SUNDAY’S COMING: BIBLE STUDY –
Bible Study for The Twenty Second Sunday of Pentecost (10/21/18)
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The Gospel: Mark 10:35-45James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus 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."
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Points to Ponder:
I think that is important to understand the immediate context of this pericope, the verses preceding it:
“They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. ‘Behold, 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 and hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.’” (Mark 10:32-34)
When we enter into today’s reading, James and John leap from Jesus third passion prediction to a request for status and favor. They were “on the way”, in other words, they are proceeding to Jerusalem, the place of judgment. Mark is clear to denote their fear, “and those who followed were afraid.” Apparently, their fear was not so great as to block their hubris. But it is not just James and John who have aspirations – it is all the disciples, “Teacher, we want. ” Jesus tests their resolve in the face and midst of his own clear resolve. Was their request unrealistic? In both Matthew 19:28 and Luke 22:30 Jesus shares an image of shared oversight. Mark, however goes in a different direction. The glory that they anticipate can only been seen accompanied by suffering, death and resurrection. The other disciples are upset at the two for asking for something that they thought they might share in. Jesus sees the culture in which they operate, “You know that among the Gentiles.” The kingdom which Jesus hopes to usher in is of a different sort, “(I) came not to be served but to serve.” The status of the ancient world is turned upside down. - Michael T. Hiller
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The Take Away: What does this mean for my life? Some questions –
1. How do you feel about James and John’s question?
2. How does “service to others” resonate in your life?
3. What has Jesus really called you to do?
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After studying the Word, you might want to pray the Collect for Sunday:
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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A ministry of the Society of St. John the Evangelist
BROTHER GIVE US A WORD - Truth
Jesus seemed to be able to think and act outside of the cultural, social, and tribal context that he inhabited. That he did so is a testament to his own deep life of prayer and service placing him ever more deeply into the universal truth that is God.
-Br. Robert L'Esperance
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Bible Study for The Twenty Second Sunday of Pentecost (10/21/18)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Gospel: Mark 10:35-45James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus 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."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Points to Ponder:
I think that is important to understand the immediate context of this pericope, the verses preceding it:
“They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. ‘Behold, 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 and hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.’” (Mark 10:32-34)
When we enter into today’s reading, James and John leap from Jesus third passion prediction to a request for status and favor. They were “on the way”, in other words, they are proceeding to Jerusalem, the place of judgment. Mark is clear to denote their fear, “and those who followed were afraid.” Apparently, their fear was not so great as to block their hubris. But it is not just James and John who have aspirations – it is all the disciples, “Teacher, we want. ” Jesus tests their resolve in the face and midst of his own clear resolve. Was their request unrealistic? In both Matthew 19:28 and Luke 22:30 Jesus shares an image of shared oversight. Mark, however goes in a different direction. The glory that they anticipate can only been seen accompanied by suffering, death and resurrection. The other disciples are upset at the two for asking for something that they thought they might share in. Jesus sees the culture in which they operate, “You know that among the Gentiles.” The kingdom which Jesus hopes to usher in is of a different sort, “(I) came not to be served but to serve.” The status of the ancient world is turned upside down. - Michael T. Hiller
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Take Away: What does this mean for my life? Some questions –
1. How do you feel about James and John’s question?
2. How does “service to others” resonate in your life?
3. What has Jesus really called you to do?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After studying the Word, you might want to pray the Collect for Sunday:
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
******************************************************************************
A ministry of the Society of St. John the Evangelist
BROTHER GIVE US A WORD - Truth
Jesus seemed to be able to think and act outside of the cultural, social, and tribal context that he inhabited. That he did so is a testament to his own deep life of prayer and service placing him ever more deeply into the universal truth that is God.
-Br. Robert L'Esperance
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