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One Question that Kills Discipleship

She wanted what was best for her two sons like any other mother. Placing them in a position to succeed far above their peers, she didn’t care what anyone else thought of her. She selflessly placed her sons ahead of her own interests.

As for the sons, they were very concerned about their own futures as well. They liked what their mother had planned for them, and they believed they were up to any challenge that came along. Ambition and courage are probably two traits we’d associate with them.

They were ready to do whatever it took to be the best.

Speaking in generalities like this, our mother and her two sons seem noble, motivated, and ambitious. However, this isn’t a story about that. This is a story about the sons of Zebedee, James and John, and their mother.

Supposing that their father had passed away, it would make sense that the mother of James and John wanted a personal assurance from Jesus that her sons would reign with him on his right and left hand. She wanted security and status for her sons.

Jesus had called his followers to leave their ambitions behind, to become like children, and to expect persecution. Then James and John walked up to him and essentially asked this question, “What about me?”

After all of Jesus’ talk about self-sacrifice and loss, James and John couldn’t resist this thought, “If God is really on my side, then he can give me what I want.”

“What about me?” is a destructive question for disciples. It takes us away from God’s plans and priorities. It forgets that God leads, empowers, and glorifies us as he pleases. We’re not the ones who set the agenda.

“What do you want?” is the question disciples ask their Lord. “What about me?” leads to fear, insecurity, stress, and anger because we can’t control our lives and what we get. When we entrust ourselves into God’s power, we let go of control, live by faith, and free ourselves from fear and anger.

“What do you want?” places the burden on Jesus, which is actually what he wants. He told those who are weary and weighed down to come to him for rest. God wants to guide us and give us peace, but we need to let go first and stop asking “What about me?”