Christian Living

On the Road with Jesus

by paul hoffmaster
02/11/18
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Jesus did a lot of walking during His ministry.  On this particular occasion, Jesus and His entourage were heading to Jerusalem where He would shortly offer the greatest sacrifice the world would ever know.  There, in the capital city of Judaism, he would be betrayed by one of His chosen followers.  He would be tried in a “kangaroo” court and sentenced to death by crucifixion. 

 On the road with Him are not only the Apostles, but a number of women and other followers.  Mark tells us that Jesus seems to separate Himself from the group and walk alone.  This is a very different behavior for Jesus and it causes amazement, and even some fear, in the group.  Finally, Jesus stops and takes the Apostles aside and informs them of what will transpire in the days ahead.  Sharing about His impending crucifixion, He also tells them that He will rise again! (Mark 10:32-34)  Almost immediately, Jesus is approached by the mother of James and John, as well as the brothers themselves.  Kneeling before Jesus, she asks if He would grant her a favor, upon which Jesus says, “What do you wish?”  Boldly, she asks that her sons could sit on His right and left side when He establishes His Kingdom. (Matthew 20:20, 21)  The brothers’ mother, along with several women, had accompanied Jesus and His Apostles on many of His “crusades.” (Mark 15:41)  Maybe she feels she has earned enough attention that Jesus will grant her request.  Jesus’ response is that she does not know what she is asking.  She is seeking personal gain and elevated representation for her sons.  Jesus must be surprised and even disappointed with what she is asking, for His life has been a life of service, not a life of positional authority. 

 How many of us today center our petitions around ourselves?  We seek personal blessings instead of opportunities to bless others.  We desire personal edification instead of edifying others.  We seek financial relief as a result of our careless spending instead of financial growth in order to bless others.  I wonder how many of our petitional requests would warrant the same response that the mother of James and John received.

 The request that was made to Jesus was based on the Jews belief that Jesus would reestablish the Jewish Kingdom under His authority and rule.  They believed that once again the Jewish people would be restored to prominence and respect.  I believe one of the motives behind Judas’s betrayal was to force Jesus to implement His Kingdom.  This mother was requesting that her two sons would be co-rulers with Jesus.  What Jesus was saying to her was that she did not under-stand what His ministry was all about.  Today, we too, misunderstand Scripture, take things out of context, and base our beliefs on those misinterpretations.

 Jesus looked past the mother and asked the two brothers if they were able to drink the “cup” that He would shortly take and able to submerse themselves in the sufferings He would experience.  They responded with confidence that they were able to do so.  Jesus affirmed their resolve and told them that was exactly what they would do.  Are we willing to follow Jesus no matter what it takes?  I am sure we will verbally proclaim our allegiance, but are we willing to take up our cross and follow Him no matter the cost? 

 When the other Apostles heard what James and John had requested, they became indignant with them.  Jesus, sensing the disharmony, shared that rulers will lord it over their people, but that is not what His followers were to do.  If they wanted to be great in the Kingdom, they would have to become servants.  Today, we have so many positional Believers and so few servants.  We must stop looking at what the Church can do for me; but being the Church, let us learn what we can do to serve others!  May God grant us understanding as to the intent of His Word!

(Ref: Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 10:32-42)