The Paradox of the Cross

John and James seeking prosperity for following Jesus requested that when Jesus becomes King that they be able to sit one on the right and the other on the left side of Jesus (Mark 10:37). They wanted to hold sits of power next to Jesus.  Instead of granting them their wishes, Jesus invites John and James to share in his suffering. As Mark points out, at the end the two bandits were crucified one on Jesus' right and the other on Jesus' left (Mark 15:27).  As if they were sharing  places of honor with Jesus as Jesus won victory over sin, death and the devil through the cross. A place next to the cross is where we Christians as sinners like those bandits are called. A place of paradox. A place where victory is won through losing, glory is earned through suffering, life is found through dying.  As Paul reminds us, "If, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him (Romans 8:17)."