About the Text
(20) Who are the "sons of Zebedee"? James and John, two of Jesus' twelve disciples. In Mark 10:35, these disciples are mentioned by name.
(20) Why does Mark's gospel say that James and John spoke to Jesus, while Matthew's gospel says that their mother spoke to Jesus? Probably because all three approached Jesus.
(21) What exactly was their mother asking Jesus for? She was asking for two glorious thrones for her sons. See Mark 10. She was not asking for seats at the "wedding banquet" in the end times.
Sometimes, we Christians strive for the "best seat in the house." This often leads to sinuul jealousy, where we grumble and gripe when we don't get the recognition or attention we think we deserve. Do you have a need for tides like "deacon" or "elder"? Do you get jealous when a younger Cliristian is given a place of honor instead of you? When you are invited to someone's home for dinner, do you automatically take the most comfortable seat at the table? When you sit with a group in a car, are you first to take the front passenger scat?
(22) What kind of "cup" is Jesus referring to? His suffering on the cross and His giving up of His life so that people may be saved and have eternal life. In Matthew 26:39, Jesus used this term again to refer to His suffering when He said, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will..."
(23) Why couldn't Jesus grant the mother's wish? Although Jesus is divine, it was not His role to do so. It was the Father's (the frist person of the Trinity) flinction to give such rewards. While Jesus the Son grants eternal life, our "inheritance," and all the free blessings of salvation shared by all believers, special rewards on the other hands are distributed by the Father. See Matthew 6:6,6:18, 16:27. Therefore, it was not Jesus' place to grant special thrones in heaven to James and John.
(24) Why were the other disciples angry?
Because they were jealous of James and John, not because they saw the wrong. All of the
men were selfishly ambitious. This is why in the following verses, Jesus teaches all the
disciples, not just James and John.
(25) What did Jesus mean by "lord it over them"? It means to
"boss" others around in order to be served.
In modern society, we are all used to giving orders and
being served. We order a Big Mac without onions, extra cheese, and haff the special sauce,
and so demand it that we send it back if it is not exactly to our order. No wonder that
with a little authority and a small fortune, we can be as demanding and selfish as spoiled
children. Christ's command to us to be servants, especially to those of us in positions of
leadership, represents a difficult challenge to us who love to be served.
(28) How was Christ's life a "ransom"? A ransom is the payment
of a price in order to set a hostage free. Christ did that. While we could not pay the
ransom (the death penalty incurred by our sinfulness) ourselves, He paid it with His own
life, and releases us from the bondage of sin. We who believe then are miraculously set
free to live godly lives full of love, peace, and joy.
(28) If Jesus said that He came not to be served, why then do we still serve Him? Christ is referring to His time on earth, which theologians call His "state of humiliation" as opposed to His "state of exaltation," where He now sits on a throne at the right hand of God the Father. We serve Jesus, not because He selfishly demands it, but because His divinity deserves it.
Insights
We and the world, including spiritual leaders, often pray to God with hidden selfish motives. (20-21)
Christ commands us believers and leaders to give our lives to one another, just as He gave His life for us. (23-28)
The Bottom Line
There is no room for power struggles in Christ's Kingdom. Instead serve one another.
Jesus Christ suffered and died on a cross to take away your sins and grant you a new life of peace with God. This is salvation, and it is given to all who believe. Meditate and reflect on how wonderful your salvation is, so that in gratitude you might follow Christ's example of giving His life to benefit others, even while in a position of great authority.
Key Memory Verse
"..just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28)