Opening sentence. 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. As we read the letter to the Hebrews we need to keep in mind that it was written from a Jewish perspective aimed at Jews who had converted to Christianity. In the Jewish tradition the sacrificial system was the key for approaching God and also pleasing God. This explains the emphasis on the role of the high priest. By the time of Jesus the office of the high priest had developed more into a political office rather than a religious one. With that in mind it is not surprising that the writer refers back to Aaron, the priest that God appointed as the nation journeyed to the Promised Land. Aaron was the one called by God and because of that calling the high priest was chosen from Aaron’s family. Aaron lived a life worthy of his calling.
The writer reminds us that the priest offered gifts and sacrifices for the people’s sins and also for his own. Thus the priest had grace to help in time of need. It was because he was also a flawed human being that the priest could understand when people failed. Because the priesthood demanded such a high ethical standard no one presumed to take on the office of high priest, the appointment was made based on God’s choice alone. For anyone to assume the office of priest without the calling of God will always end in disaster for the priesthood is always and only of God’s choosing. (Numbers 16:10ff)
Having laid the ground work for the Aaronic priesthood the writer then contrasts the appointment of Jesus Christ as high priest. Christ became our high priest by the direct calling of God not to bring glory to himself. Just as the sons of Aaron were appointed as high priests, so now the Son of God is appointed to this office. Furthermore his priesthood will continue forever. Like Melchizedek Jesus simply appears and remains forever, also like Melchizedek Christ is both priest and King. Other priests will serve and then pass away but Christ’s kingly priesthood will never come to an end.
While in human form Jesus offered prayers and supplication, relying on God to ensure he fulfilled his ministry. It was his reliance on God that saw him suffering for it put him at odds with the ways of the world which most often promoted self interest. Through his obedience he was recognised as perfect and out of his perfection, a perfection that lead him to the cross came the fullness of salvation for everyone who trusts in Christ and obeys him. Though he was the Son, he also earned his sonship through obedience. In Jesus Christ we too are recognised as God’s children but like him we must not presume on our heritage but as true children we too walk in obedience to God.
In the Jewish tradition the priest offered the sacrifice on behalf of the people: Now in Christ he himself has become the sacrificial offering which opens the way to a family relationship with God. From the writer to the Hebrews point of view, we are being reminded of how blessed we are to have Christ as the one who offers the perfect sacrifice.
Prayer. Holy God we thank you for Jesus our Lord and Saviour who for our sakes took on the form of a human being. Relying on you alone he lived out the perfect life and so broke the link we have with sin and death. We thank you that he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit and there pleads our cause before your throne of grace. Trusting in Christ alone teach us to rely on you as we live out our earthly life. Grant that we may find life in all its fullness and so live lives worthy of your name. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Reading. Mark 10:35-45. This section of Mark’s gospel is usually named “the request of James and John”. One commentator wrote that this was such a preposterous request that it is highly unlikely that the early church would have invented such a happening. When you consider that by this time James and John would have been considered very significant leaders in the church only a true accounting of the episode would have been acceptable! With that in mind we need to ask, “Why was it included in the gospel account?”
Mark is progressing Jesus to his passion and crucifixion and as such has revealed to his disciples that he is the Messiah and that only through him can one enter into the Kingdom of God. His example of blessing the children and his meeting with the rich young ruler should have reinforced the teaching that self effort cannot earn one kingdom membership.
Then on the road Jesus has been revealing most explicitly what will happen to him when they all arrive in Jerusalem; how he will be insulted, suffer and die and then after three days would rise again. Despite his clear explanation it is then that James and John make their audacious request. On the one hand it shows that the two brothers understood that Jesus would be in the position of authority in the coming kingdom. So their request would link them with high authority to also rule in the kingdom established by the Messiah. Naively and rather arrogantly they quickly agree that they can share in the same initiation that Jesus will face. Jesus agrees that they will indeed share the same fate but with humility reminds them that the choice of those who will be in position of authority is only for God to allocate. The other disciples were angry with James and John and had chosen to blindside them, this is understandable but also suggests they too had failed to understand how radical this teaching from Jesus was.
Jesus had taught that he would have to suffer and die in order to fulfil God’s purpose. The disciples still have not grasped that only through suffering would God’s kingdom be established. It is perhaps because of the need to suffer that the early church left this incident in the public record for down through the centuries the members of Christ’s church have suffered at the hands of the world. Now for those who do not face physical suffering there remains the suffering that comes from obedience and the denial of self in the service of God.
Mark ends this section with one of the great statements of the faith, “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (mark 10:45) With that statement comes the reminder that every Christian is linked to Christ in service. Through the Lordship of Jesus all of us stand as equals before God and through God’s gifting we serve as his gifts allow.
Prayer. Lord God our Father, you have revealed your love for us in the cross of Christ. Grant us grace to take up our cross every 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 reins with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. (Uniting in Worship.)
Holy Lord you are the King of kings and the Lord of lords and we seek to serve only you. Grant us the humility that helps us to put others before ourselves and to serve in your name with joy. Grant that Jesus alone be sovereign over us as we live and work and worship. We ask this in his 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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