Is it wrong to want your life to matter?
When James and John asked Jesus for the best seats in his kingdom, He didn’t laugh at them or mock their ambition. He asked whether they could drink the cup He was about to drink.
In this Super Short Thought from Mark 10:35-45, we look at what Jesus meant by “drinking His cup”.
It's not an invitation to go for beers after work.
It is a challenge about the price of real, true greatness, which has nothing to do with earning status by climbing over everybody else.
Wanting your life to matter is legitimate. Most of us want to make a difference.
The problems arise when we try to get there by grabbing status for ourselves.
Jesus offers a different road to a life that counts, and of COURSE it costs. It means turning from pursuing your own personal status for its own sake to following a crucified Messiah along his road.
This is part of the Discovering Mark series, working through Mark’s Gospel one passage at a time. Subscribe and check the Playlist for more.
Info Retention Quiz
1. What did James and John ask Jesus for?
A. The best seats in his kingdom
B. The power to call down fire
C. A place at the temple
D. The leadership of the twelve
2. How did Jesus respond to their ambition?
A. He laughed at them
B. He mocked them for wanting to be great
C. He did not mock them, and asked whether they could drink his cup
D. He ignored the question
3. What is the cup in Mark 10:38 NOT?
A. A challenge about the price of true greatness
B. A reference to what Jesus was about to go through
C. An invitation to go for beers after work
D. A call to follow him
4. According to the Super Short Thought, which of these is legitimate?
A. Wanting your life to matter
B. Earning status by climbing over others
C. Grabbing at status for yourself
D. Ignoring everyone else
5. What is the real problem described?
A. Wanting to make a difference
B. Chasing significance by grabbing status for yourself
C. Asking Jesus questions
D. Wanting a life that counts
Bonus Question:
What road does Jesus offer as the key to a life that counts?
A. The road of personal status
B. The road of quiet withdrawal
C. Following a crucified Messiah along his road
D. The road of religious achievement
Answers
A
C
C
A
B
C
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