Mark 10: 35-37

Jesus and His disciples are not walking to Jerusalem, and Jesus decides it is a good time to talk to them about His betrayal, trial, punishments, death, AND resurrection. You could imagine that this would be a great time of reverence, sadness, and lots and lots of questions! But instead, James and John approach Him and say:

"We would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire...Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory."

How amazing! It is like Jesus was talking to a wall. He had such an important message to deliver, yet it fell upon deaf ears. That is why the apostles were all so astonished when the actual events went down, because they were not listening when He told it to them.

Listening is a gift and an amazing quality to possess. It is an unselfish act and usually requires love for the speaker to give up your time to listen to them. Why is it so difficult?

It is because of selfishness. We must have that desire to love the other person and to listen intently and then help them or give input to whatever they needed to talk about. Sometimes that person has no body else in the world to tell their problems to.

Like with Jesus. These are His dearest friends, and they do not hear His words. It would be very depressing....