James and John had just asked to be on the top table at Jesus' victory banquet: to be the most senior members of His government (Mark 10:35-37).  But they had no understanding of how God works.  They did not realise that, for the Christ, the prelude to glory would be suffering (Isaiah 53:1-3).  It was the pattern of Messianic ministry: the cross comes before the glory (Luke 24:26)  It was all there in the Old Testament, but they were not thinking biblically.  Indeed, all ideas about Jesus that are not shaped by God's Word will inevitably miss the mark.

The questions about the cup and baptism should have got a ‘No’ answer. The 'cup' was the metaphor for suffering, and 'baptism' was about being overwhelmed: the Passion of Jesus was for Him alone to endure.  It sounded brave (but in a foolhardy way) for them to volunteer to share it with Him (Mark 14:31); but showed that they had not understood God's salvation plan. Neither could they envisage the persecution they would personally encounter (John 15:20-21), so Jesus warns them that although His suffering was unique to Him, theirs would be unique to them.  Importantly, Jesus refuses to enter any private bargain with even the closest of His followers. He will not decide anything independently of His Father; He cannot 'do a deal' outside of His Father's will (John 5:19).

Jesus did respond to the original request (Mark 10:37).  It was a ‘No’. The arrangement of heaven was for the Father to decide.  But when Jesus returned to the Father, He would then prepare places for all believers (John 14:1-6) according to God's foreknowledge (1 Peter 1:2).  This was the last time Mark shares what Jesus taught about rewards in glory.  The topic would be shared with the churches through the apostles (1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 2 John 1:8; Revelation 22:12).

This episode flags up two false teachings we may encounter. Firstly, thinking that we can be equal partners with Christ because we are so special to Him – it is a cultish error (the saving work of the cross was for the Saviour alone ... we have no contribution to that at all).  Secondly, thinking that the Christian path will avoid all suffering for us - this is an unreal 'glory trip' that will always end in disillusionment.  The Bible teaches that Jesus suffered uniquely to bear the sins of the world, and to defeat the power of Satan: it also teaches that persecution, in some form, will always accompany true faith in Jesus (Philippians 1:29).  The good news is that suffering is not the end for the believer - glory is!  And Jesus, who has got there first, is preparing a place for us!!