“”Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus
with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of Him.
“What is it you want?” He asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit
at Your right hand the other at Your left in Your kingdom.”
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them.
“Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
“We can,” they answered.”” (Matthew 20:20-22 NIV)
Mrs. Zebedee did not know what she was asking. Coming close to God always involves a cost. Salvation is free, but intimacy is expensive. We remember Moses, just yesterday, in death throes with God over an uncircumcised son. In order to move forward, Moses had to be all in.
James and John’s proximity to Christ would come at great personal expense. I suspect ours will as well.
The disciples were clueless like their mother. James and John blithely agreed to places of privilege without regard for the responsibility of second chair. We can’t cast stones, we are all pretty clueless in our early encounters with Jesus. And to be fair, the first blush of suffering scares most of us away.
Our church-wide fear of discomfort is concerning, especially as we rush toward a post-christian culture. I’m lifting up my friends, my kids, my local church and the church at large as the price of following Christ is set to skyrocket. I’m including myself in these prayers, that we will all respond to persecution in the same manner as the post-pentecost disciples. They met opposition with enthusiasm. Oppression only further energized in their gospel effort. They could not be dissuaded or discouraged.
“Now Lord, consider their threats and enable Your servants to speak Your word with great boldness. Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30 NIV)
Lord, please embolden us in the face of persecution. May we pull closer to You no matter the cost. Make us willing to trade out everything lesser (wealth, comfort, position, popularity, privilege) in full pursuit of You. Please reward our surrender with more of Your presence. Amen.