THE LORD had given the twelve a special place in His confidences and revealing of what must be accomplished at Jerusalem, but they were slow of heart to understand. Proof of this is further shown in verse 35: “And James and John... come unto Him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.” Jesus replies: “What would ye that I should do for you?” Their reply (prompted by their mother, as we learn from Matthew) was: “Grant unto us that we may sit, one on Thy right hand, and the other on Thy left hand, in Thy glory” (v. 37). This surely was not an intelligent request and entirely out of character with what they had just been told, concerning the Lord’s sufferings before ever that day of glory should come.
The Lord must tell them, “Ye know not what ye ask.” He inquires as to their ability to drink of His cup and to be baptized with His baptism (fires of His sufferings and death). They respond that they can do so again expressing how little they knew their own hearts — for when the test came shortly thereafter they were among those who “forsook Him and fled.” What a dangerous thing pride is! Truly it is recorded: “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Prov. 16:1818Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18).
The remarkable patience and grace of the Lord is once more displayed, for He does not scold the two, but explains that it is not for Him to give positions, but that a suitable place for each faithful one will be given by the Father. The Lord continued as the true Servant — not a ruler or king — and the time was not yet come, in any event, for distributing rewards to any.
The other ten are irritated when they hear this request and express their displeasure with the two. Their own hearts were thus exposed too were they not? For the cause of dis: pleasure must only have been pride and resentment in thinking that the two had sought highest positions it the kingdom which, if granted, would place the ten in lower places. The Lord, however, uses this to give them (and us) a needful word of admonition: “Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: and whoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be administered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” v. 43-45.
Does it not remind us again of those lovely expressions concerning our blessed, lowly, Saviour? “Christ Jesus... made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil. 2:5-115Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5‑11).
May we well learn this needed lesson and seek to be more like Him serving in quietness, without pretense or vainglory, and patiently awaiting His pleasure in acknowledging that faithfulness when we are taken home to the glory.
ML-12/29/1963