Mark 10:35-40 “Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." 36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." 38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"
39 "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."
Mark 10:35-40 is a revealing look at the presumption that still had influence in the hearts of many of those who were closest to Jesus. Jesus has been speaking to them about sacrifice and reward. He has been encouraging them that the reward of the sacrifice they have made for Him will be great while at the same time seeking to present them with a sobering realization of the distance between the sacrifice that they have made and the one He has made and will make. It is in the midst of this context that James and John come to Jesus with one of the more seemingly arrogant requests found in scripture.
James and John come to the Lord in the midst of this setting and present a statement that is either incredibly bold or incredibly presumptive, “We want you to do whatever we ask.” This would seem like an intensely selfish request except for the instruction of Christ that He has given them concerning prayer on a number of occasions. In Mt. 18:19; 21:12, Mk. 11:24, Jn. 14:13 and other places Jesus has taught them that whatever they ask for in faith believing will be done for them. This bold request seems to be a reflection of a misinterpretation on their part rather than a reflection of complete arrogance.
Were this request completely offensive to the Lord it is filled with such self-interest that it would seem that He would have responded with a greater sense of correction and intensity. Instead, there is a more gentle correction about the way the Lord responds to this request. Where we might have strongly rebuked, Jesus instead re-directs their hearts with sobering reality! “You don’t know what you are asking!” How often this is the case in the prayer lives of the saints? We ask for so many things that have no foundation in the wisdom and will of God. Like the disciples, do we really know what we are asking?
The response of the Lord does not imply that they should not ask for great things. It is as if His answer is saying “YOU HAVE LEARNED TO ASK BIG. NOW LEARN TO ASK RIGHTLY!” This passage is a reflection of the need to not only pray with faith but to pray according to the will of God. Jesus does not rebuke presumption. He corrects their understanding of prayer instead! Jesus emphasizes the need for understanding in regard to our prayers in a powerful way in this passage. In Eph. 1:17 Paul develops this concept further in his letter to the Ephesians where He says “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Prayer that is rooted in understanding the will and purpose of God is powerful prayer!
No comments:
Post a Comment