For Sunday, the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reading

From Mark 10:35-45

“And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.””

Reflection

James and John make a bold request. They want to be right next to Jesus when he gets to Jerusalem, to realize his “glory.”

Do they really know what they are asking? They probably should. And I suspect they do. At least by half.

They know that what they are asking for is to participate in dying. That’s the part I’m sure they get right.

But I also suspect they think they are doing something good and noble. Like they are characters in some movie like Braveheart. And here they are, in the midst of the rising action, approaching the climax, and they are planning to go into battle like true-believing warriors.

This is their glory! Honestly, who can blame them for it? There is good reason those moments are so rousing in any story.

But that’s not what is actually going to happen. And more importantly, they should know this. Jesus has literally told them this three times.

This story really has some Peter vibes to it. And I think that speaks volumes.

• They think they are doing the right thing.
• This is what makes sense.
• Jesus wants us to be bold and decisive.

And they aren’t wrong about any of that. They are wrong about purpose. And they aren’t listening to the teaching. Jesus isn’t trying to win by war. Or conquering. Or any terrestrial means of establishing supremacy.

The kingdom isn’t actually a kingdom.

Jesus tries to get us to see things the way he sees them. He’s flipped himself upside down and he’s trying to get his disciples to join him – to see things as he sees them.

Greatness and glory are not methods for establishing God’s dream for us.

Like the disciples, we often treat them as necessary. Or perhaps shortcuts to achieving our goal. But Jesus considers these paths to power as obstacles to God’s dream.

Instead he offers service and sacrifice. A path to love walked by loving.