A Mother’s Love – Sermon 10 May, 2015

A Mother’s Love
The sincere request of the mother of Zebedee’s sons to Jesus mostly has been taken in a negative way. But it is worthwhile to take this request in a positive perspective; especially being that a mother’s heartfelt request for her children. We should be honest enough saying that who is that mother that does not desire to see her children on good positions and achieving many success.
It was a similar desire that the mother of James and John had, when she went to Jesus with her request.
In this case we should also see that when she came to Jesus with her request, Jesus did not give her what she asked for, but at the same time He did not reject her. He simply reminded her that the decision of siting on His right or the left belongs only to the Father and that the price to be paid for that position is too high.
If we look to this request in this manner, then we will be able to see this request in a new perspective and explain a mother’s sincere desire.
In her request we can see the following three points:
1. She prayed that they take part in the Kingdom
In this case the positive thing that we see is that the mother of Zebedee’s son came to the Lord Jesus with prayer and seeking for her children to have their share in the Lord’s Kingdom. A mother cannot have a bigger responsibility than this, which is to pray for her children and express her desire for her children to have place in the Kingdom of God. Yes, mothers always pray for the needs of their children. They pray, because they realise that the motherly duty that they perform is not an easy task and it needs God’s help and blessing. They also pray realising that being parents they have happy and sad periods; they are sometimes happy and sometimes they shed tears for their children. What’s the benefit to have financially successful children, who do not know God? What benefit they will have if they gain the whole world but they lose their soul? Being a mother is not an easy thing. The mother of James and John gives us a beautiful example, who prayed for her children ardently seeking that they have their place in the Kingdom of God. All mothers should have a similar desire for their children.
It is essential that every mother and father go to God with this desire of salvation for their children.
2. She prayed that they have active role in the Kingdom
The mother of Zebedee’s son did not only pray for her children to have their place in the Kingdom, but she prayed that they play an active role in the Kingdom of God. What a beautiful wish. It is not enough their formal salvation, but to see them in action. Today it could be easy to fill the pews of our churches, but it is necessary to have people who are willing to labour and serve for the glory of God. There are many in the church that sit crossed arms and receive God’s blessings, but they don’t have the desire and the willingness take action in the church. This behaviour is possible to call ambitious, showiness and hypocrisy. People’s desire to have serving spirit starts from the home, when the mothers and fathers pray for their children for they play their active role in the field of God. The mother of James and John prayed ardently for them to labour in the Kingdom of God.
3. She had high expectations
The mother of Zebedee’s sons had great expectations from her children. She did not pray for them to be gatekeepers, but she wished them to sit on the right and the left of Lord Jesus. If we want to labour in the Kingdom, we will not find a higher position than being on the left and the right of the King. She desired this position for her sons to have.
We can say for this mother ambitious, showy and proud. But if we think about it for a minute, we will not say so. On the contrary we will appreciate this mother for her desire, because she was ready to see her sons in the way that Jesus walked. She would not want to see them sitting inactive and indifferent. Sadly there are many in the circle of the church who have a similar attitude and that’s why we don’t see much progress in the mission of the church.
It is time that people take responsibility and labour for the glory of God; doing and giving their best. The mother of James and John with this great expectation requested from Jesus that “glorious” places for her children.
How much good it will be if only we, with the same desire, continue our life and serve the Lord?
This is the love of a mother for her children.
A love which is:
– Similar to God’s love.
– Sacrificial, consecrated and irretrievable.
– Keeps us under any circumstance, even if walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil, for He is with us.
It comforts us, it strengthens us and it asserts us.
The love of a mother seeks the best for her children, protects her children and gives the best like God Himself.

Krikor Youmshajekian