Judgment Seat - Salome

Matthew 20:20-28

Salome had a request for Jesus. “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left” (Matthew 20:21).

Those two sons were James and John, among Jesus’ closest disciples. And Mom wasn’t doing this behind their backs. They were there, and apparently they were not embarrassed by their mom’s request. When Jesus asked if they could “drink the cup” (of suffering) that he would have to drink, James and John told him they could. (See Matthew 20:22, NIV.)

How easy it is to think badly of Salome for this. Was she just a manipulating mother, trying to gain a high position for her sons?

Let’s not rush to judgment. This is not all we know of Salome. She was one of Jesus’ followers and cared for him when he was in Galilee (see Mark 15:40-41). After his crucifixion, she was with the other women who went to anoint his body and discovered that Jesus’ tomb was empty (see Mark 16:1-8). Obviously, Salome herself was a follower of Jesus, and perhaps a friend, too. She was comfortable enough and close enough with Jesus to ask the bold question that she did. And in this case, she and her sons were not reprimanded for their ambition, just challenged to know the full extent of what they were asking. And, as it turned out, James was the first of the Twelve to be killed for following Jesus (see Acts 12:2). According to tradition, John lived the longest but was sent into exile.

It’s tempting to judge people on the basis of just one thing that they’ve done, one encounter with them, or one of their personality traits. Such snap judgments are unfair and unfortunate. We might think badly of Salome’s question, but this woman—like anyone—is much more than just one moment in time, one action.

Are there others you might be judging based on a narrow picture of who they are? Perhaps it’s time to rethink your conclusions. You wouldn’t want someone to judge you based on one bad decision, would you?

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

Matthew 7:1-2