By Such Stripes Are We Healed
by Jack Shaver
©The United Church of Canada, 1985
All Rights Reserved
ISBN 0-88622-196-X
7M/12/85/APL
Used with Permission
Wednesday
Look who made it!
Mark 10: 32 - 40
In the history of Christianity the apostles came to an exalted position.
These were the ones to whom the original witness had been entrusted. They came to be seen as authorities, by whose word the original gospel was distinguished from distortions of the gospel.
- It is remarkable, therefore, how frequently the early tradition records the obtuseness and resistance of the inmost circle of disciples. Once Jesus' teaching concentrated on his upcoming arrest and execution, there is less and less understanding on the part of the 12. In yesterday's text we saw this lack of understanding expressed in Peter's rebuke of Jesus.
To-day's verses are placed by both Matthew and Mark at the start of the group's last trip to Jerusalem. Jesus is walking ahead of the rest and there is amazement and fear among his followers. He tells them again of his expectation of what is to happen to him and he receives as much hearing as if the wind had carried all his words away.
Two leading disciples want a word with him. They have something very different in mind. Their request generates great indignation among the others.- "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. ..Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory."
- But Jesus says to them,
- "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
In other words, Do you know the kind of glory you are asking to be part of?
Do you know the kind of greatness you are asking to have manifest in you? The great among you must be your servant, the first among you slave of all.
The reply comes back, readily enough. "We are able."
This next is the best part of the story. Jesus, on the eve of his passion, in the total loneliness of his isolation, tells these two unhearing power-seekers who have thoughtlessly blurted out, "0 we're prepared for all that",- The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized."
I don't know what moves me more about this passage: its revelation of Jesus' patience or its witness to the hidden promise in these two climbers. Perhaps they are not two different things.
If these two followers can move from their uncomprehending blindness to genuine discipleship, then you and I can. The promise is in us, also.
And the promise is in us because of the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Offering
Giver of all,
We are good at grasping and hoarding, but we are not very good at giving gifts.
Therefore we don't bring a very fit offering. But it's right that we try.
It's right that we attempt some outward and visible recognition of
the givenness of life.
It's right that we acknowledge that we live at the expense of other
lives.
It's right that we recognize that to you alone belongs the majesty and
that we are not the centre of the universe.
It's right that we acknowledge our sinful lives before you so that you
can cleanse them.
It's right that we offer our good works to you so that you can bless
them.
We surrender to you, almighty God, our title to accomplish our own salvation and the salvation of the world.
We offer you our broken faithfulness. Use it to fulfill your gracious
purposes.
Nourish the seed of faith in us.
Amen