Ep. 84: A Mother’s request

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MATTHEW 20:20-28, MARK 10:35-45

And now it has fallen on the two chosen disciples, James and John, ‘the sons of thunder,’ to make a request, that they might have their places at his right hand and at his left in his Kingdom. With patience Jesus put them right, bearing with the weakness and selfishness which could cherish such thoughts and ambitions even at such a time. To correct them he points to that near prospect when the highest is to be made low. ‘You know not what you ask!’ The King is to be King through suffering, are they aware of the road which leads to that goal? Are they prepared for it, prepared to drink that cup of agony which the Father will hand to him to submit to? In their ignorance, and listening only to the promptings of their hearts, they imagine that they are. Foolish men!

But as for the other ten, when they heard of it, they were far from happy. And so, at a time when unity should have reigned, it was surely ironic (and sad) that the fierce fire of controversy had broken out among them. Would jealousy and ambition have filled those who should have been most humble? Should passions originating from the world, the flesh and the devil have distracted them? It was the rising of that storm on the sea, the noise and tossing of those angry billows, which he hushed into silence when he spoke to them of the grand contrast between the princes of the Gentiles as they ‘lord it over them,’ how, whosoever would be great among them, must seek his greatness in service, not greatness through service, but the greatness of service.

This is an extract from the book, Jesus : Life and Times, available for £10 here (Finalist for Academic Book of the year at 2023 CRT awards)