11.24.24 - Mark XXVII - Clueless

The Gospel of Mark has turned a corner and Jesus has left Galilee on His way to Jerusalem to fulfill His destiny. Twice before today’s passage He has told the disciples that he will suffer and die there. Somehow, though, the disciples manage to think this language must be metaphoric, and they continue to believe and look for Jesus’ victorious ascendance to an earthly throne in spite of Jesus’ repeated and more detailed prediction of His death in today’s reading. James and John are so convinced of this that in today’s passage they ask Jesus for cabinet posts in the new kingdom, manifesting in their requested throne room seating being on either side of Him. No room for Pete this time. Jesus responds with a climax to Mark’s 3 episode crescendo of Jesus’ describing His passion, with the universe changing summary that He has come to give His life as a ransom for many.

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