Salome the Mother of Faith with a Special Demand

Word of the Day: Demand

To ask by authority; to require; to seek or claim or to claim or seek as due by right.

Salome was Zebedee's wife and the mother of James and John (His disciples). Salome's husband was a wealthy fisherman from Galilee. This lady had pride in her children, and we can also describe her as a mama bear. Her name means peace, and she is on the list of faithful ladies who served during His ministry here on Earth.

Matthew 20:20

Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

This lady was the type of mother who brought her kids to church. Her entire family followed the Lord. Her kids were part of Jesus' inner circle and were among those dedicated to following the Lord. Salome was also there when the Lord was crucified and helped prepare the spices to anoint Him.

Mark 15:40

There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Mark 16:1

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

The Bible also describes her as an ambitious woman. Of course, she wanted the best for her children, and who doesn't, especially when you have that close relationship with the Lord. Because she had a close relationship with her Saviour, she dared to ask Lord if her two children could sit on each side of Him in His Kingdom. Please don't be quick to judge her; this action demonstrates that she had faith in His Kingdom.

Matthew 20:20–21

20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

Salome knew that she was an honored mother. Her kids were serving the Lord of lords, and she took pride in that. The Lord did not accept her request but corrected her with truth and grace. This is what the Lord said to her: Matthew 20:22 Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of… James and John would have to share the throne of sufferings with Him. The good thing is that they accepted it by becoming His disciples.

Matthew 20:22

But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Her boys became great leaders in the New Testament. Not only did they become followers of Christ, but they also died for His cause.

John: was a fisherman who became the youngest apostle during the Last Supper; he sat next to Christ. He was the Beloved Disciple, the author of 5 books of the New Testament: The Gospel of John, John I, John II, John III, and Revelations.

James: He was the oldest brother and, of course, a fisherman. He became the second Christian martyr. We cannot attribute that he wrote the Book James due to his death at an early age.

Conclusion: We learn from Salome that she had influenced her kids to follow the Lord. We see that her ambitions were carnal, but she also had faith that one day her children would be in heaven with the Lord. The role of being a mother is enormous, but it is also a privilege given to a woman. He gives us the ability not only to nurture them but also to prepare them for His glory.