Word@Work 121 - Mark 10:38-40
Published: Mon, 05/12/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 10:38-40 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with?" "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with, 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." (NIV)
James and John had just asked to be on the top table at Jesus' victory banquet: to be the most senior members of His government. But they hadn't got a clue! They did not realise that, for the Christ, the prelude to glory would be suffering. It was all there in the Old Testament, but they were not thinking biblically. Indeed, all ideas about Jesus that are not shaped by God's Word will inevitably miss the mark.
The questions about the cup and baptism should have got a "No" answer. The 'cup' was the metaphor for suffering and 'baptism' was about being overwhelmed - and the passion of Jesus was for Him alone to endure. It sounded brave (but in a foolhardy way) for them to volunteer to share it with Him; but they just showed that they had not understood God's salvation plan. Neither could they envisage the persecution they would personally encounter - so Jesus turns the tables in the conversation to warn them that although his suffering was unique to him, theirs would be unique to them. Importantly, Jesus refuses to enter any private bargain with even the closest of His followers. He will not decide anything independently of His Father; He cannot 'do a deal' outside of His Father's will.
This episode flags up two falsehoods which we might encounter. Firstly, thinking that somehow we can be equal partners with Christ because we are so special to Him - a cultish error (the saving work of the cross was for the Saviour alone ... we have no contribution to that at all). Secondly, thinking that the Christian path will avoid all suffering for us - this is an unreal 'glory trip' that will always end in disillusionment. Biblical thinking accepts that Jesus suffered uniquely to bear the sins of the world, and to defeat the power of Satan: then to accept that persecution, in some form, will always accompany true faith in Jesus, and try to deflect His church. The good news, is that suffering is not the end - glory is! And Jesus, who has got there first, is preparing a place for us!!
Prayer: Father God. Forgive me when if I ever think that I can contribute to Christ's saving work; or that His suffering means that there are no troubles ahead for me. Help me to be thankful, every day, for the price that Jesus paid so that my sins can be forgiven. And help me to see opposition as another sign to encourage me that glory with You is ahead for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
James and John had just asked to be on the top table at Jesus' victory banquet: to be the most senior members of His government. But they hadn't got a clue! They did not realise that, for the Christ, the prelude to glory would be suffering. It was all there in the Old Testament, but they were not thinking biblically. Indeed, all ideas about Jesus that are not shaped by God's Word will inevitably miss the mark.
The questions about the cup and baptism should have got a "No" answer. The 'cup' was the metaphor for suffering and 'baptism' was about being overwhelmed - and the passion of Jesus was for Him alone to endure. It sounded brave (but in a foolhardy way) for them to volunteer to share it with Him; but they just showed that they had not understood God's salvation plan. Neither could they envisage the persecution they would personally encounter - so Jesus turns the tables in the conversation to warn them that although his suffering was unique to him, theirs would be unique to them. Importantly, Jesus refuses to enter any private bargain with even the closest of His followers. He will not decide anything independently of His Father; He cannot 'do a deal' outside of His Father's will.
This episode flags up two falsehoods which we might encounter. Firstly, thinking that somehow we can be equal partners with Christ because we are so special to Him - a cultish error (the saving work of the cross was for the Saviour alone ... we have no contribution to that at all). Secondly, thinking that the Christian path will avoid all suffering for us - this is an unreal 'glory trip' that will always end in disillusionment. Biblical thinking accepts that Jesus suffered uniquely to bear the sins of the world, and to defeat the power of Satan: then to accept that persecution, in some form, will always accompany true faith in Jesus, and try to deflect His church. The good news, is that suffering is not the end - glory is! And Jesus, who has got there first, is preparing a place for us!!
Prayer: Father God. Forgive me when if I ever think that I can contribute to Christ's saving work; or that His suffering means that there are no troubles ahead for me. Help me to be thankful, every day, for the price that Jesus paid so that my sins can be forgiven. And help me to see opposition as another sign to encourage me that glory with You is ahead for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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