price of redemption—the blood ransom—that was paid by Christ on the cross. When I am tempted to power up in my relationships, empower me to power down. When I scheme ways to sit at the highest places of honor, reverse my plans and make me available to serve in the low places—quietly, selflessly, and faithfully. When ambition nudges me to nudge others out, let me be the one to step aside. Help me spurn the lure of thrones and crowns and impassion me to embrace the paradox of the cross. Set me free to serve.
In the Servant King’s name I pray. Amen
1Mark 10:32-34 2Mark 10:35-37 3Mark 9:35 4Mark 10:41-43 5Mark 10:43-45
All Scripture references in the meditation are marked by italics and are taken from the Gospel reading for the day. Those verses quoted outside of the chosen reading for the day are noted. All Scripture quoted in this post is taken from THE MESSAGE: Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001 & 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.