"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink?" (Mark 10:38)

The two brothers, James and John, wanted to be seated to the left and right of Jesus to take part in his glory. They seem to have forgotten what Jesus has taught them along the way. “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

This time, Jesus did not criticize James and John, perhaps because their mother was present to plead their case, according to Matthew’s gospel. However, Jesus responded, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

In the end, Jesus still appreciated the brothers’ love for him, which is why he brought them along with Peter to witness many special occasions such as the transfiguration, prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter. At the Last Supper, John even leaned into Jesus’ embrace. Finally, when Jesus was on the cross, he asked John to take his own mother and take care of her.

In heaven, James and John might not be sitting alongside Jesus.  Yet their wish was already granted on their earthly journey.  “Ask and you shall receive” is indeed realized.

Besides following Him, Jesus also asked of us to “drink His cup”, so that we may become His useful instruments.