Jesus. : Trusting Jesus First, Only, Now, and AlwaysSýnishorn

James and John were brothers. Jesus called them “Sons of Thunder,” probably because they had strong personalities and were passionate—to a fault—about God’s kingdom (Mark 3:17; Luke 9:51-56). James and John were also two of the Twelve disciples Jesus chose to help Him in His ministry in a special way.

James and John knew Jesus was the Messiah, but they didn’t understand what kind of Messiah Jesus planned to be. In this story, James and John still thought Jesus would be a political leader and deliver the Jews from Roman oppression. They asked Jesus to make them His right and left hand men when and if that happened. Jesus was kind and patient with James and John. Instead of scolding them for wanting power, He told them they didn’t understand what they were asking—most of us don’t.

The “cup” Jesus was about to drink was full of deep suffering. Without explaining what He meant, Jesus asked the brothers if they could drink from the same cup. They assured Him they could. They were probably feeling confident because Jesus had already included them in a few private events that nine of the Twelve didn’t get to experience. In response, Jesus told them they would drink from the same cup He was about to drink from, but He would not give them the positions of authority they wanted. God had already given those positions to other people. Before Jesus died, resurrected, and went back to Heaven, He told His disciples how difficult things would get for them and encouraged them to stay faithful no matter what. James and John took His words to heart.

Jesus did not turn out to be the political leader James and John wanted Him to be or give them what they wanted, but James and John followed Jesus anyway. After Jesus was killed, resurrected, and went back to Heaven, they became leaders in the early church. James was killed for his faith in Jesus, but that didn’t keep John from doing the job Jesus had given him to do. He stayed strong to the end and is now experiencing his reward for remaining faithful. If we love Jesus like he did, we will, too.