Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” (Matthew 20:20-21) Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” (Mark 10:35-37)
What parent doesn't want the best for their children? And if at all possible, most parents will do whatever than can to make that happen. That's nothing new. Here the mother of two of Jesus' disciples, James and John brings her sons to Jesus to ask that they receive "special treatment" over the other disciples. The problem is she, just like many of us don't realize what we're asking for, as Jesus points out: But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared [*by My Father].” (Mark 10:38-40; Matthew 20:22-23)
Despite everything Jesus had been teaching and telling the disciples for over three years, they along with most of the Jews were still looking for the Messiah to establish His kingdom on earth. Unlike most of the Jews, the disciples believed Jesus to be that Messiah, however they still didn't quite understand what He meant, that He would be crucified and the third day rise again. (Matthew 20:19; Mark 10:34; Luke 18:33) But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken. (Luke 18:34; see THE GOSPEL: Life Though Death) Because of their lack of understanding, they ignorantly ask to sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom. Jesus tells them, whether they understand it or not, that in order to have position in His kingdom, they will have to go through the same kind of "baptism" He goes through.
Baptism means a person's initiation into a particular activity or role, typically one perceived as difficult. In order to enter into Jesus' Kingdom, the disciples would have to go through many difficulties, which is what Jesus was warning them about. Jesus would be crucified on the cross. Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. (Acts 12:1-2) I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelations 1:9) John had been exiled to the island of Patmos, after an attempt to boil him to death had failed. And all the other ten disciples had gone through the "baptism" of either being crucified, beheaded, speared to death, beaten to death or stoned to death, in order to enter into Jesus' Kingdom. This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. (II Timothy 2:11-12)
We can be sure that if James and John's mother knew her sons would have to go through what they went through in order to get what she wanted for them, she wouldn't have asked, and many of us wouldn't have either. Understand, nothing is wrong with asking God to bless us, but “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9) As Jesus asked James and John, we also have to answer His question, Are we able to drink the cup that He drinks, and be baptized with the baptism that He is baptized with? ...it is for those for whom it is prepared by God the Father. For you ... received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:15-17)
And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:41-45; Matthew 20:24-28) Of course what James, John and their mother did would make the other disciples upset. Why hadn't they thought to ask the same for themselves? Why hadn't their parents thought to ask on their behalf? But Jesus used this opportunity to reiterate that being great here on earth isn't what matters, For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give.
So many of us work so hard to become great here on earth, to have the most of this world's goods, and to have positions of power and authority over others. The day is coming when all of us who have accepted Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord will receive the same inheritance He has received. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. (II Timothy 2:12) But while we are here on earth, Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. Therefore, my beloved, ...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:4-7, 12-13)
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