Women the Bible: Salome, Mother of the Sons of Zebedee

(Matthew 20:20-24; 27:56; Mark 15:40-41; 16:1-2)

Here we have the story of a mother wanting her sons to have important places in the kingdom. What mother doesn't want the best for her children? Jesus told her these places that she desired for her sons were already taken!

Well, I learned some things about mothers in Jesus time. Her principal duty was to produce children, preferably sons. This ensured the family's financial future. They nursed their children up to three years of age and no sexual intercourse during that time, so they could devote herself to that child. Hence, they would sometimes marry more than one wife.

When they were six they began to shepherd or spend time with the father, learning the family business.

Mother's played an important role with their children then and now.

Points about her:

1. Mother of two disciples (John and James)

2. Wife of Prosperous fisherman.

3. Follower of Christ.

5. Desired her sons to rule in Jesus' kingdom, "Grant that on of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and left hand." She cared for her sons and their heritage.

6. She was part of the group of women that accompanied Jesus on his final journey from Galilee to Jerusalem (Matthew 27:55). This group of women is described as Jesus’ friends (Luke 23:49). This makes her a friend of Jesus.

I love this passage in Matthew for another reason. It talks about US!

"You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."

This tells us that the plan God had from the foundation (Ephesians 1:4) of the world is to have us sit at the right hand of God. Jesus on one side and me/you/us at the other!

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:5-7

In listening to the request of this mother, Jesus opened up to us our place with him in heaven in the future.

Was she wrong to ask this question? No, but she learned so much more about the answer. If her sons believed, eventually, that Jesus is the Christ, they really would have the position she asked Jesus for. Think about it.....

Women the Bible: Salome, Mother of the Sons of Zebedee

(Matthew 20:20-24; 27:56; Mark 15:40-41; 16:1-2)

Here we have the story of a mother wanting her sons to have important places in the kingdom. What mother doesn't want the best for her children? Jesus told her these places that she desired for her sons were already taken!

Well, I learned some things about mothers in Jesus time. Her principal duty was to produce children, preferably sons. This ensured the family's financial future. They nursed their children up to three years of age and no sexual intercourse during that time, so they could devote herself to that child. Hence, they would sometimes marry more than one wife.

When they were six they began to shepherd or spend time with the father, learning the family business.

Mother's played an important role with their children then and now.

Points about her:

1. Mother of two disciples (John and James)

2. Wife of Prosperous fisherman.

3. Follower of Christ.

5. Desired her sons to rule in Jesus' kingdom, "Grant that on of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and left hand." She cared for her sons and their heritage.

6. She was part of the group of women that accompanied Jesus on his final journey from Galilee to Jerusalem (Matthew 27:55). This group of women is described as Jesus’ friends (Luke 23:49). This makes her a friend of Jesus.

I love this passage in Matthew for another reason. It talks about US!

"You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."

This tells us that the plan God had from the foundation (Ephesians 1:4) of the world is to have us sit at the right hand of God. Jesus on one side and me/you/us at the other!

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:5-7

In listening to the request of this mother, Jesus opened up to us our place with him in heaven in the future.

Was she wrong to ask this question? No, but she learned so much more about the answer. If her sons believed, eventually, that Jesus is the Christ, they really would have the position she asked Jesus for. Think about it.....