Grudges

"To sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant," Mark 10:40.

So Jesus talked about a baptism not yet undergone. But wait! He had already been baptized by John in the Jordan River. So what's this? There are two baptisms. One, in water to join with Christ. Two, in the life of his church to join with Christ in suffering. He's talking about the second here. It's about how he's going to sink into suffering death. And that his congregation would follow him to sink into that same suffering baptism. So, Jesus asked his followers, Are you able to drink this cup of suffering? They said, Sure! and can we sit beside you in power? So then Jesus denied power to grant seating. To be water-baptized into Christ initiates a life of service like Jesus served. Not about power, privilege, or fame. Jesus still asks: Are you able to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized? (And let God sort out seating arrangements?)

We remind each other today, brother or sister, that to suffer hardship, insult, indignity, injustice without grudges leads into Jesus' service baptism. And, together, we give thanks to God for the opportunity to share the load with each other.