Appoint us to Sit

Mark 10:35-45
The request of James and John
 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010%3A35-45&version=NRSVUE
 
James and John ask Jesus for places of power. Well, verse 35 shows that they didn’t really ask, they told Jesus what they wanted: “We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” It almost seems as though sitting in these places of honor and power would not be the only thing they will ask of Jesus. They left it open-ended with “whatever.” “Whatever we ask of you” seems endless with a long string of self-serving desires.
 
Jesus responds: “What is it you want me to do for you?” (v.36). I read this with a certain tone from Jesus. Perhaps he picked up on their non-asking request and open-ended word choice. Perhaps he wanted to see into their hearts what it is that they truly want. We don’t really know Jesus’ tone. He could have asked this question as a loving teacher or parent who wants to nurture their mutual relationship. Either way, James and John continue with their request: “Appoint us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory” (v.37). What is it that James and John want Jesus to do for them? It seems they want to rise to places of power that put them equal to Jesus. Ambition seems to have taken a hold in their hearts.
 
Jesus’ initial response was: “You do not know what you are asking” (v.38). Isn’t that the truth? When we “ask” Jesus or demand Jesus to answer our prayers, we often don’t know what we are asking. We only know what our heart’s desire is pleading in the moment. We only know what perhaps our family expects from us or what our social structure or culture has implanted into our thinking as what we’re supposed to be doing.
 
The gospel of Matthew tells this story a little differently. It was James and John’s mother, Salame, who asks Jesus for a favor, that he “declare” ther sons sit on either side of Jesus in his kingdom” (Matt. 20:21). She also didn’t ask, but forms the request in a statement. I’m not sure which one is worse, demanding to be placed in seats of power or having your mother ask on your behalf. It certainly suggests that there is possibly a family expectation placed on them to be ambitious or it’s a product of their placement in their hierarchical social structure to want to rise from their lower position as fishermen. 
 
Jesus tries to answer in both stories by asking if they are able to “drink the cup” that he will drink, and in both stories, they say, “We are able” (v.22). We always think we are able to do whatever it takes until we are in the moment, and then realize that we didn’t really understand what would be required of us. We usually answer, “Yes, we are able,” just to get what we want, without fully understanding what we are agreeing to.
 
This story shows that people don’t really understand Jesus’ kingdom and what it takes to be a part of it nor how to bring it here on earth. Even his disciples and their families didn’t understand it. Even his disciples had to wrestle with their own familial and societal expectations placed upon them. One way to read these requests would be to see how close Jesus and the disciples were in order for James and John to make such a request. It wasn’t as if they were asking a ruler for these places. They were asking their beloved teacher. And, perhaps they asked because they wanted to be near him and to show their support. They would follow him until the end when they are in glory with him.
 
But, I think Jesus asked the follow-up question -- “What is it you want me to do for you?” (v.36) -- to get to the source of their questioning to show them that they are really asking the wrong question. Jesus doesn’t appoint us to sit period. Following Jesus is not about seeking personal gain and rising to sit comfortably in places of honor or power. If we do find ourselves in those places in the world’s hierarchical structures, we are to have a heart for service to use this place to serve others, not ourselves.
 
Jesus’ kingdom is not a self-serving kingdom. We are not ambitious ladder-climbers. We are not appointed to sit in complacency or to sit in places of power to rule over people. Jesus “came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many” (v.45). We should do the same. We live our lives not focusing on selfish ambition, but seeking to serve and deliver people from what enslaves them. Jesus’ kingdom resides in our hearts when we think of others first before ourselves.
 
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever asked Jesus for something that you didn’t really know what you were asking at the time?
Have you ever demanded something from Jesus or asked Jesus for a favor?
Has Jesus ever called you to a place of power just so you could be comfortable, adored, and to rule over people? What has Jesus called you to? What is Jesus calling you to now?

Pray:
Show me, Jesus, the people you are calling me to serve.

Action:
Do at least one act of service this week.
 
*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.