Desiring (like the sons of Zebedee) to be close to Jesus is, obviously, a good thing—one we have all desired. Yet, like James and John, we perhaps underestimated just what getting close to Jesus demands. With experience and sober hindsight, we have come to know a little more about what we were asking, and just what drinking of Christ’s chalice entails. Consequently, this Lent may find us hesitant in our wish to draw any closer to the Christ who demands all. However, if we were to meet James and John today and behold their glory and eternal joy and fulfillment, we would realize the truth of Paul’s assurance that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. Accordingly, despite being a little wiser (from our present vantage point) about the cost of drawing closer to Christ, let us not grow fainthearted. Instead, let us press forward saying with Saint Paul I know him in whom I have believed and am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.