” ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ [Jesus] asked. They replied, ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.’ ” (Mark 10:36-37)
You’ll need to read yesterday’s devo to catch up with this story. If you thought the brothers’ approach to Jesus with their request was manipulative, it gets worse. What they mean when they ask to sit on his right and left in His glory is to be the second and third most powerful people in His kingdom. “Can we be your vice president and secretary of state?”
James and John believed Jesus was the Messiah, the son of God. But they thought that meant He was on earth to overthrow the Romans and the corrupt Jewish religious leaders and establish God’s kingdom on earth. As faithful followers during the last three years, they wanted some power when He set up shop.
It almost comes across as if they thought ruling in God’s kingdom is like calling “shotgun” to get the front passenger seat in your friend’s car. Too bad for the other 10 disciples, but we asked first! How many times do we do something similar, expecting God to give us something big we want because we’ve been following Him for a while?
Think: Have you ever thought God owed you something big because of your faithfulness to Him? Why do you think it’s so easy to get confused that following Jesus should lead to having our personal dreams come true when it lead Him to suffering and death?
Pray: Ask God to help you to be willing to follow Jesus even if the path doesn’t lead to everything you’re hoping for out of this life.
Do: Make a quick list of the things God owes you for your faithful service to Him. (It’s tricky!)