Prepared Places in the Kingdom of Heaven
Please read Mark 10:35-45 and Isaiah 53: 4-12 along with Psalm 84, and then pray; Almighty God, as we place our whole trust in the promises of your Word, grant us peace, joy, patience, and enduring hope – through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Jesus and his disciples were “on their way up to Jerusalem.” (10:32) Jesus was boldly striding out in front leading the way. His mind was focused on something serious – deadly serious. We are told by Mark that the disciples were astonished and frightened – believing that what was to come in Jerusalem would have huge consequences for their future and the future of their people. They were not wrong. But they still did not realise and understand what was to come – particularly for their leader Jesus who they believed to be the Messiah. And so, for what was now the third and final time, Jesus spelt things out in no uncertain terms. His journey was a journey toward extreme humiliation, suffering, and death. Jesus knew exactly what lay ahead for him and he tells his disciples the plain and painful truth:
We are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him and hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.
Jesus knows what is to come and that the time is near for him to be baptised for a second time. His earthly ministry was bookended with two baptisms. The time has now come for a baptism of suffering and a baptism involving blood – much blood. Jesus is later going to ask the two brothers James and John a very significant question;
Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with?
Jesus is heading toward tasting a bitter cup of suffering and a baptism of blood leading to death. His ministry began when he was baptised in water by John the Baptist in the Jordan river. It will end with a baptism involving blood. But this will be the blood of the new covenant, and it will be followed by a powerful rising on the “third day,” destined to change history forever. Three days later – he – the Son of Man will rise.
At the climax of our reading from Mark today, we have one of the most succinct and important descriptions of Jesus’s central mission and the reason why he was willing to die on the cross without opening his mouth in protest over his innocence. (Isaiah 53:7) Why was Jesus so willing to be “led like a lamb to the slaughter?” Here are his own words which were burned into the minds of gospel writers like Mark:
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (10:45)
Jesus came to give his life as a ransom for many after he had given his life in obedient humble service to the people – and all this self-giving was in obedience to the will of the Father. He obeyed his Father’s will both through his humble life of service and through his sacrificial redeeming death on the cross.
I find the bible to be a fascinating and engrossing book of God’s revelation. It is so interesting to see that the most explicit and extensive description of Jesus’s death and the reasons for that death is given in a prophecy of Isaiah over 700 years before the crucifixion of Jesus occurred. Here is why Jesus died. He died for us and in our place. He died for our sins, so that we might be forgiven and be free to experience eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. (Read Isaiah 53: 4-6, 10-12)
Today, you have heard through Mark (10:45) the most succinct description of why Jesus’s death was so important for you and I, and you have heard the most detailed biblical understanding of his rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection from the pages of Isaiah. He was pierced (with nails) for our transgressions.
As we share in Holy Communion once again today, it presents us with another opportunity to offer our thanks to Jesus for all that he suffered for our sake and for the sake of the world. We remember with deep gratitude his broken body and his shed blood. We remember in the simple words of the hymn writer;
He died that we might be forgiven,
he died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood. (Cecil Frances Alexander)
Amid all this focus on the destiny and drama of Jesus’s final journey to Jerusalem, how inappropriate of James and John to start secretly requesting the places and prominent positions nearest to Jesus in his kingdom glory. Jesus was heading toward a cross and not toward a political kingdom and a victorious reign. They still did not understand the nature of the Kingdom and its glory through suffering, death, and then resurrection. James and John wanted elevation and position. Jesus was offering suffering and humble service. Let us take a moment to think about their ignorant request and Jesus’s response which culminated in those words magnificently summarising his mission:
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
First the request, then the response, and then some concluding remarks about “prepared places in the kingdom of heaven.”
It is interesting that in Matthew’s account of this famous incident (Matthew 19:20 f) the mother of James and John plays a prominent role. I wonder what type of character she was? Was she someone who Jesus adored and was therefore able to persuade him to give her sons preferential places in the coming kingdom? Leave it to me lads. I‘ll have a word with Jesus. Was she as close and as dear to Jesus as say, Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus? Or was this mother a bit of a battle-axe, Israel’s version of Nora Batty, who approached Jesus with a determined and serious look on her face? Did she make the request for the best places and highest positions for her sons or did all three make the request together, perhaps with mum leading the way? Whoever makes the request – it is a rather outlandish one, a selfish and presumptuous one.
When the other disciples found out about it – they were indignant – that means – steaming mad. Their reaction reveals that they feel that they deserve at least as much if not better treatment than the cheeky and sneaky brothers. More squabbles about who was best and who should be “first” broke out among them. This was not the first time this had happened. Several weeks earlier – this had happened not too long after the transfiguration. Read Mark 9:33-35.
So, how does Jesus respond to brothers request and the mother’s high hopes for her sons? He asks them is they can face what he was about to face – a cup of bitter suffering – and a baptism of blood into death? They say that they are ready to drink such a cup and be baptised as Jesus will be – but they clearly do not understand the horror of what Jesus is describing and will soon face.
Jesus speaks to their response by revealing that these two will indeed drink from bitter cups in the future. They will face death for his sake and for his kingdom. We read of the suffering and death of James in Acts 12:1-2, under the arrogant and gruesome reign of Herod, and we read in Revelation (which John wrote) that he too tasted significant suffering through being exiled on the island of Patmos. (Revelation 1:9). We know that 11 of the 12 apostles died martyrs’ death for the sake of Jesus. Only John died of natural causes at a very old age, but he had suffered much persecution and suffering as a leader in the Church from soon after Pentecost up until his dying day many decades later. Jesus states with prophetic certainty;
You will drink the cup I drink and be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with, but to sit at my right hand is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared. (39-40)
Jesus then goes to speak and to teach all the disciples that greatness in his kingdom will be determined by one main factor – and that is – the willingness to be a humble servant – and therefore the willingness to obediently follow the example and way of Jesus himself – who in words of the apostle Paul “took the very nature of a servant having being made in human likeness – and humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:7-8) Even Jesus (45) who is Lord of everything in heaven and earth did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. This is our God the servant king who calls us now to follow him. How willing are we to wear the mantle of servant and to humbly walk in the way of the Master? (Share the story of George Stevens)
As I move toward concluding this message, I want to linger a little longer on something Jesus said to James and John that is worthy of deeper reflection that I can give it today. Jesus said to the brothers that He was not the One who granted certain positions in the kingdom of heaven. The position to the right and left of Jesus in heaven would be determined by Another. They would be determined by his Father. In Matthew 19: 23b Jesus is recorded as having said; These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by MY FATHER.
Specific places in the kingdom of heaven (the eternal heaven) are given by the Father, not by the Son.
James and John and all the others were to have places in the kingdom, but Jesus would not assign them those places. That was down to his Father’s discretion and choice. Jesus might prepare them but not assign them. Who is nearest to Jesus would be up to the Father – the Father of all who have come to love and obey His Son who died for all God’s children on the cross. Our Father. The main thing for James and John and all of us who are in Christ to realise and to rejoice in is that our names are written in the book of life and inscribed on the palms of His hands. (Luke 10:20)
From a personal perspective, I am not worried about my position in heaven so long as I have a place there. I do not deserve to go there after my death, and so the fact that I have any place there is to me amazing and astounding. With the humble Psalmist, I too exclaim: I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (Psalm 84:10) I will be eternally grateful for any place in Jesus’s kingdom and glory. What about you? I am only going to heaven at all because of Jesus’s death for me, and because of his sweet and kind grace. He paid my debt! I do not deserve to be in heaven, but I will enter it by His grace. I do not expect to be in the royal box but somewhere in the stalls, perhaps near the back. But I will be forever grateful to be in the grand theatre of heaven – of the new creation which is promised in the bible to humble believers and servants of Jesus. I know that wherever I am seated, it will be pure glory and bliss, and I will enjoy perfect freedom, joy, and peace for all eternity.
But this idea of specific places in heaven, in God’s eternal kingdom, did get me thinking about whether part of the rewards for faithful servants that are strongly hinted at in the New Testament, are indeed related to our nearness to Jesus. Will some be nearer to Jesus than others? All will see him in all His glory and will enjoy that glory with him. But will some be a little nearer and some a little further away? This is a fascinating question to ponder. It reminded me of the story of George Whitfield, the great 18th century evangelist who set this nation ablaze with Spirit-empowered preaching. He was a great friend of John Wesley who also spearheaded the great evangelical revival, but they were engaged in some strong and divisive theological arguments. Nevertheless, they dearly loved and respected each other. After one great argument, Whitfield was asked by one of his admirers if he expected to see Mr Wesley in heaven. Whitfield responded with a resounding NO! I do not expect to see Mr Wesley in heaven for he will be much nearer to the Lamb than I.
So, will there be those who are nearer to the Lamb of God who is also the Lion of Judah? Or is this type of thinking fanciful speculation? I think there could be something in this, and I say so on the authority of the text before us in Mark 10: 35-45. If greatness in the Kingdom is determined by true humble service, as Jesus clearly teaches us here, is it not right to think that those nearest to Jesus will be those who have been the humblest of saints in this world? Those who have tirelessly washed the feet of others for Jesus’ sake? Those who have served simply, faithfully, humbly, meekly, with a servant heart? And I think we can also assume from our text that the other category of people who will be nearer to Lamb are the martyrs – those who have given up their lives for the sake of faithfulness to Jesus – those who faced terrible suffering but never failed to be faithful to their only Saviour – even in the face of torture and death. Those who drank his cup and were baptised with blood. In the book of Revelation, Jesus says to his persecuted people: Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. (2:10)
I think there is other evidence in the book of Revelation that the martyrs (and there have been many and thousands every year) are likely to be closer to Jesus. They will be invited to sit a little higher. Their blood was spilt for His sake. They loved Him more than their own lives! They suffered ignominious deaths for the sake of His kingdom. (Revelation 12:11b, 20:4) If we read this passage from Mark 10 carefully, can we not see that suffering for Jesus’ sake, and servanthood for the sake of Jesus will be especially rewarded in heaven? But as I have said, and as Scripture maintains – all will experience blessed perfection as they take up their places in heaven. There can be no jealousy, envy, rivalry, or petty competition in heaven. That will all be gone. That nonsense is all part of the old order of things – and the redeemed will all be united in perfect harmony, happiness, peace, glory and unifying praise of their Lord and King. As the Psalmist proclaims, Better is one day in your house than a thousand elsewhere. (Psalm 84:10)
So, in conclusion, when we consider this idea of “prepared places in the kingdom of heaven” which Jesus spoke about with James and John as they all made their way to Jerusalem and toward Jesus’s redeeming death, may we end by rejoicing over two biblical passages with promises that are frequently quoted at the funerals of saints – servants like Olive Flemons.
Where else in the bible, besides here in Mark 10:40, have you heard the about prepared places in heaven? Hear the word of the Lord once again. Rejoice in these promises I remind you of now, and hold on to them tightly until you yourself reach the end of your earthly pilgrimage and are ready to appear before God in Zion. (Psalm 84:7) On the night before his redeeming death, just hours before his second great baptism, Jesus said this to his closest followers;
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms: if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14: 1-3)
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” – but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2: 6-10)
And Jesus said to them (James and John)
You will drink the cup I drink and you will be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with, but to sit at my right or my left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.
And now unto God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit – be all glory and honour – now and forever. Amen!
Revd Peter J Clarkson (20.10.24)