At Your Right Hand

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,

“Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 

He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” 

They answered him, “Grant that in your glory

we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” 

Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. 

Can you drink the cup that I drink

or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 

Mark 10:35-45

I cannot drink the cup you drink
or in your river be baptized
where in its current I would sink,
and how then could I ever rise?

I cannot sit at your right hand
or rule in glory at your side.
My seat must ever empty stand
while in the shadows still I hide.

But for the ones who dwell in shade
you came to bring the light of dawn;
into the kingdom you have made
you call me yet to journey on

where you hold possibilities
beyond the limits of my grasp.
All my impossibilities
are nothing in your mercy's clasp,

and all my weakness is as naught
where camels pass through needles' eyes:
The cup you pour shall drown my drought,
and from your river I shall rise.

Then draw me on into your light
to stand beside your royal throne
or take my seat, not by my might,
but only by your strength alone.