“…but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared." (Mark 10:40)
Jesus told James and John that he did not have any authority to grant them the seats to sit either his right or his left. It was a little suspicious that Jesus who had an equal spiritual power with God had said such word. If we precisely read this sentence we come to know that it does not mean he does not have such authority but it rather means that the seats have already been decided. Or the seats will be given to the right person. However, the fact is that Jesus limited himself saying, “not for me to grant”.
This part is very important in our Christian faith. Jesus whom we believe as the son of God came down to this world by giving up his glory in heaven. He gave up his transcendental power and lived in this world with a helpless limited human body. The crucifixion simply revealed his absolute helplessness. He is the very savior of ours, the Lord of second coming and God.
In his the masterpiece “The crucified God” Moltmann theologically explains this fact. The crucifixion of Jesus is, in other words, the crucifixion of God. Jesus’ helplessness indicates God’s helplessness. God is sitting at the same humble place where Jesus is sitting. This is Christian faith to know the secret of history that the lowest place has become the highest place and the helplessness has become the most powerful being through Jesus Christ.
Christmas is just near at the door. Christmas is the right day to unfold the secret of incarnation that comes in this world. A manger is the place to reveal the failure in the cross and the victory of resurrection. This paradox is a real power in our Christian life. I pray that the mystery of Christmas may be with you all.
Jesus told James and John that he did not have any authority to grant them the seats to sit either his right or his left. It was a little suspicious that Jesus who had an equal spiritual power with God had said such word. If we precisely read this sentence we come to know that it does not mean he does not have such authority but it rather means that the seats have already been decided. Or the seats will be given to the right person. However, the fact is that Jesus limited himself saying, “not for me to grant”.
This part is very important in our Christian faith. Jesus whom we believe as the son of God came down to this world by giving up his glory in heaven. He gave up his transcendental power and lived in this world with a helpless limited human body. The crucifixion simply revealed his absolute helplessness. He is the very savior of ours, the Lord of second coming and God.
In his the masterpiece “The crucified God” Moltmann theologically explains this fact. The crucifixion of Jesus is, in other words, the crucifixion of God. Jesus’ helplessness indicates God’s helplessness. God is sitting at the same humble place where Jesus is sitting. This is Christian faith to know the secret of history that the lowest place has become the highest place and the helplessness has become the most powerful being through Jesus Christ.
Christmas is just near at the door. Christmas is the right day to unfold the secret of incarnation that comes in this world. A manger is the place to reveal the failure in the cross and the victory of resurrection. This paradox is a real power in our Christian life. I pray that the mystery of Christmas may be with you all.
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