We are in our sermon series about essential Jesus stories in the Gospel of Mark.  Today’s story is a fun one about how we all resist the hard things we are sometimes called to do. 

Jesus’ idea of what it means to be Messiah.

Last week, Pastor Susie talked about Jesus’ conception of what it meant to be the Messiah and how his concept of self-sacrificial messiah was at odds with the disciples’ dreams of a triumphal, kick-butt, and take-no-prisoners monarch.  Essentially, Jesus kept telling them, “No, no, no! It’s about service, love, compassion, helping each other, not conquering the people you don’t like.”  However, they were slow to understand and kept reverting to what they wanted Jesus to be instead of trusting his alternative path.

They had been slogging through Galilee with Jesus, night and day, for almost three years, and still, they seemed clueless.  It is like getting to the last week of an English Lit semester and still not understanding that reading will be involved.  What did you think this was about?

Entitled hearts revealed. 

Shortly before the crucifixion, James and John, (sons of thunder, Mark calls them) reveal their resistance to Jesus’ basic message.  They were headed toward an F-minus in this class.

Jesus, Jesus, 

Yes?

We want you to do something for us.

O, yeah? What?

Do for us whatever we ask. 

Bold. And subtle as thunder.

Can you imagine thinking that you are so important that Jesus is your personal servant at your beck and call?  Forget all of that “follow me” business Jesus kept talking about. Jesus, just do for us whatever we ask of you.  Their true intentions are now unveiled.  I love Mark’s gospel because he uses a technique showing the disciples doing ridiculous stuff, not so we will make fun of them, but to examine our lives and see if there isn’t something of them in us.  Showing the disciples messing up points us to the universal things that can trip up any Jesus follower.

James and John reveal the temptation for all of us. 

The disciple’s big ask helps us realize that the big temptation is to think God is there to serve your needs instead of you serving God.  We flop the whole thing on its head and make it transactional.  God, you do for me what I want, and I’ll do what you want–for a while until it becomes inconvenient or it doesn’t look like you are going to satisfy my every whim and take care of my personal comforts and conveniences.

It’s like the story of the guy running late for an important business meeting.  He got to the parking lot, but there were no empty spots.  His career was on the line. He needed this deal.  He drove round and round the lot, nothing.  He prayed.  God open up a spot, and I’ll do anything you want.  I’ll go to church.  I’ll be nice to crabby Alice next door.  I’ll give 10% from now on.  Amen.  Just then, a car pulled out of a parking stall, leaving a space for him.  “Never mind God. I found a spot.”

We want you to do whatever we want.  Look at your prayer life.  Is it a one-way street of your requests and demands, or is there time for listening and discerning what God wants?  Sometimes, we pray for what we want, which gives us space to think about how God might use us to effect change in whatever situation we are praying for God to do all the work in.

Seeking glory, not service.

Surprisingly, Jesus doesn’t bop them upside the head when they request to do whatever they ask of him.  Instead, he plays along. “What is it you want fellas?”

We want one of us to be at your right hand and the other at your left when you enter your glorious kingdom to rule the world.  Before the other disciples say anything, promise that we will be #2 and #3 right after you in terms of being the most influential people in the world.

It was an icky move—kind of like calling shotgun to ride in the front seat.  Jesus, let everyone know we are your favorites!

And still, Jesus doesn’t bop them.  Imagine his expression was akin to a mother listening to her kindergartner explaining why he should be allowed to have a pet tiger.

Instead of bopping them, he says, it’s not up to him to decide.  He asks, “Are you able to drink the cup I have to drink and be baptized with my baptism?”  It was a reminder that he was going to be rejected and put to death.  Can you go through that with me, or risk having that happen to you?  What’s going to happen when that pet tiger decides to eat you?

Are You Able?

But I don’t think they understood. “Uh, why sure we’re able!”  Or, as the hymn says, “Yea, the sturdy dreamers answered to the death we’ll follow thee. Lord, we are able. Our spirits are thine…” 

I always liked that hymn.  It’s upbeat, has that strong power chord. But then, one day, I paid attention to the words and realized I was belting out a commitment to follow Jesus even if following would cause my death.  Uh. Able? I’m not sure I’m even willing; that’s kind of extreme.  Whenever that hymn appeared, I became a bigger lip-syncher than Millie Vinillie.  But I suppose one can only lip-synch their way through faith for so long before you have to decide what you’re really about.  What you want to be about.

Eventually, I figured out that all we are called to do is trust that God will equip us for whatever hard things we are called to do or hard experiences we will have to go through.  We are able because God is able to give us the courage, strength, friendships, and moral compass.

What Jesus wants to know today is are you able?

• Are you able to trust in God despite your doubts?
• Are you able to trust in God despite the fact that you don’t always get what you want?
• Are you able to tell the truth when it is hard?
• Are you able to make sacrifices for God’s purposes?
• Are you able to disappoint someone else to be true to yourself?
• Are you able get through six more weeks of election ads and still love people who don’t vote the way you vote?

Yes, you are able because God is able.

Servant leadership.

Our story continues with Jesus telling the disciples they need to take another path to reach their goal.  Do you want to be great?  Fine.  Greatness is about serving, not being served.  Greatness comes through giving life your best shot, not being a big shot.  Think about the people in your life who you say you want to be like when you grow up.  I’m guessing it’s not some arrogant, bloviating blowhard who thinks only about themselves and their aspirations.  No, it’s the quiet ones to lead by example, who are kind, who encourage you, who listen, and who inspire you to be a better person.

Our faith teaches us that true greatness is not defined by your wealth or accolades or titles but in the people whose lives you touch, the difference you make.  Jesus said he came not be be served but to serve and we are to do likewise.  For in doing so we discover riches and relationships and meaning beyond anything the world has to offer.

James Autry, former CEO of Meredith Corporation, one of the biggest publishing companies in the world introduced business leaders to the concept of Servant Leadership.  He said effective leaders see themselves as serving the needs of those around them to make them better and more effective in their efforts.  It isn’t about puffing yourself up, being “tough” with threats and micro-managing.  But it’s about listening, about being authentic, about putting yourself out there.

I remember one seminary, when they were looking for a new president, not just checking the usual references of the candidates.  They also asked the custodians at the places where they worked.  How did they treat you?

Do you want to be great?  It comes through serving, through putting yourself out there, and from humbling yourself to listen and do things that others might say are beneath you.

How can you be a servant leader at work, in your family, in your neighborhood, or in your church?  The people who ask these kinds of questions earn respect and honor.  They are the ones who find their true power within.

Mother Teresa, while working with her Missionaries of Charity, encountered a man lying in the gutter, very close to death, with maggots nesting in his flesh.  As Mother Teresa tended to him, a passerby remarked, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars.”  She replied, “Neither would I!”

If you get it, you get it.