Do we have a name for this woman? The two of Jesus’ disciples, James and John, were the sons of the fisherman Zebedee. The lady of Matthew 20 was the wife of Zebedee and the mother of James and John. Matthew 27:56 says that this lady was at the tomb of our Saviour, and in Mark’s account of the same event we are given the name of “Salome.” Whether this is her name or not is not really important; but we like names.
Those of us who are critically-minded, and I suppose that is all of us at some point in our lives…. Most Bible readers might tend to look at this lady only negatively. The average Bible-skimmer looks at the lady of Matthew 20 and says “Ugh.” She is selfish, conceited, power-hungry, deceptive, and backstabbing. These are traits of a person who is not a Christian. Is this woman a child of God? What would the mothers of Thomas, Peter and Matthew think about this woman and her request? Certainly the other disciples were angry with her – and with James and John.
But before we condemn her, let me point out a couple of things. First, we must recognize that Jesus didn’t condemn her. The great Judge of Heaven and earth replied to her in love. How we need to learn that same sort of response. Second, a bit of Bible study in her name opens some rather respectable doors. This woman was at the cross of Lord Jesus, when most others were not. Mothers can often endure things that fathers and others can’t. She was not afraid of the soldiers nor of the sneers of the Jews. Then as already mentioned, this Salome was also one of the first at the tomb of the Lord in the morning after the resurrection. Although she wasn’t wealthy like Mary and Martha, she had taken some of her own money to help in the burial process. She had joined the other ladies to anoint the body of the Saviour. So we might assume that this was a woman of faith and courage. In fact, she was one of the more faithful women in all the Bible. She has been with Christ in Galilee, Judea and recently in Perea. Her name belongs there with Deborah, Jael, Sarah, Hannah and some of the Marys.
Oh, but she was as human as the other wretched woman bearing her name. Another Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist. This Salome asked that her sons be raised to the head of the table. Yes, like every mother in this room, Salome was a sinner and in need of a Saviour. But the Lord loved her – Thank God that the Lord loves. He even loves you and me.
The title of our message this evening is: “What Salome Knew.” May we all learn what this woman knew.
This Salome knew WHERE and WHOM to WORSHIP.
I am of the opinion that this lady was a widow – I think that Zebedee had passed away. And I think that Zebedee must have been quite a good man; and well-known for it. His name is often used in Scripture, although we never actually get to meet the man. So I’m assuming that he was a person of some note, especially in and around Galilee. That puts this lady in the same league as the woman of Proverbs 31. It seems inconsistent that this woman would leave home to follow Lord Jesus, if she was still married to Zebedee. The very best place for a lady to follow Lord is at home with her husband and her children. She should avoid, if at all possible, a job in the work-place. But Proverbs 31 says that it would not be improper to sell her surplus crafts, fruits and vegetables. She should make her house a Christian home and serve Lord there first, assuming that there were still a husband and children there. Paul told Christian wives to stay at home even with lost husbands. But, as I believe, Salome was free to follow the Lord because she was a widow.
And under these circumstances she took care of her own spiritual condition. Spiritual leadership of a family should not be thrust upon a lady, a wife and mother. Dad should be the spiritual head of the family, making all the sacred decisions. But when there isn’t a husband and dad, then Mom must take up at least some of the responsibility. And this lady knew what to do.
She knew that worship belongs at the foot of the Lord Jesus. “Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.” I know that the word “worship” might mean nothing more than to bow in respect, but I think that in her case it was much more than that. And obviously, worship does not need to be confined to a building of some sort. Some people have the idea that the only place to pray, to open the Bible, to praise, to sing is in the sanctuary of some church or cathedral. Granted that God’s church is the only authorized organization for worship. But the church is not a structure, a building – it’s God’s people who make up the church. And if a Christian has a proper relationship to the Lord’s church – membership, baptism, attendance, support, prayer …. Then the whole world becomes God’s sanctuary. “The Heavens declare the glory of God, the whole earth showeth His handiwork.” Wherever Christ is, there is a proper place for worship.
This Salome also knew that worship should not be set on some impotent idol. Maybe that goes without saying as far as a woman of Israel was concerned. But that is certainly not the case today in North America. There is a thriving industry of backyard and front yard shrines and idols. There are millions of highly religious people who don’t know as much as this lady knew. They bow before idols as often as the Greeks or the Philistines.
Also her worship was placed on Christ and not on the Holy Spirit as so many are doing. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit must be taught and understood. But efforts to glorify the Spirit – to worship Him and elevate Him – above Christ is wrong. Jesus, in speaking of the Holy Spirit said, “When he shall come, he shall not speak of Himself…” It is not of the Spirit to glorify the Spirit. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity.
This woman was doing something right when she fell at the feet of the Saviour. Christ is “the fullness of the Godhead bodily,” and in Him are “hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Christ is our Creator, Sustainer, our only available Saviour. We can’t preach Him too much, praise Him too much, sing of Him too often. Bring your family and your worship to Christ the way that this woman did with her two sons. I’ve no praise for mother who sends her kids to church and Sunday School. Salome led the way to Christ, and I commend her to you.
Salome also knew WHAT TO DO with REQUESTS and PROBLEMS.
Whose idea do you think it was to make this request of Lord – James and John – or their mother? I don’t know that I can actually say for sure. If it was her sons’ idea, then she should have quelled their pride and greed. Don’t parents need to learn to say the “n” word now and then? It is easy to say “No” when the kids are small, but it is important to keep saying it. Life doesn’t always say “Yes,” and children must learn that, especially at home. Why didn’t this woman refuse her sons, if indeed it was their idea? Apparently, because it was her desire too, whether or not she initiated the thought.
Mothers can and perhaps should dream of the very best for their children. I have read that the parents of Adoniram Judson wanted that young man to be famous. I doubt that initially it was in quite the same was as it was eventually given. Most of the young ladies of Israel wanted Isaiah 7:14 to be fulfilled through them or their daughters. There is nothing wrong in wanting the very best for one’s children, and to instill that desire in them. But what is the best for the kids? To climb the steps of the Capitol or to live in the White House? Is an eight-figure bank account or retirement at age 35 the marks of success? As Paul sort of advises us, “Covet earnestly only the best gifts.” The highest degree of man’s education is worthless without the Lord’s education. Wisdom, intelligence, morality, justice without love, kindness, sacrifice… These things tumble like a house of cards if not built on the foundation of Christ. Yearn for a good personal relationship with Christ for those children of yours. If it is not at Jesus’ right hand or His left, may we still yearn that our children sit at His table as blessed cripples like Mephibosheth. Pray for their devotion, dedication, love of the Word, thirst for prayer, faithfulness to the Lord. Yearn for these things and pray for these things. Anything worth wanting is worth praying for.
I notice that this woman didn’t actually pray for herself. This reminds us that the majority of our prayers ought to be for others. And “others” definitely includes our children. But I do recognize that our children are an extension of ourselves. Pray for their salvation, and for a faithful walk with the Saviour. Pray for their filling with the the Holy Spirit and for their desire to serve the Lord with all their heart. Pray for the best things – which are usually the spiritual things. Cast all your family’s concerns and cares upon Him, for He careth for you. “Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.” “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteous and the rest will fall into place.”
But, there is also a lesson here about praying in the Will of God. She was more concerned with her will and the boys’ will than the Lord’s will. We will always be disappointed if we come to Christ seeking our own way.
Something else, the woman KNEW THE LORD, at least to some degree.
She knew that Christ was worthy of worship. This One before whom she was kneeling was not just the son her friend Mary, he was the Son of God. Some people think that Salome was the sister of Mary, and that Jesus was therefore her nephew. Whether true or not, she knew Him to be the Son of God. Salome had seen Him work mighty miracles. She knew that when He spoke, it was like no other man had ever spoken before. She was not ashamed to bow her knee before Jesus of Nazareth. She knew that He was worthy of worship, for He was Her Lord – Jehovah.
And she knew that He had great authority. Jesus had not yet spoken the great words of Matthew 28:18 – “All Power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” He had not yet spoken, but she knew and believed. The Savior refused to bestow the seats of heavenly honor; but they were His to give. And this reminds us that some WILL BE honored more than others in eternity. Apparently it is not a sin to desire the very best from the Lord. Sir Walter Scott was noted for asking huge royal favors from Elizabeth the First. One day she asked him why he kept doing that. He replied, “Because my Queen continues to grant those requests. When you stop being gracious, I will stop asking.” The Saviour still grants requests larger than Elizabeth can grant.
We see that this woman knew that in the Millennial Kingdom, Jesus would be the Millennial King. No sir, Mr. Jehovah’s Witness, Christ will not be second in command in the kingdom. No sir, Mr. Mormon, Christ will not share throne with thousands of others who have become Gods. There is and will be only one God – one true King. Christ alone is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Salome had learned that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour. He came not to be king, when He was first born of Mary. He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life a ransom. But eventually – soon – He will be the King of the Millennial kingdom.
Some people might condemn Salome for what she prayed. But you must admit that what she knew of Christ was commendable.