Mark 10:32-45
32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Reflection
Jesus again focuses on humility and servant leadership, which he would powerfully demonstrate in his own sacrificial death (Mark 10:45). When Jesus drank the “cup” of God’s judgment (vv. 38–39; cf. Isa. 51:17–23; Jer. 25:15–28), he performed the ultimate act of service for his followers by removing God’s judgment from them.
Servant leaders use their strengths and gifts for the sake of others. This kind of leadership is neither oppressive (like the Gentile leaders; Mark 10:42) nor spineless. It is marked by humble surrender and reliance on God for his power, his purposes, and his resources. Truly humble people will be strong and persistent in Christlike character, and “weak” in self-reliance.
2 Corinthians 12:11-21
11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.
Reflection
Paul seems nearly at his limit, but it is precisely at this point, where he seems to be on the verge of lashing out, that we find him overflowing in love. Rather than ask the Corinthians to cover his expenses, he is glad to spend and be spent for their souls (2 Cor. 12:15). He does not want to take advantage of those who have taken advantage of him (v. 17). He desires that the very people who have torn him down would be built up (vv. 18–19). This is the sacrificial love of Christ working itself out in Paul’s life. He is passing on to the Corinthians exactly what he has received from Jesus.
When the gospel is at work in our hearts, we can respond to conflict with a generous and sacrificial heart that builds up those who have sought to pull us down.
Psalm 75:8
8 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.
When Christ took the cup for us, he was drinking the fury of God’s wrath so that we wouldn’t have to. Consider the servant leadership of Jesus, and ask God how you can grow in your Christlike service to others in the church and beyond.