The God Pause Daily Devotion fromThe Luther Seminary in Saint Paul Minnesota United States for Thursday, 18 October 2018 - Mark 10:35-45
Mark 10:35 Ya‘akov and Yochanan, the sons of Zavdai, came up to him and said, “Rabbi, we would like you to do us a favor.” 36 He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 They replied, “When you are in your glory, let us sit with you, one on your right and the other on your left.” 38 But Yeshua answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink the cup that I am drinking? or be immersed with the immersion that I must undergo?” 39 They said to him, “We can.” Yeshua replied, “The cup that I am drinking, you will drink; and the immersion I am being immersed with, you will undergo. 40 But to sit on my right and on my left is not mine to give. Rather, it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
41 When the other ten heard about this, they became outraged at Ya‘akov and Yochanan. 42 But Yeshua called them to him and said to them, “You know that among the Goyim, those who are supposed to rule them become tyrants, and their superiors become dictators. 43 But among you, it must not be like that! On the contrary, whoever among you wants to be a leader must be your servant; 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must become everyone’s slave! 45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve — and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Complete Jewish Bible).
Mark 10:35 Ya‘akov and Yochanan, the sons of Zavdai, came up to him and said, “Rabbi, we would like you to do us a favor.” 36 He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 They replied, “When you are in your glory, let us sit with you, one on your right and the other on your left.” 38 But Yeshua answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink the cup that I am drinking? or be immersed with the immersion that I must undergo?” 39 They said to him, “We can.” Yeshua replied, “The cup that I am drinking, you will drink; and the immersion I am being immersed with, you will undergo. 40 But to sit on my right and on my left is not mine to give. Rather, it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
41 When the other ten heard about this, they became outraged at Ya‘akov and Yochanan. 42 But Yeshua called them to him and said to them, “You know that among the Goyim, those who are supposed to rule them become tyrants, and their superiors become dictators. 43 But among you, it must not be like that! On the contrary, whoever among you wants to be a leader must be your servant; 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must become everyone’s slave! 45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve — and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Complete Jewish Bible).
***
Reading about Jesus' disciples can be an act of great humility because, as is oftentimes the case, we see ourselves in them. They seem to do and say many of the same things that we would do and say. This is the case when it comes to James and John. They wanted to share in the glory of Jesus without sharing in the suffering of Jesus. How many of us, too, wouldn't prefer to share in the glory of Jesus without sharing in his suffering and death?
As Christians, we know this is not possible. We are not able to enjoy the resurrection of Jesus without also going through the suffering and death of Jesus. We know that when we were baptized, we were united both to Jesus' death and to his resurrection. We also know that this baptism empowers us to enjoy the new relationship that God desires to have with every one of God's children.
Lord God of resurrection, thank you for bringing us from death to life in the waters of baptism. Help us to live in this new life each and every day. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
36 And he said to them, "What is it you want me to do for you?"
37 And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory."
38 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?"
39 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;
40 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."
41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John.
42 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.
43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.
45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." (New Revised Standard Version).
Reading about Jesus' disciples can be an act of great humility because, as is oftentimes the case, we see ourselves in them. They seem to do and say many of the same things that we would do and say. This is the case when it comes to James and John. They wanted to share in the glory of Jesus without sharing in the suffering of Jesus. How many of us, too, wouldn't prefer to share in the glory of Jesus without sharing in his suffering and death?
As Christians, we know this is not possible. We are not able to enjoy the resurrection of Jesus without also going through the suffering and death of Jesus. We know that when we were baptized, we were united both to Jesus' death and to his resurrection. We also know that this baptism empowers us to enjoy the new relationship that God desires to have with every one of God's children.
Lord God of resurrection, thank you for bringing us from death to life in the waters of baptism. Help us to live in this new life each and every day. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Josh Schunk, '04
Pastor, Zion Lutheran Church, Oelwein, Iowa
Mark 10:35 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."36 And he said to them, "What is it you want me to do for you?"
37 And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory."
38 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?"
39 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;
40 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."
41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John.
42 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.
43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.
45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." (New Revised Standard Version).
***
The Luther Seminary
***
No comments:
Post a Comment