Thursday: Fourth Week in Lent Year B

Lent for Everyone
Mark Year B
WEEK 4 THURSDAY...

‘Sorry, you can’t have that seat. It’s already been booked.’ I was frustrated. It was one of my favourite train journeys, past some magnificent scenery. But the train was crowded, and there were hardly any seats on the side where one would get the best view. Only one, in fact; and I made for it – to be told it was already reserved. A standard disappointment, whether on trains or planes, or even in the theatre.

But when Jesus told James and John that the places they wanted had already been booked, they must have been puzzled.

What did he mean? They were thinking, of course, of some- thing approaching royal thrones. Jesus would be in the middle, and they would be on either side of him: the Galileans have come to town, Zebedee’s boys have made it to the top at last! Now we’ll sort things out – especially those people who have been getting in the way, trying to stop Jesus launching his kingdom. We’ll show them! (Compare Luke 9.54.) And, who knows? – Jesus wasn’t married, so when his time came to pass on, someone would have to take over . . .

Dream on, thunder-boys. You haven’t been listening. ‘Can you drink the cup I’m going to drink? Can you receive the baptism I’m going to receive?’

Their answer ought to make us gasp. No problem, boss, they say. Of course we can. We’re up for anything...

Taken from Lent for Everyone Mark Year B by Tom Wright