Easter - Mark 10:32-45

Easter – Mark 10:32-45
Much of what we study focuses on how we can improve our walk with God.
Scripture teaches us how to act, love, walk, talk, share, relate to others, and generally how we need to live in light of what Jesus has done.
But today, in this week just before Easter, instead of focusing on our own situation, our own spiritual condition, our own walk with God, I want us to look directly at Jesus. This is the perfect time of year for us to concentrate on Him, rather than “me”.
Jesus' Sufferings Foretold
32They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him,
33saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles.
34"They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again."
35James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You."
36And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
37They said to Him, "Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory."
38But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
39They said to Him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.
40"But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared."
41Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.
42Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
43"But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
44and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
45"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Jesus and the 12 were on the way to Jerusalem. It is clear that he is about to give his life for them.
After he tells them this, how do they respond?

Why do you think it was so hard for them to look past their own desires and see what Jesus was doing?

With the knowledge you have about what happened in the next few weeks (hindsight), what do you think a better response would have been for the disciples?

Another element in this passage is the relationship between James and John, and the other 10 disciples.
What was that problem?

Is it hard for us to change our focus from “me” to Him?
Do people around us contribute to our lack of focusing on Jesus (Like the disciples)?

What some of the things this passage tells us about Jesus?
Servant – Suffered for us – He knew it ahead of time (in detail) – He wanted to teach the disciples
He would conquer death (rise after 3 days)