The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 25 July 2019 – Slow Down!
The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 25 July 2019 – Slow Down!
TOPIC: Slow Down!
READ: Mark 10:35-45 King James Version (KJV)
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
40 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.
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.
42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
THE MESSAGE:
James and John did not make their demand abruptly. They made it systematically by first telling Jesus Teacher we want you to do for us whatever we ask. Jesus being wise was not easily moved by fantasy, and did not answer them alright I will do for you whatever you ask. He waited to first know the question before knowing the answer to give them. He said what do you want me to do for you? This is unlike Herod who promised to give to Herodia’s daughter whatever she asked even half of his (Herod’s kingdom). When Herodia’s daughter asked for the head of John the Baptist, it displeased Herod, and he regretted the promise but because he had already made the promise.
If Jesus had promised to do whatever James and John would ask Him, He would have regretted the promise because the request of James and John was not Christ’s to give, but for those to whom it was prepared. Let us learn from Christ not to be quick at agreeing to proposals or too quick to make promises. No wonder James 1:29 enjoins us to be slow to speak. When James and John asked to be allowed to sit one on the left and the other on the right of Jesus in His glory, they meant to sit in the places of highest honour and prominence beside the throne. That was a display of selfishness because they did not consider the other apostles. Let us always consider others first and eschew selfishness.
Prayer: God help me not to make quick promises, help me to eschew selfishness partiality in my dealings with other people.
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