Concerning Prominent Positions

Concerning Prominent Positions

Matthew 20.17-28

Jesus told James and John straight out that he wasn’t in charge of the heavenly seating arrangements. He further told them that they couldn’t have the crown without the cross. You have to drink the cup, he said, my cup, the cup of Gethsemane, the cup of death.

James and John said they were ready to pour life and soul and even death into following. They were ready to drink the cup. I wonder whether they would have said so if Mom Zebedee hadn’t been there, down on her knees begging for their place, their position. After what Jesus had said earlier about becoming like children (Matt. 18.1-4), I wonder whether they would even have gotten involved in the right-hand-man controversy if it weren’t for their mother.

As we preach our way through the Gospels we are certainly aware of the inner circle of disciples, the special ones—Peter, James, and John—at least special by being included in special events (transfiguration, Gethsemane, the raising of Jairus’ daughter). But being singled out as special is different from asking to be singled out as special. Here in Matthew 20 James and John are asking for place, not being granted it. There is a big difference.

One good point from which to leap into a stewardship emphasis in the text is the relationship of James and John to their mother. The sons of Zebedee got into some difficulty in the circle of disciples (v. 24) because of their mother’s big plans for them. She wanted greatness for them, and they, no doubt, were anxious to please her. They even agreed to a cup of death that they did not yet begin to understand. Visualize them proudly insisting at this time that they were ready for anything and then later at Gethsemane, when the cup was in hand, sleeping through Jesus’ darkest night.

How often we are sidetracked from the best paths; how often a road is not taken (Robert Frost) because someone leads or pushes us down another road, putting blinders on us so we won’t even notice that other road. We clergy have had plenty of opportunity to see colleagues at seminary whose main reason for being there was parental pressure. That was never reason enough, of course, for entering the ministry, and sooner or later such motivation either melted into the joy of self/ Spirit motivation or soured into discontent, rebellion, even mental breakdown.

College faculty members constantly see students driven by parental pressure toward particular vocations. Again and again we find students who become interested in literature or theology or social work, to the dismay of Mom and Dad who are acting out through their own frustrated dreams of the financial and social security of another vocation.

Moving to an even younger age group we get into the whole negative peer pressure scene. There is no need for me to explore or deplore here the sex, drug, cosmetic, clothing choices our youth often make because of peer pressure, pressure that leads them away from sensible stewardship of every resource they have. Peer pressure, of course isn’t all bad. Sometimes that kind of pressure helps us do right when other motivation is lacking—and we may learn to like it or become convinced.

The problematic thread that runs through all of this reflection is that we often make foolish choices or take dangerous paths or maintain destructive attitudes because others want us to or expect us to or even demand that we do. How much do insistent and persistent promotional spots by advertisers set our stewardship goals?

The better motivation for good attitudes and actions is our Christian faith and thankfulness to God that results from that faith. Clergy may be able, through well contrived rhetoric, cleverly devised every member visitations, and skillfully orchestrated appeals, to get members to give time and money to a cause. They perhaps can, like Mom Zebedee, get their family of faith to do things and say things that they never intended to do or say.

The results may not be all bad. The Lord in his infinite power and wisdom can perhaps sanctify even some of our most manipulative ploys. Through such procedures longtime parishioners or new stewards may at some future point say, as the people of Sychar said to the Samaritan woman who urged them to see Jesus: “It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world” (John 4.42).

From attitudes of thanks for grace received, from faith springs the only real stewardship. Stewardship that is a heart response is an act of praise to God. As we become aware of the love of God who continues to bless us, we respond to his grace and mercy in Christ with attitudes and actions of good stewardship.