Jesus Turns Leadership Into a Serving Role
Krystalynn
In this week’s adult Sabbath school lesson, we got an overview of things to come. And Sunday’s lesson covered the topic of marriage and divorce. The reading takes a closer look at Mark 10:1-10, the Pharisees ask Jesus if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife. This was a common practice but much debate existed surrounding the reasons to do so. The School of Shammai allowed divorce for serious reasons like childlessness or infidelity, while the School of Hillel permitted it for almost any reason. This question for Jesus was a trap intended to provoke a controversial response regarding Herod Antipas, who married his brother’s wife after divorcing his own. Jesus counters by asking them what Moses commanded, referencing Deuteronomy 24:1-4, aiming to protect women in divorce cases. Over time, the law had been misused to make divorce easy. Instead of debating the law, Jesus emphasized God’s original design for marriage in Genesis. He highlights that marriage unites a man and a woman as one, which human beings should not separate.
Nigerian theologian and scholar Michael Muonwe delves deeper into Jesus’ teaching about divorce in an article from The International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society. In first century Palestine, divorce was common but not ideal. Rabbinic authorities generally agreed on reasons for divorce such as: infertility, infidelity, and neglect. But they disagreed on the interpretation of Deuteronomy 24:1. The Shammai school took a strict view, limiting divorce to cases of adultery. Meanwhile, the Hillel school allowed divorce for trivial reasons. This liberal stance, known as any cause divorce, gave men significant power over women, leading to arbitrary divorces and mistreatment. Muonwe writes about how Jesus’ teachings on divorce, particularly in Mark and Luke, challenge societal norms and Mosaic Law. By referencing Genesis, Jesus emphasized God’s intention for marriage as a lifelong union, rejecting the rabbinic interpretations that favored men’s rights. This interpretation underscored the equality and mutual responsibility of both partners in marriage, contrasting with the patriarchal norms of the time. As Muonwe points out, Jesus also addresses remarriage after divorce, labeling it adultery for both parties. Mark’s account explicitly forbids remarriage for both husband and wife, advocating equal treatment for both sexes. This passage can be hard to understand, especially as we read it through our modern worldview. Once again, Jesus’ brilliant answer to the Pharisees’ trap uplifts the people who were seen as having no rights, in this case, women. Which was radical at the time and He invited the Pharisees to remember the sacredness of marriage created in Eden, that had been lost in time.
Ezrica
Thank you so much for sharing this! I don’t usually focus on biblical verses about divorce since they don’t apply to my life right now, but I love how you explained Jesus’ response to the Pharisees. They tried trapping Him, yet He chose to stand up for the underrepresented. It’s such a beautiful example of Christ’s heart for those who are often overlooked. I hadn’t realized infertility could be considered grounds for divorce in those times. This caused me to consider the stories of Hannah and Sarah. Their struggles might not have been just about wanting a child, but also the fear of losing their husbands. Through the dialogue with the Pharisees, it feels like Christ was redeeming the oppression that women often faced in marriage during that time, and there is something so liberating about that, especially in today’s world of dating and marriage.
Monday’s lesson touched on Jesus’ relationship with children. One fact that stood out to me was that children were considered equal to slaves at the time, the only difference being that a child could eventually inherit the estate. I must admit, I struggle to fully grasp what this means. Honestly, I find it difficult to understand the concept of slavery through a biblical lens at all. My natural inclination is to view it through the painful history of slavery in the Americas and the ongoing issues of justice that still deeply affect our world. I understand that the social, cultural, and historical context of biblical slavery may differ from modern slavery, but I find it draining to approach the topic. Therefore the idea that children were viewed as slaves leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Yet again, we see Jesus defending the defenseless. When the disciples didn’t want the children to come near Jesus, He clearly defended them, extending an invitation for them to come to Him and told them that the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. There’s something so healing seeing Jesus stand up for those considered the lowest of society.
Tuesday’s lesson focused on the story of the rich young ruler. I reflect on this story the most often, among others, when considering my life. It’s gut-wrenching to me and I often find myself praying that I never become like the rich young ruler. The part that resonates most with me is how it’s a story of identity. Even the title given to him “rich young ruler” shows how his status, youth, and power defined him. From an outside perspective, the young ruler seemed to be living a vibrant life. He honored the commandments, knew the goodness of God, and loved God enough to run and kneel before Him. By every outward measure, he would be considered a good Christian by today’s standards. But in his heart, he clung to an identity that ultimately became an idol. When Jesus asked him to sell everything he had, it became clear where his true love lay. Whenever I read this, I can’t help but think about my own life. What parts of my identity do I hold onto that tightly? Jesus wasn’t just asking him to sell his possessions, He was inviting him to give up the life he knew, including the privileges and social standing that came with his wealth. But the young ruler was unwilling to do that. It’s beautiful how the lesson highlighted how Jesus loved this man, and from that love, He spoke directly to the ruler’s heart. I’ve seen how God has spoken to the faulty identities I’ve idolized, urging me to follow Him. I’ve never once regretted letting go of them. So again, I pray “Lord, help me never be like the rich young ruler.”
Krystalynn
Your insight into the children being seen as slaves back then was enlightening. It takes the story to a whole new level, especially the way Jesus rebukes the disciples’ ingrained bias. This, juxtaposed with the encounter with the rich young ruler drives home the point that Jesus can meet anyone where they are at.
Wednesday’s lesson covered Mark 10: 32-45. As Jesus approached Jerusalem, He told His disciples about His upcoming death and resurrection. They struggled to accept that. James and John privately requested special positions in His future glory. Their request seems self-centered but their commitment suggested otherwise. Jesus challenged them to endure the suffering He would face, predicting they would share in it. James did through martyrdom and John through endurance. He clarified that God determines positions of honor in the kingdom. When the other disciples became angry, Jesus taught them that true power in God’s kingdom is about serving others, exemplified by His sacrifice.
Many churches today often place leaders on pedestals, focusing on charisma and authority over humility and service. This can lead to congregations becoming overly dependent on a single leader for spiritual guidance, making the church vulnerable. To align closer to Jesus’ model of leadership, churches can implement shared leadership and cultivate humility. Some leaders can become intoxicated by the ego leadership feeds. Too much ego can become toxic and it shifts the focus from serving others to serving oneself. Inflated ego creates barriers to empathy and connection and prevents leaders from acknowledging mistakes. As we continue to focus our eyes on Jesus, servant leadership can foster collaboration, empathy, and trust.
Thursday’s lesson covered the story of blind Bartimaeus, found at the end of Mark 10. I love this story! A blind man named Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus, recognizing Him as the Son of David. Despite the crowd’s attempts to silence him, Bartimaeus persistently cries out for mercy. Jesus stops, calls him over and asks him what he wants. Bartimaeus requests his sight. Jesus restores it immediately. In faith, Bartimaeus leaves his cloak behind, symbolizing his trust that Jesus will heal him. Afterward, he follows Jesus on the road. As the lesson points out, this event concludes the disciples section in Mark and parallels another healing story in Mark 8:22-26. I love how the authors of the quarterly revisit the story of the blind man and highlight how these stories show that discipleship involves seeing the world with new eyes.
Ezrica
I’m intrigued by your perspective on James and John’s request. I appreciate this fresh take because, from my perspective, their request seems quite egotistical. To me, this secrecy suggests they were aware of the self-serving nature of their question. Based on Jesus’ response, it seems their request was more complex than the scripture alone conveys. When I consider the context of the disciples’ relationships, it’s clear they were often at odds with each other. Some were more frequently chosen for the “cooler assignments,” which likely fueled jealousy. Despite spending significant time with Jesus, James and John still misunderstood His true purpose. Up until the moment He died, and even after, all the disciples remained somewhat blind to who Jesus really was.
You beautifully explained how ego often taints leadership, leading people to become intoxicated by power and position. The disciples, influenced by their cultural context, understood leadership through the lens of power, aspiring to be in control rather than serve. But Jesus sought to shift their perspective, teaching them that true leadership is rooted in service. There are so many beautiful parallels between stories this week. It’s almost poetic that James and John’s request for power is followed by the blind Bartimaeus story, suggesting that the blind man could see truths the disciples still could not.
I find the themes in this week’s lessons deeply meaningful. Jesus’ interactions with the Pharisees, breaking cultural norms by inviting children to sit with Him, and the way He responded to James and John’s request for power all showcase His message that true power is found in servitude. It’s interesting to note that both marriage and the relationship between adults and children often involve power dynamics. During that time, women and children were not treated equally. In both His teachings on marriage and His interactions with children, Christ uplifted the oppressed, taking on the role of a servant. Finally, the healing of the blind man serves as a metaphor for the disciples’ growing spiritual vision. By this time, they had been with Jesus and witnessed amazing things. Yet, their understanding was still evolving. I find this so gracious because God patiently works to remove the scales from our eyes, not just in a single moment but throughout our lifetime.
About the authors
Ezrica Bennett
