WCTLC

You Want Me?

On the other end of the spectrum are those who have never believed that it was possible for God to use them in a special or mighty way. They can’t see themselves living the victorious Christian life and helping the needy around them. A lot of them have so many problems of their own they can’t even start to think about the needs of others.

You may have had moments when you daydreamed about such things. But, you never felt that this was something God would be willing to use you in. This sounds a lot like James and John.

It was an exciting moment when Jesus came and asked them to follow Him. Who would have thought that Jesus would want them to be a part of His ministry. They weren’t aggressive like Peter. They weren’t able to speak up when Jesus asked questions. But, they had a deep desire to be mightily used of God to help the people around them. James and John were so insecure that they allowed their mother come and represent their cause.

Mat 20:20-23 (NIV) Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of Him. “What is it you want?” He asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right and the other at Your left in Your kingdom.”

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “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.”

I Think I Will Hire Your Mother

Not very many of us would let our mother ask our boss to promote us. Very few bosses would see us as being worthy of further employment, if our mother came to represent us.

We have to have some major insecurities to feel the need for having our mother say what we should be saying ourselves. Our boss might hire our mother after this; but, we would probably be viewed as being inadequate for the job.

One of the things that make insecure people inadequate for the job is how they treat the people around them, if they get enough power and authority.

People who suffer with low esteem don’t handle rejection well. They can lash out with extreme hostility.

Luke 9:53-55 (NIV) But the people there did not welcome Him [Jesus], because He was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them.

Your Love For People Is A Little Weak;
But We Can Fix That

To destroy an entire city just because they didn’t welcome you is a little harsh. But, Jesus still found great value in James and John.

As a matter of fact, Jesus combined them with Peter to form a special threesome that got special training privileges. You may not think you qualify, but don’t let your personal evaluation affect your willingness to join Jesus in His worldwide Christian movement. Like James and John, the Holy Spirit may give you a nickname after one of your insecure reactions.

Mark 3:17 (NIV) James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder).

Just don’t let it hurt your feelings. It is all being done in love.