Bible Reading: Mark 10:35-45
The easy lesson to draw from this week’s passage Mark 10: 35-45 is “be careful what you wish for.” James and John, of course, have no idea what Jesus means by the cup he will drink and the baptism with which he will be baptized. All they know is that they want to have places of honor and are sure they are up for whatever it takes to get there. Would they have been so eager had they known Jesus was talking about drinking a cup of suffering and being baptized into the cross?
The larger import of this passage, though, is more profound and comes in the verses that follow, as Jesus continues to explore and expound upon the distinct nature of his “anti-kingdom.” In this place, power is demonstrated through service, greatness is shown in vulnerability, and achievement comes through compassion. Can you imagine, for just a moment, what the world would be like if our leaders behaved like this vying with each other to see who could best serve the needs of the vulnerable, holding debates about the best way of coming in last so that others could come in first? It seems absurd.
Well, let’s make it a little easier and harder. What if we lived like this measuring our achievements not in terms of rands or possessions but in terms of lives touched, or assessing our “net worth” not in terms of bank accounts but in terms of acts of compassion? Suddenly, this passage, far from being absurd, is incredibly accessible, for any of us can serve another.
From young to old, powerful to vulnerable, rich to poor, educated or not anyone can act with kindness, put others first, and try to exercise compassion to those around them. So maybe we don’t need our leaders to set the example in order to change the world. Maybe this is something we can do in our homes, schools, places of work and volunteering and watch, indeed, as the kingdom comes among us.
Solomzi.