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雅各和约翰提出一个大胆的请求，就是想与耶稣在荣耀里一同统治和作王，耶稣没有拒绝他们的愿望，可以说是个好消息。尽管祂早已准备与祂的跟随者共享祂的国度和荣耀，然而耶稣却重新厘定他们的请求。

耶稣使用“人子”这个称号。昨天我们看过，这个称号表示祂是一个永存的国度的君王，然而耶稣也重新订定我们对“君王”和“国度”的定义。跟随基督意味着“喝这杯”——就是谦卑牺牲和受苦的杯；我们盼望与基督在荣耀里一同作王，表示我们已蒙召现在就谦卑地服待祂。

我们声称耶稣是君王、看自己有份参与祂的国度，这是对的；然而，我们对王权和成为统治者的观念需要被洁净和改进。我们的看法被自私和罪恶污染了，结果往往导致灭亡。首相和总统不会以奴隶自称，扫树叶、换尿布、送递食物、在学校与新生交朋友，都不是世界上的领袖的职责；然而，将来与耶稣在荣耀中作王意味着现在就要谦卑地服侍了。

耶稣所作的更进一步，祂不单一生在服侍，祂更受死牺牲、舍弃生命作赎价，藉此表明祂完全的爱。总而言之，这实在是一种崭新的君王和国度呢！

James and John make a bold request to rule and reign with Jesus in his glory. It may be good to say that Jesus does not deny them this desire. He intends to share his kingdom and his glory with his followers. But Jesus does reorient their request.

Jesus uses the title "Son of Man." As we saw yesterday, this title means he is a king with an everlasting kingdom. But Jesus also is redefining our very concepts of "king" and "kingdom." Following Jesus as king means "drinking the cup" of humble sacrifice and suffering. Our great hope of one day reigning with Christ in glory means that we are called to humbly serve him now.

We are right to claim Christ as King and to see ourselves as participants in his kingdom. But our notions of kingship and being rulers need to be cleansed and reclaimed. Our ideas are corrupted by selfishness and sin, which always lead to destruction. Prime ministers and presidents do not refer to themselves as slaves. Raking leaves, changing diapers, delivering meals, or befriending the new kid at school are not on the job descriptions of worldly rulers. But reigning in glory with Jesus someday means serving in humility right now.

Jesus goes further yet. He not only serves in his life; he loves to the fullest in his sacrificial death, offering himself as a ransom. This is an altogether new kind of king and kingdom!