“Not Mine To Give” – MARK 10:32-45

Were the ten other disciples indignant (10:41) because James and John voiced what they themselves were thinking? We do not know, but it gives us pause to wonder. All of these men were guilty of missing the point at one time or another. Likewise, they were all wondering about their place in the coming kingdom and the implications of Jesus’ death (10:32-34) that He kept talking about.

In reality, it is not surprising that they did not yet put all of the pieces together. As for James and John, in a twisted sort of way, their request (10:37) showed a deep faith that the kingdom would come in spite of Jesus’ death.

For these men – and for all men and women who would follow Jesus – the two-fold response to the request of Zebedee’s sons is chilling and challenging.

The first part is quite chilling (10:38-39) as He calls them into suffering for His sake. James was the first martyr (Acts 12). Some say that John never died a martyr’s death (John 21:20-24) while others say he was the last to be martyred at a ripe old age. Either way, John’s life was anything but easy as his time on Patmos reveals. The bitter cup of scorn of people and the overwhelming (“baptism”) persecution facing the devoted disciple were truly theirs and they endured just as they claimed they would.

If the situation presents itself, are we ourselves willing to drink the cup and endure that baptism?

The challenging part of the response of Jesus is not subject to circumstances of scorn, derision and persecution of the first part. Leadership in the church flows from service, not the exercise of authority (10:42). In the church, every Christian is commanded to serve selflessly in humility. When Alexander the Great died his kingdom was divided between four of his followers who each reigned over a fourth of his vast empire. Jesus chose a different route. James and John would not inherit half or even one-twelfth of the kingdom … they would inherit its entirety. What?

The Christian – every one – inherits the fullness of the kingdom of God! Just not in the way these men were imagining.

Our inheritance is as adopted children with full rights and privileges. The exercise of those rights and privileges is in service to God and service to people, not lording authority over folks. Greatness is in devoted service (10:43). The word Jesus used here means a servant (“diakanos”) who is fully devoted to the work of a master. Jesus is teaching here what His half-brother James (not John’s brother) would later phrase as “I’ll show you my faith by my works” (James2:18). With a slight twist, Jesus modifies and amplifies the challenge to be first by become a slave to Christ (10:44). The word here is “doulos” and it means one fully devoted to a master. These two facets compliment each other. A Christian cannot be fully devoted to Jesus without being fully devoted to His work. Likewise, a saint cannot be fully devoted to deeds of mercy and evangelism without a full devotion the Jesus.

A seat next to His throne is not Jesus’ to give to mortal men (10:40). Our place is at the feet of Jesus and at the feet of those around us who have needs we can meet.

In that light … what is mine to give?