Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to the chief priests and the scribes. They condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles to be laughed at, scourged, and crucified, but he rises from the dead on the third day.
The Lord Jesus initiates his twelve disciples into the events immediately before him. It can be said that he confides in his loved ones. If we have someone to confide in with our difficulties and joys and find understanding, it brings us relief and encouragement. Similarly, it is a precious service when we can be trusted listeners and supporters for others. The second, more serious reason for Jesus’ sharing is seen in his efforts to prepare the disciples for what is not yet found in their ideas. He prepares them to accept the path of suffering, ending only with Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. In addition to this incredible prediction, however, there is also Jesus’ encouraging warning about his resurrection. Jesus’ prophetic announcement contains not only a shady side, but also an encouraging, soulful one, and this is always important in distinguishing true prophecy from false prophecy.
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached him with her sons, bowed down, and begged him for something. He asked her: „What do you want?“
The mother of Zebedee’s sons probably knew what she wanted, but she couldn’t say it openly enough. Jesus’ question leads her to a simple openness. And so should our lifestyle, without ulterior motives, without trying to secure something for our own benefit behind another’s back or even against him.
She said to him, „Tell these two sons of mine to sit in your kingdom, one on your right and the other on your left.“
Mothers can be very ambitious in imagining the future of their children, and they are ready to provide the best they can for them. However, their ideas do not always correspond to the ideas of their children, nor even to those of God, and this must be distinguished. Similarly, it is necessary to know when the mother’s task of representing her children in serious decisions or opportunities ends, and to allow them to assert themselves in life.
Jesus answered: „ You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink from the cup I have to drink from? They said: „We can.“
Human ideas about God’s will for one’s life may seem simple and straightforward, but life is often more complex. Similarly, our answers to God’s challenges can be clear and firm, but their implementation usually proves more difficult. God invites us to try to understand God’s idea of our life as best as possible, and not to force God to fulfill ours. Similarly, a humble request for help to fulfill God’s will in one’s life is related to this, not just wanting to carry it out.
