Mark 10:35-45 -Baptism and the Glory of the Suffering Servant (Mark 10:35-45)

Mark’s Key Themes are the Person of Jesus (identity), the Power of Jesus (authority), and the Purpose of Jesus (destiny at the cross).
The Theme of  Christ’s Purpose of Redemption through the Cross is repeated three times.

1) Purpose of Jesus in His death/resurrection (Mk 8:31ff) vs Greatness (Mk 8:32b-33) - Their/Our Purpose: Take your cross and follow me (Mk 8:34-38)
2) Purpose of Jesus in His death/resurrection (Mk 9:30-32) - Their/Our Purpose: The greatest is humble servant (Mk 9:33-37)
3) Purpose of Jesus in His death/resurrection (Mk 10:35-45) - Their/Our Purpose: The greatest is slave of all (Mk 9:33-37)

Mark 10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached saying, “Teacher, we wish that what we ask for ourselves, you may do for us.” 36 But He said to them, “What do you wish for me to do?” 37 Then they said to Him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one of us on Your right hand and one on Your left, in Your ascended glory.” 39 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink of the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “With the cup I drink, you shall drink, and with the baptism that I am baptized, you shall be baptized. 40 Yet to sit at My right or at My left is not mine to give. But that is for those for whom it has been prepared. 41 Now when the other ten heard this, they became outraged with James and John. 42 So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions use their authority over them. 43 But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to become first, he shall be slave of all; 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (G. Strawbridge trans.)