35Later James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with a request: "Teacher, would You do for us whatever we ask of You?"36"What do you want Me to do for you?" Jesus asked.37"When You come into Your glory, let us sit on either side of You," they replied.38Jesus told them: "You don't understand the implications of what you are asking. Are you able to drink the same cup of sacrifice that I drink? Can you be immersed in the kind of rejection and suffering that will immerse me?"39"Yes, we can. We are willing to do that," they answered. Jesus told them: "Yes, you will have to drink the cup I drink; you will have to sacrifice yourselves for My sake. And even as I must suffer so you will be immersed in suffering, the cost of your faithfulness.40However, it is not My prerogative to decide who should sit either side of Me in the glory that is to come. Those places have already been prepared for those to whom they are assigned."Leaders to have servant hearts41The other ten disciples were indignant with James and John when they heard about their request.42So Jesus called them all together and told them: "You know well that those who are thought of as leaders among the nations rule with oppression. The leading officials exalt themselves and suppress the people.43-44This is not how you are to lead or rule; you belong to God's Kingdom. No, those of you who want to become leaders must have servant hearts; those who want the highest positions must live as devoted slaves of God.45For even I, the Son of Man, did not come to be served by others, but to serve them and to give My life for them in order that by My sacrifice many would be able to belong to God eternally."
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)