A Mother Who Spoke Up
No Series • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 12 viewsNotes
Transcript
Introduction: The Story of a Mother Who Spoke Up
Introduction: The Story of a Mother Who Spoke Up
Have you ever been in a school play. having many lines can scary but having only one line can be also very intimidating.
On this Mother’s Day, let’s meet a mom you may not know very well because she only had one “speaking part” but it very significant.
Her name is Salome — the mother of James and John, two of Jesus’ closest disciples.
Salome raises the boys that Jesus calls the Sons of Thunder.
Mark 3:17 “17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:”
Their fiery zeal and quick temper, which likely earned them the title. (When Samaritan village rejects Jesus they suggest they call fire from heaven down)
Salome’s son James → Apostle → No biblical writings → First Apostle martyr (Acts 12).
Salome’s son John → Apostle → Wrote 5 books of the New Testament (Gospel, 3 Epistles, Revelation).
We know little of the dad. Owned a fishing boat. Had hired servants. Possibly passed before the time of the crucificition. We don’t hear of him following Christ - but have no reason to believe he didn’t. Either way there isn’t enough information for him to be the focus for Father’s Day.
She shows up quietly at powerful moments:
She stood near the cross (Mark 15:40), watching the death of Jesus. Mark 15:40 “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;”
She came to the tomb (Mark 16:1), hoping to care for Jesus’ body. Mark 16:1 “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.”
And here, in Matthew 20, she has her one recorded speaking moment — when she did what every mother has done:
Matthew 20:20–21 “20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s 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.”
She asked Jesus for something great for her sons.
She asked Jesus for something great for her sons.
That’s a mother’s heart, isn’t it?
She didn’t ask anything of her self.
We pray for our children to succeed.
We hope they do well, are safe, and are near the Lord.
We want them to experience the very best.
Transition: Salome’s story begins where many mothers’ hearts begin — with a desire for the very best for her children.
Transition: Salome’s story begins where many mothers’ hearts begin — with a desire for the very best for her children.
1. A mother’s heart naturally desires the best for her children.
1. A mother’s heart naturally desires the best for her children.
Salome came to Jesus in faith, wanting what every mom wants — success, security, and blessing for her children.
A. She came with boldness and love
A. She came with boldness and love
Matthew 20:20 “20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.”
Moms should pray bold prayers for their kids.
Hannah (1 Samuel 1:11) — Prayed that her son would be given to the Lord all his life.
Job (Job 1:5) — Offered sacrifices regularly for his children’s spiritual well-being.
Jesus (John 17:15–17) — Prayed for His disciples to be protected, sanctified, and faithful in the world.
Do not be afraid to ask big things from God for your kids.
The problem here isn’t that she asks for something too big, but she asked for something too small.
The greatest thing we can pray for our children is not that they will have an easy life, but that they will have an eternal impact.
B. She believed Jesus held her sons’ future
B. She believed Jesus held her sons’ future
Matthew 20:21 “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.”
She knew Jesus was King.
Her request, though flawed in focus, was rooted in faith. She did not come asking Rome, religious leaders, or herself to secure her sons' future. She came to Jesus, confessing by implication that He alone had the authority to assign eternal honor and determine destiny.
Salome knew greatness for her sons could only come from proximity to Jesus.
We are ambassadors, not owners. We do not write our children's story; we point them to the Author of life.
C. But she focused on position over purpose
C. But she focused on position over purpose
Parents, this means our deepest desire for our children should not be:
That they would be admired by others,
But that they would make much of Jesus, wherever He places them.
Moms, our dreams for our kids are often good — but sometimes need refining.
We may dream of our children excelling in careers, sports, or ministry — but God may lead them to hidden places of humble service.
We may imagine influence and visibility — but God may choose obscurity and quiet faithfulness.
Transition: This is where Jesus lovingly steps in to shape her dreams — because a mother’s dreams must align with God's will.
Transition: This is where Jesus lovingly steps in to shape her dreams — because a mother’s dreams must align with God's will.
2. A mother’s dreams must be shaped by God’s will for His children.
2. A mother’s dreams must be shaped by God’s will for His children.
Jesus gently taught her that true greatness comes through sacrifice and surrender.
A. Jesus said, “You don’t know what you’re asking”
A. Jesus said, “You don’t know what you’re asking”
Matthew 20:22 “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.”
Every mom has prayed prayers they later realized weren’t best.
“Ye know not what ye ask” → Seeking glory without suffering.
Spiritual greatness requires carrying crosses, not climbing ladders. Luke 9:23 “23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
B. Jesus pointed them to the "cup" of suffering
B. Jesus pointed them to the "cup" of suffering
Matthew 20:22 “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.”
Moms often want to spare their kids pain.
But spiritual greatness may involve trials, hardships, and even suffering.
C. Jesus promised they would follow Him down hard paths
C. Jesus promised they would follow Him down hard paths
Matthew 20:23 “23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.”
James would die young as a martyr.
John would live long, suffering in lonely exile.
Application for Moms:
The hardest thing is to release our kids to God's purposes — which is a real shame because God ishas the trustworthy hands.
We can pray for safety — but better to pray for strength as well because safety is not always promised.
Pray they will follow Jesus fully, even if it costs them because it certainly will.
Transition: But Jesus doesn’t leave her there. He lifts her eyes higher — from suffering to what true greatness really is.
Transition: But Jesus doesn’t leave her there. He lifts her eyes higher — from suffering to what true greatness really is.
III. A mother should teach her children true greatness
III. A mother should teach her children true greatness
Jesus redefined greatness — not as having power, but as living to serve others.
A. The world defines greatness as being first and getting ahead.
A. The world defines greatness as being first and getting ahead.
Matthew 20:24 “24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.”
The disciples were indignant because they still thought greatness meant position and prominence.
The world will tell your children: "Win at all costs. Push others down to get ahead."
Moms must help children resist this prideful ambition
B. Jesus redefines greatness as humble service you.
B. Jesus redefines greatness as humble service you.
Matthew 20:25–26 “25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;”
"Not so among you" — Kingdom greatness runs contrary to worldly greatness.
True greatness is not ruling over people, but serving them in love.
Moms can instill this early: "Love people. Serve quietly. Put others before yourself.
"Lord, not my dreams, but Your design."
C. True greatness requires becoming a servant to all
C. True greatness requires becoming a servant to all
Matthew 20:27 “27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:”
The highest honor in God's kingdom comes through the lowest posture.
Moms should encourage their kids not to seek to be served, but to seek to serve.
Nothing will shape our children’s understanding of true service more than watching whether we serve with joy or with reluctance.
D. Jesus is the ultimate model of greatness through sacrifice.
D. Jesus is the ultimate model of greatness through sacrifice.
Matthew 20:28 “28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Jesus came "not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
The cross is the supreme picture of servant-hearted leadership.
Moms, teach your children that the greatest thing they can do with their lives is to follow Jesus in sacrificial love.
Moms, this is the calling: not just to dream big dreams, but to desire Christ-shaped dreams for your children — dreams that lead them to serve and sacrifice, just like Jesus.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Pray big, but pray better.
Pray big, but pray better.
Not Lord, make my child successful, but: Lord, make my child like Jesus.
Pray for them to love God deeply.
Pray for them to serve others humbly.
Pray for them to follow Jesus fully — no matter what the cost.
Because in the end, what matters most is not how high our children climb, but how closely they follow Jesus.
Time of prayer
Time of prayer
Gospel Invitation:
Jesus came to be your ransom
That ransom was paid at the cross.
There, Jesus bore our sins so that we could be forgiven.
There, He served us in the most unimaginable way — by dying in our place.
And today, because He lives, He offers eternal life, peace with God, and true greatness — the greatness of knowing Him — to all who will turn from their sin and trust Him.
So, mom, if you have never trusted Christ yourself, today is the day.
The greatest gift you can give your children is not what you leave them in this life, but the example you set by following Jesus yourself.
And for every dad, son, daughter, and friend here today — the invitation is the same.
