Dearest e-votees,
This week's appointed gospel text is James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approaching Jesus asking to sit on either side of him in his glory.
One of my favorite theological re-imaginings of this encounter (and the Garasene demoniac) is in an essay called "James, John and Crazy Joe" by Gordon Atkinson. You can find it as one of the essays in RealLivePreacher.com by Gordon Atkinson. This book is the one I always buy copies when I can so I have them to give away to people. If you like good writing and insightful theology I urge you to add this one to your library. I will warn you that Gordon puts some off-color language in the mouths of Biblical characters. I don't think inappropriately so--just thought I should warn you. If you do track down this essay and give it a read please let me know what you think.
Bob Dylan was spot on when he crooned "Gotta Serve Somebody"--Jesus pushes back and really asks "Are you going to serve your vanity or are you going to serve all?" And as if to make sure we knew where he fell on that question he got out a basin and a pitcher and did the unthinkable on Maundy Thursday.
Peace,
Karl
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35 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.” 36 And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 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?” 39 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; 40 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.”
41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42 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. 43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:35-45, NRSV
It is nice to be noticed and praised. All of us like a kind word, a token of appreciation or other forms of people celebrating who we are and what we have contributed. This can take on a life of its own with cutthroat competition (and often shading the boundaries of what is permissible) to take home the title. Even the explosion of participation trophies and graduations at every level for every little accomplishment run rampant. There are so many stories of public figures padding their résumés, unduly puffing out their chests and tearing at the accomplishments of others so that they might appear better in comparison. Fame and recognition become more important than truth and substance. People are measured by how many Twitter followers they have or how many likes on Facebook or how many views on YouTube. Look into the mirror and see if you don't have looking back one who wants a little more recognition and honor than might be due or healthy.
James and John (and in Matthew 20:20-28 their mother is involved as well) approach Jesus. They ask him to grant whatever they ask of him (pretty hefty request to ask God incarnate). Jesus doesn't give a blanket "Yes." but responds with a clarifying question. They want the places of honor sitting at Jesus' right and Jesus' left when he comes in his glory. Pretty bold request. Given that they were two of the inner circle of three you wonder what Peter might have thought of this? I like Gordon Atkinson's take. These men think they know how the second coming will play out (doubtful) and that they among all people who ever lived deserve the two highest seats of honor (also doubtful). I would expect that even if Jesus would have said "Yes." that they would have then argued about which deserved the best seat (presumably the right) and which deserved the lesser seat (surely). This is our old sinful selves wanting to grab and assure what is not up for grabs and certainly mysterious. It is amazing that Jesus is so calm and collected in his response.
What Jesus does is redirect to a truer meaning of being a disciple. We follow not to glob onto Jesus' glory (which in John is the cross and which comes our way too with the call to take up our cross and follow after Jesus) we follow because Jesus grants life to us. And it turns out the way for us to enter into that life is to give ourselves away in service to others. We are to take up a basin and a towel and wash the feet of others. We are to take up a soup ladle and salad tongs and load up a meal for the hungry. We are to open our wallets and purses and support the broader work of benevolent societies, particularly those with a healthy faith foundation, in service of the gospel. We are to worry less about how many letters are after our name on our business card and what accolades come our way and more about being like Jesus which looked like a self-denying slave for the sake of healing and restoration of others.
God, help us through the grace and example of Jesus be more like Jesus. Teach us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and do the sorts of things he did. And give us grace to let others serve us as well. Amen.
I have been writing these e-vos for quite some time (this is the 470th post since I started using the http://e-vos.blogspot.com URL in 2007). It has been a challenge, as you may have noticed, to publish regularly each Wednesday. I am planning to continue on to 500 posts and then take a substantial if not permanent break from writing this devotion series. My hope and prayer is that this has been a blessing to you. Thank you for reading them and the encouraging comments that have come my way.
This week's appointed gospel text is James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approaching Jesus asking to sit on either side of him in his glory.
One of my favorite theological re-imaginings of this encounter (and the Garasene demoniac) is in an essay called "James, John and Crazy Joe" by Gordon Atkinson. You can find it as one of the essays in RealLivePreacher.com by Gordon Atkinson. This book is the one I always buy copies when I can so I have them to give away to people. If you like good writing and insightful theology I urge you to add this one to your library. I will warn you that Gordon puts some off-color language in the mouths of Biblical characters. I don't think inappropriately so--just thought I should warn you. If you do track down this essay and give it a read please let me know what you think.
Bob Dylan was spot on when he crooned "Gotta Serve Somebody"--Jesus pushes back and really asks "Are you going to serve your vanity or are you going to serve all?" And as if to make sure we knew where he fell on that question he got out a basin and a pitcher and did the unthinkable on Maundy Thursday.
Peace,
Karl
------------
35 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.” 36 And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 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?” 39 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; 40 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.”
41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42 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. 43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
It is nice to be noticed and praised. All of us like a kind word, a token of appreciation or other forms of people celebrating who we are and what we have contributed. This can take on a life of its own with cutthroat competition (and often shading the boundaries of what is permissible) to take home the title. Even the explosion of participation trophies and graduations at every level for every little accomplishment run rampant. There are so many stories of public figures padding their résumés, unduly puffing out their chests and tearing at the accomplishments of others so that they might appear better in comparison. Fame and recognition become more important than truth and substance. People are measured by how many Twitter followers they have or how many likes on Facebook or how many views on YouTube. Look into the mirror and see if you don't have looking back one who wants a little more recognition and honor than might be due or healthy.
James and John (and in Matthew 20:20-28 their mother is involved as well) approach Jesus. They ask him to grant whatever they ask of him (pretty hefty request to ask God incarnate). Jesus doesn't give a blanket "Yes." but responds with a clarifying question. They want the places of honor sitting at Jesus' right and Jesus' left when he comes in his glory. Pretty bold request. Given that they were two of the inner circle of three you wonder what Peter might have thought of this? I like Gordon Atkinson's take. These men think they know how the second coming will play out (doubtful) and that they among all people who ever lived deserve the two highest seats of honor (also doubtful). I would expect that even if Jesus would have said "Yes." that they would have then argued about which deserved the best seat (presumably the right) and which deserved the lesser seat (surely). This is our old sinful selves wanting to grab and assure what is not up for grabs and certainly mysterious. It is amazing that Jesus is so calm and collected in his response.
What Jesus does is redirect to a truer meaning of being a disciple. We follow not to glob onto Jesus' glory (which in John is the cross and which comes our way too with the call to take up our cross and follow after Jesus) we follow because Jesus grants life to us. And it turns out the way for us to enter into that life is to give ourselves away in service to others. We are to take up a basin and a towel and wash the feet of others. We are to take up a soup ladle and salad tongs and load up a meal for the hungry. We are to open our wallets and purses and support the broader work of benevolent societies, particularly those with a healthy faith foundation, in service of the gospel. We are to worry less about how many letters are after our name on our business card and what accolades come our way and more about being like Jesus which looked like a self-denying slave for the sake of healing and restoration of others.
God, help us through the grace and example of Jesus be more like Jesus. Teach us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and do the sorts of things he did. And give us grace to let others serve us as well. Amen.
I have been writing these e-vos for quite some time (this is the 470th post since I started using the http://e-vos.blogspot.com URL in 2007). It has been a challenge, as you may have noticed, to publish regularly each Wednesday. I am planning to continue on to 500 posts and then take a substantial if not permanent break from writing this devotion series. My hope and prayer is that this has been a blessing to you. Thank you for reading them and the encouraging comments that have come my way.
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