The Way Of Service
THE WAY OF SERVICE
MARK 10:32-45
What should be our attitude toward power?
Reward and position are still the themes in this section. Now they are set in the context of our fourth reminder that Jesus is on his way to his passion. The awestruck disciples’ fears are confirmed by this further detailed prophecy of his impending suffering.
In sharp contrast James and John, still thinking only of the traditional glory of the messianic kingdom, sought for themselves the places of supreme rank. The bitter “cup” and the “baptism” of the cross which Jesus set before them were both metaphors utilizing Old Testament language referring to suffering and distress; the former especially was associated with bearing retribution and wrath (Psalm 75:8; Isaiah 51:17,22; cf. Mark 14:36; Revelation 14:10; 16:19), the latter has as its background the idea of being engulfed in calamity (Isaiah 69:1-3; cf. Luke 12:50). To the disciples these metaphors may have conveyed the thought of a messianic battle, and they professed themselves willing to fight in it. Jesus promised that they would. As for the rewards for which they asked, these were not his to bestow, but are “prepared”—by God.
The rest of the disciples, though more backward in seeking honor, were no less covetous of it, and Jesus had to take them all to task. Wanting to be like Gentile rulers, they understood leadership in terms of commanding slaves and exacting service from them. That is not the way in the kingdom of God. The person who wants to be first must take the lowest place and serve his fellows. This is not a recipe for success; it is a command to find happiness in service instead of being served, in loving others instead of commanding them. It finds its inspiration in the example of Jesus himself. At this point, as in 1 Peter 2:18-25, the thought moves from the example of Jesus to the saving results of what he did. His service was to give his life as an offering instead of the many. The background to this saving will be found in Psalm 49:7-9 and Isaiah 53:10-12. It plainly teaches substitution: the “many” not only benefit from what is done on their behalf (representation), but gain what they could never have achieved for themselves through One who loved them and gave himself for them. It equally plainly teaches a universally available atonement, for “many” is a Hebrew way of saying “all,” and all who will may take advantage of what is offered to them. No saying from the lips of Jesus in Mark is more precious.