Wrong Motive
Pastor Wesley & Yajhna Sing · 2 min read
“Then [Salome] the mother of Zebedee’s children [James and John] came up to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down [in respect], asked a favor of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit [in positions of honor and authority] one on Your right and one on Your left.” But Jesus replied, “You do not realize what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup [of suffering] that I am about to drink?” They answered, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink My cup [of suffering]; but to sit on My right and on My left this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.””
The mother of John and James came to Jesus, wanting the best for her sons, her request literally meant that Jesus would choose her sons above the other disciples. Noble thought but wrong motive. Jesus was so wise as to understand exactly what she was asking but he had a long term view of this. He knew the end from the beginning so he knew he could never make decisions that only his father could make. He answered her so well. The consequences of her requests were laid before her so it exposed her motive. Once hearing the answer Jesus gave she had to repent of her wrong motives.
Likewise, in our own lives, we must be careful what we ask for, or what our motives are in asking. We may be very hurt by the answer if we persist in going ahead and asking the wrong question. Let us commit our requests to God and let his will be done in our lives.
From the September 2024 issue, themed RELENTLESS IN MY DECISION MAKING.
