The very same event can cause some to fear and give hope to others. This is what happened when, in spite of the religious leaders’ opposition, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem. In chapter 10, verses 32 through 34 of the Gospel which bears his name Mark writes, “They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles. They will mock him, spit on him, scourge him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.””
Mark does not tell us why the disciples were astonished and the rest of Jesus’ followers were afraid when Jesus led the way to Jerusalem. Perhaps the disciples were astonished that Jesus would deliberately go to a place where so many influential people opposed Him. Perhaps Jesus’ followers were afraid that the authorities would take action against them as well as against Jesus. If this is the case, it speaks well of their faith in Jesus that they were willing to risk trouble and suffering in order to follow Him.
Of the two groups, Jesus’ disciples seemed the least aware of what Jesus faced. This is amazing because Jesus had already told them twice before that the religious leaders would reject Him and have Him executed. Now, for the third time, Jesus privately told the disciples what would happen in Jerusalem. This time Jesus added explicit detail about what would be done to Him – He would be condemned, mocked, tortured and killed by the very people who should have welcomed and supported Him the most. However, this betrayal would not end in disaster. In three days time, Jesus would rise from the dead.
It is obvious that in spite of Jesus’ specific warning about His coming humiliation and death, the disciples still did not understand. They thought that Jesus was going to Jerusalem to establish an earthly kingdom. Some of them decided to benefit from it. In verses 35 through 45 Mark writes, “James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.” He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to him, “We are able.” Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant toward James and John. Jesus summoned them, and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””
Perhaps James and John realized that their desire was not entirely in harmony with God’s will, for they asked Jesus to grant their wish without telling Him what it was. However, Jesus was too wise to be caught that way. He would not allow anyone to put Him in a position where He had to either break His promise or to grant something contrary to God’s will. Instead, He forced James and John to clearly state what they wanted.
In reply to James’ and John’s request for places of honor Jesus told them that they did not understand what they were asking for. While they were correct that Jesus would be glorified, He would first have to pay a great price.
Jesus used two metaphors to describe the price He was about to pay. The first was a cup. In several places the Old Testament pictures judgment as if someone were drinking from a cup filled with God’s wrath. The judgment for the sins of the entire world would come upon Jesus. The second metaphor Jesus used was that of baptism. He would be immersed in trouble and suffering. Were James and John willing and able to pay the same price in order to receive the honor they craved?
Foolishly, James and John declared that they were able. Jesus told them that they would indeed suffer, but He could not grant their request. God is the One who has decided who will sit at Jesus’ right or left. Jesus would not try to usurp that authority.
The other disciples harbored the same ambition as James and John. They did not understand that the principles of the Kingdom of God are the opposite of the principles upon which worldly power is based. Jesus had to explain to them that the world measures position and power by how many people serve a ruler. In contrast, in the Kingdom of God, position and greatness is measured by how much a person serves. Not even Jesus, Himself, was exempt from this principle. He did not come to receive service. On the contrary, He came to serve others. In fact, Jesus was going to lay down His own life on behalf of others.
In light of Jesus’ teaching we can say that those who are truly great do not seek power and position at all. Their focus is not on themselves and their own honor. Their concern is how much and how well they can serve and help others.
Similar to Jesus’ disciples in this incident, there are many in the church, even today, who have not learned the lesson. As Jesus said on another occasion about the religious leaders of His day, “They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’” (Matthew 23:4-7 NIV) What about us? Do we crave positions of honor and power over others? Do we seek the acclaim of men? Or, do we have a heart of service? Are we willing to sacrifice ourselves that others may benefit?