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"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.”
Mark 10:35

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We often pray and ask to draw closer to Jesus. As the saying goes, "Be careful of what you ask for". Do we really know what it means to be close to Jesus? For instance. Do you know what it feels like to be falsely accused, beaten and humiliated in front of an audience? Not by your enemies but by those who you love, serve, and respect? Matthew 26:62-67 I once was placed under a leader who no matter how hard I tried, I could not do anything that truly met his perfect approval. He believed that I was prideful and in any and every opportunity to do so, he would tear me down both privately and openly. This particular time was the absolute worse. He accused me of something that I believed in my heart I did not do. I said, “I thought I did it right, but if you said I did it wrong then I am sorry.” He became angry. I went to him publicly to apologize and, in front of the entire audience, he latched out at me yelling, putting me down, comparing me to his assistant, made sure everyone knew I was considered less than, yelled out things he believed I had done wrong, shouted how everyone, including children, are being promoted and that he would never promote me, and then dismissed me. And I continued to serve. Why?
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In Matthew Chapter 10 Jesus was training, instructing, and preparing His disciples for ministry. As we study the scriptures we see that Jesus was always preparing them for what they will and must go through. He told them in Matthew10:16-18 “ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.”

Then as it neared the time of His death it was like Jesus was saying to them and also to us, now take note, this is how what I taught you will look like.

“And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem ; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.” Mark 10:32-34 And it came to pass. Matthew 26:57, Mark 14:63-64, Mark 15:1, Mark 15:15-20.

Remeber be careful of what you ask for. While trying to prepare them, James and John, His inner circle, two of the three that Jesus allowed closest to Him, asked:

“….Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 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.” Mark 10:35

Their minds were only on themselves, this world and what it had to offer them being linked to somebody famous and about to become King of kings. Their mistakes are the same as ours. We sometimes believe that being linked and close to Jesus, our Pastors, and Great Leaders of God, means the riches of houses, money and fame not realizing God's true riches are His people. While still teaching and training his disciples, Jesus explained this after Peter expressed his loyality to Jesus and how close he was to Him. Jesus said it in Matthew 16:24-26. But their eyes were still on an earthly kingdom.

[The Living Bible commentary: When James and John asked Jesus for the places of honor next to him in his Kingdom, he told them they didn't know what they were asking (Mark 10:35-39). Now that Jesus was preparing to inaugurate his Kingdom through his death, the places on his right and on his left were taken by dying men-criminals. This illustrates that Jesus' death is for all people. As Jesus explained to his two power-hungry disciples, a person who wants to be close to Jesus must be prepared to suffer and die as he himself was doing. The Way to the Kingdom is the Way of the Cross.]

“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? 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: 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.” Mark 10:38-40

Jesus was saying, "Take note this is what I taught you looks like":

“And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary , there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” Luke 23:32-33

It is one thing to read books, study the Word, go through training but another thing to see and experience what you have been taught personally and right before your eyes. The place to sit at the right hand and left hand in glory, you best believe it is for the prepared.

“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Beaten raw and hanging on the Cross, Jesus was ridiculed to the very end. Matthew 27:39-44 He did not address the mocker nor focused on His own pain as we somtimes do..."And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Jesus was prepared (through all the many attacks and beatings) remained focus, and readily received the repented thief into glory. Luke 23:40-43 Which teaches us that all the false accusations, rumors, gossip, mockery and humiliation prepares us to remain focus. Proverbs 15:33

[Living Bible: 'This illustrates that Jesus' death is for all people. As Jesus explained to his two power-hungry disciples, a person who wants to be close to Jesus must be prepared to suffer and die as he himself was doing.'] We too will be falsely accused, ridiculed, mocked talked about, yes and maybe even spit on for Jesus sake. Why? So that sinners can receive what He offers to all. We too will travel the same way to our cross, being prepared, trained, and strengthened to stand between two set of sinners, those who will reject and those who will receive. What Jesus was saying to James and John and is saying to us today, "Don't worry about your seat on the right hand or the left, your place is the cross. AMEN!!! For truly ['The Way to the Kingdom is the Way of the Cross'].

God says, “__________________ (insert your name) consider My Son who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself. For if you don't pay close attention to the scriptures and the training you will become weary and faint and check out. His joy was My joy, My riches, His riches which is the salvation of My people. Because of that joy that was set before him He remained focus, endured the cross, despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Allow the beatings, the false witness, and the humiliation to strengthen you to enter the true Kingdom. Your place of honor is signed, sealed and delivered. 2 Timothy 2:12

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After my public latching, still trying to keep my head up, I watched the faces that were in shock, some in pity, and later even observed the assistant trying to contain her laugher. In the midst there were some who were happy and during the latching, shouted some words of their approval, "That's right!, Amen!" Mark 15:13. I went back to my seat and went on to my duties serving the same people who ridculed me. 1 Peter 2:18-20 Afterwards as I drove home I could not contain my tears. I got home went into my room and cried out to the Lord, “Why?!!! Why?!!!! Why?!!!” 1 Peter 2:22-24 Little did I know this was training ground. I did not realize to be close to Jesus I had to be prepared to suffer and die as he himself did.Philippians 3:10 My place was not on his right nor was it on his left, my place was my own cross. Luke 9:23
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