32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Each time they journeyed closer to Jerusalem, Jesus took the disciples and continued to prepare them for what awaited Him in Jerusalem. He was going to be captured by the chief priests and scribes who were going to condemn Him to death. Because they couldn’t implement capital punishment, they were going to hand Jesus over to the Romans who would mock Him, spit on Him, beat Him, and then kill Him. And three days later He would rise again.
James and John came to Jesus with a request. They asked to be seated one on His right hand and one on His left when He sat on His throne in glory. They were looking for the most significant positions when ruling with Him in His kingdom. Jesus pointed out that they didn’t understand the requirement of suffering that leads to rewards in the kingdom. You don’t get rewarded your position in the kingdom through a granted request but through suffering. Jesus points out that His own glory would be preceded by suffering. They boldly declare that they are ready to suffer. Jesus answered that they would suffer but to grant their request of sitting at his right and left hand was up to God the Father.
When the other ten disciples heard of James and John’s request, they were indignant—probably because they wanted the same positions of honour and were likely upset they hadn’t had the boldness to ask first. Jesus reminded them that His kingdom is unlike the kingdoms of the world. In the world system those in authority lord it over those who are under them. But in Jesus’ kingdom those who lead should be the ones who serve. Those who are in front should be a slave of all. Even Jesus Himself did not come to be served but to serve everyone by giving up His life to save us.
Are you looking for positions of authority out of pride and a desire to be greater than others? Or are you looking to serve others?