Mark 10:35–37 (NKJV) — 35 Then 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.”
I’ve accepted Christ as Savior and now what? For James and John it was, “We want You to do for us whatever we ask.” We get excited about spending eternity in Heaven with God and we should. But what happens between accepting Christ as Savior and going to Heaven? God’s pattern in the Bible is that we must first be a servant before God.
Do we at times make superfluous requests of God? We want God to do for us what we want. James and John were concerned about position and standing. They were focusing on eternity in Heaven instead of living their lives for Christ on Earth.
Jesus answer to them was, “…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?” (Mark 10:38)
Look at those who have made it to the top in their careers. They did not start at the top. They worked hard, sacrificed, and gave their all to succeed. James and John were concerned about position and prominence. Jesus told them there must be a willingness to suffer. Being a disciple of Christ means living a life of service to God and others.
Jesus asked James and John if they could “be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with.” God asks us today, “Are we willing to be baptized with the baptism He was baptized with.” A Sunday morning worship service is all the sacrifice many are willing to make for Christ!
True followers of Christ will suffer for Christ’s sake.
True followers of Christ will be persecuted to fulfill His mission.
True followers of Christ will deny themselves and do what is necessary to carry out God’s purpose in their lives. (Luke 9:23)
The challenge given to James and John is the same challenge given to us. There should be no hesitation in accepting the challenge. We may not totally understand the challenge and what it involves. Jesus said in Luke 14:33,“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”