What Do You Desire for Your Children?
Of course, we could all say we want honor, health, wealth and serving the Lord.
Imagine for a moment your own sons are disciples of Jesus. What an honor, for certainly they are followers of the future king of Israel, who will overthrow the Roman tyranny. And what does a king need? Advisors sitting beside him … well … advising him. Wouldn’t any mother think my sons can do that. They’re brilliant.
Yes, we’re using our imagination. And in our imagination, wouldn’t it be possible (as our sons sit on the platform near the king, and we stand on the sidelines of the great hall), we would whisper to the woman next to us, “See those two right there near the king? Those are my sons.”
This fictional example is based on the story of Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, James and John. By connecting Matthew 27:55-56 and Mark 15:40, we know she is the one referred to in Matthew 20:20-24. Let’s read the story.
“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.” Matthew 20:20-24
Of course, we don’t know Salome’s motives and thoughts, but from the biblical story, it would seem she had high hopes for them. Who could fault Salome’s motives in wanting the best for her precious boys?
Yet Salome’s heart may have impure motives. At least, she has faith to believe Jesus will be king. We don’t know if she envisions an earthly or a heavenly kingdom with Jesus as king. Regardless, she is asking for something seemingly right, yet she doesn’t recognize her heart is muddied by the idea of her sons’ future status and success. Little does she know what she is asking, as Jesus points out. And little did she anticipate the indignation of the other ten disciples. She hadn’t expected that.
Unfortunately, our mixed motives often block out the potential consequences of our choices.
Thankfully, we know Salome stayed faithful to Jesus and was one of the three women standing together at the cross of Jesus (Matthew 27:55-56 and Mark 15:40-41). Even if her hopes of her sons’ status died there, we also know from Mark 16:1-8 Salome was one of three women who went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with spices. She saw the angel and the empty tomb. How her heart must have leaped with joy.