All of our various forms of personalities shape our ability to give to our families, community and work and in all of these our work in the kingdom of God. I could say – for better or worse – for they give us both strengths and weaknesses.

Mark chapter ten describes a particular instance where the Sons of Thunder were rebuked for their misguided ambition to sit at the right and left side of Jesus when He entered His kingdom. There is a thought that in following Jesus, we may want to curb those excesses of our personality such as those of James and John. However, is it not a scary sight to see some Christians setting up particular personality traits as a universal model? What about the traits that make you really good at work and yet somehow you feel guilty about them or at least marginalized when you are in church. Trying to be something I am not, or trying to fit in, is a problem, for it not only leaves me feeling like I am faking but others see the inauthenticity too. So when I think about the direction of imitating Jesus and our Godly leaders, I think not so much of personalities but of virtue. Look at all the personalities surrounding Jesus. He used all those personalities to reach the world with the gospel.

The Sons of Thunder gave the perfect lesson on the virtue of suffering, sacrifice, and serving. This is the way for those who want to follow Jesus. It is a rebuke on selfish seeking and a nod towards selfless service.

A little bit off topic, but Mark chapter 10 also shares the story of Bartimaeus. His healing was a bit different from others recorded for he got up from where he was and followed Jesus as He went on His way. He was also one who was named, was that because he become a disciple? Mark does not record any more healing after this one. The cross is but a week away and Bartimaeus is following. He does what is hardest to do when it was the most difficult time to be a disciple. If we knew more about the story I am sure we would not be forgetting him so easily.