Mark 10:35-45
“Service Call”
October 17, 2021
The two Zebedee brothers had to either be middle children in a large family or the biggest brown-nosers in their neighborhood.
You know the type – the ones who are pushing their way to the front of the line all the while complimenting the boss on what a fabulous job they’re doing – a lot like Ralphie in the movie Selene and I have watched every year together since she was about 8 years old, “A Christmas Story.”
In one scene, Ralphie tries to bribe his way into getting a good grade on his essay which was also his way to validate his argument that he should receive a BB gun for Christmas. He does this by bringing his teacher, Miss Shields, a massive fruit basket which dominates her desk and makes all of the other kids modest gifts look pale in comparison.
Just like Ralphie, James and John are striving to get into Jesus’ good graces so as to come out ahead.
Ralphie’s disappointment comes in the form of a C+ on his essay.
The stakes are much higher for James and John.
The ever-patient teacher Jesus faces their questions and cluelessness by painting a realistic picture of exactly what they are asking.
Jesus’ meaning is thought to be deeper here with the cup representing the cup that he will ultimately drink at the Passover table with the twelve disciples that will come to represent the blood of the new covenant.
The cup that Jesus points to drinking from refers to a form of suffering that has not yet happened and for which they will be totally unprepared.
These two sons of Zebedee are quick to agree to the Baptism which is so much more than they can imagine. It’s a baptism that represents repentance and the forgiveness which follows but also harkens back to the baptism of John the Baptist who was beheaded. Crucifixion, too, is on the horizon.
James and John want to hold onto Jesus and figure that if they’re there with Jesus at the right time, some of his greatness will rub off on them.
You can just feel the tension escalate with the other ten who are looking at each other and saying “the nerve of these two.”
They need to be taken down a few notches.
Jesus has already spoken of the humility necessary when he earlier upended expectations by lifting up the example to aspire to in the form of children.
These disciples must alter their impression of exactly what greatness is.
It’s not going to be measured by being rich and powerful in the earthly way most aspired to, being held up as great because of their family connections and status.
Instead, they are going to need to look toward all those that the world considers “less than.”
That’s who they are to take their lead from.
This is the countercultural message of Jesus.
Instead of measuring worth by accomplishment or solving problems or fixing people or situations, what Jesus seems to be pointing to here, as he has so many other times, is toward kinship with everyone – there are none that are higher than others in God’s eyes.
We are in this together and we need to get away from the idea that we are separate from each other.
That means we have to rethink the notion of we only being the service providers helping the needy service recipients.
Service, for all and by all, is what carries weight above all else in the Kingdom of God that Jesus is proclaiming.
As Father Greg Boyle encourages us, “Stand in awe of what the poor carry instead of in judgement of how they carry it.”
An opportunity to do just that will come soon to Bennington County when the first Afghan refugee family arrives.
Plans are already underway, and it looks like a 2-bedroom apartment has been secured to welcome these folks into our community.
There will be plenty of ways to help make this happen.
There will be needs that will range from helping move furniture, tutoring in English, providing meals, assisting them in setting up financial and utility accounts as well as helping them get to know the area.
Financial gifts will also be sought as they get started having left almost everything behind in Afghanistan.
Their needs will be broad but their gifts will also be welcomed. It looks like we may be able to share the household items that are stored right now in Dunlap Hall, left from our previous partnership with the Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless.
We have the opportunity to engage in the kind of servanthood that Jesus is lifting up as the norm.
Jesus here is redefining greatness and in doing so is giving voice to our call as disciples.
We are called to a life of service.
And we are left with two choices.
We can go the initial James and John route and live a life bent on glory where we privilege ourselves over others and constantly push for what’s in it for us.
The other choice is voiced by Jesus who asks, “What is it you want me to do for you?”
One assumes that glory comes from a sense of privilege and entitlement.
The second choice is an invitation in the other direction – to serve and keep on serving others and thus God.
Hear then these Unfolding Light words:
Beware of a faith
that is no more than James and John’s request:
believing what you need to believe
in order to go to Heaven—
and receive all the benefits appertaining thereunto,
including getting to be with Jesus in glory.
What if Heaven means the perfection of serving,
the deepest bliss in kneeling at the feet of the undeserving,
the most profound joy in pouring out your life for another?
At the heavenly banquet newcomers are the guests,
but the real angelic souls are the servers.
To what do you aspire?
If you had to choose between living a life of love
and getting to go to heaven,
which would you choose?
Which do you already choose, moment by moment?
Choose, moment by moment. (www.unfoldinglight.net)
The choice is ours. Amen.