RESCUER
[Jesus said,] "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over ... and they will condemn Him to death ... And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise." And James and John ... said to Him, "Grant us to sit, one at Your right hand and one at Your left, in Your glory." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to Him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at My right hand or at My left is not Mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." (Mark 10:33b-35a, 37-40)
It was kind of Jesus to rescue James and John from themselves. How could they know that when they asked to sit by Him in His glory, they were actually asking for the spots next to Him at His crucifixion?
Jesus knew it. And He didn't mock them for their greedy request, but took the opportunity to remind them once again why He came: "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
Jesus has rescued us, too—every one of us who trusts in Him to give us life and peace with God. He died and rose for us, that we might be with Him always.
WE PRAY: Lord, let me be with You forever. Amen.
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