Slices
Prepare
Think about your expectations as you follow Christ. In what ways are they biblically shaped?
Bible passage
The request of James and John
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want you to do for us whatever we ask.’
36 ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked.
37 They replied, ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.’
38 ‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said. ‘Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with?’
39 ‘We can,’ they answered.
Jesus said to them, ‘You will drink the cup I drink and be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.’
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
Explore
Bishop Jesudasan was once approached by church leaders. They were debating what image of Christ should be featured on the central stained glass window, which was costing a lot of money. After listening to them, the bishop asked, ‘Why do you want to spend so much when the needs of the last, the least and the lost around you are so great?’ Noticing the silence in the room, he continued: ‘Jesus came to serve and if you want to look at an image that would challenge the people then look at a servant image of Jesus. Why not a simple image of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples with a towel around his waist?’
James and John were surely thinking about a Messianic kingdom ‘here and now’ when they came to Jesus saying, ‘We want you to do for us whatever we ask’ (v 35). What they wanted were the prime positions on the left and the right of Jesus. ‘These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared’, Jesus told them (v 40), and reminded them again that ‘whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all’ (vs 43,44).
Respond
Pray that God will help you to follow the model of Jesus who was ever willing to serve and never wanted to be served.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 37,38; Hebrews 4
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for the Mission Events and Holidays team as they finish the administration from the summer events and begin to plan and prepare for next year. Give thanks for the team – Claire, Sue, Karen, Heidi, Rachel and Paul who serve behind the scenes to make all the events run smoothly and safely.