What would old Zebedee think about these boys of his now? Would he be proud to hear they have their eyes on the upward path, aiming for impressive positions, angling for special consideration? “Hey, teacher,” they say to Jesus. “We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
For some reason, Jesus doesn’t say, “Get behind me, Satan,” this time. He doesn’t say, “You’re thinking like men and not like God.” Instead, he plays along. He knows this is a key teaching moment to benefit the entire class. “What is it you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks.
Well, they seem to have given this a good deal of thought, and immediately answer, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” I imagine Jesus shaking his head sadly as he tells them they don’t know what they are asking, how high the cost of these seats will be. They assure him they are nothing but ready and able. Bring ‘er on.
The other disciples are perturbed, maybe because they see the brothers’ self-aggrandizement and bluster. Or maybe some had these same two seats in mind for themselves and are mad not to have called first dibs on them. The whole group is unsettled and conflicted. Perfect—a plowed up field is more receptive to seed.
Jesus reminds them that rulers who lord over their subjects are common enough. People have come to expect that the bigger a person seems in the world’s eyes, the more apt that person is to be a tyrant. Striving to be above others is accepted as the norm. But being normal is not what I have in mind for you!
Do you hear what I am saying? I did not call you into this band of wandering disciples to be normal. I called you to be a new prototype. You are going to rise above the crowd, by stooping down to the lowest positions. To stand out among others, you will quietly withdraw from places of honor. To be the most important, you will serve behind the scenes. You keep getting bound up in the soul-deadening climb toward “greatness.” I am here to set you free. My life, in exchange for yours. Lower yourself and join me.
