The reflection on the story of the Lord Jesus’ road to Golgotha (Calvary), reveals many kind of characters even among those closest to the Lord himself. This is immensely amusing to find that perhaps none of the disciples were ever able to comprehend everything that the Lord Jesus seemed to be saying to them. This is especially distressing as the time draws near the disciples begin to get the opposite impression of the actual events that would unfold in about a week’s time. It must have been very hard for the Lord, as omniscient Savior, and frustrating to find that the ears that are listening are interpreting the words about the coming suffering of the cruel cross to be endured by the Lamb of God into a completely different event of triumph and the return of the King of Kings, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the conquering Messiah, Son of David, etc, etc. The brain has a way of reading events into its own liking and I think this must be fantasy of the most dangerous kind. Well before I finish it all from my own point of view, let us examine what is recorded in the scriptures given below, Matthew 20:17-19, As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.” Perhaps there was high expectation and many wanted the Kingdom of David to return and usher in a new freedom for the oppressed Jews, and that anticipation must have taken hold of the disciples acutely. They seem to be really not worried much now that they see the strength in numbers fo the crowd that is cheering them as they pass the ctowns of Judea on their way to “the city on a hill” that displays Peace and wholeness, Eyerusalem. We read that the Lord is trying to awaken the disciples to the dangers that he will be facing ahead as he set his path towards Jerusalem. In the midst of the many voices that are speaking, the clear words of the Lord are not heard by the closest followers and perhaps they seem to not to be willing to accept what would be happening soon. The following verses seem to indicate an even greater mystery and I ask myself “Why do they not get it?” It is even tougher to find that the mothers are also in the action of getting their children to be given a special dispensation ahead of the other throne contenders in the group. I remember, the Lord Jesus himself has promised the disciples twelve thrones and yet they were not getting that there was to be a cross before the throne. As we continue to read below “the mother of the sons of Zebede” is coming to Jesus and worshipping him to get a special audience with the King of Kings, whose followers were a bunch of misfits and sinners and tax collectors, etc., etc. One can see later how many of them actually stand to protect or defend him, but the King is among his people so he calmly asks this ambitious mother “What do you wish?” She and her two sons pour out their desire before the places are taken by others and claim not just one side of the sphere of power but both the right and opposite to the right (left) of the King. This effectively means not a soul could get to the king without first getting to one of the Sons of Zebede. They have effectively put the King under their control and once he is no-more (remember the Lord is not married, unlike some who surmise otherwise) they are next in line. Yes, even in his life time the people will be at their mercy. I do not want to attribute treason to the Sons of Zebede (Sons of Thunder) but it may be conceivable that if they ever felt to overthrow the Kingdom (as it happened in the land of Hawaiians), they could fairly easily do their job, that is if he is really just an earthly king and bound to human limitations. Yet, the Lord Jesus, always sympathetic to all who are not yet able to understand him, did not relegate the Sons of Zebede to the last place in the kingdom for their lofty goals and did not despise the mother who wanted better things for her sons. He understood what makes mere mortals crave for recognition, status and power. It was the first parents desire to seek that which was given that caused the fall, and since our Lord came to redeem the Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve from the curse of longing to be over and against what God has provided, he calmly asks a question, if they are ever able to take and drink the cup of suffering like unto his own? Perhaps to his surprise, both the children and the brave mother declare they are able. So the Lord has to give an answer as if in a way of excusing himself from being judgmental by pointing away from Himself to the Holy Father of Spirits, who alone decides to give grace according to His own choosing. The Psalmist declares in Psalm 75:4-7 I said to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn; Do not lift up your horn on high, Do not speak with insolent pride. For not from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the desert comes exaltation; But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another. So the Lord, as the Son of Man, deferred that responsibility to the Ancient of Days and was about to rest. Yet the struggle for power continued to erupt as the other contenders heard what this special mother and her thunders were after. And the Lord has to hold the fellowship together by pointing to himself and to the God ordained kingdom again and again. He reminded them that they are not working for a corporation, president of a country, or an earthly king. They are working for the King of the Universe and his rules are very different than what is accustomed in the kingdoms and market place of this world. Yet, after I had passed my judgment on the mother of the Sons of Zebede that she really did not get it, I was reminded by Father Patrick Henry Reardon in his daily reflections that yes even though this wonderful mother was not getting it in the beginning of the road to Golgotha, she did get in the end what the drinking of the cup meant as she stood with Mary Magdalene and Mary the Mother of the Lord at Calvary. There she stood to witness the redemption of mankind (Matthew Chapter 27 Verses 55 and 56). She was one of the few and most honored women to witness both the crucifixion and the resurrection of the Lord. She was one who stayed faithful to the end and was never disappointed even if her request was not immediately granted. But who knows we may see her sons sitting in the right and left of the Savior of the World. God gives to all who delight in him the desires of their heart. May he give you your hearts desire according to His Plan, and may you desire things at His right-hand always!
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 00:35:32 +0000
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