Mark 10:32-45
(A Bible Study Led by Dr.
Larry Reynolds)
October 18, 2012
Verses 32-34 –The fourth prediction in Mark’s Gospel of
Jesus’ suffering and death (see Mark 8:31; 9:12; 9:31)
“…they…” – Probably
a reference to more than just Jesus and the twelve. The last part of this verse seems to speak of
two groups—Jesus and the twelve plus some others who were following along,
perhaps pilgrims going to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration.
“…on the
road…” – Were traveling from Galilee to Judea…taking the normal
path to the east of Samaria following the Jordan River Valley…this event
occurred before they reach Jericho (see Mark 10:46)
“…Jesus was
walking ahead…” – Typical of a 1st century rabbi being
followed by his students…
“going up to
Jerusalem” – When we speak of going up, we generally mean going
north or up on the map. However, no
matter what direction from which they may be coming, Jewish people always speak
of going up to Jerusalem. Probably two
reasons—the elevation of the city is about 2500 feet above sea level and it was
a holy destination so it was a spiritual high to visit there.
“…amazed…fearful…” – Seems rather
strange when first read these words…what were they amazed about and fearful
of?...Does this relate back to what Jesus said in the previous paragraph about
His followers experiencing persecution?
Or does it relate to the previous statements Jesus made about His
suffering and death in Jerusalem. The latter
seems more likely.
“…delivered
to the chief priests and the scribes…condemn Him to death…deliver Him to the
Gentiles…mock Him…spit upon Him…scourge Him…kill Him…three days later He will
rise again…” – Most detailed description in Mark of His coming
suffering…reference to the Jewish Sanhedrin…the Roman authorities…the treatment
he would receive from the Roman soldiers…
Verses 35-37 – The request of James and John
It is not
surprising that James and John asked for places of special recognition in
Jesus' kingdom...that's just human nature...there's something in most of us
that cries out for recognition and praise...it's not surprising that they
asked, but it is surprising when they asked... Jesus had just told the
disciples what was going to happen to Him in Jerusalem... would be arrested,
mistreated, mocked, beaten, and killed...no sooner had said that than James and
John came making their selfish request...words had just come from His lips, but
was as if James and John didn't even hear or at least didn't comprehend what He
said...
Verse 38 – Jesus’ response to James and John
Basically
said two things...first made a statement, then asked a question ...
·
Statement was "You do not know what you are
asking for." ...(there's important lesson in that for
us...sometimes we ask God for wrong things...sometimes God does not grant our request
because to do so would be bad for us)...if Jesus would have done for James
and John what they had asked, given them the places on His right and left in
Jerusalem, they would have been hanging on the crosses on either side of Him
instead of the two criminals!...
·
Question Jesus asked was, "Are you able to
drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am
baptized?"...some people try to read into that statement a
reference to the church ordinances -- baptism and the Lord's Supper...not what
Jesus is saying...phrase "drink the cup" means to
experience what I am going to experience...what Jesus was saying was, "You
say you want places of honor in my kingdom.
But are you able to experience with me my sufferings, even to the point
of being baptized or immersed in them?
You want to share my glory, but do you have the commitment to share my
suffering as well?"
Verses 39-40 – James’ and John’s response to Jesus
James and
John glibly and thoughtlessly answered, "Yes, Lord, we are able. We can do it.
We'll make that kind of commitment."...but events that followed
indicate that Jesus was right when He told them they didn't know what they were
asking...for example when Jesus was--
·
Agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane, facing most
difficult hour of His life, what were James and John doing? ...kneeling beside
Him in prayer? ...not hardly!...they were sleeping!...three times Lord had to
awaken them...yet they were able to drink of His cup!
·
Being tried and falsely accused before the Jewish and
Roman courts, where were James and John? ...were they demanding to be heard, to
say a positive word on His behalf?...no way!...were hiding because they were
afraid... yet they were able to drink of His cup!
·
Hanging on cross, giving life for sins of the world, who
occupied places on His right and left? ....not James and John, but two common
criminals...yet they were able to drink of His cup!
And while it
is easy for us to be critical of James and John, truth is, more often than not
we are just like they were… As one person put it, we want--
·
Throne of Christ without the thorns...
·
Crown of Christ without the cross...
·
Self-indulgence but not self-sacrifice...
·
Benefits of being a Christian without making serious
commitment to Christ...
But that's
not way is in kingdom of God...to participate in His kingdom must be willing to
drink of His cup....to commit ourselves wholly and completely to Jesus...
Enrico
Caruso was one of greatest opera tenors of all time...in 1911 signed a
lucrative contract with what was then known as the Victor Talking Machine
company...contract was very simple...in exchange for the check, Caruso wrote
this statement on a piece of his own stationery: "For the rest of his life Caruso
sings only for you." That is
precisely the kind of commitment Jesus requires of those who would follow after
Him.
Verses 41 – The reaction of the other disciples to James’ and John’s
request
When other
disciples heard request of James and John, became angry...Mark says in v.41
they "began to feel indignant"... but Mark does not
tell us why they felt that way...don't think was so much because of the request
James and John made of Jesus...more than likely were indignant because James
and John beat them to the punch and made the request before they did!...suspect
James and John merely verbalized what they all were thinking...
Verses 42-44 – A teachable moment
Jesus called
this band of angry, feuding men together and once again tried to teach them an
important kingdom principle ...pointed out that in eyes of world greatness is
measured in terms of authority and power, whether it be economic, military,
political, or whatever...but Jesus said in realm of God's kingdom not that
way...in God's kingdom greatness is measure in terms of servant-hood...
·
Verse 43 - "...whoever wishes to become great
among you shall be your servant..."...and word for servant there
is diakonos which literally means one who waits on tables...
·
Verse 44 - "...whoever wishes to be first
among you shall be slave of all..."...and word for slave there is doulos
which was used to describe those on very bottom rung of social order...lowest
of the slaves...
Jesus introduced
this concept to them back in Mark 9:35 and on this occasion He expands on it…it
is an amazing thought that the way to become great in God’s eyes is to become a
servant…
In 1935
Albert Schweitzer, the great missionary to Africa, was addressing the
graduating class of an exclusive English boys' school...Schweitzer looked out
at those young men, many of whom came from the most prominent, powerful
families in England and made the following statement: "I do not know what your destiny
will be. Some of you will perhaps occupy
remarkable positions...But I know one thing:
the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have
sought and found how to serve."
And that
principle is true for every person who ever lived... the key, secret to
fulfillment in life is learning to serve...it is a basic law of life that the
more we serve, the more we give ourselves to others, the more we get in
return...that's what Jesus meant when He said "...whoever loses his
life for My sake shall find..." (Matthew 16:25)
If you feel distressed
or depressed or dejected, go out and find someone you can serve...give yourself
away...put others first...become a diakonos (servant), a doulos (slave) and
you'll be amazed at what that will do for you...as strange as it may sound to
those of us who live in a culture which says the smart people are the ones who
get others to serve them, Jesus was exactly right when He taught the way to
true greatness and real fulfillment in life is putting ones-self last and
others first...
Verse 45 – A perfect model
Jesus never
asked His followers to do anything He did not do first...for example…
·
He asks us to love each other and He demonstrated His
love by dying on the cross for our sins...("Greater love has not man
than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.")
·
He asks us to forgive one another and He demonstrated His
willingness to forgive by saying of those who were crucifying Him "Father
forgive them for that know not what they do."...
And He asks
that we serve one another, and His entire life was characterized by service to
others...
"For
even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His
life a ransom for many" is an amazing statement...imagine that!...the most
powerful One in all the universe laying aside that power to become a
servant...and that is the kind of life to which He calls us...
“ to give His life” - This is the summary verse of
Mark’s Gospel. Jesus always refers to His death as His gift or His glory. It
denotes the vicarious, substitutionary atonement (i.e. sin offering, cf. II
Cor. 5:21) of Christ (cf. Gen. 3:15; Isa. 52:13–53:12).
“ransom” This is literally “to buy back”
or “to pay a price” (cf. Matt. 20:28; Titus 2:14; I Pet. 1:18). It reflects the
OT term used of slaves and prisoners of war being bought back, often by a near
kin (go’el). Jesus unites in Himself
the love and justice of God the Father. Sin costs a life—God provided one![1]
[1]
Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2:
The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I
& II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (122–123). Marshall, Texas: Bible
Lessons International.
