Salome-mom to James and John

The beginning of Holy Week-and I’d love to just have to time to sit in the Word and praise Him. I’ve sat here knowing my Fridayis catch-up day but discovered something to good to get up. 

James and John, the sons of Zebedee. We know they were special to Jesus, so special that he gave them a nickname-“sons of thunder.” We know their faithfulness and we know that Jesus entrusted one of the brothers(John) to care for his mother Mary. While Jesus endured the cross he spoke these words, “Woman, here is your son.” And to John, “Here is your mother.” John 19:26-27 So we know His love for them. 

But let’s go back…to the Sons of Zebedees own mother…the Gospel of Mark refers to her as Salome. Tradition has it that she was a follower of Christ as well. One standing at the cross. 

Salome was like any mother, wanted the best for her children. So much so, she sat at Jesus feet one day and the bible says -“respectively ask a favor.” 

She said to Jesus, “in your kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” When I was reading this I had to laugh and shake my head. First -thankfully it says respectfully she asked a favor of Jesus. We all know mama’s can be big ole mama bears when it comes to their kiddos and can be little pushy. But second-I’m like wow the audacity for such a request. But while I thought about it for a moment I realized-isn’t that like ALL of us-some more than others. Coming to Jesus with hands held high in worship, praising Him, doing the “Christian” things, but coming to Him EXPECTING something from Him. That makes me realize we all are so selfish. Hasn’t He already done enough??? And then the realization that when we don’t get what we want from Him, expecting, we get bitter or angry, and maybe don’t praise Him quite the same?

Hey-guys-true worship and adoration and praise of Christ is for WHO He is and WHAT HE has ALREADY DONE!!! 

Can you and do you still praise Him when He doesn’t answer your prayers? Do you still worship Him, hands held high, when He didn’t come through as you expected? Can you still say “God is so good” when the going isn’t good?? 

In my faith walk-I’ve realized that I don’t deserve to ask Him for ANYTHING!! Nothing. He’s done it all already. The sealed deal of Him giving me everlasting life because of my salvation is more than enough. 

Let’s get back to James and John and Salome. Bless her-she’s recorded in scripture as “that mom.” 😞It’s definitely natural to want the best for your children, but that desire is not always good. How often does your “doing” get in the way of Gods WILL for them. Your plan and desire for your kids may just not be His plan. And His plan may not be at all what you want for them…but shouldn’t  we as parents want what God wants for our kiddos??? 

I sure as heck did not desire for my 3 to be fatherless -wasn’t my plan AT ALL!!! But His plan…I’ve been able to see how it’s all playing out for each of them. The people they have become, the hearts and spirit inside of them-and I wouldn’t change it. They didn’t grow up in a normal setting, thankfully. They’ve experienced, right along and beside me, the challenges and the realization that God has been with us every step of the way. They’ve witnessed the rainbows, along with the dark clouds, they’ve experienced the cardinals, along with the grief, they’ve seen and felt the goodness of our God over and over despite the yuck. They would have experienced some it with their dad also, it’s just different-knowing the dependence has been on our Heavenly Father. Oh, I prayed for protection from hurt and grief and pain for each them and still do-but i also know that hurt and grief and pain causes a dependency on our Savior like nothing else and also I have the realization that He loves them more than I. 

Back to the story…As Jesus set Salome in her place gently, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?” Matthew 20:22

“You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.” Matthew 20:23

One of those-Mom, sit down moments!!

Honestly while reading this-I thought yep-that’s where narcissism starts, mama gettin’ in the way. But Jesus, being Jesus-nipped it in the bud, “…whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28

Have to wonder if Salome was humbled beyond words. I bet today, she’d be like -‘but my kids are different Jesus, they are your favorites, they deserve so much more’ I’ve  been there. ‘My kids grew up differently-they deserve to be happy, my kids are different -they should get what they want. They’ve been through enough, they deserve it all.’

NOPE-they’ve already received more than they ever possibly deserved- and they stand in the shadow of a cross, and an empty tomb. 

It’s a hard task to be a mom (or dad) and pray for Gods will for your children, because sometimes it’s a very hard and scary road. Small children and grown children will flat humble you-their behaviors and paths will not look like the ones we carefully mapped out for them when we rocked them with their futures in mind. But sometimes those hard and scary paths lead them straight to Jesus. I personally, never  won’t to get in the way of that. We can pray but we can also stop making excuses and expecting perfect paths for our children. Perfect paths aren’t real. 

Im betting Salome was thankful to be set in her place by Jesus and was thankful that James and John are sitting really close to Jesus -and knowing it was not because of ANYTHING she said or did. 

Mamas-sit down, trust Him, relinquish them, pray for them and allow them to endure the hard stuff. Because sometimes -the hard stuff leads to a closer walk with Him. Absolutely NOTHING better