Whatever

"What do you want me to do for you?" Mark 10:35.

The kingdom of God uproots our implanted sense of authority and rule. It's really hard to get it. Really hard. So Jesus has got to keep explaining. Now, what did James and John want of Jesus? They wanted him to do whatever they asked. Whatever? (!) And whatever really was something: they wanted him to have them rule, right and left, in Jesus' kingdom. So Jesus talks about drinking cups. Drinking cups of woe, rather than of glory. And they must receive a baptism like his. They must die. Jesus' rule arises from serving. Not from forcing it over others. From giving his own life as a ransom. Not from downputting others. His lordship comes by choice, not by might. Jesus heads to the cross outside Jerusalem, and he bids his kingdom to meet him there.

When we chat with a brother or sister today, we remind each other that we live because Jesus served us. And, together, we serve this world gratefully, following our Master in it.