April 3, 2011, 4th Sunday in Lent
The scripture reading is from Mark 10:32-45
Mark 10:32 They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33saying, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; 34they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.’
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.’ 36And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ 37And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ 38But 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?’ 39They 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; 40but 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. 42So 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. 43But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’
Col 1:13-14 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Questions for Personal Reflection from Kathy Sizer
What do you mean when you describe someone as “great”? What qualities do you expect in: a great friend? a great leader? a great church?
How does “servant leadership” fit into your definition of greatness?
Where have you observed “servant leadership” at work, community, home, church, other?
Where in your life do you see yourself as being a “servant leader”? Where would you like to change?
Jesus says he came “to give his life a ransom for many.” As you consider his imminent suffering and death, what difference does it make to you that he will “give” his life? How might that insight change the way you view the events of Holy Week and Easter?
In what way is Jesus’ death a “ransom”?
Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ,
you are enthroned in the majesty of heaven,
yet you gave up that heavenly perfection
to become a servant.
We adore you for laying aside your glory
and clothing yourself
in complete humility as one of us.
Teach us to do as you have done.
Deliver us from pride, jealousy, and ambition,
and make us ready to serve one another
in lowliness for your sake,
O Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
A GREAT husband serves--washes dishes, changes diapers, isn't picky about what he eats.
ReplyDeleteIn his patriarchal culture, I think Jesus would have washed dishes.
Amen! I think if Jesus washed his disciple's feet, he would have certainly washed dishes!
ReplyDelete