JOIN MY EMAIL LIST FOR CONTENT UPDATES
Immediately after Jesus said, “I will be killed in Jerusalem—I will not establish my authoritative rule,” two of his well-known followers, James and John, approached Jesus and said, “We want to sit at your right hand and left hand when you establish your glory.”
They didn’t know what they were asking.
They were so confident of the outcome of Jesus’ Jerusalem entrance that they neglected to hear what he was actually saying.
He responded to their statement with a question, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?” “We are,” they said.
Jesus replied, “And you will, but to sit on my right and left is not mine to give, but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
The other followers grew angry at James and John for making this request. Jesus used this event as one of his most important teaching moments in which he gives a clear purpose as to why he came.
* * *
“Those in authority use their authority to lord over others,” Jesus said. Those in authority easily use their authority to treat others as objects that exist for the sole purpose of gratifying the desires of the one in authority.
Jesus and his followers probably thought of Caesar and his prefects.
“But not so among you,” Jesus continued, “Those who wish to be great among you must be your servant and the one who wants to be of most importance must become a slave to everyone.”
What an astonishing statement that clearly indicates Jesus knew of a world with radically different values from ours.
Then Jesus sought to make his identity clear one more time, “I did not come to be served as a king, but to serve others and give my life as a ransom for many.” They saw him as a king. And he was. But he would redefine the very meaning of the word.
Jesus defined the meaning of his life as one of a servant. The greatest act of service was his decision to die. The word “ransom” in Greek means “payment for release.” Jesus said his life would be used to pay for the release of many. Mark does not go into detail of what this means. Neither will I at this point.
The two important points that I would like to note are: 1) authoritative rule did not precede Jesus’ resurrection 2) Jesus lived in order to serve many by way of his death.
Jesus redefined the meaning and use of authority. Then he demonstrated his redefinition.