Preparing His Disciples (Mark 10:32-45; Matthew 20:17-28; Luke 18:31-34).
By: Grace Tan

Jesus had now steadfastly set his face toward Jerusalem and was in haste. He walked ahead of his disciples who were “terrified and they that followed were afraid“ at the determined and solemn appearance of Jesus. Little did they realize what was ahead for all of them. Sensing their anxiety Jesus took the disciples apart and told them frankly what was to come. “The Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles; and they shall mock him, and shall spit ‘poll him, and shall scourge him, and shall kill him; and after three days he shall rise again.“ How could they believe this! It seemed so utterly unreasonable. Luke adds that “they understood none of these t kings.“

At this point in their journiey toward Jerusalem they were joined by Salome the mother of Janes and John by Zebedee. She went immediately to Jesus for a special favor. When asked what her if-quest was she replied, “Command that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy kingdom.“

In his request revealed the thinking of all the disciples about the nature is the kingdom. To them it was to he one of worldly nature where it would occupy places of honor. Each wanted to have an honorable pine when the appointments were made. They were presumptuous and tilt-m(1u in making such a request of him. His answer was that they knew what they asked. “To sit on my right hand or on my left hand to not mine to give; but it is foir them for whom it is prepared.“ What slid Hos mean to say? “Suppose there is an umpire, and many gallant ,lull, tcs entering the lists. Two of these who are intimate with him him and say; ‘Arrange that we be crowned and proclaimed
iclying on their good will and friendship with him. But he answers: ‘This is not mine to give; it is theirs for whom it has been prepared by their efforts and sweat.‘“ (St. Chrysostom.)

Then Jesus pointed out the nature of greatness in his kingdom. “Whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister; and whosoever would be first among you shall be servant of all.“ How hard it is, even today, for Christians to accept this truth.

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Please go to www.childrenstory.info. Reference: All quotation of Scriptures taken from the King James Bible Version.

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