20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20)
This mother of the two disciples is sincere in her request - and respectful. She kneels before Jesus as she asks. What mom doesn't want the best for her sons? Jesus then asks them if they are up to the task, to which they respond in the affirmative. Jesus does not agree with their ability (for it is only by His grace they will be able to do so), but He does predict they will remain faithful to the death. He did not say who would or would not be at His right hand, and was not willing to answer who would. What He does do is define "greatness" in the Kingdom. Greatness is Christlike service, sacrificial service, loving serving. In this account, we also see the other ten disciples jump all over the two for even asking the question, but Jesus points out we all struggle with wanting to be in the limelight, receiving the glory, and having something to brag about. These two (and their mom) just were honest and sincere enough to say it out loud. So let's do something great today! Let's see how we can serve one another in love.
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