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siahship of Jesus led them to anticipate The ten other disciples were “displeased
with joy the setting up of His kingdom, with James and John” (v41), so the Lord
and they wanted special places of honour began to speak about Greatness. “Ye know
in it. “Master, we would that thou should- that they which are accounted to rule over
est do for us whatsoever we shall desire the Gentiles exercise lordship over them;
…. Grant unto us that we may sit, one on and their great ones exercise authority
thy right hand, and the other on thy left upon them” (v42). The disciples knew
hand, in thy glory” (vv35-37). how it worked in the world. The “great”
Their desire was not wrong in itself but, trampled over everyone else to reach that
coming after the Lord’s predictions about position and maintained it by forcefully
His suffering at Jerusalem, it suggests that subjugating those beneath them; those
they still had not grasped His message. who held positions of esteem were self-
They still hoped that the kingdom they promoting and self-serving. But for them
awaited would be set up when they ar- it must be different: “It shall not be so
rived at Jerusalem and that the Messiah among you. But whoever would be great
would immediately defeat Israel’s enemies among you must be your servant, and
and establish His throne. They wanted to whoever would be first among you must
share in the glory they were privileged to be slave of all” (vv43-44 ESV).
preview on the holy mount (9:1-10; 2Pe
Greatness is not in getting but in giving,
1:16-18). not in being served but in serving. Great-
The Lord’s response was a gentle re- ness is directing abilities and energies
buke: they had no idea what they were toward serving others rather than promot-
asking for. Would they walk close to Him ing self. Who perfectly exemplifies this?
in suffering so that they might sit close to
Him in glory? Could they “drink of the Well, “even the Son of Man came not to
cup” by personal, deliberate acceptance be served but to serve, and to give his life
of the path of self-denial? Could they be as a ransom for many” (v45 ESV).
“baptised with the baptism” by enduring Even this glorious person, the Son of
the shame of association with their Lord Man, came not to receive service from men
in His rejection? but to provide service to men! And His
They professed themselves willing and servant heart would find full expression
able (v39), and the Lord confirmed that in the ultimate sacrifice that would crown
they would indeed live lives of self-denial His life of self-sacrificial service. He would
and suffering. James would die a martyr’s “give his life a ransom for many.”
death and John would live a martyr’s life. Here is true greatness and the route
However, the Lord made no guarantees as to true glory. We follow Him when we
to exact positions in the kingdom. “But to manifest the same character and make the
sit on my right hand and on my left hand same choices.
is not mine to give; but it shall be given Go, labor on: spend and be spent,
to them for whom it is prepared” (v40). your joy to do the Father’s will;
The God who knows the true measure
of the sacrifices of every saint will make it is the way the Master went;
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no mistake, although there may be many should not the servant tread it still?
surprises for us in that day. ² Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)

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