James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came up to him. “Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.” “What is it? I’ll see what I can do.” “Arrange it,” they said, “so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in your glory–one of us at your right, the other at your left.” Jesus said, “You have no idea what you’re asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I’m about to be plunged into?” Mark 10:35-38 (MSG)
Everything whether of great worth or worthless costs something. A great fulfilled life costs you self-denial, temporary discomfort, and delayed gratification. A failed unfulfilled life costs you the loss, regret and pain of wasted time, energy, resources and opportunity. Either way there’s a cost. So before going for anything first count the cost.
Consider the cost; see whether it’s worth it for you. Are you able to pay the cost, are you willing and ready to do so?
James and John wanted to be awarded the highest places of honor in Jesus’ glory–one of them at His right, the other at His left.”
Jesus said, “You have no idea what you’re asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I’m about to be plunged into?”
In other words Jesus intimated to them and to the rest of us that there’s a cost to whatever we want to be awarded with.
Everything God gives us is free. Walking and living in everything we have freely received from God requires that we let go of everything else that contradicts God and His ways.
For example God freely gives and leads us in victory. As long as we look to Him and allow Him to guide us, follow His counsel, do everything His way, we experience the victory but when we insist on having our own way contrary to His we won’t taste victory. The cost here is letting go of having your own way. You may look weak, a fool. Others will criticize you; your ego may be hurt.