The story starts with a mom who wants something for her boys. Something BIG. She wants them to sit on each side of Jesus in Heaven. I think if it was present day and she had daughters, she’d be the tv dance mom or the pageant mom who was crazed at what position her girls had. The mom that did whatever it takes to get her girls into the ”right” preschool to be on track for the “right” college.
In this story it was the mom of the disciples of Jesus, James and John. All three of them came to Jesus, knelt down and the mom asked. Sitting on the right and left are positions of power and prestige. But it wasn’t just the mom who wanted it. If you read the same story in the book of Mark, the mom isn’t even in the picture…. it’s just the boys coming to Jesus.
I like the story of the mom because I can relate. As parents we all want our kids to have the best opportunities, prestige and power positions. Layne and I have 3 kids. Not so much kids anymore, but when people ask me about them, I’m proud to tell you but I put my “mom spin” on it. I’m gonna tell you how great they are doing and what great kids they are. It’s the cover up. I’m not gonna tell you the crap they’re currently going through or the struggles they’re having at work or at home. I want the picture to be bright and sunny. For you to look at me and think, “Wow! She’s got the perfect family!”
I recall one Christmas eve service when our family was asked to light the advent candle. What an honor. I remember thinking, “make sure the kids look perfect”. All 5 of us got up, looking so nice and proper, and walked up the front of the church. I started reading the scripture and the kids were supposed to each help light the advent candle and my husband, Layne was just eye candy on the right. Halfway through the reading I see our oldest daughter and our son elbowing each other and then the third started chiming in. Then the elbowing turned into pushing and that’s when candelabra got bumped. It had been dangling on chains from the ceiling. Nothing fell over…we weren’t responsible for the church burning to the ground, but I looked at my three-all middle school and high school kids and pointed (the mom point) directing them to get off the stage. Needless to say, we were never asked to light the advent candle much less anything else as a family again. The perception of perfection was blown in one fail swoop!
Well, Jesus tells the three that the position of who sits where in Heaven isn’t up to him. It’s set by his Father. I love that answer because Jesus isn’t telling them they’re not worthy or shouldn’t have asked for it, he just explains it’s not up to him.
Then of course the others find out about his conversation and they’re all mad and offended (or maybe jealous they didn’t think of it themselves). Ever had that happen?
I remember in grade school always wanting to be picked to help raise and lower the flag outside on the flagpole, but I was never picked. Then my big brother was picked, and I asked him on the way home how come he got chosen and he said, “I asked the teacher if I could do it” and she said, “Sure”.
Well the other disciples were miffed that James and John were horning in on an opportunity they wanted to. Jesus saw this was gonna be an issue unless he addressed it (that’s great leadership skill there). He called them all together and had a company meeting. He painted a picture of how this world is. He explained the rules of the world they lived in (no different than today). People work for power and prestige and lord it over the little people. Officials flaunt their authority over those under them (delusions of grandeur). Jesus explained that for them it was different. For Jesus and his followers, whoever is the servant – the lowest – the one who puts himself last, will be raised up in Heaven. This earthly power struggle, this need to look “perfect” doesn’t have any weight with God and Jesus explained that He was living proof because He was only here as a servant, He was going to give his lift as a ransom for many.
The word ransom in Greek was most commonly used as a price paid to redeem a slave. Christ paid the ransom price of his own life to free us from the “slavery” of sin.
Randy Alcorn wrote in his book called Heaven, “As humans we have a terminal disease called mortality and the death rate is 100%”
If you’ve ever had the privilege of spending time with someone on hospice you know their possessions, their bank balances, are meaningless to them.
For mom it was family – loved ones – dear friends. We spent her last weeks together telling stories, laughing, eating desserts, forgiving each other. She believed in Jesus. She wasn’t confident she was worthy of Heaven but none of us are….worthy. So that week this mom spent time asking Jesus not to put my mom beside Him, but only to accept her into His arms.
Living To Hear Six is not about you. Forget what this world teaches you about position and power…it’s not about position or power. It’s not about you at all. It’s about being Jesus to others. Don’t live to get recognition for what you do on this earth, instead focus on what Jesus explained to his disciples. Instead of being served, focus on being a servant to everyone. Put yourself as one of the least and serve others and someday you’ll hear the six words, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
