MARK 10:32-40

MARK 10:32-40

MARK 10:32-34 - As the little band moved on toward Jerusalem there was something in the bearing and appearance of Jesus that moved His disciples to fear and concern. Luke tells us (9:51) “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.” He knew exactly what awaited Him there, and He went forward unflinchingly with a serious determination that evidently was manifested in His countenance, and caused the twelve to have a feeling of uneasiness. Jesus sought to make them understand just what was before Him, but still they failed to comprehend His words, so obsessed were they with the thought that the kingdom should be set up immediately. 

  MARK 10:35-40 - Humility is one of the loveliest flowers that springs up in the garden of the regenerated heart. We are all inclined to pride and vanity by nature. When the Spirit of Christ possesses us, we manifest that lowliness and meekness which ever characterized our blessed Lord. Where this lowly spirit prevails, it is easy to extend forgiveness to those who have offended us. To many this seems like slavish servility, but it is the very opposite. Greatness is evidenced by one’s readiness to deny self and to serve others for His sake, who came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for all. We cannot share in His atoning or redemptive work, but we can and should follow Him in His life of patient service for the blessing of a needy world. 

When James and John sought exalted positions in the coming kingdom, they showed how little they understood its true nature. The rebuke of the Lord Jesus was not in anger but in love, that they might learn the real meaning of participation in His sufferings, in order to share in the glories to follow.

“Master, we would that Thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.” This petition was based upon selfishness and worldly ambition. While the two brothers were doubtless quite unconscious of their own true condition of heart, yet it gave evidence of how little they had entered into the mind of their Master.

   “What would ye that I should do for you?” The Lord Jesus desired to bring to the surface what was in their thoughts; so He pressed them to put the request in their own words.

“Grant … that we may sit, one on Thy right hand, and the other on Thy left hand, in Thy glory.” They desired to have the choicest offices in the coming kingdom. They little realized how obnoxious to the Lord Jesus Christ were such ambitions. 

Official Recognition and Responsibility in the Kingdom. It is quite true that our Lord will bestow special honors upon certain of His followers when He returns to set up His kingdom. He has made this clear in several of His utterances (Matt. 19:28; Luke 19:17). But those who will occupy the highest places then will be those who were content to take the lowly places in the King’s absence, and who have been willing to suffer uncomplainingly for His sake.

“Ye know not what ye ask.” Jesus would have them realize how little they understood what was just about to take place. He asked them, “Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” He referred to the cup of rejection and judgment soon to be pressed to His lips, and to the baptism of death He was to endure on the cross.

   Not knowing what they said, James and John declared, “We can.” Their loyalty was evident, but the full nature of that cup and baptism was hidden from them. Jesus replied that they should indeed drink of His cup, and be baptized with His baptism (for all who follow Him have to taste the cup of rejection by the world and are always delivered unto death for His sake), but to sit on His right hand and on His left hand was not His to give, save to those for whom such honor shall be prepared. No man can choose His own place in the kingdom when it shall be displayed in power and glory. Each one will have the place then for which his life and service on earth have fitted him