Sons of Thunder

They were known as the “Sons of Thunder”, but long before Jesus gave that nickname to the sons of Zebedee, James and John were already earning it when they were kids running around on the deck of their father’s fishing boat or wrestling each other in the backyard. They competed over everything: Who was the tallest, the fastest? Who was their best fisherman? Who had the most friends, especially girlfriends? Who was the best looking, the smartest? Who was their parent’s favorite? If there was a contest, a team to play for, or a girl to compete for then James and John would be there. They were brought up being told that they could be anything that they wanted to be, so in their pursuit of greatness they were constantly trying to one up each other. If James was the first one to learn to walk, then John was the first to learn how to run. If John was the first one to catch a fish, then James would catch the most fish. If James built a working model of the walls of Jericho for the school science fair, then John would build a bigger one. This is how they grew up, each one competing to be the best, but no matter how much they wanted to be better than the other, they still loved each other very much, they were brothers first, competitors second.

As they grew into adulthood they became strong, successful men in their community. They built a reputation as hard working and hard willed men. It wasn’t a surprise to many when Jesus picked them to follow him, although some were worried that they might cause more problems then they would solve. Although their friends and neighbors loved James and John, they also thought that Jesus had no idea what He was getting himself into. But most agreed that they would be a strong asset to the leader of any up and coming movement. They were go-getters who were strong in their beliefs and who wouldn’t back down from a fight.

It didn’t take long for the sons of Zebedee to become an important part of Jesus’ ministry. As they followed Jesus throughout the Judean hillside they could always be found at His side ready to help out in whatever way was needed. Even though they were 2 of the original 12 that Jesus called out to be his followers, they had quickly found themselves in His inner circle. They were there at some of the most important events in Jesus ministry. Of course they were there when he fed the 5,000 and when he walked on water, but so were the rest of the apostles. They, however, had the privilege of being present when Jesus raised the daughter of Jarius from the dead, and the even greater privilege of being present at the transfiguration. They got to see the Son of God transfigured in all His glory, along with Moses and Elijah. But don’t think for one minute, that their special standing was lost on them. James and John recognized their special place in Jesus’ inner circle, and while they certainly didn’t use their position to exploit others, they were keen to take full advantage of whatever they could, or whatever they thought they should, get out of it.

One day, as Jesus and his disciples were walking the long dirt road to Jerusalem, James and John began to talk. James looked over at John and said “You know I’ve been thinking.” “Oh yeah, what about?” John replied. “One day we are going to die.” James said “You don’t say? I had no idea! Seriously, could you be any more depressing?” John shot back. “Listen, one day we are going to die and go to heaven, but what then. I mean we are the disciples of Jesus, the Son of God, not only that but we’re really important disciples not like the rest of these guys. Remember it was us, and Peter, who got to be at the Transfiguration.” “Yeah, I remember” said John “So we're not just regular old disciples, we’re important.” “Sure I guess so” agreed John “So, when we die won’t we be just as important in heaven.” Both of their eyes lit up. Sure it was great being important disciples on Earth, but to be important in heaven, now that would be awesome, that was for eternity! “You’re right!” John exclaimed. “Well I was thinking,” James continued, “Jesus has been talking a lot about His kingdom lately, and when He gets there everybody knows He will have His throne to sit up where everybody can come and worship him.” “Yeah that’s right” John said. “But the question is who gets to sit next to Him. I mean, obviously He thinks a lot of us now, and He’s given us all this authority and power, I mean, shouldn’t it carry on into heaven. So, I guess what I’m wondering is…” but John cut him off before he could finish “shouldn’t we sit next to Him in heaven!” “Exactly!” “And besides, didn’t He say ask anything in my name and it will be given to us?” “He did.” “So ask him brother.” “Who me?” “Yeah, why not, you’re not scared are you?” James knew he could push his brother’s buttons, but John wasn’t stupid either, he knew who we would be talking to: the Son of God! After going back and forth, calling each other a coward, making chicken noises, and calling each other all kinds of names, James relented and approached Jesus.

As brave as he was in a fight, James was terrified at that moment. His heart was pounding and his hands couldn’t have been any sweatier. He had no idea how Jesus would react. Would he say “Sure, can’t wait to see you there!” or would He have a lightening bolt come down from heaven to shock James back into reality. Finally, the moment came. Although the scripture doesn’t say one way or the other, I wonder if there wasn’t an awkward silence at first when Jesus turned around to see what James wanted, then James standing there silent with his mouth hanging wide open, trying to figure out what to say as the reality of what he was doing sank it. But, of course, he got past any fears or hesitations and he said “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” John who was looking on "innocently" just over James’ shoulder was speechless; he couldn’t believe his brother was actually brave enough to actually ask Jesus. What would Jesus do? Would he get mad and yell at them or would he just laugh and keep walking. Of course, this whole encounter didn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the disciples. They too were waiting anxiously to see how Jesus would respond. They didn’t have to wait long for their answer. Jesus replied “What is it you want me to do for you?” The two brothers stared at each other in stunned silence they couldn’t believe what Jesus just said. Finally, John spoke up “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” There was another moment of anxious silence. Was He going to yell at them? No, wait a second, was that a grin on His face? Finally, Jesus responded, and in typical Jesus fashion He asked them a question “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” Without a second’s hesitation and almost in unison the brothers replied “We are able.” Again a slight grin came over Jesus’ face and he replied “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left hand is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

To say that James and John were a bit disappointed would be an understatement. Unfortunately for James and John, however, before they could take the time to throw themselves a pity party they had to deal with 10 angry men. As Jesus continued on down the dirt road, the rest of the apostles caught up with the sons of Zebedee and confronted them. They had overheard the conversation the brothers had had with Jesus, and they were more that just a bit irritated with the Sons of Thunder. Who did these guys think they were? What made them think they were so special? What made them think they had done anything to deserve the right or the privilege of sitting at the right and left hand of the Son of God for all eternity? The nerve of these guys! Any chance the other 10 had of sitting next to Jesus for eternity had probably just gone up in smoke! Before things broke into a full-scale right Jesus stopped, walked back towards his quarrelling apostles and said “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Once again: awkward silence.