Asking For The Wrong Things

Asking for the Wrong Things

Salome, Mother Of James And John

Read: Matthew 20:20-28

Marie watched out the window as her son got in his car and drove away. She hadn’t meant to argue with him like that. She wanted only what was best for him. After he agreed to go into law, she sent him to the best schools and even used her connections to snag his internship with the most prestigious firm in the city. Just as she had hoped, the firm had offered him a position. Now he planned to pass up this unbelievable opportunity, and for what—to work in a nonprofit agency dealing with inner-city juvenile delinquents? He seemed disappointed that she wasn’t thrilled with his decision. What was wrong with having great ambitions for her son?

Salome had great ambitions for her sons, James and John. Although she had served Jesus faithfully during his ministry, Salome viewed his coming Kingdom from a human perspective. Anxiety for her sons’ futures prompted her to request the two places of honor beside Jesus when he began to rule. Salome’s selfish and insensitive request came from her love for her sons and a sincere belief that they deserved the best. Jesus used the opportunity to teach his followers that God defines greatness by humility and service, often accompanied by great suffering.

It’s human nature to want great things for our loved ones and for ourselves. Unfortunately, we often base our ambitions on worldly standards of success. In God’s eyes, true greatness has nothing to do with reputation, prestige, or power. Not many of us have the goal of becoming servants, and we don’t usually think of suffering as an honor. But if we desire to become like Christ, God will renew our thinking and align it with his eternal perspective. Eventually, we will be praying less to get a promotion or win an award than simply praying to serve him by serving others.

Even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

James 4:3