Pastor Tom Johnson, October 17, 2021
In the last weeks and chapters of Mark’s Gospel, the disciples argue about who is the greatest. Jesus takes a little child into his arms and says that when we love the little ones around us, we love Jesus and our heavenly Father. Jesus teaches that to become great in God’s eyes is to embrace our own smallness and childlikeness. Today, the disciples still do not seem to be letting go of their ambition for worldly greatness. James and John ask Jesus if they can be his first and second lieutenants in his Kingdom. They wanted a place of prominence, prestige, and power. This shouldn’t be surprising coming from these “sons of thunder” as Jesus nicknames them. And they are not alone. The ten heard everything. They are angry with James and John. So all twelve of the disciples are at odds with one another. This division among the disciples should also not come as a surprise. This is what happens when we allow competition to enter our communities of faith. It’s the result of thinking primarily about our own selfish interest and influence. It is not just James and John but all of us who are now impacted by this quest for greatness.
So Jesus calls all twelve to himself to speak to them. He reminds them of what they already know: the world is filled with leaders who lord it over their subjects; the world is filled with those who consider themselves great and abuse their power as tyrants. You’ll remember that the Hebrew people spent 430 years in slavery in Egypt. Generations were born, lived, and died under the tyranny of slave masters and despotic pharaohs. The Israelites were invaded and trafficked to Babylon. The Hebrews spent 70 years in captivity and in forced servitude. Herod’s father, called “Herod the Great,” was tetrarch of Judea and ordered the execution of all boys two and younger in Bethlehem and surrounding vicinity to try to preserve his power. At the time of Jesus and his disciples, the promised land of Israel has been conquered and is now occupied by the Romans. Jesus himself will suffer under Pontius Pilate, governor of the province of Judea. The Cross of Christ itself is Roman engineered technology designed to prolong the agony of public execution. The early church will grow and spread across the Roman empire while suffering the abuse of power from both Roman and Judean authorities.
What is human history but the stories of tyrannical rulers trafficking in other human beings, starting wars against their neighbors near and far, and taking possession of other peoples’ land and resources. Jesus reminds the disciples that the world’s leaders lord it over their subjects and rule as tyrants so that they would not imitate the world. Jesus extends his reign into the world and he will not allow abuse or tyranny to be part of his Kingdom.
Sadly, there is still competitiveness and jealousy in Christ’s Church. Too often it is our ambition to gain positions of influence, prominence, and power. Ambition that is self-centered and self-promoting is a cancer that Jesus does not want to spread to or among his beloved flock. We are called to be in the world but not of the world. And how do we do that? How do we as God’s people not become self-absorbed and self-promoting tyrants? How do we stop throwing our weight around and micro-managing the life and joy out of those around us? We do so by imitating Jesus and not the world. We do so by looking toward the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ. We learn from how Jesus ushers in his Kingdom. He rules his Kingdom not by abuse and tyranny but by love and peace. He extends his reign selflessly and sacrificially.
“For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Messiah Jesus did not come to make us all his subjects. He came to subject himself. He comes not with selfish aspiration but with selfless inspiration. He comes to be our example and our source of strength. “He gives his life as a ransom for many.” He actions align with his words that “it is better to give than to receive.” Jesus’ life of sacrifice and service is so priceless and transformative that it is more than enough to purchase the world’s redemption. That is true greatness. Jesus comes to emancipate the world not with weapons of warfare, not with clever politics, and not with gold and silver but with his precious blood—by his selfless service and sacrifice. He is far more ambitious than we. But his ambition is not for himself but for the whole world. He has come to elevate others. His joy is in seeing another soul freed from the tyranny of the world, delivered from the powers of darkness, and emancipated from captivity to our own sinful appetites and selfish gain.
Hope of the world, Thou Christ of great compassion;
Speak to our fearful hearts by conflict rent.
Save us, Thy people, from consuming passion,
Who by our own false hopes and aims are spent.
Hope of the world, O Christ, o'er death victorious,
Who by this sign did conquer grief and pain,
We would be faithful to Thy Gospel glorious.
Thou art our Lord! Thou dost forever reign!
(“Hope of the World” LSB 690 vv. 1 & 5)
No comments:
Post a Comment