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James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,
“Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He
replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him,
“Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the
other at your left.” Mark 10:35–37
What a bold statement from James and John. But notice the
gentleness in Jesus’ response. The other apostles, however, were
not as gentle. We read that when they heard about this request from
James and John they “became indignant” about it. In response, Jesus
explains to them all that “whoever wishes to be great among you
will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be
the slave of all.”
Our fallen human nature is regularly tempted to desire worldly
greatness, prestige, honors and admiration. We want others to think
well of us and even to envy us. But this is a sin. Recall that this
was one of the temptations that Jesus overcame in the desert. The
devil tempted our Lord by promising Him earthly rule over all the
nations. Jesus rejected this temptation and, by doing so, provides
all the grace we need to do the same.
One thing this passage reveals is that our Lord is patient with us
as we work through our sin. He was patient and gentle with James
and John while they attempted to gain places of honor next to Him.
He was patient with the indignation of the other apostles when they
struggled with envy and jealousy. And Jesus will be patient with us
as we work through the sins that most tempt us.
In addition to His patience, Jesus also provides us with the tools
we need to overcome our own temptations. One tool Jesus provides us
with is truth itself. Jesus’ truth, found in His many teachings and
in the example He set, is often contrary to the wisdom of our age
and the tendencies we experience within our fallen human nature. In
fact, we can be certain that almost every tendency and desire we
will experience in life will be disordered to a certain extent.
This is because our human nature itself is disordered on account of
original sin. The only way to reorder our desires and tendencies is
to turn to the clear and profound truths our Lord has given
us.
Regarding the desire for worldly honors and greatness, Jesus
provides the truth spoken above: “whoever wishes to be great among
you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will
be the slave of all.” Do you desire to be a servant? And to go even
further, do you desire to be the slave of all? Hopefully you do,
but most likely you do not.
The reordering of our desires and tendencies begins by gently
confronting them with the truth Jesus spoke. It is helpful to see
Jesus speak these words to us with all gentleness and love, just as
He did to the apostles. Facing the truth within our fallen human
nature does not have to be difficult. We only make it difficult
when we refuse to admit our disorders. In reality, conversion of
our hearts and the reordering of our desires can be a gentle,
peaceful and even joyful process if we allow our Lord to speak to
us in the way He spoke to the apostles. Of course, when we become
obstinate, self-righteous, or remain in denial, our Lord will
become more severe and we will experience the pain of our sin. But
when we face the truth with openness and with a willingness to let
grace change us, we will convert more quickly and will experience
the joy and freedom that the embrace of the truth
bestows.
Reflect, today, upon the disordered desires of these apostles.
Reflect, also, upon Jesus’ gentle correction of them. As you do,
look into your own soul and seek to discover the disordered desires
and tendencies that Jesus wants to reorder within you. Do not be
afraid to face the gentle and freeing truths that our Lord wants to
speak to you. Listen to Him, be open, and wisely accept what He
says to you so that you will be free and will experience the joys
that await.
My freeing Lord, You speak all Truth clearly and gently. You
desire to enter my life, reveal my sin, and help me to overcome it.
Please give me the grace I need to always listen to You and to
allow Your words to change my life. Please free me from every
disordered desire and tendency in my life, dear Lord, so that I can
experience the joy of true freedom. Jesus, I trust in You.
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Featured images above: Christ meeting the wife and the sons
of Zebedee By Paolo Veronese, via Wikimedia Commons
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