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James and John- “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 

Jesus- “What is it you want me to do for you?” 

J and J- “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 

                 and Jesus wept, or facepalmed.

What part of "if you want to be my follower you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me, do you not understand?"

The verses immediately before this request is another one of Jesus' "Passion Predictions" where he, again, tells his followers that he is going to Jerusalem where he will be handed over, be mocked and flogged, and be killed, and three days later rise again. (BTW- this was following the THIRD Passion Prediction!)

Then again, they didn't get it.

The first time (Mark 8: 31-33) Jesus spoke of what was coming, Peter rebuked him. 

The second time (Mark 9:30-32) Jesus said it, the disciples responded by arguing over which one of them was the "greatest" and asking Jesus to tell other people who weren't part of them to stop doing deeds of power in Jesus' name.

Then this third time, James and John want places of glory.

They just didn't get it.

Jesus wasn't about power and might and forcing anything.

He was about giving and serving and loving people into new life.

THAT is what we are called into as followers of Jesus Christ. It is to let go of power, and embrace service.

To work against hate, and spread love. That we accept grace, and give it.

All of that means denying yourself, taking up a cross, and following Jesus to your neighbors in love.

Will you?

 

Photo: Junkyardwisdom.com. Original artist unknown