So James and John, perceiving that the kingdom of Jesus was going to be something pretty great, wanted to make sure they got good seats. But they also foresaw that it might be awkward to ask for that and get turned down. So they asked Jesus “to do for us whatever we ask of you” (Mark 10:35). Many of us sometimes sound like that in our prayers, don’t we: please just agree in advance to give me what I’m about to ask for, Jesus, no questions asked.

I’m not sure why we would believe that it would be easy to manipulate Jesus that way. When I’m talking to Jesus, one of us is the Lord of the universe and one is not, and I’m supposed to be able to tell which one is which. With James and John, Jesus declines to sign a blank check for them; instead, he asks them what they have in mind: “What is it that you want me to do for you?” So they came out with it: “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory” (10:37). Jesus explained that they did not know what they were asking for, and wondered if they were prepared to undergo the baptism – the suffering – that he was about to experience (10:38).

James and John demonstrated that they did not understand too well by assuring Jesus that they could handle whatever that baptism might be (10:39). And then they experienced the indignation of the other ten disciples (10:41) – do you suppose they were angry at the presumption of James and John, or angry that they themselves hadn’t thought of it first?

So Jesus had to explain it to all twelve of them. Although the rest of the world is all about gaining a position where you can lord it over others, in his kingdom it would be different: they would need to live in service to one another (10:42-44). He himself had come “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (10:45). It’s a hard lesson for us to get. It would be easier to pretend it wasn’t there. But instead of ignoring it, we have to learn to put it into practice.

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We are still so eager for those exalted places, Lord. It is by your sacrifice that the world finds salvation, as you give your life to ransom the lost: then you call us to compassionate service to one another. Teach us, O Lord, to exult not in position, but in the opportunity to care for those in need.

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