Matthew 20; Mark 10:32-52; Luke 18:31-19:27: Don’t you just hate it when people you know and love just don’t get it… I mean you pour into them, spend time with them, try to meet their needs and show the love and they just don’t get it! I can’t even begin to imagine how Jesus must have felt as James and John’s mom asked Jesus if her sons could sit on his right and left. Can you just see Jesus’ face? Were His lips narrowed as he bit on them trying not to say things that would not be helpful. Did His eyes narrow in frustration looking at her like “I can’t believe she is asking me this.” Or did He just shake His head a little as He said with love, this is not my decision to make. I know He thought you don’t know what you are asking because He said it out loud and in His heart He must have felt frustration because after all this time together not only did their mom not get it, but another passage confirms that the boys were fighting among themselves asking the same thing.
The real struggle was that their expectation was that His kingdom would be one of military might and here on Earth. Even today I struggle to totally understand it too. I have walked with Jesus over 50 years and I still struggle to understand. Yet I know this, to truly find favor in the Lord I must trust Him and serve others. I can’t expect to be in seats of honor or hold a special place up front. I need to be willing to wash feet and even potties if that is the need of the moment. As I do He is well pleased with me.
How about you? Do. you struggle to understand at time as well? Don’t get discouraged with yourself or others. Do what you know to do and when others aren’t getting it remember you and I are a little dull at times too. 🙂