The Son of Man—a Ransom

Mark 10:35-45

THE important practical truth contained in this lesson is set forth in verse 43, where Jesus is quoted as saying that “whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister [servant].” Jesus, the greatest of all in the church, and its glorious Head, was, and continues to be, the servant of all. He came to be a servant, and to such a full extent that he gave himself “a ransom for many.” We cannot give ourselves to ransom the world, but it is our privilege to follow Jesus’ example of serving. Indeed, like the Master, we are to lay down our lives in service.

The two sons of Zebedee, James and John, ranked high in the affections of Jesus. Together with Peter they were given the privilege of being with their Lord on a number of special occasions. This may have helped to give them courage to approach him and ask the special favor of sitting one on his right hand and the other on his left hand in the kingdom, or, as they expressed it, in his glory.

While this was in a measure a selfish request, and in a sense taking advantage of their special friendship with the Master, he did not rebuke them directly for it. They were very close to him throughout his earthly ministry, and it was but natural that they would wish to continue this intimate association with him in glory. Jesus did not indicate that this would not be possible, but merely explained that the attaining of such a high position with him in the kingdom involved a great deal more on their part than merely making a request for it.

“Ye know not what ye ask,” Jesus said. They had some idea, of course, of the high position which they had requested, but they did not know what would be involved in order to qualify for it, and the question they had to determine was whether or not they were willing to pay the price of such a height of glory. “Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” Jesus asked.

First they had to be willing to drink of his cup and to be baptized with his baptism; and their willingness implied confidence that they would be able. Here we have, to some extent at least, the thought of counting the cost of discipleship. James and John would certainly have observed the trials and difficulties which daily confronted their Master. They could observe the self-surrender and self-sacrifice which were involved in the Heavenly Father’s will for Jesus. They had not yet seen the full result of this; however, would know that to drink his cup would not be an easy task. But they were willing.

Upon the confession of their willingness to comply with these terms of discipleship, Jesus assured them that they would be given the opportunity to drink his cup and be baptized with his baptism. Here we have an important principle of divine righteousness brought to our attention; namely, that when the Lord permits the privilege of sacrifice to be brought to one’s attention and there is a manifest desire to accept that privilege, the opportunity is actually granted. Let us not, then, attempt to dissuade others from entering the narrow way of sacrifice, and thus from running for the prize of the high calling, if in the Lord’s providence this opportunity has been set before them and they manifest a desire to accept it.

“Are ye able?” is the question each prospective disciple of Christ must answer in his own heart. If that answer is, “I can,” or “I am able,” then our only reply should be, “Ye shall, indeed!” for these terms of discipleship were not intended for James and John alone. The same condition applies to all who walk in the narrow way and who, through patient continuance in well-doing, “seek for glory and honor and immortality.”—Rom. 2:7

However, Jesus did not give’ James and John any assurance that their special request would be granted. If they were to be with him in his kingdom at all they would need to drink his cup and be baptized with his baptism; and this is true of the entire church class. There is no other way of ultimately reigning with Christ except that first of all we suffer with him. There will, of course, be differences of position in the kingdom, even as “star differeth from star in glory,” but Jesus explained that the allocation of these positions would be done by his Heavenly Father.—I Cor. 15:41,42

Jesus’ “cup” as well as his “baptism” were not momentary experiences in his life. When in the Garden of Gethsemane he prayed, “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me,” the particular reference was to the immediate suffering with which he was faced. (Matt. 26:39) In one sense it was the bitter dregs of the “cup” he had been drinking during the entire course of his ministry. It was the cup which the Father had poured for him—the divine will for the Redeemer and Savior of the world.

Nor was the Master’s “baptism” his immersion by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. It was the complete and continuous burial of his will in the will of his Heavenly Father. Since it was the Father’s will that Jesus suffer and die, his baptism was a baptism into death. That baptism began at Jordan, and was completed on the cross. During this entire time his will was buried in the will of God, and this meant that all this time he was laying down his life.

Thus it is that our drinking of his cup, and being baptized into his baptism, implies a lifetime of surrender to the divine will, and of dying with Christ, being “crucified with him.” (Rom. 6:6) Paul explains, indeed, that as many as are baptized into Christ are baptized into his death. Thus we are buried with him. (Rom. 6:3,4) And to whomsoever this is true there are the reassuring promises that they shall live and reign with Christ.—Rev. 20:4,6

When the other ten apostles learned that James and John had made a request for special honor in the kingdom, and that Jesus had discussed the matter with them, they were displeased with these two. However, in so far as Jesus was concerned they had no need to suppose that any special arrangement of favor had been made. What the Master had said to James and John applied equally to the other ten, and to the entire church.

However, Jesus took the occasion to impress an important lesson upon the minds and hearts of the Twelve. He probably realized that all of them were thinking entirely too much of what they would gain in the way of honor and power by being his disciples, rather than how much they could be like him in laying down their lives in service.

But it is not this way in the divine arrangements, Jesus explained, for here the “chiefest shall be servant of all.” Greatness in service! To the world and the worldly-minded this seems like a paradox, but it is the divine viewpoint, expressive of the divine arrangements for all intelligent creatures who will enjoy the blessings of eternal life.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” No other creature in the whole universe was held in higher esteem than the Logos, the beloved Son of God. A close associate and partner with Jehovah in the creative work, he had continued to serve in the highest capacities. But even this great One did not come to earth to be looked up to and served. Instead, he came to serve, to be the greatest of all servants!

Jesus’ service results in the redemption and deliverance of the human race from death. If we are faithful in following in his footsteps of service, we will have the privilege of sharing with him in the rewards of service, and primarily that reward will be the privilege of further service that glorious kingdom service which will be showering the blessings of life upon all the families of the earth.

QUESTIONS

What is the important practical truth contained in this lesson?

What may have given James and John the courage to approach Jesus with a special request?

What does it mean to drink Jesus’ “cup” and be baptized with his “baptism”?

What illustration did Jesus use to teach the importance of service?

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