You Don’t Know What You Ask

Matthew 20:20-23

"20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” 22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink,and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” 23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; 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 by My Father.”

At the end of the previous chapter, Peter asked Jesus what he and the other disciples would receive since they gave up their livelihoods to follow Him. Jesus promised they would sit on twelve thrones in His kingdom judging the tribes of Israel. James and John were ambitious and apparently sent their mother to ask Jesus to give them the most prestigious positions. Jesus wasn’t fooled by them sending their mother. He knew they sought prominence for themselves. Consequently, when Jesus answered her request, He responded to James and John. He told them they didn’t know what they were asking for. Jesus had just said He was going to be betrayed, condemned to death, mocked, scourged, and crucified. Then He asked if they were able to suffer what He was about to go through, but the disciples didn’t understand the prophetic warning about His impending demise. They thought it would be no problem to walk in Christ’s footsteps. Jesus informed them they would indeed suffer as He was about to, but His Father would decide who would receive the esteemed positions of honor the desired.

Nearly everyone wants to be great. It’s rare to find someone who truly has no ambition to succeed or to do something noteworthy. It’s part of our human nature. Don’t fault James and John for their desire. There is no better place than in the kingdom of God to find greatness. However, they didn’t understand what greatness would cost them. James was the first of Jesus’ apostles to be martyred. John lived a long life, but according to history he was banished to the deserted island of Patmos after surviving being dipped in boiling oil. You might be ambitious and have a desire for greatness, but to be like Jesus is the greatest you could ever be. Being like Christ should be your aim. But is it? To become great, you must be willing to sacrifice. Are you prepared to make sacrifices and to suffer to obtain glory in the kingdom of heaven? If you aren’t, then maybe you aren’t fit to follow Jesus. If you are willing to follow Jesus sacrificially, then know it won’t be easy. Even if you are extremely successful, you probably won’t be sitting on Jesus’ immediate right or left. Nevertheless, you will be with Him in glory, and you will receive a place of honor prepared for you by your heavenly Father. So, know what it is you are asking for when you seek to be great.