Salome (The mother of James and John): The woman with a significant request

Jesus had a great following of women who supported His ministry by their presence and their finances. The immense role of these women runs throughout the gospels. Even at the time the men fled for their lives, these women followed Jesus to Golgotha, followed to know where He was laid and were the first to be at the tomb to experience His resurrection. One of such women is Salome, the wife of Zebedee and the mother of James and John. Prior to becoming Jesus’ disciples and apostles, James and John were fishermen working with their father Zebedee. We are not told of the occupation of Salome but she might have been a part of the family trade or engaged in something else. Zebedee and his sons experienced Peter’s miraculous catch of fish which came about because Peter listened to Jesus (see Luke 5: 1-11). Salome would have been informed of this great miracle and she would have consented to her sons becoming students of Jesus.

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.” (Matthew 20:21)

In the time Jesus spent with Salome’s sons, she experienced the power of God in different ways. Salome did not become only a spectator, she became a follower of Jesus. She is mentioned severally as one of the women who followed even until His resurrection. Salome saw Jesus as their long awaited Messiah who would rescue the descendants of Abraham from tyranny. She saw Jesus as a king whose kingdom would bring transformation in society. One day, Salome and her sons (James and John) came to Jesus because Salome had a significant request. She knelt down before Jesus and asked for a favour from Him (Matthew 20:20). Jesus asked, “What is it you want?” and Salome replied, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” (Matthew 20:21). This was a mother’s request and it might have come from a genuine desire to see her children ranked higher in the kingdom of Jesus. Salome might not have considered the possible implications of her request and how the other disciples would feel.

Jesus said to Salome and her sons, “You don’t know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” They replied, “We can” (Matthew 20:22). Jesus went ahead and 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.” (Matthew 20:23). The rest of the disciples were indignant with James and John because of their mother’s request but Jesus used the opportunity to explain to them the dynamics of leadership in the kingdom of God (Matthew 20:25-28). Salome and her sons consented that they are capable of drinking the cup Jesus was going to drink. Salome experienced this painful cup of Jesus when she saw Jesus’ experience in Golgotha (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40). She saw Mary, the mother of Jesus in so much pain. Salome might have comforted Mary and her own heart would have been full of pain and grief.

Salome did not just end her fellowship at Golgotha. Mark 16:1 records that, on the day of the resurrection, “Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.” Salome’s son James was the first of the twelve apostles to drink the cup of persecution (Stephen was the first martyr of the church, Acts 7). Herod the king began persecuting the church and he had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword (Acts 12:2). Was Salome alive to experience this? How would she have felt?

Like Salome, many of us desire certain elevations that come with a cup of suffering. Remember, until Jesus was publicly declared by God as His Beloved Son (during His baptism), the devil didn’t come to Jesus to present the three-fold temptation. In Matthew 3:17, Jesus had His baptism and there a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Right after this public declaration, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1‭). Was Salome wrong to desire a greater feet for her sons? I am not sure she was. She just didn’t count the real cost of drinking the cup of suffering.

We cannot grow in Christ without understanding the dynamics of warfare. Be desirous to grow, be desirous of the gifts of the spirit, be desirous of the supernatural power of God. But most importantly, be committed to ensure a steady growth in Christ. Be intentional to go beyond the elementary doctrines (Hebrews 6:1) and move forward to maturity. Understand that every new level is likely to attract a new devil. May God help us!

Esther: The requests of the Queen

As we continue our study on Esther also known as Hadassah, we have come to a critical point of Esther’s salvation of the Jews. From the previous posts, we have seen that Esther was an orphan who rose up to become the Queen of Persia. She replaced Vashti, because Queen Vashti dishonoured king Xerxes through her disobedience. In all her journey to the royal throne, Esther won the favour of Hegai, the keeper of the harem, she won the favour of those who saw her as she moved to the Palace for her one night with the king. Ultimately, Esther won the favour of the king. Esther seemed to have a blissful moment until one man,  Haman, was promoted as the second in command to the king. Haman was angry at Mordecai, Esther’s uncle for not bowing down to him. Instead of Haman to punish Mordecai for what he did, Haman decided to exterminate all the Jews in the Persian kingdom. Esther had a secret and the secret was that  her nationality was unknown to the king. Thus, Haman, the king’s second in command, declared death for the Queen. Esther had to do something about it but she was afraid that if the king did not extend his scepter, she would be killed. Esther requested that the Jewish people fast for her as she and her household also fast for three days. 

Thus, Esther and the Jews prepared for Esther’s meeting with the king. Esther had to let go of the luxuries of the palace for three days. She denied herself pleasure. She subdued her flesh in order to uplift her spirit. She humbled herself to God through fasting. She demonstrated her neediness for superior help. She understood that her position as queen was not enough to turn the verdict. She knew the systems and dynamics of authourity. In fasting and committing the situation to God,  Esther and the Jewish people brought King Xerxes under God’s superior authourity. Esther understood that in the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that He channels toward all who please him (Proverbs 21:1). Esther understood that to please the king, she must first please the Lord. After dealing with the spiritual side of the battle, this is what happened, “On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.” (Esther 5:1). Esther made a move, she went to the court of the palace even though she had not been summoned. Thus, the fasting did bring the king to Esther, but Esther had the courage to face the king. Thus defeating her greatest fear and uncertainty. The second victory was this, “When he (King Xerxes) saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.” (Esther 5:2). The king favoured Esther, the Lord directed the heart of the King towards Esther. Instead of condemnation, Esther received acceptance. 

Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” (Esther 5:3)

Finally, after Esther had gained courage to meet the king, received favour for acceptance before the king, something happened. Esther didn’t even say a word, but the king spoke and asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” (Esther 5:3). Imagine! The Queen wanted less than half of the kingdom, she went to plead for her life and that of her people but she was offered half of the kingdom. Indeed God turned the heart of Xerxes towards Esther. You would have expected Esther to quickly state her request that she wants the Jews spared. But, she knew better that the court was not the right place.  Esther’s request was this, “If it pleases the king, let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” (Esther 5:4). Esther invited the King and Haman (the man who wants her and her people dead) for a banquet. It sounds ridiculous but Esther did just that! The king’s reply was this, “Bring Haman at once, so that we may do what Esther asks.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared (Esther 5:5). At the banquet, the king asked again, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” (Esther 5:6). Esther’s reply was this,  “My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favour and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.” (Esther 5:7‭-‬8). Esther was not quick to answer. God was working behind the scene to honour Mordecai. If Esther had let the cat out of the bag on the first night, maybe Haman would have been killed but Mordecai’s honour would have been different.  The delay was for God to bring the perfect opportunity for Mordecai to be honoured and Haman to pay for his vile intentions. 

The night after the dinner was a long one for the king and Haman. While the king couldn’t sleep, Haman couldn’t sleep either. The king’s sleeplessness was because Mordecai had to be honoured. Haman’s sleeplessness was because he wanted Mordecai killed. In just one night, two forces competed for Mordecai (honour and dishonour). But, Mordecai, Esther and all Jews had fasted and brought the case before the Chief Judge of all (the Lord). The matter was settled in heaven and earth had to align to heaven’s verdict. Esther’s request was for a second banquet with the king and Haman. Between the night of the first banquet and the evening of the second banquet, the heavens declared the heart of God. The tables turned and Haman walked straight into the pitch he dug for Mordecai. We shall continue this…

Aksah: We will receive more when we ask

Many women are obscured in scripture. We hardly hear messages about them and you might never hear about them unless you read your Bible. A consistent Bible reading lifestyle will introduce you to the different characters whose stories became part of God’s bigger story. Their lives give us lessons to learn and sins to avoid. Who is Caleb and who was his daughter? Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to review the cities God had promised the Israelites. Out of the twelve, only Caleb and Joshua brought a good report and were certain that God will give them the lands. As a result God gave Caleb and Joshua inheritance on the promised land (Numbers 13,14; Joshua 14). When Caleb received his inheritance, the enemies were still living on the land, so Caleb (who was then 80 years old) organized his troops and went to the land to take over. “In accordance with the Lord’s command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah—Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.) From Hebron Caleb drove out the three Anakites—Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, the sons of Anak. From there he marched against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher).” (Joshua 15:13‭-‬15). Let’s return to our main person, Aksah (also spelled Achsah in KJV).

And Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.” She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs. (Joshua 15:16, 19)

The cities were defeated by Caleb but there were still more lands to be occupied. “And Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.” (Joshua 15:16). Aksah was the trophy for the bravest warrior. “Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Aksah to him in marriage.” (Joshua 15:17). Aksah became the wife of Othniel and they were given lands in the Negev (Joshua 15:19). Aksah and Othniel became landowners and you would expect them to be comfortable with what they were given. Aksah was not just comfortable with the land that was given to them. She wanted a spring of water as well. Living in a culture where land ownership was the prerogative of males, and women who get to inherit their father’s lands are bound to marry from the same family  (Joshua 17), Aksah like Zelophehad’s daughters shifted the status quo. Joshua 15:18-19 states that, “One day when she [Aksah] came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What can I do for you?” She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.” Aksah’s request was not denied. She received double of what she requested for.

Sometimes, we feel that we are asking for too much from God. Have we not received enough already? Why do we still ask? The truth is God does not complain when we ask so why should we get weary of asking? Aksah had lands in the Negev and she wanted springs of water. If we were with Aksah,  some of us might have discouraged her from asking for the springs of water. We would have reminded her of how blessed she was to have the lands in the Negev. But Aksah was not satisfied with the lands, she wanted more. Wanting more opportunities, more blessings, more open doors etc. doesn’t mean you are greedy. We only become greedy when our intentions are steered wrongly. If God gives me my dream job, I should not be afraid to pray for and work towards my dream position. If you get your dream spouse, you should still desire for a fulfilling and happy home. We are made for more. Aksah was not moved by the patriarchy of her day. She wanted more and she asked for it. 

We are not made to settle for less. Jesus told His disciples, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7‭-‬8). We have 365 blank slates to fill up. What is your desire? What do you need? Is anything too hard for the Lord?