(1) Overview
(NET) After the first passion prediction in 8:31 Jesus rebuked Peter as having been used by Satan. After the second passion prediction in 9:31 the disciples were concerned about who would be the greatest in the kingdom. After the third passion prediction in 10:33 James and John asked for positions of honor and rulership in the kingdom, revealing their complete misunderstanding of the nature of the kingdom and exposing their inadequacy as true disciples of Jesus.
(2) Special word:
Ransom
(NET) refers to the payment of a price in order to purchase the freedom of a slave. The idea of Jesus as the “ransom” is that he paid the price with his own life by standing in humanity’s place as a substitute, enduring the judgment that was deserved for sin.
Reflection: What is the opposite of being served/as a ruler of the Gentiles? To serve and give his life. Not just to serve others a meal like a waiter or servant. To give his life for others means more than that. Jesus died so that we can live. Other lives were precious in His sight. To serve others means we see other lives as more precious than our own.
(3) Repeated words:
drink the cup I drink /baptized with the baptism I experience v.38, 39
Jesus was going ahead of them to Jerusalem in the midst of opposition v.32, and He told them He would be mocked, spitted on, flogged severely, and killed v.34. Yet James and John asked Him about sitting in the 2 important positions when Jesus was glorified. You can say that they believed in Jesus because Jesus said He would be raised again. However, they did not share the heart of Jesus.
Reflection: A believer may just consider Jesus as a way of salvation, which is fine. But, Jesus requires a follower or a disciples as someone who follow His footsteps and share in His sufferings. If our Lord came to serve/suffer/give up His life why do we not do the same?
Audrey
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