Mark 10:35-45
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.”
38 But Jesus said to them, “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?”
39 They said to Him, “We are able.”
So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
We think bad things about the Pharisees for their "show off" attitudes and lack of humility. But the disciples did not really act much better at times. The only difference was that while the Pharisees want to "show off" in front of men, the disciples were concerned about their place and position in heaven. They did not realize that they were acting in the same ways as the Pharisees.
Christ desires that we all learn to humble ourselves both at prestigious gatherings, and in areas of life. Jesus reminded His followers that the really important people are those who wait on tables because they have learned to serve others. (Luke 22:24-30) Serving others is the highest calling of life, for it comes from a heart of love.
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.”
38 But Jesus said to them, “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?”
39 They said to Him, “We are able.”
So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
We think bad things about the Pharisees for their "show off" attitudes and lack of humility. But the disciples did not really act much better at times. The only difference was that while the Pharisees want to "show off" in front of men, the disciples were concerned about their place and position in heaven. They did not realize that they were acting in the same ways as the Pharisees.
Christ desires that we all learn to humble ourselves both at prestigious gatherings, and in areas of life. Jesus reminded His followers that the really important people are those who wait on tables because they have learned to serve others. (Luke 22:24-30) Serving others is the highest calling of life, for it comes from a heart of love.