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.”
I remember the chief baker when he heard what was told to the chief cup bearer. The chief baker was enthused and desired to have his dream recounted to him. Here the sons of Zebedee desire to get their places secured ahead of the rest of the disciples. The disciples are not so enthused to hear it.
Jesus is not even that excited to hear it. Jesus reminds them again in not so plain language that they will have to enter into suffering with him in order to sit at his right and left. But then further reminds him of his instruction on not desiring to be the greatest. The Christ comes to humble himself before all people. The disciples must also learn to become servants not masters.
Many of us desire power and glory, but a wise man once said, "All those who gain power are afraid to lose it." Therefore, people brutally use their power to force others to submit to them. The Gentiles lord their power over people, but Jesus desires people to be servants to each other.
Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He shows his power and authority not by destroying people, but by sacrificing himself for them. He sacrifices his own life so that you may have life. He takes on the pain and suffering of his people. He truly becomes a servant to all.
Jesus is not even that excited to hear it. Jesus reminds them again in not so plain language that they will have to enter into suffering with him in order to sit at his right and left. But then further reminds him of his instruction on not desiring to be the greatest. The Christ comes to humble himself before all people. The disciples must also learn to become servants not masters.
Many of us desire power and glory, but a wise man once said, "All those who gain power are afraid to lose it." Therefore, people brutally use their power to force others to submit to them. The Gentiles lord their power over people, but Jesus desires people to be servants to each other.
Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He shows his power and authority not by destroying people, but by sacrificing himself for them. He sacrifices his own life so that you may have life. He takes on the pain and suffering of his people. He truly becomes a servant to all.
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