The Merriam Webster definition of distraction is “something that distracts: an object that directs one’s attention away from something else.”

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will 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.”—Mark 10:32-34 NIV

This is the

warning that Jesus makes about His impending death, but the disciples did not grasp this at the time.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”—Mark 35-37 NIV

Pride is the lack of

.

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” —Mark 10:38

In the Old Testament, the cup of wine is a common metaphor for the wrath of God’s

upon human sin and rebellion.

Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed. —Isaiah 53:4-5

“We can,” they answered. —Mark 10:39

The reply of James and John was a

response full of pride and arrogance.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 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 10:39-40

Jesus, the Son of God, throughout all Scripture, is always subject to the authority and direction of the

.

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. —Mark 10:41

The other disciples fall into the same trap, the same distraction, as James and John. They pursue

through their prideful human nature.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” —Mark 10:42-44

The antidote to the distractions of pride and arrogance is

.

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”—Mark 9:33-35

By

others, we will be less distracted by our pride and arrogance.

What distracts you from following Jesus?

Have your distractions become your passions?

Has your passion for following Jesus been replaced by your distractions?

Here are three steps to help you refocus on Jesus.

1. Acknowledge your distractions
   Spend time with God in prayer and ask Him to reveal your distractions.
   

2. Give them to God
   We cannot remove the distractions by our own will and power.
   

3. Seek accountability
   Let someone know about your distractions and have check-ins with them.
   

“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.” —Mark 10:45

---

Next Week: Carols