THE MEANING OF LORDSHIP (7 OF 10)
Scripture: Mark 10:35-45
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The Meaning of Lordship (7 of 10)
Series: Discipleship
Christopher B. Harbin
Mark 10:35-45
Has anyone ever asked you for a favor without telling you what was wanted? Have they ever asked you for the equivalent of signing a blank check? That was how these disciples began their conversation with Jesus. ''Teacher, say 'Yes!'''
That kind of request puts me on my guard. It makes me uncomfortable. It just sounds too much like a trap. ''Tell me that you will do whatever I ask you.'' It is really just another way to say, ''I want you to obey me.'' While it is not a very effective strategy, it is an attempt to manipulate someone else into submission, specifically someone whose authority is greater than our own.
Jesus did not fall for that any more than most parents would answer their little children affirmatively. Instead of answering their request directly, he asked for more information. ''What is it you want me to do for you?'' ''What did you have in mind?''
That is where things started to go off track for them. That was not exactly how they wanted Jesus to answer. Then again, it was the response they somewhat expected, or at least it should have been. When it came time to place their request openly before Jesus, though, they started to become a little uncomfortable.
What they really wanted was privilege. They wanted power. They wanted security. They wanted others to bow to their whims, to serve them, to make them comfortable. They wanted to live at the top of the pack. They did not want to struggle for survival, worry over economic issues, or face the hardship of poverty. That is what they were really after. They wanted isolation from the strains and stresses of life through positions of power, prominence, and authority. They were just a little too ashamed to come right out and confess what they were after.
Instead of directly asking Jesus to fulfill their request, they had decided on a different approach. To be honest, they probably were not sure ...
Series: Discipleship
Christopher B. Harbin
Mark 10:35-45
Has anyone ever asked you for a favor without telling you what was wanted? Have they ever asked you for the equivalent of signing a blank check? That was how these disciples began their conversation with Jesus. ''Teacher, say 'Yes!'''
That kind of request puts me on my guard. It makes me uncomfortable. It just sounds too much like a trap. ''Tell me that you will do whatever I ask you.'' It is really just another way to say, ''I want you to obey me.'' While it is not a very effective strategy, it is an attempt to manipulate someone else into submission, specifically someone whose authority is greater than our own.
Jesus did not fall for that any more than most parents would answer their little children affirmatively. Instead of answering their request directly, he asked for more information. ''What is it you want me to do for you?'' ''What did you have in mind?''
That is where things started to go off track for them. That was not exactly how they wanted Jesus to answer. Then again, it was the response they somewhat expected, or at least it should have been. When it came time to place their request openly before Jesus, though, they started to become a little uncomfortable.
What they really wanted was privilege. They wanted power. They wanted security. They wanted others to bow to their whims, to serve them, to make them comfortable. They wanted to live at the top of the pack. They did not want to struggle for survival, worry over economic issues, or face the hardship of poverty. That is what they were really after. They wanted isolation from the strains and stresses of life through positions of power, prominence, and authority. They were just a little too ashamed to come right out and confess what they were after.
Instead of directly asking Jesus to fulfill their request, they had decided on a different approach. To be honest, they probably were not sure ...
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