Scripture: Matthew 20:21 – “And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’” (NRSVue)
There are a lot of risks in life, and it takes a lot of courage to face all the things we need to for the sake of our families, our communities, and our own wellbeing. Few people take risks without some promise of reward; there is always something greater on the other side that makes the risk worthwhile.
In the Gospels, Jesus warns us against this kind of thinking. Jesus predicts his crucifixion to the disciples three times, and, understandably, it freaks them out. The first time, Peter tells Jesus not to say such things, to which Jesus responds, “Get behind me, Satan!” The second time, the disciples start thinking about greatness, like what kind of greatness marks the sacrifice Jesus is making. By the third time, however, the disciples are not thinking about Jesus or about abstracts, but about themselves. In Matthew’s version, two of Jesus’ most beloved disciples, James and John, ask their mother, Salome, to speak on their behalf. Big show of courage, guys. She asks that when Jesus comes into his kingdom, that is, when he is glorified after his sacrifice, her sons should have the places of honor at his right and left sides. To receive such honor, Jesus asks if the men are willing to “drink the cup” that Jesus is about drink, to undergo torment and death for their faith. Naturally, James and John say they are ready, but Jesus says that even he cannot guarantee what will happen to them in heaven after their suffering. When the other disciples hear about this, they are furious and start arguing over who is the best. Jesus says that one who is the greatest is the one who is the servant of all.
While Jesus makes it about humility, I think this I also about risk and reward. I think the disciples are willing to sacrifice themselves if they think there is a great reward coming their way. They may even be willing to serve all others, not to love God and emulate Jesus, but to prove how humble they can be and become the first after being the last. The secret motivation is the reward at the end.
I feel like this obsession with reward poisons our relationship with God and with our neighbors. Kindness should be its own reward, and not done just to impress others. There is prestige in service; just think of the soldiers, teachers, and nurses who are thought of as heroes and saints for working so hard for others for so little pay. But they do not do it for praise. They do it out of love for their country and community.
We should take the same attitude in all that we do. We should love others for the sake of love. To me any question of glory or reward is irrelevant. Who cares how or even whether God rewards us for all our good deeds? God’s grace is freely given, and our kindness should be, too. I see the heavenly kingdom as less of a reward than as a safety net. We should strive for charity and justice, but if we fail, God is there to catch us. The risk is mitigated, so we need only think of how best to share our gifts with others in love.
This takes all the worry and pride out of service and makes it easy and natural. So, take those risks for others, even at a great cost, knowing that Jesus will catch us if we fall, and we will find that love is greater than any glory.
Prayer: God, quiet my fears of loss and make kindness as easy as breathing. Amen.
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