The Cost of Discipleship (MPLS)

Isaiah 53:4–12

Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper. Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Mark 10:35–45

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.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 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?” 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; 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.”

When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 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. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

‘Text Message’ Reflection:
From Pastor Kris Tostengard Michel

Halfway through Mark’s Gospel, Jesus shifts from speaking in parables and telling people to keep silent about his mighty acts to speaking plainly about what the future holds. Between chapters 8 and 10, he tells his disciples three times that he will be rejected, undergo great suffering and death, and after three days rise again. Today’s reading comes after the third prediction.

James and John had been with Peter and Jesus on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured before them and Elijah and Moses showed up, along with a voice that said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Of all people, James and John have had a front row seat to what Jesus has said and done. They know something about who he is, but they don’t understand how he is who he is or what that will mean for the future. If they had really heard what he said about suffering, dying and rising again, they might have asked, “why?” but instead they jockeyed for position in the reign that Jesus would usher in.

Jesus called their attention back to him and said, “Look, you know that among the Gentiles (Romans), it’s a hierarchical system. Some people are superior, and others are inferior. Rulers dominate and use their position against those below them. But that’s not how it is among you. Self-seeking ambition and abuse of authority are not acceptable. In order to be great, you’ve got to serve.”

Then he answered the question they didn’t ask: “Why would he suffer?” “The Son of Man came,” he said, “not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ‘ransom’ for many.” Jesus’ upside-down kingdom would not only reorder relationships but would also free people from what holds them captive.

‘Text Message’ Reflection Questions:

• Read verses 35–37 out loud using your best “student” voice. These were grown men, but imagine yourself as a young child or adolescent, and read with expression. Try it again. Why do you suppose the other disciples were angry with James and John in verse 41?
• Where do you see leaders who lead without flaunting authority?
• Jesus’ use of the word “ransom” is not expounded upon by Mark, but it has been deliberated by theologians ever since. It’s about liberating, freeing, redeeming. From what do you think Jesus’ death frees us?

Quote:
“In the shadow of the cross we get a brief glimpse of a new community in which relations are not governed by power and status but by service and hospitality for those without status—a community in which those who have been ransomed live for others.”  —Don Juel (Mark: Augsburg Commentary of the NT, 1990, p.149.)

Prayer:
Gracious God, when we get caught up in status, turn our attention back to you. Help us to find meaning and joy in serving those around us. Amen.