Last week we observed the wealthy man who couldn't let himself be seduced into experiencing the Reigning of God. This week we watch disciples completely misconstrue Jesus' message. James and John, two of Jesus' closest companions, make the bold and self-serving request, "We want to share your glory by sitting at your right and left."

Jesus took them on directly, saying something like, "You don't have a clue about what you are asking for!" On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus knew that whatever his glory would be, it would come through passionate faithfulness to his Father and his mission. What an irony that the brothers asked to be at Jesus' right and left, the places ultimately occupied by two crucified criminals. To top it off, James and John asked for this right after Jesus had told the disciples that his mission would lead to his death.

With overconfidence and thickheadedness, the brothers assured Jesus that they could drink his cup and share in his baptism. Rather than contradict them, Jesus informed them that he had no control over glory. What a comedown! They asked, "Do whatever we ask of you," and he told them he was powerless. Even though they had been with him for a long time, even though he had told them three times over that he was headed toward suffering, messianic powerlessness was not part of their script for him.

Decades after the resurrection, when the Gospel writers began to reflect on how Jesus fit in their Jewish tradition, Isaiah's songs of a suffering servant offered the perfect and paradoxical answer. "The will of the Lord shall be accomplished through him … through his suffering he shall bear their guilt." One approach to this reading teaches that Jesus had to die in order for humanity to be forgiven. This theory has a long history. Although we hear it in any number of hymns and homilies, it is far from definitive.

How was the will of God accomplished through Jesus' giving his life? First of all, Jesus' death and resurrection demonstrated and pledged that evil will never, ever have the final word.

Theologian James Alison suggests that Jesus' passing through death to a transformed life in God opened the possibility for his followers to act fearlessly. The revelation of Jesus' human life, his temptations and passion, his sharing in human weakness all the way to death, revealed that God can be trusted, even in the worst of circumstances.