In last week's gospel, Jesus explains how obsession and idolatry with earthly riches make it harder to follow God. He used hyperbole to tell us that a camel would have an easier time going through the eye of a needle than someone who idolizes riches to reach the Kingdom of God.
His disciples were in the audience during this sermon. Today, Mark tells the story of two aspiring brothers – James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who are known for their fiery evangelical zeal and extreme reactions. Scholars believe the nickname is because of the bold and aggressive incident reported by Luke (Lk. 9:54) when the two feisty brothers sought permission from Jesus to 'command fire from heaven to destroy' the Samaritans who showed some disrespect to Jesus.'
In today's gospel, Jesus took disciples aside again and predicted what would happen to him in Jerusalem – ‘The Son of Man’ [Jesus] will be handed over to the chief priests and the Gentiles; they will mock him, spit upon him, flog him, and kill him, and after three days he will rise again."
Soon after this prediction, the two brothers made the most extraordinary request ever. 'We want you to do whatever we ask you.' Their request is: 'Grant us to sit next to you in your Kingdom?" Jesus asked them, 'Are you able to go through the betrayal, the suffering, and death destined for me?' That question should have made them shudder and sympathize with Jesus. But they arrogantly and confidently say, "Yes, we are able." These brothers were putting their cards on the table and hoping they played well. Even when Jesus challenges their faithfulness, they respond without hesitation, "We are able."
Before we make a judgment, let's try to relate: we are so much like them. We hear the gospel okay and accept it, but like seeds that fall on good soil, we get consumed/choked by worldly troubles and ambitions, and we quickly forget what we are.
Jesus wisely tells the disciples – yes, my friends, your destiny is not as you think. You will go through persecution so that the prophecy may be fulfilled. But to sit at my left and right is not something to choose me, you, or even me.
The history of the church has it that James suffered martyrdom. John suffered horrible persecution, and at the end of his life, John was changed from a "son of thunder" into the finest theologian of all time.
The punch line to this story for me is that when the other ten disciples hear John and James' request, they are indignant, as one would expect—probably not for the brothers' audacity but just because they hadn't thought of asking first. And Jesus, knowing their hearts, calls them and teaches the requirements for positions of honor.
This passage reveals the human temptations we all struggle with: pride, power, envy, lust, and greed. We all naturally want to be in a better position or a more productive environment. If your boss is moving upward, you expect to move upwards, don't you?
Over the years, Jesus has taught in parables and hyperboles. He emphasizes in plain words the true nature of godliness: "Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all." If you want to be great, serve others. "Servanthood" spells "humility" – it's about caring for those who cannot care for themselves – the poor, the outcast, the illiterate, and the educated – all people. If you want to be first, be a servant.
This story is an invitation to first let Jesus be a servant to us, and we, in turn, be servants to all whom Jesus places on our path so that, through the work of the Holy Spirit, we may live in peace and harmony. Amen!