Introduction
‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ If we’re honest, aren’t we often just as outrageous in our requests? Even if it’s not out loud!
Mark 10.35–45
James 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.’ And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ But 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?’ They 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; but 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.’
When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So 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. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’
Questions:
- We might tut at James and John, but if we’re honest, are there outrageous requests we have made of God?
- What might we be missing in asking for these things? What is the hidden cost?
- Not to be served but to serve is massively counter cultural. In what ways might our worshipping community re capture this call in their corporate life?
Things to think about with the child at the centre:
We all know children like James and John “Me, me, pick me! I’ll do it, I want to do it!!” Is it any wonder Jesus gives them the nickname “Sons of Thunder?” (Mark 3:17)
Children often want to be involved, but serving is about putting the needs of others before our own, and that’s a difficult thing for them to learn. In what ways can we enable children to serve in the church that helps them develop this capacity and grow in their understanding of Jesus grace and love?
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