When the two sons of Zebedee came with their mother, they requested to sit on either
side of Jesus in the Kingdom. Our text captures the reaction of the remaining ten
disciples – they were pissed off. There is an indication that these two brothers did not
think through their request before making it. They told Jesus that they were ready to
drink His cup and be baptized with His baptism without understanding what that meant.
They did not realise that would end up in martyrdom. There is a second problem with
their request; it showed insensitivity. They did not care how others felt. Their
insensitivity was going to cause disaffection among the disciples had Jesus not
intervened.
“Leadership is like shepherding, and a good shepherd must be sensitive.”
Insensitivity is akin to selfishness, and it can pose a major problem in interpersonal as
well as professional relationships. For instance, anyone who is insensitive to the
feelings of their spouse will cause irreparable damage to their union. An insensitive
boss will make a bad job of his role. Leadership is like shepherding, and a good
shepherd must be sensitive. In order to become more sensitive, learn to think through
your words and actions before deploying them. Be conscious of the fact that words do
not leave people the same. Negative words hurt and can dig at the root of people’s
emotions and confidence. Imagine that you were the recipient of your words and
actions. If you would not receive them well, that shows that others would not as well;
they may just be tolerating you.