Lesson 10: Service 111
BIBLE COMMENTS
Understanding the Context
One of the unique themes in the Gospel of Mark is the ongoing confu-
sion experienced by the apostles at the teachings of Jesus (see for example
Mark 4:10–13, 40–41; 7:17–18; 9:30–32). This confusion is contrasted by
Jesus’ clear prediction of his impending death. Many scholars believe
Mark authored his Gospel after visiting Peter in his imprisonment in
Rome, and that this Gospel more than any other is shaped by the recol-
lections of Peter.
It is unsurprising then that Peter’s thrice denial of Jesus is intention-
ally juxtaposed in the Gospel of Mark with three predictions of Jesus’
death (Mark 8:31–38; 9:30–37; 10:32–45). In each instance a specific
literary pattern is followed: Jesus predicts his death, the disciples misun-
derstand or are confused, and Jesus then offers an unequivocal teaching
about the true cost of discipleship. Mark 10:32–45 follows this pattern
with Jesus concluding that discipleship involves costly service on behalf
of others.
The Gospel of John extends this theme of self-emptying service
through one of the most powerful images found in the Scriptures:
Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. The Gospel of John is commonly
divided into two sections, chapters 1–12, the Book of Signs, and chapters
13–21, the Book of Glory. Chapters 13–17 all relate to Jesus’ teaching on
the night of his arrest which occurred during the Passover Festival, a
highly potent and symbolic time recalling the sacrifice of a lamb for the
protection and redemption of the Hebrew slaves (see Exodus 12). Jesus’
washing of the disciples’ feet was a catalytic moment on the final night
of his public teaching ministry.
Jesus teaches on service in the Gospel of Mark. In the Gospel of
John, he models such service. Later in the New Testament, the Epistle
of James cements an inseparable fusion of faith and service for every
follower of Jesus. As the half-brother of Jesus and the leader of the early
Jerusalem church, James was uniquely positioned to transition Jesus’
teaching into applied theology. For James, to be a follower of Jesus is to
combine orthodoxy (right theology) with orthopraxy (right actions). In