As we look at the two portions of our text today, there is a certain irony in their juxtaposition. First of all, there is the third or fourth mention by Christ of His coming death and resurrection. Second, two of the disciples ask that they be allowed to sit at His right and left hand when He is established on His throne. I wonder, did James and John think about this on the afternoon when Christ was crucified? There were indeed a pair of criminals, one at the right and the left of Christ's own cross!

Certainly, we do not know the mind of Christ when the sons of thunder made their overweening request. Did He hear them indignantly or with a measure of humor, knowing all the while the implications of their request? We do know from traditions that James was martyred while John lived a full life beyond the ordinary, dying only in old age. So we can easily draw the conclusion that the service admonished, includes both measures - life and death.

From these two reports, we will draw out the meaning and apply as we are able the teaching appropriate for our time and place. Let us begin with Jesus' prediction. By this time, as another gospel writer has described it, Jesus has set his face like flint towards the purpose for which He had been called. So on to Jerusalem He will proceed to meet the destiny planned there by His Father and our God. Do we read too much into the text if we note that Jesus is moving more rapidly ahead than the disciples are comfortable with? His whole life has been moving towards this event, an event which was providentially planned before time and for which, only He was uniquely suited as the promised Messiah, the second Adam, uniting in His person the work and calling of Moses, Aaron and David.

At the very least we know that the disciples were amazed at His zeal and afraid for themselves. Dr Keener tells us that "Perhaps they are aware of Jewish traditions about a terrible war preceding the final establishing of the Messiah's kingdom .... Or perhaps they trust the Jerusalem leaders but fear the Roman garrison in Jerusalem."

Calvin of course, goes into greater detail: "But it will be proper to look more closely at the words. Mark states &emdash; what is omitted by the other two Evangelists &emdash; that, before our Lord explained to his disciples in private that he was going straight to the sacrifice of death, not only they, but also the rest of his followers, were sorrowful and trembling. Now why they were seized with this fear it is not easy to say, if it was not because they had already learned that they had dangerous adversaries at Jerusalem, and would therefore have wished that Christ should remain in some quiet retreat beyond the reach of the darts, rather than voluntarily expose himself to such inveterate enemies. Although this fear was in many respects improper, yet the circumstance of their following Christ is a proof of no ordinary respect and obedience. It would indeed have been far better to hasten cheerfully and without regret, wheresoever the Son of God chose to lead them; but commendation is due to their reverence for his person, which appears in choosing to do violence to their own feelings rather than to forsake him."

Still, they did not appreciate nor understand the plain teaching put before them. Instead, the two approach their Lord and inquire after their place in His coming to glory and the administration of His Kingdom. Calvin is incredulous as should we all be, "What stupidity was this, not to understand what Christ said to them in a plain and familiar manner, on a subject not too lofty or intricate, but of which they had, at their own suggestion, entertained some suspicion! But it is proper also to bear in mind &emdash; what I have formerly observed &emdash; the reason why they were held in such gross ignorance, which was, that they had formed the expectation of a joyful and prosperous advancement, and therefore reckoned it to be in the highest degree absurd, that Christ should be ignominiously crucified. Hence we infer with what madness the minds of men are seized through a false imagination; and therefore we ought to be the more careful not to yield to any foolish thoughts, and shut our eyes against the light."

Do I dare challenge the worldly presumptions of those millennial views invoking a worldly Christian Kingdom? Every time history allows a Christian establishment based on politically power, the lesson of its impermanence is seldom postponed more than two centuries. Earlier this week I suddenly had several hours to work on a web page on the historic Arthur of Camelot myth. Understood arightly, Churchill well describes the end of Roman-Christian Britannia. Arthur by supreme human effort is only able to postpone the decline into the dark ages for a generation. Roman-Christian Britain disappears and the battered island must await a future spiritual awakening. A spiritual awakening repeated at least two or three times in the history of that worldly island. And one of which needs to be prayed for again in our day.

As we move rapidly on towards the upcoming election, too many Christians are praying for a specific candidate. I can remember another election where everyone hoped they knew the answer to the question (WWJD) What would Jimmy Do, if he was elected in 1975? While I am convinced that J.C., as some bumper stickers advertised, was an honest man in a crooked town, we have to be very careful in expecting too much from our candidates - no matter how much we want them to move in and fumigate the White House. The Lord has His plan and His Kingdom will advance no matter who is elected by Him to the highest political office in the world.

Of course we know that our press today would have the same "righteous indignation" shown by the ten disciples were the wrong party to proclaim any godsense worthy of the name. And so we come to the reaction of the ten to the advancement of the two. Was it jealousy that they had advanced themselves at their expense or did they judge the affront to the Lord's position correctly? Since the Lord calls them all apart from the journey, I would guess the first cause was primary. Even in our day and age, the refined politics of our own Presbytery could call forth the Lord's admonishment.

Certainly we do not argue about feminism and sodomy or a host of other heretical options now common enough within the expansive "Christian" community! However, political power does not exist in a vacuum. Any political move, even to put forward godly enterprises - is fraught with the danger that those who advocate a position are doing so to lift up themselves and their position. "A tempest in a teapot" as one worldly author described the less notable discussions by the body politic and even the emissaries of Christ. When the Soviet Revolution was taking place in Russia, the Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church had gathered in Moscow to discuss and argue about the appropriate vestments that should be worn in worship. Even as the revolution milled around them and quickly passed them by. Soon many of the most dedicated to Christ all shared a common prison uniform if they were fortunate not to have been martyred.

"You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Years ago, the worldly laughed at the false pomposity of cream colored White House Police Uniforms during Nixon's adminstration. Quickly, they were placed in storage - where eventually a High School Band was able to purchase them for a song, so to speak! Layers of government have been added to achieve glamour and self-promoted importance. Every few years, Congress has to redefine downward Precisely what government officials are eligible for a limousine and driver. Of course security agents are all the rage amongst the rich and powerful. Several notorious Media Queens opposed to you and me having guns, demand them for their own security. The first wet, muddy or snowy Lord's Day may change our habits of defining who parks the farthest from the house to make room for visitors here at our own church!

Well should we all learn from our Lord's admonishment to never advance ourselves or our agenda within His Kingdom or within His Church. But, this admonishment is so difficult for us to manage even as we see mirrored in the lives of the disciples. How many churches in the land allow gifts to be labeled. Of course even an anonymous red rose sent to the funeral of an unmarried woman can cause a tumult in a small community for weeks on end!

In another place the Lord condemns the loud pious prayer of the Church leader and encourages the confession of the sinner. One commentator hinted that what makes us mad in church should help us understand where our own hearts truly are! In this passage we see that the majority are upset with the two, which we can make a case for them being justified, but were they upset for the right reasons? I have known of families who stopped speaking to one another because of some slight within Christ's Church. One family stopped going to Church because not enough was done for them during a family crisis which they didn't advertise even to the Pastor. By the time I came on the scene eighteen years later, no one was alive who might have explained the problem in the proper context! And so we see here a common problem within Christ Church.

I am reminded of a possible translation of verse five of the beloved twenty-third Psalm. In most translations of verse five, the table is spread "in the presence of enemies." It is equally possible to use the word "adversary". When I first saw this translation, this change opened up a completely different understanding at a time when I needed comforting from this Shepherd's Psalm.

In the near east, this spreading of a table before the sheep was common. The shepherd would kneel on the ground and lay his leather apron in front of him. Grain would then be sprinkled on this table for the sheep to eat. I once took the trouble to train our sheep to come for oats whenever called. At feeding time, one yell will bring the flock quicker then flies to honey. However, I would not want to be in front of my flock shaking oats out on an apron that I was wearing! No matter how large a table I spread, there is always a big rush and much butting and fighting over the grain. These quiet, friendly sheep became adversaries at meal time!

This reminds me so much of the church! People come by many routes and from many places to gather around our Lord's table. So very often they get butted and even trampled by other Christians who are all struggling to be fed by Christ. Tempers are raised, misunderstanding takes place, some stay home, others leave the flock. It would indeed be heaven to be in a church where there were no adversaries. But that is impossible, at least until our Lord returns.

Let us remember today, that as we are led in this life towards the next, we should keep our eyes on the Shepherd who has called us and assures us of His tender care. Certainly, our cups may overflow even in this life, certainly the goodness and love of God may follow us all the days of our lives. And just as certainly the promise of eternal life is ours as we follow the Savior and Shepherd of our souls: Jesus Christ. May we learn to follow Him in all humility, learning to be servants to all and being served by all in return. Amen