Slide 2:
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward 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 hand, in your glory.”
38 But 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.” The Holy Bible : Revised Standard Version Second Catholic edition (2006), with the ecclesiastical approval of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Thomas Nelson Publishing for Ignatius Press.
Slide 3:
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 supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men 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 the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The Holy Bible : Revised Standard Version Second Catholic edition (2006), with the ecclesiastical approval of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Thomas Nelson Publishing for Ignatius Press.
Slide 4:
There is an old saying that says, “You should be careful for what you ask because you might get it.”
Mark tells the story of James and John making the request and Matthew tells the same story except James and John’s mother makes the request
James and John, like the rich man, are looking for an assurance of salvation, and not only that, but certain. places of honor (Lk. 14:7; 20:46; Mk. 12:39; Mt 23:6). Jesus didn’t ridicule them, He used the same teaching technique He used in the past by answering a question with a question, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink,”
James and John probably understood the “cup” to mean that they would also fight for the faith.
They didn’t realize that their own coming sufferings would be for their own purification and for God’s glory.
Slide 5:
“to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant,” (v. 40).
This is another clear statement of authority as it relates to the Trinity. The Father is the head, the leader of the Trinitarian family and thus the Father has already decided who will sit where.
The other apostles became indignant, offended, with James and John.
The apostles are to be humble and of service to others not to seek positions of power. We should seek to serve God and men with a truly supernatural outlook, not expecting any return.
We should serve even those who do not anticipate the service we provide for them.
Being a servant means true spiritual maturity.
In order to be of service to others we must be virtuous, not ambitious.