Leadership through Discipleship #6

John – The Power of a Relationship
A relationship that costs

They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" (Mark 10:37-38).

The excitement of the call of Jesus left James and John with the feeling of amazement and pride. This Rabbi from Galilee had walked along the shore where they were occupied with their fishing trade working with their father and asked them to follow Him and become “fishers of men.”

From that initial introduction to the stranger from Galilee these brothers grew in their admiration and loyalty to their teacher. They became associates, then friends, and then inseparable companions. Along with the other fisherman, Peter, they formed the inner circle of three in the close-knit dozen disciples who left all to follow Jesus and learn His teaching.

Perhaps that accessibility and familiarity gave them the confidence to ask a favor of the Master. They asked for places of prominence in the coming kingdom of which they were sure Jesus had come to initiate. His response gave the first indication that this developing relationship would require a commitment beyond filling an office or finding a place of privilege. This relationship would exact a cost and there would be a price for the position they sought. James and John would soon learn what every disciple comes to understand, real relationship requires sacrifice. Jesus used this occasion to teach the value of service, “Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44).

The closer they got to Jesus the more they learned of the cost of discipleship. Jesus unfolded great revelation and also revealed the price of understanding. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Luke 9:23-24).

It was great to be associated with Jesus as long as the crowds were seeking Him and the miracles were sensational. When He began to teach them the cost associated with discipleship many begin to leave Him. A leader that loves the Lord must learn of the cost of relationship and remember His word, “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20).