“What’s In It For Me?”
St. Mark 10:32-45
March 18, 2018 – Redeemer
You do not know what you are asking. That’s Jesus being really gracious to James and John. Three years of confirmation class. Twice already He has given them the answer to the final exam and they have failed. This is now the third time He says, “I will be betrayed, convicted, and killed.” To that James and John say, “Oh, OK, but what about us?” Can you do something for us? “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” The disciples did not know what they were asking. They heard, but they didn’t listen. They were thinking about themselves. As Jesus often said, “Having ears they do not hear.”
James and John ask, “What’s in it for me?” They have an idea of what should be in it for them – glory. We can understand their question. They had left their families behind. They left their commercial fishing business and their dad to tend the boats alone. There is no way a preacher makes what a professional fisherman makes. Jesus Himself commanded them to go about their work without a billfold or credit cards. They were not even to pack an extra set of clothes. They had given up everything to follow Jesus, so they asked, “What’s in it for me?”
You do not know what you are asking. Those are Jesus’ Words for you this morning. Most teachers are very kind and will say “There’s no such thing as a bad question.” Not Jesus. He says this is a bad question, a really bad question. If you come to Jesus asking, “What’s in it for me?” He’ll give you something, but it won’t be what your heart desires. The reason it is a bad question is because you are bad. Your sin has turned you in on yourself. James and John weren’t thinking about Jesus or Andrew or Simon or Judas or Thomas. They were thinking about James and John. And since we all descend from Adam and Eve you know that James and John are your not too distant cousins.
What’s in it for me? That is the question of the world. Whether it’s a politician wanting your vote or a new health insurance plan or you’re going out on a date it is the same old selfish question, “What’s in it for me?” The next time you’re waiting in line at Coborns, grab a magazine. Every article will be aimed at “you” and your desire for your own well-being. How to make nutritional meals in 10 minutes. How to get the most of your relationships. How to make your job work for you. The car you need to buy in 2018. The hottest new boats for you this summer. What’s in it for me? Let us tell you.
So James and John want to go along with Jesus as He establishes His Kingdom – one at His right and the other at His left in glory. But Jesus isn’t going for glory. He’s going to the cross. He’s going to have the anger of God poured out upon Him for our sins – a baptism of fire. He’s going to drink the cup of God’s wrath. He will gladly and willingly drink our punishment – the cup of hell and death that sinners deserve. His holy and precious blood will be drained from His body as the ransom price to free you from your sin,
Do you know what’s in it for Jesus? Nothing. Nothing for Himself – The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. What’s in it for Jesus? Humility, shame, rejection, sin, guilt, hell, death, burial. He sweated blood as He anticipated His death. What’s in it for Jesus? You are. That’s His Kingdom. He isn’t doing this for Himself. His glory is your forgiveness. His glory is when you have faith in Him. His glory will be when He raises your body on the last day and when you with your mouth together with the angels and the archangels praise His Name before His Father. His glory is when you receive His service, His forgiveness, His salvation.
So Jesus must teach James and John and you how His Kingdom is so different than the world. You know how rulers in the world rule –They lord it over others. The government takes your taxes, gives you a little bit back and expects you to be grateful, for all they have done for you. But it shall not be so among you … whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.
What’s in it for me? The Christian doesn’t need that question. You have Jesus, and everything He did for you. Your sins are forgiven – you don’t need people to owe you. You don’t need to hold on to the sins and pain which others have inflicted on you. You’re living forever – you don’t need to pursue, purchase and seek your ultimate pleasure in the dead and dying things of this world. You will rise on the last day – you don’t need to put everyone else down so you are exalted – you are already by faith seated with Christ in the heavenly places.
James and John would follow Jesus. After Jesus rose from the dead these brothers needed no glory. They had Jesus, their Savior, risen from the dead and they knew the way of His Kingdom. They preached Christ the crucified, Christ the risen Lord. James was the first of the Apostles to be murdered for Jesus. John was the last of the 12 to die. James was first and John was last, but their rank in the Kingdom didn’t matter because they had Jesus.
In a short while you’ll be back in the world where most everyone is asking, “What’s in it for me?” That’s not a Christian question. Or as Jesus says, “It shall not be so among you.” Husbands, you should love dying for your brides and wives should enjoy submitting to the man who loves them to death. Parents shouldn’t complain about children, but rejoice in serving and giving to their children. We ought to go about our work with the satisfaction that we are serving our neighbor and God is supplying our daily bread. We should not be scared to confess our faith for fear of what it might cost us. We ought to be more concerned about what we give to the Lord than what we save and keep for ourselves – and that isn’t just money, that’s time, that’s devotions in your house, that’s raising your children in the faith, that’s how you live. That’s not how the world lives.
What’s in it for me? Jesus and His salvation. Your neighbor and his needs. The cross, death, and then the resurrection. If you must ask, that’s what is in the Kingdom for you. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Pr. Bruce Timm
17 March 2018 anno Domini