Jesus, Can I Sit Right Next to You?

Sitting right next to Jesus! Wonderful! Are you sure you know what you are asking for? Salome asks Jesus for her sons, James and John, to sit at His right and left in His kingdom, envisioning our brand of glory. Jesus redirects them to the cross—the cup of God’s wrath and the baptism of fire. He reveals that those positions were eternally prepared by the Father, ultimately fulfilled by two thieves crucified beside Christ on Good Friday. The cross functions simultaneously as royal throne and judicial courtroom, where left is right and right is left—a divine paradox. God’s kingdom encompasses the entire scene: Christ centered with both the lost and saved flanking Him. The highest honor isn’t escaping suffering but sharing in Christ’s crucifixion. James and John would indeed drink Christ’s cup through martyrdom and exile. The eternal arrangement—Jesus with two thieves—existed before creation. True glory means being crucified with Christ, participating in both His suffering and resurrection.
I am the Rev. Dr. Frank Balgeman, the physics/pastor from the Santa Cruz Mountains. Watch, engage, and Subscribe!
Find me on YouTube or FranklyYouNeedAProphet.com and receive my Saturday Evening Blog and Sunday Evening featured video. God’s continued richest blessings.