asking

³⁵ James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” ³⁶ “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. ³⁷ They said, “Allow one of us to sit on your right and the other on your left when you enter your glory.” ³⁸ Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink the cup I drink or receive the baptism I receive?” ³⁹ “We can,” they answered. Jesus said, “You will drink the cup I drink and receive the baptism I receive, ⁴⁰ but to sit at my right or left hand isn’t mine to give. It belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.” ⁴¹ Now when the other ten disciples heard about this, they became angry with James and John. ⁴² Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the ones who are considered the rulers by the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around. ⁴³ But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. ⁴⁴ Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all, ⁴⁵ for the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.” (Mark 10:35-45, CEB)

Why were the other disciples angry? Because James and John did what they were thinking?

And do James and John actually know what they are saying when they say they are able to drink the cup that Jesus will drink? Or are they ready for the baptism Jesus will get?

And honestly if we think about what we profess in our faith, through the Apostles’ Creed what John and James are asking for really takes a twist. Right? We confess that Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father. So if Jesus is sitting at the Father’s right hand, who is at Jesus’ left hand? The Father. So either James or John are taking the Father’s seat…

Yeah, ain’t none of us good enough to sit in that seat!

But Jesus says to the disciples as he says to us. None of you will get any where by wanting to have the honor seat. You get there by following me and serving every one.

Jesus came to serve and to model for us the life we are to live.

Loving People. Loving God.