The request of James and John. Mark 10:35-45

Mark 10:35–45

If we start with a basic rule in looking at a piece of scripture … to look at the context … to try to get a picture of what is happening around this incident, one can’t help feeling for James and John, as it seems that they end up being the bad guys here. Jesus has just finished telling his disciples (for at least the second time) that he is about to be killed. It is clear that they have already set out on this “death journey” to Jerusalem (v32-34). Is this an attempt by James and John to distract their attention from such gruesome stuff by talking about better things, like what it will be like when this is all over? Or did they simply just not get it?

Most of us would have at some time been to a major social function where there is a sit down dinner but there are no allocated seats. Everyone gathers in the foyer for pre-dinner drinks, then the main doors open and there is this period of immense anxiety … where will we sit? Can we find a table where we feel comfortable and at ease with those around us? We all like to sit with our friends, with the people we know and whose presence we enjoy.

Have you ever observed what happens to an unknown relief teacher sitting alone in the staff room as regular staff file in? Eyes make contact with the stranger, then quickly the eyes move around the room looking for somewhere more “comfortable” to sit.

So maybe we are just like James and John! Were they just looking after their own anxieties by making sure they are sitting by their mate when they all gather together?

Regardless of their motives, Jesus however quite dramatically goes on to redefine greatness in a way that completely dismantles any thinking of hierarchy or pecking order and along the way has a bit of a swing at the other disciples too. What a great reminder to us in Lutheran Schools. It’s not about how WE feel, it’s about looking out for those around us!

… and may our staff rooms be free of any reserved seating or positions of higher importance and may we strive to build a culture where our thinking is turned upside down so that it becomes … who can I sit next to and engage with who may be feeling lonely or excluded?