Mark 10:35-45

UNFATHOMABLE DULLNESS? - The question asked Jesus by James and John presses us to wonder whether the disciples are buffoons, simpletons, or even tragic figures. As Donald Juel remarks, "On the one hand, their dullness seems almost unfathomable . . . Perhaps the disciples are simply poor soil. Such an explanation does not take seriously Jesus’ initiative in choosing them, however. We must imagine there is something promising simply in the choice . . . Significant is the little comment by the narrator that their hearts were hardened (6:52), as well as Jesus’ promises to the disciples that imagine a productive future (10:39-40; 13:10; 14:28-30). [1]

ARE YOU ABLE TO DRINK THE CUP? - to help grasp a clearer understanding of this response of Jesus to James and John, see Psalm 75:6-8, Isaiah 51:17-22, Jeremiah 25:15-28, and Ezekiel 23:31-34. What is in this foaming cup that can bring sorrow, shame, convulsions, vomiting, and ruin? Poetically and prophetically, the cup contained God’s wrath. It was the cup of judgment, which Jesus would drink to the bottom, so it wouldn’t be poured out on Israel. [2] Jesus asks James and John whether they are prepared to share his fate of suffering. Implicit in sharing glory is sharing suffering.

ARE WE UNFATHOMABLY DULL TOO? - This lesson is a good example of the challenge that Christ-discipleship requires. It is a radical inversion of what media and pop culture has hallowed: reversals of thinking about suffering, a redefining of the ingrained ideas of honor and dishonor, power and weakness. We can silence James and John as being "unfathomably dull," but we are all too often of the same ilk who can all to often nourish privilege which foments jealousy and ill-will among those who don’t share such privileges.

 

What important job would you like to hold for a day? What would you do?

Who do you consider a great leader? What makes them so?

Who has been an example of a Christ-like servant? What effect has that person had on your life?

 

According to Janice Anderson, Mark arranges three boat stories that correspond to the three misunderstandings that follow Jesus’ three passion predictions. [3] Do a quick review to suggest how these "rocky-ground" disciples are insensitive to the words and actions of Jesus (8:17-21). Seems every time Jesus points them to the cross and self-denial they start talking about advancement.

Retell this week’s lesson story (with energy and imagination) as the latest example of this pattern of unfathomable dullness.

Explore today’s portrayal of Christian faith via the medium of "success theology." Such a theology so focuses on the benefits and whatsinitforme, that Jesus and Christianity become a panacea for every ill from finding a parking meter close to our favorite store to getting an unearned job promotion.

Sharply contrast that image with Mark’s "cross theology." In Mark’s view, true disciples are marked by self-denial, service, and saving others more than self.

In weaving your contrasts try to draw from current material-stories of modern people who embraced Mark’s version of discipleship.

Through these stories let Jesus speak a word of good news: I have come to serve and to give my life as a ransom to free your life from death. Now, come, follow me and discover the freedom that comes when you give your life away as you live and serve under the sign of the cross. Amen.

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[1] Donald Juel, The Gospel of Mark (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1999), page 76.
[2] Scott Pinzon, God’s Word for the Biblically-Inept: Mark (Lancaster, PA: Starburst, 2001), p. 194.
[3] Janice Capel Anderson and Stephen D. Moore, ed.,  Mark and Method (Fortress, 1992), page 88.