One on His right hand and one on His left

Last updated on: March 30, 2009 at 5:00 am by Gene Veith

Our sermon yesterday was based on the text about James and John asking to sit at Christ’s right hand and His left when He comes into His glory (Mark 10:36-38). This angered the other disciples, but, interestingly, Jesus did not rebuke them. He wants us to ask boldly. James and John didn’t know what they were asking for, really, since they did not then understand the way of the Cross. But they were given distinct blessings: James was the first of the Disciples to be martyred, and John was the last of the Disciples to die. But the two who actually were at Christ’s right hand and His left when He came into His glory were the two thieves who were crucified with him, “one on his right and one on his left” (Mark 15:27).

Then, exploring the end of the text, in which Christ says greatness and authority lies in servanthood, Pastor Douthwaite brought it all around to vocation:

And where does this all lead? To heaven . . . yes, in the end. But not yet. For now, we live in the vomit of sin. No longer our own sin – for Jesus lifts us up and cleanses us and restores us with His life and forgiveness! Now, it is our neighbor’s. That we go to Him as Christ has come to us. That we serve Him as Christ has served us. That we forgive Him as Christ has forgiven us. That we love Him as Christ has loved us. And you are never more glorious than when you do. For when you do, Christ is living in you, and through you.

March 30, 2009

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