The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 10:35-37, 41-45, “And James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Him, saying to Him, ‘Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.’

36 “And He said to them, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’

37 “And they said to Him, ‘Grant that we may sit in Your glory, one on Your right, and one on Your left.’

“And hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.

42 And calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, ‘You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.

43 “’But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;

44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.

45 “’For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’”

Don’t deny it! I’m already convinced that as sure as you’re reading this letter, you have said something like that to your parents. “Say, ‘yes,’ dad. Please!”

“Yes to what?” he asked.

“Oh, just say ‘yes,’ and I’ll tell you,” you pleaded.

Neither James nor John could have witnessed that little trick you tried to play on you dad, but they didn’t need to. They had a trick of their own. You didn’t want much; they didn’t either. They just wanted to sit in the place of prominence on either side of Jesus when He came into His Heavenly Kingdom. Not much at all, huh?

It was as selfish a question as it was impossible. Jesus said it was not His place to award seating in the Kingdom. “…it is for those for whom it as been prepared,” He said, indicating that even He did not know to whom such dignity was to be awarded.

As if that weren’t enough, the ten disciples became indignant against James and John for their even asking such a thing. Jesus’ rebuke accused them of “acting like Gentiles…, but it is not so among you.” If you want to be great, become a servant (????????, minister), He said. If you wish to be first in something, become a slave (??????, bond-servant). For even Jesus didn’t come to be served, but to serve others, “and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Just face it: some of us simply cannot be content to do the menial things the LORD has set our for us to do. We want to run the whole show! It’s not going to work unless we fall into line with His will. Besides, He never assigns menial

tasks. They’re all vitally important! What did He want you to do yesterday? What did He want you to do today? Did you do it? Don’t you know how important Jesus’ assignments are? Oh, by the way, there’s a vacant seat. It’s for you! And it w-a-y b-a-c-k on the very last row.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”