My Child Is A...Disciple of God!

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.”
He replied,
“My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left,
this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mt. 20:20-28

The death of Christ is drawing closer. In the next chapter of Matthew's gospel, Jesus sends two disciples ahead to prepare for his arrival into Jerusalem. Today's gospel begins with Jesus giving his last reminder to his disciples that his time is drawing to a close. Yet, no sooner does he say it, than the mom of two of his disciples approach him and tells him the same thing that we as teachers often hear, "My children are great! They would be perfect for a leadership role. You know they are going to be a doctor/lawyer/President!"

Parents love their children dearly. That is a fact and one that is very honorable. But sometimes parents get carried away and think their children can do no wrong. But we know better. It is not that they are demons or anything, but we know that we all sin and therefore carry imperfections.

So the sons of Zebedee have their moms ask Jesus to give them titles and power in heaven, but Jesus responds directly to them. He knows that in order for the truth to be revealed he has to challenge those who want the power. He tells them that they will face the same struggle he is about to face, persecution from his adversaries, but that it does not mean they are better or more fit than any other person.

The disciples are upset/embarassed with John and James. But Jesus puts them all in their place by saying that it goes for all of them. They must become servants of the Lord in order to be considered "great" in God's eyes.

We, like the disciples, are meant to be servant leaders. We must not view those whom we serve as less than us, but rather greater than us. They are the people God have brought into our lives in order to help bring about the Kingdom. We should not view ourselves as being great for our service, but rather see how great God is for allowing us to do his work.

Maybe when this truly happens we will be able to sit back at the table with the Lord.