James and John told Jesus: “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” It reminds me of my little brother who would go to my mother and say, “Don’t say me ‘no.'” The statement presumes that what I want is (obviously!) the best. As Jesus had just talked about his coming suffering and death the apostles did not understand that what God wants is for the best, even if it directly counter to what I want. In our own lives we also tend to insist on our own preferred outcomes as if God’s plan isn’t smart enough. Our prayer must join that of Jesus in Gethsemane so that we will come to trust in God’s will no matter what.
MAY302018
By Church Staff
