It all started with a simple prayer. Like any mother, I just wanted the best for my children. One day I prayed, “God help my children be GREAT in your kingdom,” At the time I felt frustrated and thought that I was not teaching my children enough because I was spending most of the time doing laundry, dishes, changing diapers, disciplining.
God led me to the story of the sons to Zebedee and their mother. This story makes me laugh! Let’s look at it: .
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right, and one on Your left.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:20-28 New American Standard Bible
What I love about this story, is the beautiful MOTHER’S HEART we see in this woman. This mother is not asking for anything for herself. She is only asking for her sons. “Nothing for me; just make my sons great and I will be happy.” This is so like a mother! Not thinking of herself, only caring that her children are well taken care of.
Note that the mother asked the question, but Jesus answered the sons. I think He must have known they put her up to this! If not, then the other ten disciples would not have become so “indignant with the two brothers.” They had their mom GO TO BATTLE for them. Now, we mom’s know how to battle for our kids! I am mostly a gentle person, but if you mess with my kids, watch out-I’m a momma bear and I have to have my husband coach me how to calm down and speak wisely.
This question reveals the sons’ hearts; they wanted to be GREAT in His kingdom. This is also what I wanted for my children; for them to be great in His kingdom. I guess my mother’s heart came out too!
Jesus’ answer surprised me! He said that if you want to be GREAT, then you need to be a SERVANT. As mom’s we serve our families A LOT! So this really encouraged me, because this means:
AS I SERVE MY FAMILY, I AM TEACHING MY CHILDREN TO BE GREAT IN HIS KINGDOM.
Be encouraged the next time you serve your family., that you are giving your children an example of how to be GREAT in His kingdom; that you are doing what JESUS came to do, to SERVE others.
In His love,
Suzanne
Mom Morsels 