10202021 – Mark 10. 35-45
When it comes to being ambitious, how ambitious are you? Are you getting things done and accomplished? Or Not?
A couple things to recall and remember about James and John. Jesus called them, “The sons of Thunder!” James and John were the sons of Zebedee. James being the elder of the two, John being the younger brother. They were known for being “hot headed.” Gutsy. Loud. Provocative.
There is actually this funny incident in the gospels where James and John go and ask Jesus for permission to sit at his right and his left when he comes into his kingdom. This was not well received by the early Christian community. They could not believe the disciples would be so forward and so selfish.
So, when Matthew writes his gospel, he attempts to appease the crowds, he tones it down. He changes the narrative. Instead of James and John approaching Jesus, it is now the mother of James and John who comes and kneels before Jesus and she makes the same request. I guess our first century counterparts did not appreciate the disciples being driven, or having ambition, or being motivated or enthusiastic.
You know there is nothing wrong with ambition. Absolutely nothing wrong with it at all. Ambition can be defined as a striving for some kind of achievement or distinction, and involves, first the desire or achievement, and second, the willingness to work towards some goal even in the face of adversity or failure.
Ambition can be a good thing. Heck, if we weren’t ambitious, we’d probably all still have our jammies on and be tucked in our beds. Maybe some of you are!
It is ambition that gets us up and gets us going…we have stuff to do!!! It is an aim, a goal, an objective. It is a purpose, a desire, a dream, a hope. It is a longing or a hankering for something better…and then, trying to make it happen.
Someone once wrote, “were we the last person on earth, it would make little or no sense to be ambitious.”
Our ambitions distinguish us from others…The boys, James and John were fishermen by trade. They fished the seas of Galilee.
Some scholars even think they were in business with Simon and Andrew. That it was like a little mini-company or corporation, necessary to make money in the face of all the taxation of Rome.
So, they were smart men. Driven men. They were men of enterprise. They had goals to achieve. Another thing to remember about them is that they were part of “the inner circle” of disciples that were with Jesus, at the most important turning points in his ministry.
They were “his witnesses.”
It took at least two Jewish men to confirm anything. James and John and Peter were that “inner circle.” They were witnesses to most of what Jesus did and said.
So, they were an important part, an intrinsic part, of his overall ministry. They carried weight. Their word was good.
They may have been loud and obnoxious, two brothers, constantly attempting to outdo one another.
But they were solid men that could be counted on. If for nothing else, for comic relief.
Something tells me if, if Peter were the spokesman for the apostolic group, then these two likewise wanted their own place in glory.
Peter was the big shot. The talker. The yes man. The upfront guy.
I think what we have before us this evening was them “making their move” in an attempt to upstage Peter. He thinks he’s so great. We’ll show him.
So, they run off to Jesus (unbeknownst to Peter) and they seek to unseat Peter and take over the positions of power and authority.
They were cunning. They were eager. They were determined to make a name for themselves.
The only problem was, when the other 10 heard about it (Peter included) they were not happy with the two brothers.
How dare they?
Who do they think they are?
Stinkin’ fishermen!
And THEY should be Jesus’ right and left-hand men? You’ve got to be kidding, me!
And naturally, this caused dissension among the twelve.
So, seizing the moment. Jesus sat them all down. Guys, he said, “you don’t get it!”
The one who is ambitious, is the one who gets up and serves. The one who is ambitious washes the other’s feet. The one who is ambitious, takes out the garbage. The one who is ambitious does the dirty work. The one who is ambitious grabs the towel and helps out.
If you want to be great, help each other out. Go the extra mile. Make a meal. Clean the house. Do your part, and then some. It is the servant – who is the greatest. Got it?
If you are going to be ambitious, be ambitious to serve. Amen.