Disciples Displeased with James and John - Mark 10:41

Mark wrote how Jesus' disciples James and John came to Him saying, “Master, we would that you should do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would you that I should do for you?They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on your right hand, and the other on your left hand, in your glory. But Jesus said unto them, You know not what you ask: can you drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, You shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall you be baptized. But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared”, and in chapter ten and verse forty-one of his book, Mark shared how Jesus responded, “began to be much displeased with James and John” where we read:

And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

The verse reads, “And when the ten heard it, ...” Mark began with the words, “and when the ten” which means “and at the time and moment the other ten disciples” “heard it” or “were given the faculty of hearing, perceived, noticed and discerned what James and John asked Jesus for”. Mark shared how the remaining “ten disciples” of Jesus “heard” what James and John were discussing with Jesus concerning their positions in His Kingdom and they had the following reaction.

The verse continues, “they began to be much displeased with James and John.” Mark added the words, “they began to be much displeased” which means “Jesus' other ten disciples were indignant and greatly afflicted” “with James” or “with Jesus' disciple James whose name means supplanter” “and John” which refers to “and John whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver”. Mark shared how Jesus' other “ten disciples” were greatly aggravated and indignant over what James and John asked Jesus.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see how James and John affected the remainder of Jesus' “ten disciples”. “James and John” were maneuvering for positions of authority in Jesus' Kingdom, and they were not concerned for the other disciples. The account in the Gospel of Matthew chapter twenty tells us James and John brought their mother to Jesus so she could make their request. We can imagine the ire and division caused by the actions of “James and John”. God desires for all people to have a personal loving relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He decides positions. Jesus knows how to be great in His Kingdom and He shares it in the next verse. Suffice it for now to understand the most beneficial position with Jesus and others is a humble one, and the wise person will submit themselves to Jesus' way.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus taught His disciples, “they which are accounted to rule over the Gentile exercise lordship over them” , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".