The Festival of St. James the Elder
Mark 10:35-45
We all have questions, but are we willing to ask them?
What keeps you from asking questions? Are you afraid that the other person might think your question is too simple or silly? Are you worried about how they might respond? What if you already know the answer? Or, of course, maybe the person you’re asking doesn’t know the answer, or doesn’t have the authority or permission to answer your question, or provide what you want.
But we all have questions, don’t we?
James and John seem to have a straightforward question for Jesus in today’s Gospel: “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in glory.”
Have you ever noticed that some questions can also appear selfish, cause a stir, or create division among people?
The Gospel said the other ten Disciples were not so happy with the question posed by James and John. Why do they get to sit closest to Jesus?
But Jesus didn’t respond with matching anger, honestly, he wasn’t rude, He simply said, “You do not know what you are asking.”
People often don’t appreciate this type of response.
Why don’t they know what they’re asking?
For one, because the Passion and death of Jesus are hidden in these words, hidden from their understanding.
But also, to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus is not His to give; that rests with His Father.
So again, sometimes a person can’t answer a question because they lack the authority and permission to do so.
James and John not only asked for something Jesus could not grant, but for something they did not fully comprehend. To sit at His left and right hands.
Jesus’ response to these two brothers continued,
“You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
These words of Jesus look forward to His cross. The cup symbolizes the wrath and punishment for mankind’s sin. The baptism is that of His blood shed on the cross, His death.
In ancient times, the term “baptism of blood” referred to a martyr’s death.
Jesus asked James and John, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?” In other words, are you able to suffer my Passion?
Or are you able to be baptized with the baptism I am to undergo? “Are you able to die in a similar manner as me?”
A death like that of Jesus on the cross.
Will you die in my name?
All of you said as much in the confession you gave on the day of your confirmation, but remember, martyrdom is not sought; it is received.
But what has Jesus taught His disciples about prayer, about petitioning the Father, asking questions, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)
Then why won’t Jesus just give these two what they ask for?
Because it is important to understand that our questions and prayers are answered according to the Father’s will.
Reflect on the words of the Lord’s Prayer as we were taught to pray to the Father, “Thy will be done.”
You shouldn’t get discouraged in your prayers; you should always turn to the Lord in prayer, but also understand that His plans are not your plans, and His will is not your will.
If your prayer is asked rightly, in Jesus’ name and according to the Father’s will, you shouldn’t worry that it won’t be answered, because a Christian’s prayer is always not to be led into temptation and to be delivered from the evil one.
This is what your Father in heaven wishes to grant you.
The prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane teaches us these truths. Remember that He prayed for His Father to remove the cup of wrath, placed upon Him on Calvary, but it wasn’t.
Why wasn’t the prayer granted? Because it wasn’t the Father’s will. Because the Father loved the Son. Because the Father loves you.
Reflect on that: you undoubtedly asked your parents for many things in life that you didn’t receive, and later on, you might understand why they didn’t give you what you asked for.
The same is true today: the child asks for sugary cereal for breakfast, but the parent gives them oatmeal and fruit. The parent isn’t trying to satisfy the child’s immediate desire but to care for the child’s body and mind, setting them up for a good start to the day.
The petition for breakfast was granted, but not in the way the child wanted. Instead, it was granted in the way that is best. They just won’t understand how this was a good answer to their request until later in life, and when we pray, health concerns caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices are kept at bay.
Asking questions is important. Too often in life, we have simply stopped asking questions. Maybe we’re afraid they won’t be answered, or maybe we’re worried we won’t like the answer, but still, don’t stop asking questions. Keep asking me, your pastor, questions, no matter what, and continue going to the Lord in prayer with your petitions and laments.
The answer to your prayer may come immediately, but it might also raise more questions. Your question could be answered with another question. But remember that when you ask your Father in heaven in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, your plea for redemption, no matter how hard it seems, will be answered on the last day as you are welcomed into His eternal presence.
But that’s what makes all of this so hard, isn’t it? Sometimes, even when you know the answer, you still have to wait on the Lord…
The question James and John asked Jesus could not be fulfilled at that moment. For one, they didn’t know what they were asking for. Two, Jesus could not grant what they wanted. Additionally, it wasn’t the time.
In a fascinating way, if you look to the cross, you know who was given a place at the right and left hand of Jesus, don’t you?
Criminals!
Sinners like you. People who ask questions and petition your Father in heaven for help. Questions that sometimes appear to anger and frustrate others. Questions you may even already know the answer to. Questions that reveal your impatience. Questions that demonstrate your faith and great need for help.
That’s what a good question does, after all: it reveals humility and dependence on another. It shows that you cannot save yourself and need to be saved. It makes known that you don’t have all the answers, that you are weak, broken, and in need.
So do as Jesus says and take the lowest place among your peers, humble yourself, and ask the question, Father, for the sake of Your Son, Jesus, please forgive me all my sins. Bring me into your eternal presence as you brought the thief upon the cross.
This is really the question James and John were asking Jesus. They wanted to be in Jesus’ eternal presence. But for St. James, he would drink the cup of suffering and receive the baptism of blood in a martyr’s death for the confession of faith he proclaimed.
Certainly, none of you desire a death such as this, but if you were to ask the question from the Epistle this morning, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35) You’d better be ready, as St. James, the answer to this question may involve tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or even the sword.
But like St. James, your confession of faith has also made you conquerors through the cross that awaited Jesus, because the cross is the answer to your prayers, where the Father’s love is revealed for you, even now.
How great is this?
When questions of your faith arise, look to the cross, see the answer to your prayers, and then pray, “Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.” (Revelation 22:20) +INJ+
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Website: www.goodsheptomah.org
The Shepherd’s Voice Podcast: https://goodsheptomah.podbean.com/
