Zebedee's wife Matt 20 :20-28

My boys had been following Jesus pretty much from the start. Over the past three years they had been dedicated to helping him, learning from him and travelling all over the country witnessing many many miracles and even seeing the dead raised to life!!   Every now and again they would manage to grab a couple of days to come home and visit us. Then they would tell us amazing stories about Jesus and explain his teachings to us.

Zebedee and I had also been out to listen to the prophet and had seen with our own eyes some of these miracle works . We became more and more convinced that this Jesus was the Messiah.

The day I met Jesus properly in person for the first time was the day I decided to ask him a favour.  Now you have to understand, I am genuinely not a typically pushy Jewish mother.  I just believe that my boys have huge potential to become influential men in this new kingdom Jesus keeps talking about.  James and John kept telling me to butt out and not to interfere, but when I saw my chance to catch Jesus on his own for a minute, I grabbed the opportunity.

Jesus was resting after a long afternoon of debating with the scholars and Pharisees and telling kingdom stories.  The disciples were sitting around chatting and laughing.  I saw a chance to ask Jesus the question that had been burning in me for about six months.  I pushed James and John in front of the teacher and got down on my knees.

'Lord, do you have a moment?' I asked.

Jesus smiled at me and said 'Ah, it's the mother of the sons of thunder. What can I do for you dear one?'

I blushed at his kindness. 'Well Lord, I have been thinking about the kingdom you have been talking about and I'm supposing that when you come to power you will be needing a deputy, a vice president, a right hand man....or men. You know that my sons have been faithful, hard working, honest good men.  So I was hoping you might promise them places of honour in your new regime?'

My sons looked a bit uncomfortable but I knew that they were desperate to hear his reply.  Jesus looked at them and said ' I don't think you quite know what you are asking. If you want to stand beside me in the kingdom you will have to follow me to get there. Do you think you are able to go through what I am about to go through?'

My boys looked at each other and shrugged.  'Yeah, sure, we reckon we can do that' they said
Jesus put his hand out and touched each of them saying ' You are going to follow in my footsteps and drink the cup my Father gives to me. But I'm afraid it's not in my gift to appoint you to offices in my kingdom. Places have already been prepared by my Father and only He knows who will fill them'

This was confusing. If Jesus was going to be a king, why could he not appoint his own staff??  But then again he did seem to be saying that he had his eye on my lads, saw their potential.  I thought perhaps this was a good sign. In my head I decided to wait until Jesus was closer to overthrowing the Romans and ask again.

Whilst we were all still standing in front of Jesus another disciple, who had clearly been listening in, started sniping at James, accusing him of sucking up to Jesus and saying that he had been following Jesus for longer and was closer to him. Therefore he felt he deserved high office rather than either of my sons.

John was about to jump in to defend his brother when Jesus held up his hand and motioned for them to stop.  He then gathered his disciples round him and explained that in his kingdom in order to get a top job people need to serve others like slaves. Slaves??!  I was affronted.  My ambition s for my children didn't include them becoming slaves! I didn't understand what he was talking about.  The boys seemed to get it though.  They apologised to Jesus for ..... well, Im still not quite sure what for.... and they made it clear to their father and I that we should go home.

Im still hopeful that when the revolution comes my boys will be in line for the top jobs.  They are smart and loyal men and Jesus did say that they would be following in his footsteps.  So here's hoping. I expect some of the Roman's villas will become available once they are out of power.  Ive always fancied having underfloor heating.

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