Not Mine to Give - Mark 10:40

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”, and in chapter ten and verse forty of his book, Mark shared how Jesus responded, “to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give” where we read:

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.

The verse reads, “But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give;” Mark began with the words, “But to sit” which means “however, nevertheless, moreover and to be seated” “on my right hand” or “at Jesus' right hand of authority” “and on my left hand” or “and of Jesus' left hand of power” “is not mine to give” which means “is not Jesus' to be granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied”. Mark shared how Jesus told “James and John” that He was not the One to bestow upon people who would be “seated” at His “right and left hand”.

The verse goes on to say, “but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.” Mark continued with the words, “but it shall be given” which means “however it will be granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied” “to them for whom it is prepared” or “to the people to whom the seats of authority are made ready and prepared”. Mark shared how the “seats of authority” at Jesus' “right and left hand” will be “bestowed” upon the people for whom they are “prepared”.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus knew His Heavenly Father would grant the “seats of authority” beside Jesus to the ones He chooses to be there. God the Father wants everyone to be with Him in His Kingdom through a relationship with His Son Jesus, and when they yield their lives to Him, He will decide their position throughout all eternity. Those who are wise will submit to Jesus and let God decide their place in the wonderful Kingdom of God.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus' other disciples, “began to be much displeased with James and John”, 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".