A Mother Who Seeks The Higest Place

A Mother who seeks the highest place

Matthew 20:20-23

Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948) first suggested the national observance of Mother’s Day. At a memorial service for her mother on May 10, 1908, Miss Jarvis gave a flower to each person who attended. Within the next few years, the idea of a day to honor mothers gained popularity, and Mother's Day was observed in a number of large cities in the U.S. On May 9, 1914, by an act of Congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. He established the day as a time for "public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country."

What are mothers? Well, mothers are teachers. Mothers are disciplinarians. Mothers are cleaning ladies. Some mothers are gardeners & lawn mowers. Mothers are nurses and doctors and psychologists and counselors & coaches. -

Mothers are developers of personalities and shapers of attitudes. Mothers are soft voices saying, "I love you." - And mothers are a link to God, a child's first impression of God's love. Mothers are all these things and much, much more.

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?”

She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”

22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

They said to Him, “We are able.”

23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

Mrs. Zebedee was aware of the teachings of Jesus about His kingdom. She was also very aware of the fact that her sons, James & John, were close to Him. They were two-thirds of the inner circle of Peter, James, & John.

Le us think for a few moments about some positive things concerning the mother of John and James.

a. As a mother, she kneels down and worshiped God – Matthew 20:20

b. As a mother, she asks something from Jesus

c. As a mother, she wanted her sons to be a part of the Kingdom of God.

d. As a mother, she wants her sons to be the first and few of the chosen for the kingdom of God.

Dear brothers, and sisters in Christ, today let us meditate about the kingdom of God. How important is the kingdom God for our life? Are you a part of His kingdom? Are you actively involved in the work of the kingdom of God? and do you have a big expectation of entering the kingdom of God?

During the time of Jesus ministry there are so many mothers there. Mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, Salome, etc., The apostles James, & John’s mother was among them.

From the beginning of the chapter 20th of Matthew Jesus was talking about the kingdom of God. I will explain the parable of the kingdom of God.

So, she was certain that when the Lord formed His kingdom that they would have positions of responsibility & authority. But in the first part of this chapter, Jesus told a story that must have disturbed her.

Matthew 20:16 So, the last will be first, and the first last, for many are called but few chosen.

Dear mothers, are you praying for your children to inherit the kingdom of God or let them be first not least? Let them be a few of the chosen? because the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

When you establish your kingdom, please let my sons sit in places of authority & honor on your right & left hand." We should have a competition to enter the kingdom of God. Jews are always rushing and pushing to enter in the kingdom of heaven.

We might very well criticize Mrs. Zebedee for being so bold. But since today is Mother's Day, maybe we ought to think for a few moments about some positive things concerning the mother of the apostle John and James.

We need also to recognize that when she came to Jesus, while Jesus did not grant her request, neither did He deny it.