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This is a study in human behavior that led Jesus to explain to them what "greatness" really was. All this was brought on by the request of a mother.
Notice who made the request. It was the mother of James and John, two of the Disciples. Her name was Salome and she was the wife of Zebedee. She later would witness the crucifixion and visit the tomb for the purpose of putting oil on the body of Jesus. Here we are not told whose idea this was. Certainly she must have had the permission of her two boys as they came with her when she made the request.
Notice the request. "Command that these two sons of mine may set, one at you right hand and one at your left hand, in your kingdom." What basis would Solome have for making such a request? James and John were two of the first three chosen by Jesus. They appeared, along with Peter, to be His favorites. He called them "Sons of Thunder", which may have referred to their mother instead of the character of the two boys. He also referred to John as the "Beloved Disciple". It was into the care of John that Jesus placed His mother. So perhaps, by human standards, they should have had honored positions in Christ's Kingdom. But, if you study the dialog between there two and Jesus you discover that none of the others were reprimanded more than they were. Whom God loves, He reproves. (Rev. 3:19)
What did the request indicate about these two?
Some scholars believe that James and John had asked their mother to make this request knowing that she was one of the women that ministered to the needs of Jesus, perhaps they thought that He would not deny her this one request. If this was true, then the mother's weakness became the tool of the son's ambition. Most believe that this was an honest request by a devout mother who believed in her sons and wanted to help them in their chosen vocation.
Notice Jesus answer is directed toward the sons, not the mother, which may indicate that He knew that they were responsible for the mother's request. He said to them, "You do not know what you ask." Someone suggested that they talked as "blind men" about colors. They were totally ignorant about the Kingdom of God and about what it meant to be qualified to set on either side of Jesus in that Kingdom.
Still in their minds and not completely digested, was the recent parable concerning the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus had gone to his reward for seemingly doing nothing but being poor. They, on the other hand, had given up everything to follow Jesus, what would their reward be? Obviously the answer that Jesus had given them, had not satisfied them and the question still remained in their minds. They based their qualifications on their following Jesus and having to give up their earthly ambitions. They had not considered what qualifications Jesus might have for these positions. So Jesus knowing this asked of them, "Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?"
What was He asking? They certainly did not comprehend the qualifications nor the pain associated with the cup that Jesus must drink. Where they able, physically and emotionally, to persevere to the end? Were they able to suffer and die on the cross? Were they able to present themselves faultless as a sacrifice? Because of their lack of comprehension, they answered, "We are able." Someone has said, "Before they knew not what they asked, now, they knew not what they answered."
Jesus then pretty much summed the situation this way, "It is not for you to ask, it is not for you to know, it is not for me to give." "It shall be given to them for whom it is prepared, by the Father.
What were the other 10 Disciples doing while this dialogue was going on? They became indignant. They were angry because they had secretly had thoughts of the same thing. They felt that James and John had shown unnecessary ambition. Humility was nowhere to be found at this time. They were thinking of greatness, Jesus was thinking of service.
Notice how Jesus takes them to task, in love, in tenderness and understanding, knowing their frame, accusing them of thinking like "Gentile rulers". These rulers demand prestige on the basis of their position, this, Jesus said, will not be true of the Disciples. "He that will be great among you, must be your servant." "He that will be first among you, must be your slave." "Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve."
What did this say to them and to us? Those who will be the most respected and honored amongst us will be those who are humble and self-sacrificing. The example is Jesus. Never had there been such an example of humility. Never has there been such an example of self-sacrifice for the benefit of many. It is a wise person that can balance pride in his work with humility in his heart.
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