5. Ambition . . .

20:20-28

Request of Zebedee sons

20:20-28 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons. She knelt before him asking for something. He said to her “What do you want?”´ She says to him “Say that these two sons of mine may sit one on the right and the other on left of you in your kingdom.” Answering her Jesus said “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup which I am about to drink?” They say “We can” He says to them “Indeed you will drink my cup, but to sit on the right and the left of me is not mine to give to you. These places will be for whoever my Father has

prepared them.” On hearing about this the ten other disciples were incensed with the two brothers. So Jesus called them forward and said. “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them and the great ones have authority over them. It is not like this amongst you. Whoever amongst you wishes to become great will be your servant. Whoever amongst you wishes to be first shall be your slave. The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Note: 2nd half explains 1st half)

It is interesting to consider that the sons of Zebedee are James and John and tradition has it that this John is the beloved disciple and writer of John’s gospel. But does this behaviour on the part of John match tradition? Also according to Acts James was killed soon after Jesus. But tradition has it that John the beloved disciple lived to a great age and this is also implied at the end of John’s gospel. The text here suggests that not only James but also John his brother dies early.

6. Controls. . . .

20:29-34

2 blind men rebuked by crowd

20:29-34 As they were going out from Jericho a great crowd followed. Behold there were two blind men sitting beside the road. On hearing that Jesus was passing by they cried out saying “Lord, Son of David, pity us.” But the crowd rebuked them telling them they should be silent. But they cried out all the more saying “Lord,

Son of David, pity us.” Standing still Jesus called them and said “What do you want me to do for you?” ´They say to him Lord open our eyes.” Being filled with compassion Jesus touched their eyes and immediately they saw again and they followed him.

7 Vestiges of greatness. . . .

21:1-11

disciples with ass-garments strewn

21:1-11 And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two of his disciples. He said to them “Go into the village opposite and at once you will find an ass tied up and a colt with her.

Loosening the ass bring her to me. If anyone their own garments and threw them on the ground before him. Others cut branches form the trees and strew them along the way. There were Continued over