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A Request From The Sons Of Zebedee

A Request From The Sons Of Zebedee
Published: March 01, 2011 05:00 PM GMT
Updated: February 24, 2011 03:05 AM GMT

This Gospel passage from Mark presents two contrasting realities: Jesus’s understanding of his mission, and the way his disciples looked at it. His disciples expected Jesus to be a political messiah whose ultimate success was expected to benefit them all. This is why they frequently quarreled among themselves as to who would be greatest in his kingdom. Two of the disciples closest to Jesus now go one step further; they make a special request of him. In some versions, it is their mother who ‘puts in a word for her boys’. The request is that when Jesus comes to power, they will be placed on seats of honour “one at your right, and the other at your left”. The Zebedee sons were smart and aggressive, and they were leaving nothing to chance. Jesus politely turns them down. “You don’t know what you ask for,” he says. “Indeed you will drink from the cup that I drink“, and here he uses a metaphor which describes both good and bad fortune, “but it’s not for me to decide what will come to you later, my Father will do that.” In other words, he says "you disciples will indeed share in my destiny, but not in the way you imagine." The other disciples were furious with James and John for trying to displace them. So Jesus goes further. He says that the way his disciples should behave is not the way the mighty of this world behave. Those who call the shots in this world bully others and brag about their prowess. Jesus says to his disciples, you are to be far different: you will serve others, even as I do. For I have come to serve, not to be served, and to give my life as a ransom for many. This passage, unique to Mark, echoes the mission of the ‘suffering servant of God’ as prophesied in Isaiah. Jesus gives himself a new title – not Son of God, but “Son of Man”, a term which corresponds to ‘ordinary fellow’. He accepts as his mission a life of service which will end in a death which makes atonement for sin. There's also a reference here to the cup of sacrifice “poured out for the salvation of all”, which in later times the Church will celebrate in the Eucharist.

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