I love listening to stand up comics, and I especially appreciate when they point out the funny parts of ordinary language that are often unnoticed. But when a comedian highlights an oxymoron in their routine, the aha-I get it-spark goes off in me. Some of my favorite funny or sarcastic oxymorons are Microsoft Works, Express mail, Peacekeeper Missile.
As you probably already know an oxymoron is when you put two words together that seem to contradict each other. The two ideas don’t belong together. The classic example is “Jumbo Shrimp” Another would be “Plastic Silverware.”
Well, in today’s reading from Mark, we have two concepts put together that don’t seem to fit. It’s the idea of being “great” placed side by side with being a “servant''. Those two thoughts (words? images?) would seem to cancel each other out. But not the way Jesus tells it. Not the way Jesus demonstrates it. Because he is a Prestigious Servant.
For the past three weeks we’ve been hearing stories from the gospel of Mark as Jesus and his disciples are making their way toward Jerusalem, to the cross. Jesus knows what’s coming, but the disciples don’t. Jesus knows there’s suffering and death on the horizon. The disciples don’t get it, even though they’ve been told several times in a variety of ways. Jesus knows the kin-dom he speaks of, the one that God envisions, is different from the one they experience now, but they can’t wrap their minds around this new way, so they keep trying to wiggle their way into the inside circle, to the best seats in the house, the ones right next to Jesus “when he comes into his glory.” But James and John (and the others too) have no clue what that glory will actually be like. They are quick to say, “Yes, we are able!” We can do it. We’re here for you Jesus.
I suppose we are not too different from those two. It’s easy to look at them and say, “Silly disciples! You’re always getting it wrong, can’t you see that Jesus does things differently. He’s been telling you all along how to follow in his way.” But we, like the disciples, are seduced by the idea of greatness and glory. What’s in it for me? Are my desires being met? Am I getting the applause and recognition I deserve? “Pay attention to me!” each one of us thinks. We must confess that we are no better than those self-serving, glory seeking disciples.
What James and John fail to understand is that service in the kin-dom of God is not a second class means to a first class end. Service is the end. Service is abundance. Service is power. Service is glory. “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first must be slave of all.” The only path to success in Jesus’ economy is through the surrendering of our most cherished forms of entitlement. Glory in God’s kin-dom is the generous and perpetual expending of one’s self in love. (Debi Thomas, Journey with Jesus)
Earlier I used the oxymoron Prestigious Servant to get at the idea of the ones who want to be prestigious in the eyes of those in power and authority, to be honored, to be in the inner circle, to be held in high regard or glorified we learn in this scripture passage must be servants to all. To be great is to serve. And that’s a radically different definition of greatness. It's not about amassing power and controlling people. It's not about getting your way and getting what you want. Rather, greatness is about service. It’s about what you can do for others. How can I be a blessing to those who God has entrusted to my care? How can I be a channel of blessing to the people I meet and deal with every day?
It’s a challenge, I know. Most days I don’t feel like being a servant to anyone, even though I know I “should” and I can easily feel guilty for never doing enough. It turns out though that helping others is actually good for us. Jesus was first to show that greatness is realized in service, but now science backs it up. A quick Google search produced several lists of ways that serving others boosts our happiness, health, and a sense of well-being.
CAN HELP YOU LIVE LONGER.
MAKES US HAPPY.
HELPS WITH CHRONIC PAIN.
LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE.
PROMOTES POSITIVE BEHAVIORS IN TEENS.
GIVES US A SENSE OF PURPOSE AND SATISFACTION.
Good to know, right? And our serving is done in small and big ways throughout our lives. We each have experienced moments, I’m sure, when we have put someone else's needs first–not because we wanted to please them or wanted something in return, but from the sheer delight of serving. Each of us has volunteered, or helped out a friend, or encouraged someone down in the dumps or lent a hand to someone in need, and when we did we experienced the joy of giving ourselves to another. Think of a time when you have given yourself to another and found that vulnerability rewarded not simply by the gratitude of the recipient, but by your own increased sense of purpose, fulfillment and courage.
This is our baptismal calling to greatness in God’s Kin-dom. To care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace. To be servants to all in need. To love one another. To stand up to injustices in the world. To stand beside those who are hurting and seeking healing. To work with those who are working for racial reconciliation. To hold accountable those who abuse domestic partners or children. To hold those who are sick, dying or grieving. To honor the beautiful creation God has entrusted to us. This is the service to which we have been called.
We can be assured that God is with us, is faithful, and will not fail us. That means we really don’t have to worry about where we sit in the kin-dom. Our glory is found in giving, our strength in service, and our hope in Jesus. Last place isn’t so bad afterall when you see it like that!