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March 17 – Mark 10:32-45

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. ~ Mark 10:32 (NIV)


The disciples were “astonished.” The Greek word here is ethambounto (from the verb thambeo), and it means to be “dumbfounded to the point of becoming emotionally stalled (‘shutting down’)” (HELPS Word-studies). Jesus was flipping their world and everything they understood about it upside down. The Messiah was supposed to drive out the Romans, take the throne of Israel, and usher in an era of everlasting peace and power. As His disciples, they were supposed to be His right-hand men, which meant they would have power, respect, and influence in the new kingdom. But Jesus’ words and actions weren’t matching up with their preconceptions and assumptions about His Messianic mission. Instead, Jesus had been talking about death (Mark 8:31, 9:31), sacrifice (Mark 8:34-35), becoming a servant (Mark 9:35), giving up earthly wealth and ambitions (Mark 10:15, 21), and suffering persecution (Mark 10:30).


As the disciples follow Him into Jerusalem, they know they are entering territory where the religious leaders are hostile toward Him. In fact, Jesus had been avoiding Jerusalem and the whole region of Judea for a while because the Jewish leaders there were trying to find a way to kill Him (see John 7:1). So, His prediction of His death is suddenly becoming real for them; they are starting to realize that He wasn’t talking in parables when He spoke of suffering and dying. And they are emotionally shutting down because they are so surprised (“astonished”). Jesus knows this, and He tells them for a third time that He must suffer, die, and be resurrected so that they have no doubt about His intentions in Jerusalem (vv. 32-34). Yet the disciples still don’t completely comprehend everything He has been teaching them—at least James and John don’t.


Right after Jesus tells them again about His death and Resurrection, James and John ask if they can sit on either side of Him “in [His] glory” (v. 37). This request isn’t about being near Jesus; it’s about the amount of power they will be granted in Jesus’ kingdom. Despite all Jesus has taught them, James and John still have earthly ambitions; they still haven’t realized that greatness in the kingdom comes through serving, not through being served. Jesus tells them that in order to be great, they must “drink the cup [He] drink[s] and be baptized with the baptism [He] is baptized with” (vv. 38-39)—they will be asked to sacrifice everything and to live in service to others. And He can’t guarantee they will receive the positions of honor they seek. He can only guarantee that by following Him, they choose a path of sacrifice and service.


Jesus reinforces the lessons He has been teaching His disciples with these words:


You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45 NIV)


The way to be great in God’s Kingdom is sacrifice and service because the foundation of all sacrifice and service in the Kingdom is love—God’s unconditional love working in and through His children. And all of this is possible because Jesus chose not to seize an earthly throne but to go to the cross and die. He died for all who would put their faith in Him and follow. Sometimes following will leave us trembling and frightened— “astonished and afraid” of the road ahead like the disciples were. But if He is leading us, we can trust that everything will be alright because He loves us and has redeemed us.


Draw near to your Savior today and ponder the depth of His love for you. Ask Him to show you where your earthly preconceptions and ambitions are getting in the way of sacrifice and service in His Kingdom. And if you are fearful of the road ahead in your life right now, ask Him to lead you. He will never take you where His love cannot reach you.

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vworrell50
Mar 17, 2021

Thank you, Melissa, for the reminder that Jesus will never take us where his love can not reach us as we try so hard to serve God and do what will honor him, making big mistakes and blunders along this life-path.


I find it somewhat troubling that it seems like the disciples weren't really "listening" to what Jesus is telling them. In my Amplified Bible verses 33 and 34 Jesus takes the disciples aside and tells them, yet again, what is going to happen to him. -- "Listen very carefully: we are going up to Jersualem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed and handed over to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to…

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donbrewer1
Mar 17, 2021

Thanks for your insight and post. Truly heaven inspired perspective, may Jesus continue to lead your heart to serve others with your gift of language and understanding. God has your heart On a wonderful journey to serve others. Stay in track as you run the race to it's finish.

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My name is Melissa Anderson. I'm a spiritual director and ordained pastor who loves God, people, and words. You can read more about me by clicking the button below.

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