Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him (Jesus). “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” – Mark 10:35 

Sounds presumptuous of James and John when reading it, but then I thought: How many times do we approach God in this manner when praying, instead of a complete trust that He knows what is needed and is best?  James and John went on in this passage to ask for esteemed seating in Heaven.  Wow, first they want whatever they ask to be granted and then they ask for something that seems quite prestigious and self-focused. They could have at least asked for something that would benefit others like Solomon, right!  Jesus replied that what they asked was already determined/prepared by the Father, and then He goes on to speak of the importance of servant leadership in the verses that follow this request.

What a great teaching moment.  This short passage in Mark can speak much to leadership and serving in the Church today.  It reveals our potential desires for promotion and self-glorification, instead of a desire to serve in humility and love.  We sometimes see those in the Church who want recognition and leadership authority as described by Jesus in this passage (verse 42).  Another important point to note is that somewhere along the way, there was a conversation that aligned agendas to ask Jesus for esteemed seating.  This cautions us to be wary of side conversations that promote our personal agenda in ministry.  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45

(Picture:  Sunset at Panama City Beach)