Sometimes I Wish...

“Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
Mark 10:38 (NIV)

Sometimes I wish I was there in those moments when Jesus was interacting with His crew, so I could see the expression on His face. This week’s question happens in the midst of one of those scenes. I am convinced of two things about Jesus, first, He must have had a great sense of humor and second, He had divinely powered patience with these guys.

Let me set the scene. We had just watched the rich young man situation play out at the end of which Jesus assures the guys that their sacrifices would give them the greatest rewards, especially eternal life. Now they are back on the road, and Jesus had just made it clear where they were going and what would happen when they got there. That’s when Zebedee’s sons James and John decide they want to walk next to Jesus so they can ask a favor of him. James and John start by saying, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask” (Mark 10:35). I can almost see an expression on Jesus’ face that says “well this ought to be good” as He responds with something akin to what do you want? James and John say, “we want to sit at your left and right when you are on the throne” (My paraphrase of Mark 10:36-37). I imagine Jesus now has a look on His face that says, “are you kidding me!” Jesus responds to their request, first with you have no idea what you have just asked for and asks this week’s question – “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with” (Mark 10:30). Remember just a short while before Jesus had described what was going to happen when they got to Jerusalem. James and John are like yes of course we can! Then Jesus’ gives one of the best responses ever. He tells James and John, “yep you are going to drink the same cup and experience the same baptism BUT, who gets to sit next to me isn’t up to me, those places have been prepared by some else for someone else” (Mark 10:38-40). By this time, the other ten had got wind of the conversation that was happening and it would seem they were giving James and John a bit of a what for. Jesus gathers them around and gives them all a little lesson on what greatness in the kingdom looks like – humble, service not power and authority.

James would the first of the twelve to lose his life for the cause of Christ when he loses his head (Acts 12:2). John on the other hand would miraculously survive being boiled in oil, live to an old age and die of natural causes. They drank the cup each in their own way.

Jesus always surrenders to the plan and will of His Father. He was about serving the people, especially those who were not welcome in the “religious” circles of His day. He teaches us that true greatness and power don’t come from wealth and unchecked authority, rather it comes from humble obedience and service. The Holy Spirit is present to help us live against the current of worldly greatness for something better.

Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – humble obedience and service will allow you to be more influential than money and authority will.