The Request of James and John

Reading Mark 10:35-37

^35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

^36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

^37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Mk 10:35-37). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

What is that I want from God?
What is it that people around me are asking / would ask from God?
What do those desires reveal about the condition of the heart?
How does behaviour reflect those desires or fears?

For me:

Fears / lack of confidence can lead to

• procrastination with certain pastoral tasks. Need discipline to "discharge all the duties of your ministry" - like Timothy (2 Tim 4:5)
• Tend to be too soft at times when hard questions need to be asked & principles shared

Love for God & others leads to

• hard work behind the scenes
• perseverance with people when I would naturally opt out of involvement

What do I want? I want God's Kingdom to grow (Matt 6:33). This desire is enough to make me choose behaviour motivated by love instead of behaviour motivated by fear, as long as I keep conscious of it.