We keep having to learn and relearn how odd the Christian way is when compared with the ways of the world. The world values competition, assertiveness, power, and prestige. Jesus calls us to walk the way of humble service.
We need to learn and relearn this truth, much like Jesus' disciples. Throughout Mark's gospel, Jesus has been teaching them that his way is counter to the world's way. He is journeying, not toward fame and fortune, but toward the cross. Still, two of Jesus' disciples ask to be near him when he finally takes his place "in glory."
Jesus, how can you enable us to get what we want (rather than be troubled by what you want)?
They seem to believe that the new world will be set up just like the old world only with new leadership in place. The bad guys at the head table will be removed, their chairs will be fumigated and God's new crew will be seated, with Jesus in the number one position and the most loyal members of his campaign staff on either side of him.
Once this change has been accomplished, then finally! at last! the good people will commence to redeem the world from top to bottom, beginning from the top. The ultimate trickledown effect.
"It doesn't work that way," Jesus tells them one more time. The new world is not remotely like the old one. It turns the old one upside down.
The number ones are not the powerful ones having their pictures taken at the head of the table: they are the quiet ones slipping in and out among the guests, refilling wine glasses and laying down clean silverware for the next course. The great ones are not the dignitaries to the left and right of the ruler; they are the ones who are stirring pots in the kitchen, testing the temperature of the soup so that it is neither too hot nor too cold.
James and John want Jesus to hurry up and become king of the world, but he has other things on his mind. Has everyone been served? Is all the food on the table? Does anyone need anything? "For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
We have heard this teaching so many times that it is all but lost on us. The end of the line is the best place to be. But in terms of the world we live in, things simply do not work that way. The only way to make any sense out of it at all is to think of it as some sort of intermediate stage, like boot camp or parole. Do your time as a servant with no whining and win two good seats in the kingdom to come.
"It doesn't work that way," Jesus tells them one more time. He is not pretending to be a servant until the time comes for him to whip off his disguise and climb onto his throne. He is a servant through and through. The good seats are not his to give. He does not even have one himself. Someone else is in charge of all that, someone he is too shy even to name, whom it is his sole pleasure and purpose to serve.
He is not in it for reward. He is in it for the love of God, which promises him nothing but the opportunity to give himself away.
What do you want? Not what do you need, but what do you want? It’s a case of the wants getting out of balance. Of taking over. Of messing up the harmony of the kingdom. Want to see what the kingdom looks like? It looks like everyone being a servant...to everyone else.
Linda and I were traveling north to Kirsten’s swim meet. We were on 520 merging onto 405. At 6:15. Yeah you can imagine. But it wasn’t that way. It was AMAZING! It was packed...don’t get me wrong, but as our line swooped down toward the 405 lane everyone was working together. One line making space for the incoming. Wow! Check this out. It was working...like a zipper! Beautiful. Then all of a sudden VROOM ripping down the shoulder some guy passed on the right. Went all the way until he couldn’t go any further and stuck his nose in. It all stopped. I had not so nice words blaring in my head. Linda was kinder, ”So what makes YOU so special.”
It not even the wants become the win. The giant W becomes all import. Its not OK to play well. Seahawks had a great season--went to the Super bowl. Where was the silver medal? #2 in the whole nation....I think that’s pretty cool. High school football...you can’t tie anymore. Have to keep duking it out until someone wins.
What Jesus is offering is a blessed tie. No one wins no one looses. But not in a goopy way, where we are encouraging and celebrating the beauty of doing it. Servant of all, everyone taking a part. No one Lording it over, working together. Not worried about winning. Sounds like community. And we get moments. We have them here a lot. When we let go of wanting to work up a pecking order. Worry about clawing our way to the top. And let the happen. On earth as in heaven. Now. So...What DO you want?
Amen,
Pastor Howell
