Lectionary for Pentecost 21
The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
Collect. God our Father, you have revealed your love for us in the cross of Christ. Grant us grace to take up our cross each day, that, in the company of our Saviour, we may gladly do your will and attain to life in all its fullness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. Hebrews 5:1-10. When we think of the High Priest it is for us simply a title to an office; however the High Priest was the very centre and focus of the worship life of Israel. His ministry was the fulcrum on which the whole religious system pivoted. So important was this office that no one would dare to take that role without the defining call of God. Even though being called by God every high Priest had his own unique failures. The writer to the Hebrews described these failures as weaknesses. These weaknesses are part of the man’s nature and therefore as he cannot change, he too, like all the other worshippers offers gifts of atonement on his own behalf as well as theirs! Jesus on the other hand having been appointed by God has no such weaknesses yet has faced every temptation without failing. Though Jesus has no weakness he understands the pull of temptation and so is able to sympathise with each believer. Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus like every human being struggled with disobedience (v7) yet by relying on God was able to withstand the pressure and remain totally true to God. Therefore as the True Man Jesus is able to understand fully the human plight and also stand in our place before God. The office of High Priest was a role which applied particularly to Israel. He regulated the sacrifices and also brought God’s messages to the people. He was the one who stood between the people and a holy God. The writer to the Hebrews introduces the thought that Jesus as High Priest belongs in the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was the king and priest of Salem and as such provided for and then blessed Abraham. (Genesis 14:18f) Salem under the kingship of David was destined to become Jerusalem. By introducing this new theme the writer makes it abundantly clear that Jesus is the universal High Priest whose ministry is available to everyone.
Prayer. Holy Lord we thank you that Jesus is the true Saviour of all humanity and that all are under his care. We thank you that we can have great confidence in his ministry; trusting in him to bring us into fellowship with you. We thank you for your great provision which brings life and hope to every believer. As we meditate on this portion of your word may we find our trust and faith renewed in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: Recognising that He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit: One God for ever and ever. Amen
Reading. Mark 10:35-45. The way that Mark has laid out this whole section of his Gospel is very telling. In 10:v31, Jesus reminds his disciples that the first will be last and the last will be first. Then in verses 32-34 Jesus makes what is his third announcement of his sacrificial death on the cross. Immediately after this announcement comes the request from James and John to be considered for future leadership. Mark is reminding his readers that despite the deliberate teaching of Jesus the disciples have found his teaching hard to grasp. Though Jesus has announced that only with God’s help can anyone even enter the Kingdom of God James and John are striving for positions of leadership and then one supposes, of privilege! Even without fully understanding, the two assure Jesus that they can be like him and suffer the same consequences. With patience Jesus does not rebuke them but does refer to the authority of the Father who himself will choose who will have greater authority. That response alone should tell James and John how leadership under God’s authority is to be exercised. It is the other ten disciples who get angry perhaps fearing that they will be left behind in preferment. By choosing to deal with James and John in an angry manner they too show a failure to understand the true ministry of Jesus. Jesus however uses the incident as a teaching moment, reminding the disciples of the true purpose of his ministry. Jesus ministry was to change our status from people wanting always to be served into people who are both willing and eager to serve others. Jesus accomplished this by making us right with God and through that we become inheritors of all the blessings that God bestows. When those blessing are recognised as being real, then service to others becomes possible. The authority which comes from God gives us authority to serve rather than an authority to make others serve us. Mark is reminding his readers that in this respect even those who know about Jesus still have a long way to go. Indeed it is only those who truly understand what Jesus has done on our behalf who can begin to learn how to serve others in God’s Name.
Prayer. Almighty God; Creator and Ruler of all that is: By whose power the whole of creation is created and sustained, we thank you for sending Jesus among us to be our Saviour. Through him we become inheritors as your children. Holy Lord, help us to use the privilege that is ours for the good of all and for service in the Kingdom that Jesus came to establish. May everything we do be honouring to the One who lived and died and rose again for us. To you be all glory and power now and for ever. We pray in Jesus name. Amen
Collect. Foolish as we are, Lord Jesus, you have claimed us as your own; help us so to love you, that we desire above all else to share your way, and to walk with you in costly service to the world; in your name and for your sake we pray. Amen.
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