Aligning Our Requests with God’s Will
Are All of our Requests unto God Appropriate?
In Matthew 20:20-21, we read about the mother of the sons of Zebedee, James and John, approaching Jesus with a request. This incident offers an important lesson about how our piety, or religious devotion, does not necessarily determine the appropriateness of our requests to God. By examining this passage, we can gain a deeper understanding of why this is the case and how we can align our desires more closely with God’s will.
The Request of Salome
Salome, the mother of James and John, came to Jesus with a request. She asked Him to grant her sons the privilege of sitting at His right and left in His kingdom. This request, though made with a reverent attitude, was inappropriate for several reasons.
Context of the Request
First, consider the context in which this request was made. Just prior to this, in Matthew 20:17-19, Jesus had shared with His disciples the grim details of His impending suffering and death. He spoke of being handed over, condemned, mocked, scourged, crucified, and then rising again on the third day. The gravity of this revelation was met with silence from the disciples. Instead of expressing concern or compassion for what Jesus was about to endure, Salome’s request revealed ambition and a desire for power. This juxtaposition highlights the inappropriateness of her request.
Comparison with Other Parents
When we compare Salome’s request with those of other parents in the Gospels, we see a stark contrast. In Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26, we read about a synagogue leader whose daughter had died. His request was for Jesus to come and bring her back to life. In Matthew 15:21-28, a Canaanite woman begged Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. In Matthew 17:14-18, a father asked Jesus to heal his son who was suffering from seizures. These parents approached Jesus with requests for healing and restoration, not for positions of power.
Piety and Appropriateness
Salome’s actions demonstrate piety. She approached Jesus with reverence, kneeling before Him, which is a common posture of discipleship in the Gospels. Her request can be seen as an act of prayer. However, her piety did not ensure the appropriateness of her request. This incident shows that even when we approach God with the most sincere and devout attitude, our requests may still be misguided if they are not aligned with God’s perspective.
Understanding God’s Perspective
One of the main reasons our piety does not necessarily determine the appropriateness of our requests is that our understanding of God’s perspective is often limited. Salome and her sons believed in Jesus’ ultimate victory and the establishment of His kingdom. They knew that the disciples would share in His reign. However, they misunderstood the nature of this kingdom and their role in it. They envisioned a kingdom where they would hold positions of prestige and importance, similar to the hierarchical structures of the Roman Empire.
The Nature of God’s Kingdom
Jesus’ kingdom is fundamentally different from earthly kingdoms. It is not about domination, power, and prestige for oneself. Instead, it is about service, humility, and sacrifice. In Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus explains this to His disciples, saying, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Misaligned Desires
When our desires are misaligned with God’s perspective, our requests can become inappropriate. Salome’s request was driven by a desire for her sons to hold positions of honor and authority. This desire, while understandable from a human perspective, was not in line with the values of God’s kingdom. Similarly, we may approach God with requests that stem from our limited understanding or selfish ambitions. These requests, though made with sincere devotion, may not be appropriate in the context of God’s greater plan.
Lessons from Other Biblical Examples
Throughout the Bible, we find other examples that illustrate how piety does not guarantee the appropriateness of our requests.
The Prayer of Hannah
In 1 Samuel 1, we read about Hannah, a devout woman who desperately wanted a child. She prayed fervently to God, asking for a son. Her request was driven by her deep desire to have a child, but it was also influenced by the social stigma of being childless. God granted her request, and she gave birth to Samuel, who would become a great prophet. While Hannah’s request was eventually fulfilled, it was her vow to dedicate her son to God’s service that aligned her desire with God’s plan. This story shows that while our initial requests may be driven by personal desires, aligning them with God’s purpose can lead to their fulfilment in a way that serves His greater plan.
The Prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Himself prayed, asking the Father to take the cup of suffering away from Him if possible. This request, made with the utmost piety, was driven by Jesus’ human desire to avoid pain and suffering (not physical pain but the pain associated with drinking the cup of God’s wrath). However, Jesus also prayed, “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). This shows that even in moments of deep distress, Jesus sought to align His will with the Father’s. His example teaches us that the appropriateness of our requests is determined by our willingness to submit to God’s will, even when it is difficult.
The Apostle Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul speaks about a “thorn in the flesh” that tormented him. He prayed three times for it to be removed, but God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s request for relief, made with genuine piety, was not granted because God’s plan was for Paul to experience His strength through weakness. This example highlights that sometimes our requests are not granted because God’s perspective and purpose for our lives are different from our own.
Aligning Our Requests with God’s Will
Given that our piety does not necessarily determine the appropriateness of our requests, how can we ensure that our desires are aligned with God’s will?
Seeking God’s Perspective
The first step is to seek God’s perspective. This means spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. As we grow in our understanding of God’s character and His plan for our lives, our desires and requests will become more aligned with His will.
Praying with Humility
When we approach God in prayer, we should do so with humility, acknowledging that His ways are higher than our ways. This means being open to the possibility that our requests may not be in line with His will and being willing to accept His answer, whether it is yes, no, or wait.
Trusting in God’s Goodness
We must trust in God’s goodness and His desire to give us what is best. In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus says, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Trusting in God’s goodness means believing that He knows what is best for us, even when His answer to our requests is not what we expected.
Being Willing to Serve
Finally, we should be willing to serve, following the example of Jesus. In God’s kingdom, greatness is measured by our willingness to serve others. When our requests are driven by a desire to serve and glorify God, they are more likely to be aligned with His will.
Conclusion
The story of Salome’s request in Matthew 20:20-21 teaches us that our piety does not necessarily determine the appropriateness of our requests. Even when we approach God with sincere devotion, our desires may be misaligned with His perspective. By seeking God’s perspective, praying with humility, trusting in His goodness, and being willing to serve, we can ensure that our requests are more aligned with His will. In doing so, we will not only grow in our relationship with God but also contribute to the fulfilment of His greater plan for our lives and His kingdom.