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Mark 10:37
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Greatness Is Serving

35 aThen James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”  
36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”
38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the acup that I drink, and be baptized with the bbaptism that I am baptized with?”  
39 They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, a“You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;  
40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those afor whom it is prepared.”  
41 aAnd when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John.  
Commentaries:
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What Does Mark 10:37 Mean?



Mark 10:35-37

Matthew writes that their mother, Salome, made the request, but Mark records that James and John did the asking. There are perhaps three ways we can look at this:

First, Salome may have been trying to ensure her sons received the recognition or position she thought they deserved, perhaps selfishly overlooking the others. James and John were certainly of age to speak for themselves. Why did their mother have to do it? It is something to weigh in terms of their thunderous zeal. Were they at this point hiding behind Mom?

Second, they selfishly sought the position for themselves without regard for the other disciples. Intent on securing their place beside Christ, they were arrogantly playing "climb the ladder" over the backs of their fellows. This could account for both Jesus' reply concerning their being willing to suffer as He did and the other disciples' displeased reactions.

Third, and more plausible, they were truly zealously dedicated to serving Christ, and they were willing to do whatever it took. Speaking of James, he appears to have been a man who was ready and willing to undertake whatever task was called for, as evidenced by his martyrdom. It also seems that he did not mind taking a back seat, perhaps to his younger brother John. Herbert Lockyer, in All the Apostles of the Bible, describes James as one who was "resolute, vigorous, active and forceful, while John was contemplative, intuitive and reflective." James and John do not appear to have been selfish, but men of action ready to meet a challenge. Perhaps we could compare them to athletes who have the mindset that they should be the one batting in the bottom of the ninth down by a run with a man on base, two outs, and two strikes—ready for the challenge!

Ronny H. Graham
Sons of Thunder (Part Two)


 
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