Listen

James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

They said, “Allow one of us to sit on your right and the other on your left when you enter your glory.”

Mark 10:35-37

Think

Whew! Those are some bold requests from James and John. First, they want Jesus to do whatever they ask. That takes some courage! Then, they go on to ask Jesus to give them essentially the best seats in the house when the moment of glory finally arrives.

As grandiose as their dream seems to be, their request is so very small. They seek the earthly glory of sitting at Jesus’ right and left, when the heavenly glory Jesus offers is so much greater: living as those who have been forgiven, claimed, and sent to be proclaimers of the message of hope Jesus brings.

How often do we do this same thing? How often do we come to Jesus with what we believe are grand requests that, in fact, are so very small?

Jesus is open to hearing what James and John want to ask of him, as Jesus is of all of us. Thankfully, as we will see, Jesus is also not afraid to refuse our requests, with the intent of offering us something even greater than we could imagine.

Jennifer Christenson

Pray

God of all things, too often I am thinking too small when it comes to all you have to offer. Help me to be open to the true glory you wish to give me. Amen.

Go

Servant of God, you are loved, you are holy, and you are worthy.

Now, go in peace, in humility, and in joy to serve the Savior who humbled himself for you.