This is the third warning of Jesus re his impending fate. We are getting nearer to the end. This time it is James and John with the question. Peter recently was rebuked as Satan for his question. This time James and John are treated more gently. Jesus uses Old Testament imagery like the cup of baptism to teach them about suffering. We know James was to die a martyr as Bishop of Jerusalem. (Acts 12:2) "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many."
The other ten apostles are just as ambitious. They are looking for a place in a political kingdom. Jesus states that he did not come to be served but to serve and for the third time hints that he will give his life as a ransom for many.
Our Lectionary makes a clear connection between this last phase and the first reading, " He was bearing the faults of many and praying all the time for sinners."
We see in Jesus that being a servant doesn't mean to be weak and ineffectual. Jesus never was. His authority was impressive, because he never sought power over others. he was so compassionate and free and motivated by love, he could put all his power at the service of others.
"Serving doesn't mean that we passively accept that things continue as they are. Serving implies initiative and creativity, knowledge and efforts to build a humane, just, loving world."
The other ten apostles are just as ambitious. They are looking for a place in a political kingdom. Jesus states that he did not come to be served but to serve and for the third time hints that he will give his life as a ransom for many.
Our Lectionary makes a clear connection between this last phase and the first reading, " He was bearing the faults of many and praying all the time for sinners."
We see in Jesus that being a servant doesn't mean to be weak and ineffectual. Jesus never was. His authority was impressive, because he never sought power over others. he was so compassionate and free and motivated by love, he could put all his power at the service of others.
"Serving doesn't mean that we passively accept that things continue as they are. Serving implies initiative and creativity, knowledge and efforts to build a humane, just, loving world."
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