Salome Asks God for a Favor

Who would have the nerve to ask Jesus such a thing?

Salome asked Jesus to give her sons James and John the best seats in the house, literally. She wanted one son to sit at his left and one to sit at his right as she thought Jesus Kingdom would be on earth, not in heaven.

She asked for a favor for her sons, and she received a bad reputation for her act, but don’t toss her aside, she did follow Jesus and was one of the women who was with Mary Magdalene at the resurrection. She loved Jesus, she just asked him for a favor.

Jesus called the two brothers sons of thunder and yet, their mother wanted them to sit near the Prince of Peace.

On a prior trip, Jesus marked the brothers, for you see when he passed through Samaria on his way to Jerusalem, and he sent some disciples ahead to find a place to sleep, and no one helped. Samaritans and Jews were not the best of friends in those days, so it appeared the Samaritans didn't want anything to do with them.

James and John said, "Lord, command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them." In other words, take them out, Lord -- but Jesus is the Prince of Peace, not the Commander of Death.

Jesus rebuked them, and said, “For the Son of man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

Early on, while teaching from Peter’s boat it is probable that the brothers learned of Jesus because they dropped everything and followed him. They became closest companions with Jesus.

Remember, when Jesus raised the daughter of the synagogue official, only Peter, James and John traveled with him, they witnessed someone being raised from the dead.

When Jesus was transfigured, the ones who joined him were – again Peter, James and John. They were also in the garden prior to his death too.

In the gospel of John, he is referred to as the one whom Jesus loved and James had a place in Jesus heart too; they were his disciples.

And yet, the brother’s nickname, sons of thunder speaks volumes of how they lived their lives.

Salome wanted her sons to be great in Jesus’ kingdom, she appeared a little pushy but a mother’s love does that sometimes, moms want the best for their sons. She may have felt her boys were entitled to a position of honor over the other ten disciples.

But when the ten heard about it, they were indignant with the two brothers. Why were they upset? Maybe they wanted the same seats, a position of honor too.

Titus 3 tells me, “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.”

But God’s provision is always enough, because he said to the brothers, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

Yes, God has life planned, he provides. Don’t get me wrong, Salome only wanted what was best for her boys but she forgot that he would provide for them completely, giving them all they would ever need.

Jesus reminded his followers to pattern their lives, their ambitions, their futures after him. We should imitate Jesus with our lives, be who we are and look to him for instruction. Jesus didn’t come to be served, but to serve.

I can be confident in God’s provision, imitating his life and keeping an eye on my motives. I want the best for my boys, I have two grown sons, but I must remember God’s provision for them is sufficient and he cares about them. He cares about his children.

I may have their best interest at heart, but he knows their heart and he has plans for their lives, and it doesn’t matter where they sit - as long as they pull up a chair near Jesus!

So curl up, stay awhile, Jesus enjoys good company!