Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. Matthew 20:20-22

 Over and over again we talked about humbling ourselves as Christians, Jesus told us to “deny ourselves and carry our crosses” (Matthew 16:24) However the Zebedee brothers did not seem to get the memo, in fact they had their mother make a special request to Christ, to have one of her sons to sit at the right hand of Jesus. The fact that somebody would ask this, would indicate they either didn’t know what they are requesting or they are very arrogant with pride. 

Notice Jesus’ response “You don’t know what your asking” no offense mother Zebedee, but your totally out of your mind. However this shows you how our own human pride and ego can be so dangerous to think we could even comprehend a position of this authority. To sit at the right hand of Christ, would elevate yourself to almost a God-like position. Christ asked “Are you able to drink of the cup I shall drink”? Now I’m going to assume they had no idea what Jesus was referring to, however we know Christ it talking about his position as the Son of God, to lay down his life for the sins of the world, and then resurrect defeating death forever

Nobody can even come close to being able to sit at the right hand of Christ , however our human pride and egos want us to believe that. Notice the Zebedee brothers response “We are able”, these guys are Apostles, however their sinful flesh has overtaken them. Nobody is able or worthy except Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords

And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:23-28

Many ask why are there so many different Church denominations? Well look here, the 12 Apostles are already being divisive, as the Zebedee brothers tried to elevate themselves greater than all the Apostles, this obviously caused alot of friction between the disciples. As the scriptures say “They (Apostles) were moved with indignation” what is happening? The Zebedee brothers were putting their will and pride ahead of Gods, we must remain in God’s will to receive God’s blessings. 

Jesus summed it up when he said “The Son of Man came not to be served (ministered) but to serve (minister) and give his life as a ransom for many” Think about that, God in the flesh came to give his life for his elect. Christ didn’t look to exalt himself but he humbled himself to the cross to save us from our sins! Amen!