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Mark 10 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Request of James and John

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 

REFLECTION

  1. Jesus didn’t laugh or getting angry at James or John, but He did reject their requests.  We may want to ask for anything from God, but God wants to give us the best and not just anything we asked for.  So, it’s for our good that He may reject our requests.
  2. Take a time to reflect.  Is there any prayer request of yours that God still hasn’t answered, or has refused?  Right now, offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God, for He has or will have given you the best.
  3. In the kingdom of Christ, “serving” is the way to success.  This is the model Christ left us.  Prayer is one of the services for believers.  Make this your prayer for today and always: “Lord, help me to pray faithfully daily for pastors, the church, our community, needs of brothers and sisters.”

 
PRAYER

Lord, thank You for speaking to me personally through today’s scriptures, admonishing me that being Your disciple is for serving and that I will be willing to pay the price. You are the Son of the living God, with a position of incomparable honour, but you came into the world in the form of a servant, humble and meek, and a servant of all. Lord, I would like to follow Your example, willing to bear Your burden, bear Your yoke, take up Your cross, and follow You. Only by doing this can I receive Your reward and have abundant life, because You have said that those who want to gain life will lose it, and those who lose their life for Your Word will gain life instead. Lord, please give me the extraordinary vision to understand what is most precious. Amen!

 
HYMN
Hear Our Prayer – youtu.be/t0aOG9AKbwg