Mark 10:35-45 NRSVue

³⁵James 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.” ³⁶And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” ³⁷And they said to him, “Appoint us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” ³⁸But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” ³⁹They replied, “We are able.” Then 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, ⁴⁰but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to appoint, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

⁴¹When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. ⁴²So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. ⁴³But it is not so among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. ⁴⁵For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.”

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
This lovely dialogue leads us deep into Jesus' way of teaching. It starts with the sort of untamed desire that lies behind many of our prayers. Jesus leads James and John into the implications of what they are asking. He does not throw suffering at them, but invites them to share his cup.

Reflection
Invite me too, Lord. I would prefer to serve with you than to sit on a throne.