“Jockeying for position”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Sunday, October 20, 2024

Mark 10: 35-45 (Forward, p. 83) CEV p. 1041

Somethings never change. Here we have James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, coming to Jesus and asking for the number one and number two positions in His kingdom. The fact that they totally misunderstood both the nature of that kingdom and what those positions entailed is entirely beside the point. They were jockeying for position.

And doesn’t that sound entirely contemporary. This scenario could easily have been replicated on the stage of international, national, and local affairs. And yes, even in the church. Yes, sometimes we are more subtle or less forthright about it. We say, “I’m only in this for the good of the church” or “I want to be in a position where I can make a difference”, or “I think my ideas are what the church needs.” Or, with the clergy, we say, even more subtly, ‘How did such and such ever get to be rector of that parish, or dean, or bishop?’, suggesting that there might be a much better candidate…hint, hint.

Jesus sort of nips James and John’s ambitions in the bud. After asking them if they ‘knew what it takes’, He bursts their balloon, their balloon of ambition, by telling them that such decisions are entirely the hand of His

Father in heaven.

But then, bringing all of this conversation entirely down to earth—as Jesus is want to do—Jesus gives the two of them, plus all the others, a more practical alternative. But first He describes the way of our world:

-foreign rulers, kings, like to order people around and have full power

over the people they rule. Power, yes.

In a similar conversation, this time about greatness per se, Jesus adds a couple other aspects of how our world works:

“The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority call themselves Benefactors” (Luke 22:25). Influence and

recognition or prestige, those too are powerful motivations.

But what does Jesus suggest instead? Taking the lower place, not looking for prestige or recognition or prestige, but simply being willing to be a servant and look after the needs of others. Indeed, Jesus says, that is exactly what He Himself came to do. And, rather than jockey for power, He emptied Himself, gave Himself for us, a servant for all, right to the Cross. What a powerful example for all of us!

Forward notes: “But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant” (verse 43).

“I once served as the solo pastor of a small church. One day, one of the church toilets decided to overflow. The only other person on campus was our 78-year-old treasurer, and there was no way I was going to let her clean up the situation. So, there I was, in the bathroom, tearing up the carpet that was soaked with toilet water. At first, I was thoroughly annoyed, thinking that I did not go to seminary for this. I have a master’s of divinity degree, and I am a reverend!

“But a moment later, I found the whole thing humorous and knew that cleaning the bathroom was exactly what I needed to do.

“Titles are just opportunities to serve. The greater your title is, the greater your opportunity to serve. We don’t get to hide behind our titles in the kingdom of God. Essentially, our titles set the expectations of just how much we are to serve. The ‘greatest’ in God’s kingdom are not the ones who hide behind their titles or lord their titles over others. The ‘greatest’ in God’s realm are the ones who serve others.”

Moving Forward: “Who will you serve today?”