Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

7 March 2025

Reading From Mark 10:32-52

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

“We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 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.”

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.  Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

—Mark 10:35-45

     The presumptuous manner with which James and John approached Jesus with their request reminds me of a church member who contributes large sums of money and therefore expects the church leadership to do their bidding.  What a prideful and disgusting approach!  They were not prepared for the answer our Savior gave them.  I’m sure that when Jesus referred to drinking the cup and being baptized they thought He meant drinking wine and being dunked in water.  What He was most likely referring to was the cup of martyrdom and the baptism of the fires of hardship and persecution. 

     I have not discovered in my reading and study of the Scriptures who the individuals will be that the Father has designated to sit at the left and right hand of Jesus Christ, but I do know that all those who have been born again will rule and reign with the Lord in the New Heaven and the New Earth.  II Timothy 2:12 reveals, “if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us.”[1]  We will also judge with Christ.  I Corinthians 6 speaks of believers needing to use wisdom and knowledge given to them by the Lord to settle disputes among ourselves.  “Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!”[2]  Our discipleship, sanctification and spiritual growth are in preparation for special roles in the afterlife as we function in the power and authority given to us by Jesus.[3]

     As we grow and progress in our roles of prophets and prophetesses, priests and priestesses, kings and queens, we are to carefully follow the example of Jesus Christ.  His servant leadership is the model for us.  We are not to be heavy handed or harsh as we minister His love and the message and ministry of reconciliation to others.  Even as we bring correction and rebuke, we are commanded to speak the truth in love and bear the fruit of the Spirit in all our dealings.  If we exercise our spiritual gifts but do not bear good spiritual fruit, we will do more harm than good.  Our aim should be to do the most good possible and build up the Kingdom of God upon the Earth, a Kingdom of light, love and truth.

“Lord Jesus, forgive us of our pride, selfish ambition, and harsh heavy handedness.  Wash us clean by Your blood.  Fill us to overflowing with Your love and the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Teach us to share Your love and message with gentleness and humility.  Help us to follow Your perfect example of life and godliness.  We love You Lord Jesus.  May Your love flow through us and into the lives around us even when loving them seems difficult.  Nothing is too difficult for You.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

—Revelation 20:4

---

[1] See also Revelation 3:21, 20:4,

[2] I Corinthians 6:3

[3] Matthew 16:19, 28:16-20