Matthew 20 - 7.20.26

Scripture

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered.”

Observation

The mother of James and John comes up to Jesus and makes a request on behalf of her sons. She asks Jesus if her sons can sit at the right and left side of Him when Jesus establishes His kingdom. But you see, James and John’s mother is still thinking Jesus is going to overthrow the Roman Empire, establish His earthly kingdom and put Israel back on the map again. But, the kingdom Jesus is going to establish is not an earthly one, but rather a heavenly one. 

Application

We should be glad that Jesus doesn’t give us everything we ask for.

I remember a time when a promotional opportunity came up for me at work. I felt it was the perfect spot for me. The job was not only gonna pay me more, but the location that I would be working out of was as close to home as I could get! To add the “cherry on top,” the job was less busy and less stressful than my current job at the time. I remember praying to Jesus every day. I’d ask Him to give me favor when I interviewed for the position. I asked that He bless me with this job so I can help out with my family. So, I interviewed for it and it was actually one of the best interviews I ever had! So a couple of months go by and I find out that they gave the job to another guy. I was confused. How could this happen? I was almost certain Jesus was going to come through and answer my prayer!

Fast forward a year or two later. I am in a new job location at work. I still carry the same work title and pay, but definitely a less chaotic work environment than my previous spot. Now get this. This job had required me to help out every now and then at the job location I previously interviewed for and let me tell you, the days I had to cover there were so miserable for me. It was so boring there 😫! There was no human interaction, (other than the truck drivers I had to load/unload). It was a one-man operation, in the middle of nowhere, with no one to talk to. Now I know some people may like those type of work conditions, but even for an introvert like me, that was a bit much. Let’s just say, I’m glad that Jesus didn’t answer my prayers regarding that job. It seems Jesus knew what was best for me. 😁

The same can be said in this particular passage in regards to what James and John’s mother was asking of Jesus. She had no clue the bitter cup of suffering that Jesus was about to endure on that cross. She and her sons were only focused on obtaining those highly sought after prominent positions of stature seated at the right and left hand of Jesus in His kingdom. But like I mentioned earlier, Jesus was not there to establish His earthly kingdom, but rather his heavenly kingdom. In order to do that, it started at His sacrifice on the cross and who were at Jesus’ right and left side on that cross?…the two thieves, who too were being crucified. Now, would the mother of James and John or any mother for that matter want that sort of fate for their sons?! I think not. I think it’s safe to say that she too was glad that Jesus didn’t give her what she asked for. 

At the end of the day, Jesus doesn’t always give us what we ask for. It could be a job request, a physical healing, or even getting us out of a difficult situation. But, we need to trust in Him. We need to understand that He knows what is best for us. We need to know that He is faithful. He will never leave our side and He will give us the strength and fortitude to carry us through.😊 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”-Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being someone I can trust in. Thank You for being someone who I know wants the best for me. Forgive me for being childish and wanting my ways all the time. Let me remember how You set the example for me in the Garden of Gethsemane. You put aside Your desires of wanting that bitter cup taken away, to submit to the Father’s ways. May my life, my prayers, be about seeking Your will to be done over my own. In Your precious name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽 

-Moses Gaddi