Suffering Servant. Summary and Goal. Main Passages Mark 10:35-45

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1 Suffering Servant Summary and Goal Jesus revealed that He was a different type of King one who used His authority to serve. His disciples would follow His pattern of suffering and death, living their lives in service to others. To become great and share in His glory, they had to become servants to all. Main Passages Mark 10:35-45 Session Outline 1. Our Human Nature Seeks Glory (Mark 10:35-37) 2. Glory Comes Through Suffering (Mark 10:38-40) 3. Jesus Came as a Ransom for Many (Mark 10:41-45) Theological Theme God s glory displayed through Christ is seen most clearly in the cross. Christ Connection Every aspect of Christ s life and ministry led to His death, by which He was the ransom for many. Missional Application The life of the Christ follower is to be marked by death to self and our own glory-seeking tendencies. Our lives are to be given up for the sake of others. 1 Leader Guide

2 Historical Context of Mark Purpose Mark s Gospel is a narrative about Jesus. Mark identified his theme in the first verse: the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. That Jesus is the divine Son of God is the major emphasis of his Gospel. God announced it at Jesus baptism in Mark 1:11. Demons and unclean spirits recognized and acknowledged it in 3:11 and 5:7. God reaffirmed it at the transfiguration in 9:7. Jesus taught it parabolically in 12:1-12, hinted at it in 13:32, and confessed it directly in 14: Finally, the Roman centurion confessed it openly and without qualification in 15:39. Thus Mark s purpose was to summon people to repent and respond in faith to the good news of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God (Mark 1:1,15). Author The Gospel of Mark is anonymous. Eusebius, the early church historian, writing in a.d. 326, preserved the words of Papias, an early church father. Papias quoted the elder, probably John, as saying that Mark recorded Peter s preaching about the things Jesus said and did, but not in order. Thus, Mark was considered the author of this Gospel even in the first century. Setting According to the early church fathers, Mark wrote his Gospel in Rome just before or just after Peter s martyrdom. Further confirmation of the Roman origin of Mark s Gospel is found in Mark 15:21 where Mark noted that Simon, a Cyrenian who carried Jesus cross, was the father of Alexander and Rufus, men apparently known to the believers in Rome. Because Mark wrote primarily for Roman Gentiles, he explained Jewish customs, translated Aramaic words and phrases into Greek, used Latin terms rather than their Greek equivalents, and rarely quoted from the OT. Most Bible scholars are convinced that Mark was the earliest Gospel and served as one of the sources for Matthew and Luke. Key Themes Many concepts of the Messiah existed in Jesus day, and several individuals laid claim to the title. What Mark contributes is a clarification of the concept of Messiah and a redefining of the term. Peter s insightful confession at Caesarea Philippi in 8:29 became the turning point at which Jesus began to explain that the divine conception of the Messiah involved rejection, suffering, death, and then resurrection (Mark 8:31). Mark also shows us the human side of Jesus. In fact, more than the other Gospel writers, Mark emphasizes Jesus human side and His emotions. Thus Mark gives us a strong picture of both the humanity and the divinity of Jesus. Special Features Mark s Gospel emphasizes actions and deeds. Jesus is on the go healing, casting out demons, performing miracles, hurrying from place to place, and teaching. In Mark everything happens immediately. As soon as one episode ends, another begins. The rapid pace slows down when Jesus enters Jerusalem (Mark 11:1). Thereafter, events are marked by days, and His final day by hours. Date of My Bible Study: 2

3 7 Session Plan Suffering Servant For Further Discussion How would you say the world defines greatness? As followers of Christ, our definition of greatness is to be different, but what are some ways we fall into believing the world s definition of greatness? Introduction Why do you think it is so impactful to see someone of high position interact with and care for those who are viewed as lesser? What does this indicate about the power of serving others even those who have been cast out or overlooked? Jesus had been clear that He must suffer. In doing so, He would display fully in action the things He taught in His earthly ministry. He would walk the road of suffering and death, and to be with Him in glory, the disciples would follow in His footsteps. Their lives must follow the same pattern giving of themselves for the sake of others. 1. Our Human Nature Seeks Glory (Mark 10:35-37) Mark recorded that James and John two of the three disciples closest to Jesus cornered Jesus with a bold question. They told Jesus, Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask. Even so, Jesus followed their inquiry. James and John wanted a seat at His right and left when He was in glory. One can t help but envision the brothers in this moment as two children asking their parent to make sure they have the best reward. They only understood their present reality, but Jesus would make clear (once again) that His kingdom valued a very different reality. What do you think prompted James s and John s request? At its best and its worst, what might have been their goal? 2. Glory Comes Through Suffering (Mark 10:38-40) Notably, Jesus response to James and John is infinitely more gracious than our likely reaction while reading it. Whereas we have probably all rolled our eyes at the disciples request, Jesus didn t scoff at them. He didn t roll His eyes at them. He didn t chastise them for being so obtuse and thinking so highly of themselves. He simply responded by saying, You don t know what you are asking. As He often did, Jesus answered their 3 Leader Guide

4 question with a question. When asked if they could drink the cup He would drink or be baptized with His baptism, they responded confidently that they were able to do so. Why do you think James and John responded so confidently? How could they think they were able to do what Jesus asked? How are we overconfident in ourselves in the same way at times? What did Jesus mean when He talked about drinking the cup from which He drank and being baptized with His baptism? 3. Jesus Came as a Ransom for Many (Mark 10:41-45) At this point, Jesus, James, and John were joined once again by the other ten. Having overheard the request, the rest of the disciples were not pleased. Mark noted that they all became indignant with James and John. We can t really say whether the disciples offense was from outrage that they would think so highly of themselves or from jealousy that they hadn t thought to ask first. Whatever it may have been, Jesus took the opportunity to teach them all about how things were different in the kingdom of God. How do the values and ethics in the kingdom of God differ from common culture? How were the disciples to demonstrate a different way of living and leading? How would this teaching apply more broadly to the disciples lives? How does it apply to our lives as Christ followers? Conclusion What are the ways however subtle that we seek glory for ourselves? How have you seen this tendency in your own life? How does this sabotage our life with Christ and ability to share Christ with others? If suffering has been a part of your story whether to a small or great degree how have those experiences affected your walk with Christ? How have they changed the way you view Christ and interact with others? How should the values of the kingdom of God, as defined by Jesus, determine the way the church ministers? Do you see the church ministering in this way, becoming a servant to all? How do these ethics infiltrate your own life, family, and service? Session 7 4

5 Expanded Session Content 7 Suffering Servant Introduction On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana of Wales was tragically killed in a car accident in Paris. Her death sparked a public mourning unlike anything the world had ever seen. Her televised funeral resulted in the highest viewing numbers the UK had ever drawn and millions more around the world. For the days, weeks, and months that followed, people paid homage to her outside Kensington and Buckingham Palaces with flowers and messages. Her death marked a crucial turning point for the British monarchy, which had previously not been marked with the kind of personal engagement and compassion that Diana embodied. 1 What made her different? At her death, she was technically no longer a royal, yet the response from the public indicated a deep loyalty to her legacy. Her popularity had far exceeded her husband s and the rest of the royal family. Diana had famously broken many of the royal rules and protocols while she was a member of the royal family. From sending her kids to school to not wearing gloves in public, she was more normal than other royals. Perhaps her greatest legacy was her charity work. She invested her time and energy to raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS patients, those in war-torn countries, and more. She famously shook hands with AIDS and leprosy patients, walked though Angolan minefields, and engaged with children at every turn. 2 These were all previously seen as very unroyal acts. Diana didn t shy away from the poor, sick, and needy of the world. She used her royal title in a way that people had never seen before. She refused to keep people at arm s length. Despite her mistakes and struggles, she was, as Tony Blair called her, the People s Princess. She was a different kind of royal. In the same vein of redefining royalty and what it means to use authority, Jesus did the same thing with the twelve disciples in today s passage. Jesus overturned cultural notions of what it meant to have power and authority. Why do you think it is so impactful to see someone of high position interact with and care for those who are viewed as lesser? 5 Leader Guide

6 What does this indicate about the power of serving others even those who have been cast out or overlooked? Session Summary In today s session, Mark gave a look at one of the final teaching moments between Jesus and His disciples before He entered Jerusalem. James and John made a bold request to Jesus that gave Him the opportunity to instruct them on a different way of living. Disciples of Jesus were not to live according to the ways of the world, and certainly not to seek and wield power as the worldly rulers did. Their lives were to be marked by service. Jesus had been clear that He must suffer. In doing so, He would display fully in action the things He taught in His earthly ministry. He would walk the road of suffering and death, and to be with Him in glory, the disciples would follow in His footsteps. Their lives must follow the same pattern giving of themselves for the sake of others. 1. Our Human Nature Seeks Glory (Mark 10:35-37) Jesus and His disciples continued their journey toward Jerusalem, closing in on the inevitability of the cross. Prior to this question and teaching moment between Himself and the disciples, Jesus made His third and final prediction of His death (10:32-34). He made it clear that He would indeed suffer and die once they got to Jerusalem. However, death would not have the final say, because He would rise again after three days. One would think that the message was loud and clear that the disciples would have finally understood what Jesus had to do. Yet, that moment was followed with a brazen request. Mark recorded that James and John two of the three disciples closest to Jesus cornered Jesus with a bold question. They told Jesus, Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask. Even so, Jesus followed their inquiry. James and John wanted a seat at His right and left when He was in glory. One can t help but envision the brothers in this moment as two children asking their parent to make sure they have the best reward. They only understood their present reality, but Jesus would make clear (once again) that His kingdom valued a very different reality. What do you think prompted James s and John s request? At its best and its worst, what might have been their goal? Though we may read this story and think the disciples request to be wholly absurd, perhaps to them it was not. At best, we could say that James and John were acting out of loyalty and courage. Perhaps they wanted Jesus to know that they wanted to remain near to Him, even Session 7 6

7 The Passion Foretold In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus made three major predictions of His death and resurrection (called the Passion ). Each account follows the same pattern. Each prediction (Mark 8:31; 9:30-31; 10:33-34) is followed by an account of how the disciples misunderstood or failed to respond appropriately to what Jesus said, and then an account of Jesus teaching about true discipleship. Today s Scripture includes the third misunderstanding of the disciples and Jesus teaching that followed. Reading through Mark 8-10 will give you a full picture of this pattern. to have His approval. Maybe this was at the heart of their request. Yet however we view it, James and John were seeking glory: seats of honor next to the King. There was only room for one at each side of Jesus, and they wanted to secure those spots for themselves. Remember, they had just received a glimpse of His glory at the transfiguration; knowing His glory, they wanted to be able to experience it at Jesus side. How could the disciples keep missing it? What does it demonstrate about their perspective? How do we often miss it regarding the truth that Jesus has made so plainly clear? The disciples request demonstrated the great divide between their understanding of the kingdom of God. They loved Jesus and had given up everything to follow Him. They were nothing if not loyal. Yet, there was no way they could comprehend, prior to seeing their Savior die and rise again, the fullness of Jesus mission. Even though He had just spoken of this plainly in 10:32-34, they totally misunderstood. Even on this side of the cross, having a more complete picture than the disciples had in this moment, we still can t see fully from Jesus perspective. Like the disciples, we often miss it and misunderstand or fail to obey Jesus commands. We doubt and hesitate, and even sometimes disobey because we can t yet see the whole picture. Though we are tempted to scoff and say we would never be like the disciples, we so often are. 2. Glory Comes Through Suffering (Mark 10:38-40) Notably, Jesus response to James and John is infinitely more gracious than our likely reaction while reading it. Whereas we have probably all rolled our eyes at the disciples request, Jesus didn t scoff at them. He didn t roll His eyes at them. He didn t chastise them for being so obtuse and thinking so highly of themselves. He simply responded by saying, You don t know what you are asking. As He often did, Jesus answered their question with a question. When asked if they could drink the cup He would drink or be baptized with His baptism, they responded confidently that they were able to do so. Why do you think James and John responded so confidently? How could they think they were able to do what Jesus asked? How are we overconfident in ourselves in the same way at times? What did Jesus mean when He talked about drinking the cup from which He drank and being baptized with His baptism? 7 Leader Guide

8 Remember, the brothers were nothing if not loyal and bold. The disciples wanted to share in the glory that awaited Christ the glory they had just seen on the mountain. Whatever the cup and baptism entailed, to them that was perhaps a difficult but necessary road to sitting at their Lord s side. 3 Jesus quickly disavowed them of their lofty notions, because they didn t know what they were asking. Even though He had told them in clear terms, suffering was ahead of Him. The cup of suffering was His to drink, and in His agony, He would even ask for it to pass from Him (Mark 14:36). The baptism of death was His alone. Indeed, they would drink of the cup of suffering and they would be baptized with His baptism; yet those would still not gain them a place at His right and left, because those places were not His to grant. James and John and perhaps the rest of the ten thought that they could earn a place at Jesus side, even if that meant suffering for His sake. They were ready and willing. But what Jesus made clear was that their understanding of glory was wrong. Though Jesus ministry had always been leading to the cross, they envisioned a different path to glory. 4 They focused on His elevated status, but He would shortly make clear that they had miscalculated how true leadership and power was to be demonstrated. Jesus didn t clarify who would actually have the seats at either side of Him; yet before He took His heavenly thrown, the world would see a criminal on His right and left while He hung on a Roman cross. To share in Jesus glory is to share in these experiences. 5 Certainly, the disciples would share in His suffering, even to the point of death for some. 3. Jesus Came as a Ransom for Many (Mark 10:41-45) At this point, Jesus, James, and John were joined once again by the other ten. Having overheard the request, the rest of the disciples were not pleased. Mark noted that they all became indignant with James and John. We can t really say whether the disciples offense was from outrage that they would think so highly of themselves or from jealousy that they hadn t thought to ask first. Whatever it may have been, Jesus took the opportunity to teach them all about how things were different in the kingdom of God. How do the values and ethics in the kingdom of God differ from common culture? How were the disciples to demonstrate a different way of living and leading? The great rulers of the day wielded their power with self-interest and domineering leadership, lording their authority over their subjects. This was the picture of leadership that the disciples knew and that culture held in high regard. But in a profound and simple statement, Jesus told them, Session 7 8

9 The Suffering Servant Though not explicitly quoted, this passage and teaching from Jesus echoed the heart of Isaiah 53 which depicts the Suffering Servant, who would rescue and redeem Israel. Take time to read the passage in light of Jesus teaching in Mark 10: With echoes of Isaiah 53, Jesus reiterated that this suffering and serving marked His whole mission. He came to lower Himself to ransom a lost people. But it is not so among you. In the kingdom of God, power and authority bend low for the sake of the last, the least, and the lost. While rulers of this world attempt to exploit the poor, the outcast, and the disenfranchised, Jesus seeks to raise them up. Contrary to the rulers of the day, Jesus taught them that true greatness was displayed in service to others. As William Crowder, Jr. notes, real ministry is never about where you sit; rather, it is ultimately about how you serve. 6 How would this teaching apply more broadly to the disciples lives? How does it apply to our lives as Christ followers? Though Jesus was responding to a specific request from the disciples, He responded to the issue on two different planes. He answered the question at face value: the seats of honor they sought are not His to give. However, just as He did after the two previous predictions of His death, Jesus answer also offered a greater lesson about discipleship (see Mark 8:33-9:1 and 9:33-50). At a deeper level, this new kingdom ethic being great by becoming a servant is not just a disciple s means to glory. This is the trajectory of the entire Christian life. The entire life of a disciple is to be marked by serving others. Following Jesus meant a life of bending down low, getting their hands dirty, and loving the unlovely. This ethic, of course, was most vividly demonstrated by Christ Himself, who came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). The One who took the lowliest status and died a humiliating death deserved the highest position of all. Though He deserved a throne, He humbled Himself to the status of a slave (Phil. 2:5-11). Jesus statement in verse 45 summed up His entire purpose. Everything He had done the healings, miracles, exorcisms, challenges to authority, teachings pointed to the cross. Jesus came into the world to die as a ransom, to buy us back from enslavement to sin. His death was not, however, simply a necessary means to end. It also established the pattern by which believers are to live a life marked by death to ourselves and our flesh. 7 Conclusion Following Jesus third prediction of His death, James and John requested a seat at either side of Him in glory. This bold request prompted Jesus to teach the twelve what true discipleship looks like: becoming a servant to all. He taught them and would demonstrate Himself that, in the kingdom of God, true greatness is defined differently. The great must become low and serve others. 9 Leader Guide

10 As had been the case previously, the disciples missed the big picture of Jesus mission as they edged closer and closer to the cross. They sought glory at Jesus side because they didn t understand the true nature of Jesus glory and the path required to reach it. Jesus reminded them that His glory must come through suffering, and to participate in His glory, they would follow His path. He must drink the cup of suffering and be baptized into death so that He could rise again. This was the central purpose of His mission: giving His life as a ransom for many, that sinners might be restored to God. What are the ways however subtle that we seek glory for ourselves? How have you seen this tendency in your own life? How does this sabotage our life with Christ and ability to share Christ with others? If suffering has been a part of your story whether to a small or great degree how have those experiences affected your walk with Christ? How have they changed the way you view Christ and interact with others? How should the values of the kingdom of God, as defined by Jesus, determine the way the church ministers? Do you see the church ministering in this way, becoming a servant to all? How do these ethics infiltrate your own life, family, and service? Prayer of Response Pray and thank God that Jesus has come to redefine greatness, and that He displayed the greatest act of service on the cross. Pray that our lives will be marked by sacrificial service of others, that we might point to His glory and not our own. Additional Resources The Blessing of Humility by Jerry Bridges From Pride to Humility: A Biblical Perspective by Stuart Scott Humility by Wayne Mack and Joshua Mack Session 7 10

11 For Next Week Session Title --The Great Commandment Main Passages --Mark 12:28-40 Session Outline 1. Love God and Love Your Neighbor (Mark 12:28-34) 2. The Messiah is Lord (Mark 12:35-37) 3. Jesus Desires Humility and Generosity (Mark 12:38-40) Memorize For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. -Mark 10:45 (CSB) Daily Readings --Monday - Mark 12: Tuesday - Mark 12: Wednesday - Mark 12: Thursday - Mark 12: Friday - Mark 13: Saturday - Mark 13: Leader Guide

12 Extended Commentary Mark 10: :35. The insensitivity of James and John in this verse prefigures the insensitivity of the three disciples in the garden of Gethsemane when they could not stay awake while Jesus was in great agony. It is clear from their words that they did not recognize that Jesus would die; they were expecting him to inherit his kingdom. Some interpreters believe they spoke from faith, because they believed Jesus would die but would overcome through his resurrection. In this case, they wanted to be a part of his kingdom when he came back victoriously. This interpretation does not fit with the rest of Mark s Gospel or with the general disbelief of the disciples. In Matthew 20:20, Salome, the mother of John and James, is reported as being the one who approached Jesus. Whether the request was made by Salome at her sons instigation, or by John and James at their mother s initiative, the fact remains that it was a request born of selfish motives. 10: Jesus, however, did not rebuke them, but invited them to tell him the desires of their hearts. They were asking for seats of high honor, ruling positions. Although they believed that Jesus would eventually conquer, they misunderstood what kind of kingdom Jesus had come to establish through his suffering and death. To balance this, however, we must remember that James and John loved Jesus and were loyal to him. Although they misunderstood his words, at least they promised they would be with him. 10:38. Again, Jesus did not rebuke them, perhaps because he knew of their love for him. But Jesus asked them if they were prepared to suffer as he would suffer. Jesus asked them, as he asks all disciples, to count the cost (cf. Luke 14:27-33). In the Old Testament, the cup signified divine judgment on sin. By his cup, Jesus was probably referring to the divine judgment poured out on him on behalf of all humanity. This phrase further points out the disciples lack of understanding. 10: Whether or not they knew what they agreed to, Jesus told James and John they would share his sufferings. James was martyred when he was beheaded by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:2), thus becoming the first apostle to be martyred. Although tradition says that John was the only apostle not to be martyred, he was persecuted for Christ and eventually died in exile on the island of Patmos. Jesus reply that their request was not his to grant shows his reverent submission to his Father. In all matters, he submitted to his Father s will. Session 7 12

13 10:41. Mark s statement about the other disciples that they became indignant is an obvious understatement. Their anger and resentment was probably not because of their concern for the Lord. They were probably thinking of their own positions. How did the other disciples hear about this incident? Did James and John tell the others? Were they overheard? Did Salome brag to others in the group that her sons would receive special privilege? While all these may be possible, the Bible does not specify how they knew. 10: Jesus called the disciples together. They had been with many other people, but Jesus pulled them away to teach them, as he had done so often in the past. This act reminded them that they were to live in unity. His words underscored the need for this. A good example of Gentile lordship can be found in Daniel 4. King Nebuchadnezzar believed that his kingship gave him the right to claim the status of God: Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty? (v. 30). God took away his authority and he lived as an animal, until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes (v. 25). This is why God did not want King David to take a census (2 Sam. 24:1-17). God wanted his ruler, the shepherd placed over the sheep, to put his trust in God, not in the number of warriors. Such things are characteristic of unbelievers. At the time of Jesus, Gentile lords (such as the Caesars) loved to equate themselves with gods. They placed their likenesses on coins to remind people of their self-proclaimed divinity. They did not rule their subjects with benevolence, but they required them to bow down and worship them. Do not be like these Gentiles, Jesus told his disciples. He repeated essentially what he had been saying for the last two chapters of Mark: To be great, you must serve. 10:45. In this verse, Jesus delivered the stunning summary of all his teaching on servanthood in the Gospel of Mark. He gave the disciples the supreme example of servanthood: himself. And they had seen him serve. They had seen him touch the unclean. They had seen him heal the multitudes. They had seen him feed thousands. Before it was over, they would see him wash the grime from their feet. They had seen the only one who truly deserved to be called Lord place himself in humble service to others. If we remember where Jesus came from, we can see how absurd this must have sounded to them. Jesus had ten thousand angels at his disposal. He was the Creator of everything that exists. He was in eternal fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He shared their glory and splendor. And yet he gave it all up and was born in a stable to a poor teenager in order to draw all people to God Leader Guide

14 References 1. Amur, Jennifer. How Britain and the World Mourned Diana, the People s Princess, 20 Years Ago. The Washington Post. August 31, Accessed November 08, news/worldviews/wp/2017/08/31/how-britain-and-the-world-mourneddiana-the-peoples-princess-over-8-days-in-1997/?noredirect=on&utm_ term=.bba9c9d58dca. 2. In Pictures: The Life of Diana, Princess of Wales. BBC News. August 30, Accessed November 08, France, R.T. The Gospel of Mark. NIGTC. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Ibid. 5. Ibid. 6. Troeger, Thomas. Mark: A Feasting on the Word Commentary. Feasting on the Gospels. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, Keck, Leander. General Articles on the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of Mark. The New Interpreters Bible. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, Anders, Max E. Mark. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, Session 7 14