Baptism to be Baptized

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
Mark 10:35–40
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Baptism to be Baptized
The sons of Zebedee didn’t know what they were asking. They wanted to be the greatest. Many times the disciples argue about who is the greatest. Jesus knocks them all down when he tells them not to lord it over each other like the Gentiles do. The greatest in the Kingdom of God is the servant of all. The one that humbles himself is exalted in the heavens. The one that denies himself and follows Jesus is made great in the Kingdom of God. All these things are prepared by the Father in heaven. He picked who would be at Jesus’ left and right when he was glorified. He decided on the good works for you and me to do. He connected us to the Vine that is his Son. He baptized us in the water and the Word to mark us redeemed and to wash away our sins. All of this was orchestrated by the Heavenly Father for your salvation. They didn’t know what they were asking, but Jesus knew that he was about to save them with his own death and resurrection. We don’t know what we ask either, but he saves us, too, because of his love.