Ambitious Brothers

 

Courtesy google search free clip art

Taking notes, I Gleaned from Pastor Jerry’s sermon as he read from Mark 10: 35-45.

The scene was a group meeting of Jesus with his twelve disciples. James and John had both been faithful, loyal, dependable disciples who had given up everything to follow Jesus.  They considered themselves to be worthy of honor.

They believed that this entitled them to be considered to sit on the right and left of Jesus’ throne when he came into his kingdom.  Jesus would need good advisors and they were bold enough to ask for a seat in his cabinet.  They did not realize they could not earn recognition and a powerful position.

Naturally the other disciples were angry and upset with James and John.  Jesus gently asked them if they were able to drink of the cup that he must drink from, and they quickly answered yes.  Jesus instructed them that they would indeed drink from his cup, but their request was not his to answer, but it was the Father who would decide these things.

Apparently although they had heard Jesus teach many times, but they had not been listening.  Many of his stories were about becoming a servant and loving others before ourselves.   The first shall be last and the last shall be first Jesus often taught.

Pastor explained that entitlement is not a bad word.  Entitlement is the right to benefits specifically that we have earned by contributions.  We are entitled to our pensions, social security, and unemployment if we are out of work. He shared how one time he drew a small unemployment check and was embarrassed to do so even though he was entitled.

Pastor gave an example of a short line and a long line at the women’s bathroom.  A lady discovered no one was there at the room just around the corner, but when she brought the good news to the waiting long line, they did not want to loose their place so they paid her no attention.  They refused to hear the good news.  Isn’t that the way with some when we try to share the Gospel?   It is too good to believe for many, so they keep to their old ways.

Jesus went on to explain that he came to serve, to suffer, to be spit upon, to be condemned to die, but that he would rise from the dead in three days.  Again they were hearing but not listening.  They did not want to hear those words, as they were only concerned about their personal future.  They lacked the vision Jesus was showing them.

The question that only you can answer is:  Are you willing to be a servant, to be a light in the darkness.  Can we make the declaration; yes I am willing to drink from the cup?

No one can answer for you.  Each must make a personal decision to follow Jesus.

 

This post is Linked with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

Also shared with Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday Use it on Monday