Justin Yawn, Seminarian
Holy Trinity Parish, Decatur, Georgia
Today we hear a story about the 12 disciples, specifically James and John, in our Gospel lesson. It is a story unique to the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. In the story we first see James and John make a pretty demanding request of Jesus. Secondly, Jesus responds to their question with questions that are affirmed by James and John. Then, the other disciples are taught a lesson about discipleship. Is anyone having a hard time following the chain of events in the story today? Because I know I was the first time I read it. However, despite the chain of events I think something radical is at work in this text that has real meaning for us today. The main question that I wrestled with after reading this text is what does it mean to be a disciple today? In order to answer this question we are going to have to embark on a journey, a journey into the core of this passage, ending in Jesus’ words to his disciples.
James and John are not just any two disciples. Earlier in the Gospel story we find out that Jesus calls them straight out of a fishing boat and tells them that now they are going to be fishers of men. They are considered the most zealous of all the disciples earning them the name “Sons of thunder”. These were not just any two of the twelve and later in the Gospel story we know that they will be with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. So, these two disciples ask Jesus what seems to be a bold question. “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you?” I can only imagine, although it is not in the text, that Jesus had to have raised an eyebrow to that question, after all he is the one who called these guys in the first place and he is their teacher, but he responds by saying “what can I do for you?” And they quickly ask…. (Read verse 37 here). Wow, is the first word that came to mind when I read that question. What gives these two the right to make such a demanding request? If we follow Mark’s portrayal of the disciples as dense and clueless, then we are presented with one way of understanding their question. In their denseness they have missed the point of Jesus’ passion prediction which just preceded this question. However, that is only one interpretation and I am not sure if that really justifies such a bold question. Another way to look at this problematic question is through the lens of uncertainty. I think that James and John are expressing uncertainty about the future which is probably a product of what Jesus has predicted three times. They believe that Jesus is going to Jerusalem to establish his Kingdom and they want to be certain that they have a place in it. They are not as focused on the present ministry that lies ahead.
This question is probably not too far from our minds this morning, especially in a world that is filled with anxiety about the future and a number of issues, the least of which is the economy. I am sure many of us sitting here this morning would like to change the question slightly and ask Jesus, “Can you make sure that I don’t get laid off this week?” Or “Can you make sure that my small business stays open through this economic decline?” or “Can you make sure that my family can keep their house?” Or even outside the walls of our little church home people around the world might be asking “Can you make sure I have something to eat tomorrow?” or “Can you make sure my children our safe walking to school?” Or “Can you make sure that my family has clean water tomorrow?” Not one of these questions is greater than another because they all are products of our anxiety and very real concerns for us. Just like James and John, we are seeking to bring some certainty to our future.
Jesus provides an interesting answer that does not deal directly with the future anxiety. He says that they will drink the cup that he will drink, that they will be baptized in the same way he is, but it is out his authority to grant them their request to sit at his right hand and left hand because it is for those whom it has been prepared for. What a radical response!! Probably not what James and John were hoping to hear. I am sure they were hoping that Jesus would say, sure James and John!! Which one of you wants to sit on my right and which one on my left? However, this is not the case. Instead Jesus gives an answer that is assures them that they have a place with him in the future, but the right and left hands are not just reserved for two people but for many. It is a unique answer. Not to mention Jesus does not come across as angry or agitated by their question, but the other disciples are angry. Possibly the other ten felt like they had been “one upped” by James and John, or that James and John were trying to take advantage of their beloved teacher. Whatever the case Jesus is quick to turn the situation into a lesson and this is, I believe, is the radical message in the Gospel today.
Jesus tells them that “whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” What a radical new way to view discipleship. Jesus has shifted the whole role of a disciple into that of a servant. Not just one who proclaims the good news but one that is to live out the message they are spreading. Now I think it is important to make the connection between James and John’s original question and Jesus’ response. Essentially, Jesus has told James, John, and the disciples that in Christ we are reborn and called into the fold at baptism, have access to salvation through the cup/ death and resurrection of Christ, and because of this we should follow Christ’s example and be servants in the world. Jesus, in one way, addresses the future aspect of their question but decides to pull their attention back to the present task. The action that the disciples are to undertake then and there as well as the action we should take now in our lives. My brothers and Sisters through James and John’s question we are brought on a journey that unfolds the true meaning of Christian charity enacted in discipleship. Our love of God and recognition of Christ’s action in our lives leads us not to worry about the future glory that exists for us, but to focus on the present as disciples spreading this message of hope and love in the world not only by word but through action.
Jesus has transformed the way the 12 should think of their ministry and how we should think of our ministry as disciples today. Jesus came to save us and give his life a ransom for many: for us here today and for all of humanity. So, as Disciples of Christ, how are we going to be servants today and spread the love Christ has shown us? What does it mean to live into this life of servant hood or as faithful stewards of ourselves and resources? Yes, stewardship has a prominent place in this language of servant hood. It is not something to be frightened of. Discipleship calls us to be good stewards of what we have and through servant ministry we are able to share what God has blessed us with to those around us.
A modern day example of this stewardship and servant hood is found in the life and teachings of Mother Teresa. She believed that she was called to be a servant to the poorest of the poor, but that did not always mean the destitute. She believed that we should just simply share a smile to those around us because that is an example of the love of God residing in us. She challenges us to view the world in a new way focusing on those who have not been shown the love of Christ. She and her Sisters of Charity were truly servants.
Let’s just think back to my earlier questions I proposed and see how our parish family has responded. We as a community of servants have filled the need of clean water for many people living in Haiti. We have provided food through the Heifer Project to villages in Africa. Through our good stewardship we continue to provide food and other resources to those living in our own community through the ministry of DEAM. But, what about those other questions perhaps the more pressing questions for us here today?
Unfortunately, I am not able to stand before you with all the answers to those other questions. What I can stand before you and say is that we as disciples and servants are called to look around and find those in need just as Mother Teresa did. Think how we can transform the world we live in if we just stop and ask those in need around us “How can I help you today?” What if we find our neighbor who was just laid off and ask “How can I help you today? What if we ask that person on the side of the street in need of food, clothing and shelter “How can I help you today?” All of a sudden, through servant hood, charity and love, we begin to address the anxiety surrounding those questions. It is a radical message: Jesus is calling the disciples to act in faith and not just proclaim their faith.
This radical call to discipleship has to begin inside each one of us. The first step of this is, as our mission statement proudly proclaims, “Open our hearts to God”. This is something we have to decide to do on our own. It is the one part of discipleship, servant hood, and stewardship that cannot be done for us. It is an individual commitment to begin to live our life aligned with Christ and in accord with Christ recognizing that Christ is with us, provided us with our blessings, and calls us to a life of servant hood. Christ was the ultimate example of this radical servant hood when he gave his life on the cross as a ransom for us. As disciples, servants and stewards in God’s kingdom think how we can transform the world we live in if we just stop look around and tend, in whatever way we can, to those in need around us. Just think what you have accomplished in this community by being faithful servants and good stewards of your resources. My brothers and sisters what a wonderful world it would be if we all lived a life of charity and love of neighbor!! Amen.
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