Dying to Live and Giving Up a Right

20Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 21“What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” 22“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. 23Jesus said to them, “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.” (Matthew 20:20-23) Thoughts: James and John were both persecuted as Jesus was.  James died a martyr's death, while John was the only disciple (tradition says) that was not martyred though he was in exile for years on Patmos. To follow Christ we die to selves and live to God (Lk. 9:23).  Jesus has given honoring to the Father out of respect for Him.  Though they are co-equal in the godhead, This is an image for us.  We may give things up- not because we want more power, but out of respect.  It is a powerful thing to not claim more for yourself than you could.  It takes the strength of grace and self-control to not claim it all for yourself.   Prayer: Help me, Lord, give up my place for your glory.