Servant, He Who Serves
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December 24, 2006)
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December 24, 2006, 10:00 am Service - Mark 10:35-45
Open It
What issues do people often argue about?
In what way does society pressure us to seek status and power?
Explore It
What was the relationship between James, John, and Jesus? (10:35)
With what attitude did James and John confront Jesus? (10:35)
What did James and John want from Jesus? (10:37)
What did James and John's request reflect about their character? (10:37)
How did Jesus answer James and John's request? (10:38-40)
What were the "baptism" and "cup" of which Jesus spoke? (10:38-39)
What figure of speech did Jesus use in speaking with James and John? (10:38-39)
How did Jesus explain to James and John the impossibility of granting what they had requested? (10:39-40)
Who will grant the seats to Christ's right and left in glory? (10:40)
How did the other disciples react to James and John's request? (10:41)
What did Jesus warn all His disciples about? (10:42-43)
What value did Jesus place on serving? (10:42-45)
What value did Jesus place on status? (10:42-45)
How did Jesus advise the disciples regarding greatness? (10:43-44)
What did Jesus mean when He said He "did not come to be served, but to serve"? (10:45)
Get It
Why was Jesus unwilling to do what James and John asked for?
Why were the other disciples angry at James and John?
What sort of unreasonable requests do we sometimes make of God? Why do we?
In what way does God protect us from our foolish requests?
In what ways do we vie for power and authority?
How does Jesus want us to handle power and authority?
How do Jesus' words to James and John change your attitude about power and authority?
How can you adopt Christ's example as your own?
How can you become a servant of others?
How do you need to change your attitude or actions in light of Jesus' words about serving?
Jesus, the Son of God, left us a perfect example of humility and service to others. What does this imply for us?
How should you respond to Jesus' giving His life as a ransom for you?
Apply It
What specific act of service could you do this week for someone else?
What steps can you take to guard yourself against an attitude of selfishness or greed?
Notes
Mark 10:35: Mark records that John and James went to Jesus with their request; in Matthew, their mother also made the request. There is no contradiction in the accounts-mother and sons were in agreement in requesting honored places in Christ's kingdom.
Mark 10:37: The disciples, like most Jews of that day, had the wrong idea of the Messiah's kingdom as predicted by the Old Testament prophets. They thought Jesus would establish an earthly kingdom that would free Israel from Rome's oppression, and James and John wanted honored places in it. But Jesus' kingdom is not of this world; it is not centered in palaces and thrones, but in the hearts and lives of his followers. The disciples did not understand this until after Jesus' resurrection.
Mark 10:38-40: James and John said they were willing to face any trial for Christ. Both did suffer: James died as a martyr (Acts 12:2), and John was forced to live in exile (Rev. 1:9). It is easy to say we will endure anything for Christ, and yet most of us complain over the most minor problems. If we say we are willing to suffer on a large scale for Christ, we must also be willing to suffer the irritations that come with serving others.
10:38-40 Jesus didn't ridicule James and John for asking, but he denied their request. We can feel free to ask God for anything, but our request may be denied. God wants to give us what is best for us, not merely what we want. He denies some requests for our own good.
Mark 10:42-45: James and John wanted the highest positions in Jesus' kingdom. But Jesus told them that true greatness comes in serving others. Peter, one of the disciples who had heard this message, expands the thought in 1 Peter 5:1-4.
Most businesses, organizations, and institutions measure greatness by high personal achievement. In Christ's kingdom, however, service is the way to get ahead. The desire to be on top will hinder, not help. Rather than seeking to have your needs met, look for ways that you can minister to the needs of others.
10:45 This verse reveals not only the motive for Jesus' ministry, but also the basis for our salvation. A ransom was the price paid to release a slave. Jesus paid a ransom for us because we could not pay it ourselves. His death released all of us from our slavery to sin. The disciples thought Jesus' life and power would save them from Rome; Jesus said his death would save them from sin, an even greater slavery than Rome's. More about the ransom Jesus paid for us is found in 1 Peter 1:18-19.
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December 24, 2006)
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