March 21, 2021 Text: Mark 10:35-45
Dear Friends in Christ,
We are currently in basketball nirvana with the NCAA tournament going on. Which I find interesting because I have always thought of Jesus’ disciples like a basketball team. The lead players are Peter, James, and John. The first called and then present at the Transfiguration. The next tier being the role players. Mentioned in Scripture but not prominently. Guys like Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas. Then a few disciples we know very little about – James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean. Then at the end of the bench sulking because of a lack of playing time and always mentioned last in a list of disciples – Judas Iscariot.
So who should be asking for a more prominent spot on the team? Judas, of course. That is not the way the text unfolds. It’s two of the lead dogs. A couple of guys who have been near the head coach the last three years. Don’t they have the power already? You two want more playing time? That’s sure what it looks like from here.
Huddle up team it is time for another teaching lesson. I can’t believe I have to keep repeating myself. Haven’t you men being paying attention?
“ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT THIS CUP?”
Jesus is getting closer and closer to Calvary. He has told his team of disciples three times now what is going to happen there. This isn’t what they want. Glory doesn’t look like a dead guy on a cross.
They were worried about their future careers and earthly glory. The other apostles were indignant. More than likely they were annoyed that they hadn’t asked first. They craved the recognition and the attention and their accomplishments. “Hey, coach look at me.”
We are not immune to this. I’ve lived this. I was in their shoes during my basketball career. The point guard with the ball in his hands and the game on the line. The one willing to take the game winning shot. The captain and leader of the team. And I absolutely loved it. Couldn’t get enough of it. Have you been there? Large and in charge? The one everybody looks to. Like the apostles, we get caught up in ourselves. It always about “I.” This causes fractured friendships and husband and wife divorcing and children and parents who stop talking to one another
That’s not how God created us to be. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” (v. 45) Jesus dismissed their request. It was not His to grant but the Father’s. They will all suffer for proclaiming Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins. None of them had the life of a celebrity. James was the first to go – beheaded by Herod Agrippa I in Acts 12. John died in exile daring to preach Jesus.
“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” (v. 38) They said yes. Did they understand the hostility that would follow? Did they know the torture and drowning and beheading and burning they would face for taking up their cross?
When you were baptized and confirmed and confessed that you would rather die than fall away from the faith, did you really understand it? Did you know your confession of faith would exclude you from a world of fleshly delight, unbridled sex and fun and sleeping in on Sundays, your conscience unburdened of any guilty thoughts?
It’s not easy when the tide of world opinion turns against you, when the shouts of “Hosanna!” change to “Crucify!” It’s not easy when those around you pit you against “science” or “nature” or “fairness.” We certainly have our own bitter cups to drink from. But we have something else – a covenant promise.
The world has its gods of fairness and being nice and living life to the fullest. But all that leads to death. All the fairness and equality in the world can’t forgive your sins or take away your guilt. You still suffer and you still die.
Jesus is different. Jesus is life. Jesus offers you the cup of salvation. Jesus baptizes you into His household. Jesus marches to the cross to save you, in order to serve you. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Our song is love unknown because we cannot fathom that kind of sacrifice. One poor, frail, broken human body. Mocked, spit upon, flogged, nailed to a cross and gasping for breath. Unfairly, undeservedly, willingly.
You have been baptized into His death. His resurrection from the dead gives you a new bodily life in heaven. You drink the cup at this altar for forgiveness and life and salvation.
You have been brought to faith not to lord it over others but to share it with the other teams. To serve those who look to you and your faith. Pass me the ball coach; I’m ready to make a difference for You.
Amen.