Matthew 20: 20-22
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.”
Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.”
How important is it for us to listen? Not just hear, but listen.
The apostles had been with Jesus for 3 years. They’d seen miracles, heard him preach, and prayed with him. Had they just stopped paying attention? Had it become “normal” to be around this miracle worker? Were they caught up in their own minds with the vision that they thought was coming to fruition and had tuned out what Jesus was really saying?
When I prayed this passage today, the idea of this mom approaching Jesus so boldly made me stop and think.
I do this. Don’t you? Don’t we pray for our kids? Don’t we ask the Lord to do this or that for them? Nothing wrong there. I mean, seriously, that’s part of our job description.
So what was different here? Could it have been her attitude? She brings her boys before Jesus and wants to ask him for something. Yet, her words seem a bit more like a demand. She doesn’t ask, “Can my boys sit at your right and left?” She says, “Command that these two sons of mine…”
Now, that’s a bit bold. Woman, you are standing in front of Jesus! You are going to just TELL him what to do? That takes some gumption.
I imagine Jesus must have quietly shook his head, looked at her, then at James and John, and patiently said, “You do not know what you are asking?”
Here’s my translation, “Could you be any more dense? Did you not just hear what I was saying to you? I’m headed to Jerusalem. I’m going to be betrayed. I’m going to die! Were you even listening at all? Hey, McFly! Pay attention!”
The more time we spend with Jesus, the better we should be at listening to Him. It should make us more in tune with His will and yet, if we are not working at that, I think it can become easy for us to enjoy the warm fuzzy feelings and the “ah ha” moments of grace and not truly learn much beyond that. We can take all the good and miss the challenges He places ahead of us. We have to hear the hard truths as well as the positive blessings.
I think I need to remember when I’m praying for my kids or anyone I love, that my petitions are just that. Not demands that God do things my way. I should focus on the spiritual growth of those I pray for and let the details fall where the Lord wishes them to land. My plans for others may not be His. Their own plans for their lives may not be the same as His. But, in the long run, my energy and time is best put to use, understanding what Jesus is really saying and not continuing to look at Him from only my point of view as someone subject to my demands and will.
Something to ponder today. How do I add a bit more humility to my prayers?
XOXO,
Reflections of a Cute Lil Mom 