You Know Not What You Ask - Mark 10:38

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”, and in chapter ten and verse thirty-eight of his book, Mark shared how Jesus responded, “you know not what you ask” where we read:

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?

The verse reads, “But Jesus said unto them, You know not what you ask: can you drink of the cup that I drink of?” Mark began with the words, “But Jesus” which means “however, nonetheless, nevertheless, moreover and Jesus whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of the world and God incarnate” “said unto them” or “uttered, declared, proclaimed and answered James and John”, “you know not what you ask” or “James and John you do not perceive, notice, discover or discern what you are begging for, craving, desiring and requiring”: “can you drink of the cup” which means “are you, James and John, capable of imbibing from the drinking vessel” “that I drink of” or “that Jesus Himself imbibes from”? Mark shared how Jesus told “James and John” they did not know what they were asking for, and He questioned whether they were capable of experiencing the same joyous or adverse, favorable or unfavorable divine appointments He would “experience” Himself.

The verse goes on to say, “and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” Mark continued with the words, “and be baptized” which means “and be immersed and submerged” “with the baptism” or “with the same immersion and submersion” “that I am baptized with” which refers to “that Jesus was immersed and submerged within”? Mark shared how Jesus also questioned James and John as to whether they would be able to be “immersed and submerged” with the same experience He was to face.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see Jesus acknowledge James and John's question, however, they had no idea about the “price” that would be paid to obtain those positions for which they asked. Jesus was to endure torture, beatings, floggings and crucifixion, and it was extremely doubtful that His disciples would endure these things at least in this point in their ministry. God the Father desires to have a relationship with people through His Son Jesus, and because Jesus “paid the price” for the sins of the world, no one needs to pay them anymore. All that is required is for a person to “rely upon, cling to and trust in” Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and they shall receive His gift of “age abiding life” not only in this life, but also in the life to come.

Next time Mark shares how James and John answered, “we can” , 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".