The Gospel of Mark: Greatness

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.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 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?” 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; 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.”

When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 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. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 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


In another case of the disciples not learning from things Jesus has already told them, James and John decide they want some of the glory that Jesus is clearly going to be getting. I mean, they've seen what happened on the mountain at the Transfiguration. Who wouldn't want that kind of glory?

But they are forgetting Jesus' words about greatness. They are forgetting Jesus putting a child in their midst and saying that was greatness. That child was greatness.

They forget him saying that servanthood is greatness.

They forget him saying that death awaits him.

But again, maybe like the disciples, we forget what God's glory and greatness is all about sometimes as well.


Holy God, thank you for the gospel - the good news - of your Son. Open my mind and heart to this good news and enliven me with your Spirit of servanthood that I might share this good news with a world in need. Amen



Engagement Question:


What comes to mind when you think of God's glory?

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