West End United Methodist Church

Side by Side

Speakers:Rev. Aimee Baxter
Topics:Sunday service

In today’s reading from Mark, two of the disciples of Jesus ask to sit at his right and left when Jesus enters his glory.  The Rev. Aimee Baxter, our Pastor of Young Adults, delivers the sermon today.  She says that the motivation for James and John to ask this is not clear – do they want to be close to Jesus, or is it a power grab?  In any case, Jesus realizes they just don’t get it – being at the front has nothing to do with prestige and everything to do with humility.  The other disciples are angry at the two, perhaps because they, too, want to be first, but Jesus presses a reorientation in which there is nobody at the top.  And even though “the last shall be first,” it is a matter of servitude and of a posture of side by side where everyone dances together.  Jesus says he came not to be served but to serve, and community as the goal can better be achieved by humility and service.   (NOTE: Reflecting the importance of the Word, the video begins with the scripture, but once it starts you can scroll back to the beginning of the service if you want.  The entire service is videoed.)

 

References

  • Mark :10:35-45

Downloads

Early Service Bulletin (10/20/2024)

Late Service Bulletin (10/20/2024)

Audio

Side by Side (Scripture, Children's Moment, and sermon)