On Line Bible Study - For the week August 10-16, 2009
Lesson 400
Mark 10:32-45 ... In this passage two things happen. First, Jesus predicts his death for the third time, and then James and John (sons of Zebedee) ask to sit at Jesus' right and left in glory.
Prediction of Passion and Death ... This third prediction happens - as do the other two - while Jesus is "on the way". After the first prediction (8:31ff), Peter rebukes him. After the second prediction (9:30ff) we are told the disciples did not understand what he meant ... Following this third prediction, there is no comment that directly describes the disciples' reaction. However, we have a scene that suggests at least some of them still don't get it.
Mark 10:35-37 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked. They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."
Donahue and Harrington point out that when Matthew tells this story it is not the two disciples who ask this of Jesus; it is their mother. They write: "Matthew seems to have found their request so offensive that he blames it on 'the mother of the sons of Zebedee'." But given the track record of the disciples, it is certainly not outside the realm of possibility that they would make their request themselves.
Once again St. Mark is pushing the question of the definition of "glory". James and John are leading with stereotypical notions of their culture - status and honor, these were the prizes that attended "glory", and they wanted to get their share of both.
Is that what the "Son of Man" came to give - status and honor to his followers? Is that really what these two men wanted? Is that what we want?
Maybe it's my age showing through ... but increasingly it seems to me that "status and honor" are burdens, even impediments! They are not the rewards of glory; they are the nemesis of it! True glory is what one experiences when we serve as we are called to do so. True joy is what attends a quiet life (for most of us), lived well - obediently, selflessly, patiently, humbly!
And as if to underscore this, the section we are considering concludes with Jesus saying that he has come not only to serve, but to give his life as a ransom. It goes without saying - this is not what James and John had in mind!
Mark 10:32-45 ... In this passage two things happen. First, Jesus predicts his death for the third time, and then James and John (sons of Zebedee) ask to sit at Jesus' right and left in glory.
Prediction of Passion and Death ... This third prediction happens - as do the other two - while Jesus is "on the way". After the first prediction (8:31ff), Peter rebukes him. After the second prediction (9:30ff) we are told the disciples did not understand what he meant ... Following this third prediction, there is no comment that directly describes the disciples' reaction. However, we have a scene that suggests at least some of them still don't get it.
Mark 10:35-37 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked. They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."
Donahue and Harrington point out that when Matthew tells this story it is not the two disciples who ask this of Jesus; it is their mother. They write: "Matthew seems to have found their request so offensive that he blames it on 'the mother of the sons of Zebedee'." But given the track record of the disciples, it is certainly not outside the realm of possibility that they would make their request themselves.
Once again St. Mark is pushing the question of the definition of "glory". James and John are leading with stereotypical notions of their culture - status and honor, these were the prizes that attended "glory", and they wanted to get their share of both.
Is that what the "Son of Man" came to give - status and honor to his followers? Is that really what these two men wanted? Is that what we want?
Maybe it's my age showing through ... but increasingly it seems to me that "status and honor" are burdens, even impediments! They are not the rewards of glory; they are the nemesis of it! True glory is what one experiences when we serve as we are called to do so. True joy is what attends a quiet life (for most of us), lived well - obediently, selflessly, patiently, humbly!
And as if to underscore this, the section we are considering concludes with Jesus saying that he has come not only to serve, but to give his life as a ransom. It goes without saying - this is not what James and John had in mind!
posted by Mark D at 2:15 PM
1 Comments:
I like your comment about status and honor.
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