Matthew 20:20-21 Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 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.

A loving mother, trusting and worshipping in her Lord asks a favor of Him. Was it wrong for her to desire good things for her sons? I think not. A mother’s love will always seek good things for her children and a Godly woman, Godly things.

Matthew 20:22 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.

Did they understand what they were committing to do? Maybe yes, maybe no. Either way this was Jesus reply to mother and sons.

Matthew 20:23 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.

While Jesus could not grant her request, He did tell her that they were still in the running. How so? Because they committed themselves to follow in His footsteps, Jesus foretold of their success. They would die for the gospel, obedient, faithful, and fervent; the sons of thunder that they were.

Jesus did not grant her request, nor did He dismiss her either. The issue at hand here is in being careful what we ask for because if we do not understand the demands of success, we might end up surprised at what we have to endure.

Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

Romans 5:1,2,5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

If the abiding love of God does not touch the lives of those around you, what are you to think?

Rather than judge yourselves too harshly, let us look at the process and see if we understand the effectiveness of the gospel.

First we are justified by faith.

Second being justified we have peace with God.

Third being at peace with God we have a right standing before God, righteousness.

Fourth we have access to God.

Fifth we have hope.

Sixth we are not ashamed.

Seventh, because we are not ashamed, we reflect the love of God.

None of this happens instantly. Even the first step, justified by faith takes time to soak in and believe it is true. It isn’t that we don’t believe in God so much as we don’t believe in ourselves.

The biggest hindrance to effective affection is self-doubt. “How can I?”

Psalm 19:9-11 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

This takes time and practice.