Counter Cross Cultural Kingdom of God
Are you able to take the cup?
Often in my life I have thought about whether or not I was able to do something. Often, my exuberance exceeded that which was realistic. I remember when I was around 13 and went skiing for the first or second time. Somehow I found myself taking the ski lift to the top of the mountain headed to the “experienced” slope, all the way at the top of the mountain. As we ascended further and further to the top, and I saw the mountain descending below me, I thought, “Maybe this is a bad idea. Maybe I can’t do this.” The top was approaching and the lift swung around so that when you left your seat you would immediately jump off and be skiing down a very steep mountain. I left my seat when it was time and began descending down the mountain, only to very quickly have fear overtake me and I decide my best course of action would be to make myself fall, as I was going too fast for my comfort level. Which I did, and severely dislocated my thumb in the process.
I did not fully understood what it would take to ski down that mountain.
In today’s Gospel lesson, James and John don’t seem to get what Jesus has been attempting to teach them, they don’t seem to understand. This exchange between Jesus and James and John, comes in Mark directly behind verses 32-34 in which Jesus gives his final and most detailed prediction of his coming trial, suffering and death. He is about to enter Jerusalem when James and John request privileged places of authority at Jesus’ right and left. They recognize that glorification awaits Jesus and they want to capitalize on that, they seem to have missed the talk of other things.
Jesus softly chastises the two and speaks about “the cup” he must drink and “the baptism” he must undergo. James and John express their willingness and that they are “able” to do what they need to do though later, quite soon actually, they fail to do so.
Sometimes we think we are willing and able to do something and then later it becomes more apparent that we may have not been aware of all it may involve. It may cause us to back out or change our minds.
Jesus moves the conversation along and addresses James and John’s desire for power and prestige. He begins by calling the disciples together and shares how the Gentile rulers were used to “lording it over” others and their great ones are tyrants over them. This is not to be the case with the disciples and the followers of Jesus. They are to be different. Rulers being tyrants doesn’t just seem to only apply to ancient times, but sounds fairly contemporary as well. They relied on coercion and control to maintain their dominance.
In stark contrast, greatness among Jesus’ followers is measured by service and “being a slave of all”. The “greatest” will be servants of all, and the first are to be “slaves to all”.
This passage appears to be in absolute contradiction to how we as a society have and do arrange ourselves, and I would offer that it has led, and is leading, to the disintegration of our society.
A natural tendency in humanity appears to be to seek that which is greater, or better. James and John asked for it - “Can we be at your right and left?” and a discontentment with what they have right then. They were seeking to set themselves up before the others. Which leads to hostility, and frustration and anger amongst others. And asking for power and prestige and seeking it shows a discontent with the life you have now.
Jesus said that the way to life is to be found elsewhere. It’s found by giving ourselves away as he did: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus’ way to life is that of giving away of self, instead of constantly wanting more and more for self.
John F. Kennedy in 1961 delivered a speech to the Joint Convention of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where he said, “of those to whom much is given, much is required.” Of course, this originated from Jesus in Luke 12:48.
It means, the more you have, the more you are given, the more opportunities that have been handed to you, the more advantages you could count on, the more you were expected to serve. The more you were expected to give yourself away for the benefit of others.
Throughout time there have been those who gave up themselves for others. Those we admire. All Saints Day is approaching and we will honor some of them.
We don’t hear about many people like that these days. Jesus calls us to “take up our crosses and follow him”. He calls us to a way of life that seeks not to take but to give, and seeks not to be served, but to serve.
James and John began this discourse by declaring “they were able”. Jesus told them that they would drink of the cup that he was to drink, and be baptized in the same baptism, but that to sit at his right hand or his left is not his to grant.
This whole discourse speaks to service and discipleship and how we are to live. The disciples thought they were able.
I was probably able to ski down that mountain. We won’t know for sure because my fear of the unknown caused me to go down to stop myself from what felt like a crazy free-for-all. My lack of confidence in my ability (which was probably warranted) prevented me from ever finding out. My fear caused me to land and I went down much of that mountain on my rear, sliding down, as I was scared to ski down due to the steepness.
I wonder what other things fear has held us from and holds us from? This whole idea of radical discipleship, of serving others, of becoming “a slave of all” truly sounds a bit radical and just not anything that is practical.
I can’t answer what it looks like for you. But I do know what it doesn’t look like. It doesn’t look like making decisions that are consistently self- serving or self- seeking. It doesn’t look like consistently putting yourself and your interests above the interests of others. It looks more like making decisions based on thinking of others, in consideration of others, in loving others as ourselves.
Decisions based on service.
Taking others to a doctor’s appointment, sacrificing your day to help them. Taking food to those who may be unable to cook for themselves. I see many examples on a daily basis of this parish embracing this type of sacrificial behavior and it is exemplary.
Jesus said this was the way to greatness, to serve others.
Most of us are comfortable with serving others this way.
But, what would it look like for us to do something that we are not comfortable with in the service of others? Something that may stretch us a bit?
We have been given much as a nation and as a parish. Both in time, talent and resources. I truly am continually impressed by who you are as a people. And I do believe God is smiling down. But let us not grow complacent. May we continually move forward asking what we can do, how can we serve, not seeking glory for our own selves but for the glory of God.
And I do think that though we may be fearful at times, much like me skiing down that mountain, that we are able.
Amen.
I did not fully understood what it would take to ski down that mountain.
In today’s Gospel lesson, James and John don’t seem to get what Jesus has been attempting to teach them, they don’t seem to understand. This exchange between Jesus and James and John, comes in Mark directly behind verses 32-34 in which Jesus gives his final and most detailed prediction of his coming trial, suffering and death. He is about to enter Jerusalem when James and John request privileged places of authority at Jesus’ right and left. They recognize that glorification awaits Jesus and they want to capitalize on that, they seem to have missed the talk of other things.
Jesus softly chastises the two and speaks about “the cup” he must drink and “the baptism” he must undergo. James and John express their willingness and that they are “able” to do what they need to do though later, quite soon actually, they fail to do so.
Sometimes we think we are willing and able to do something and then later it becomes more apparent that we may have not been aware of all it may involve. It may cause us to back out or change our minds.
Jesus moves the conversation along and addresses James and John’s desire for power and prestige. He begins by calling the disciples together and shares how the Gentile rulers were used to “lording it over” others and their great ones are tyrants over them. This is not to be the case with the disciples and the followers of Jesus. They are to be different. Rulers being tyrants doesn’t just seem to only apply to ancient times, but sounds fairly contemporary as well. They relied on coercion and control to maintain their dominance.
In stark contrast, greatness among Jesus’ followers is measured by service and “being a slave of all”. The “greatest” will be servants of all, and the first are to be “slaves to all”.
This passage appears to be in absolute contradiction to how we as a society have and do arrange ourselves, and I would offer that it has led, and is leading, to the disintegration of our society.
A natural tendency in humanity appears to be to seek that which is greater, or better. James and John asked for it - “Can we be at your right and left?” and a discontentment with what they have right then. They were seeking to set themselves up before the others. Which leads to hostility, and frustration and anger amongst others. And asking for power and prestige and seeking it shows a discontent with the life you have now.
Jesus said that the way to life is to be found elsewhere. It’s found by giving ourselves away as he did: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus’ way to life is that of giving away of self, instead of constantly wanting more and more for self.
John F. Kennedy in 1961 delivered a speech to the Joint Convention of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where he said, “of those to whom much is given, much is required.” Of course, this originated from Jesus in Luke 12:48.
It means, the more you have, the more you are given, the more opportunities that have been handed to you, the more advantages you could count on, the more you were expected to serve. The more you were expected to give yourself away for the benefit of others.
Throughout time there have been those who gave up themselves for others. Those we admire. All Saints Day is approaching and we will honor some of them.
We don’t hear about many people like that these days. Jesus calls us to “take up our crosses and follow him”. He calls us to a way of life that seeks not to take but to give, and seeks not to be served, but to serve.
James and John began this discourse by declaring “they were able”. Jesus told them that they would drink of the cup that he was to drink, and be baptized in the same baptism, but that to sit at his right hand or his left is not his to grant.
This whole discourse speaks to service and discipleship and how we are to live. The disciples thought they were able.
I was probably able to ski down that mountain. We won’t know for sure because my fear of the unknown caused me to go down to stop myself from what felt like a crazy free-for-all. My lack of confidence in my ability (which was probably warranted) prevented me from ever finding out. My fear caused me to land and I went down much of that mountain on my rear, sliding down, as I was scared to ski down due to the steepness.
I wonder what other things fear has held us from and holds us from? This whole idea of radical discipleship, of serving others, of becoming “a slave of all” truly sounds a bit radical and just not anything that is practical.
I can’t answer what it looks like for you. But I do know what it doesn’t look like. It doesn’t look like making decisions that are consistently self- serving or self- seeking. It doesn’t look like consistently putting yourself and your interests above the interests of others. It looks more like making decisions based on thinking of others, in consideration of others, in loving others as ourselves.
Decisions based on service.
Taking others to a doctor’s appointment, sacrificing your day to help them. Taking food to those who may be unable to cook for themselves. I see many examples on a daily basis of this parish embracing this type of sacrificial behavior and it is exemplary.
Jesus said this was the way to greatness, to serve others.
Most of us are comfortable with serving others this way.
But, what would it look like for us to do something that we are not comfortable with in the service of others? Something that may stretch us a bit?
We have been given much as a nation and as a parish. Both in time, talent and resources. I truly am continually impressed by who you are as a people. And I do believe God is smiling down. But let us not grow complacent. May we continually move forward asking what we can do, how can we serve, not seeking glory for our own selves but for the glory of God.
And I do think that though we may be fearful at times, much like me skiing down that mountain, that we are able.
Amen.