A few years ago we were at the theater and had seats right at the back in the ‘nosebleed section’. As I found myself inwardly complaining that I wasn’t sitting closer the stage, I felt the Lord say: “Those people have their seats simply because they were willing to pay more than you were.To get what they have, you must pay the price that they paid.”

In Mark 10, James and John come to Jesus and ask that they sit at his right and left side in the Kingdom. His response is: “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” In other words, you want the promotion, but can you also handle the pain?; you want the seat but along with that comes great sacrifice.

At times we see someone doing great things for God and we want their anointing, position, spiritual authority or platform. However, we need to understand the price that they have paid, behind the scenes, often over many years. If you want greater anointing, spiritual power and Kingdom authority, it always begins on your knees in the secret place. There is no substitute. There is no shortcut.

If you want the seat, be willing to make the sacrifice.

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Mark 10:35-40

“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don't know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

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Luke 14:27-33

“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.' “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won't he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”