A Mother's Request

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:20-28

As a mother of three grown girls, I would do anything, really anything, so that they can thrive and feel complete in their work and lives. I prat constantly for them, asking God's blessing and protection on them. When people have mistreated them and over looked them, I have had to hold back the urge to go on the attack. There is a mother bear protectress in all human mothers. We want the best for them. I know their beauty and their capacity and want the world to celebrate them.

The mother of James and John knelt at Jesus feet and asked that her sons would be provided for, since they were so special and so long suffering. There isn't a mother I know who might not do the very same thing. And yet, Jesus, who loves them both completely, knows that their reward will be in service, in life given for others. He knows that we will always remember and honor this lady's sons. But they would know God's love most completely in their service and self-offering.

Today, I ask God to help me be a servant in hard times. When tempers and anxiety flare, it is easy to take authority and dictate. Help me to listen and to serve this day that I might be showered with God's love, as are all the people in my care.