Mark 10:32-45 (NIV)

In today’s passage Jesus again refers to himself as the Son of Man. We haven’t yet talked about this image, but it’s an incredibly important picture in Jewish history, coming from the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel. First Daniel describes four beasts, like, crazy creatures. They represented the four kings and empires that would oppress Israel. Then he sees this figure—a Son of Man, meaning—a human. He’s presented to “The Ancient of Days,” and he is given ultimate dominion—a never-ending kingdom for all peoples, nations and languages. It is this figure that Jesus references over and over in Mark and again today.

However, juxtaposed with the image of the Son of Man with all his power and glory is that of the “Suffering Servant” that Isaiah wrote about. While the disciples never would have imagined it to be so, wJesus’ knew that these two radically different images were images of the same thing. He himself is fulfilling these prophecies, he is the new human who is becoming king above all kings by becoming the servant of all, giving his own life to rescue the world.

----------REFLECT----------

1. What surprised you about this passage?

2. The request of James and John reveals that the disciples still don’t understand the upside-down nature of Jesus’ kingdom. The way of God isn’t just slightly different from the way of empire, it’s completely antithetical to empire. How does this challenge you? How might it give you hope?

3. All of us have an idea of what we want God’s kingdom to be like, of what we want Jesus to be like, and of what we want following Jesus to be like. How do you think your desires compare to the way Jesus talks about these things? And can you invite the Spirit to make your desires the same as his?

----------GO DEEPER----------

For more on the Son of Man, check out this Bible Project video >> 

Bible Project: Mark Overview >>

Bible Project: The Gospel >>

Bible Project: Gospel of the Kingdom >>

----------CONNECT----------

Find an InterVarsity Chapter >>