Sons of Thunder

April 29, 2020

 

Good afternoon,

" …. James and his brother John ( who he named Boanerges, meaning Sons of Thunder ) … "  Mark 3:17

These two, James and John, are always named together. Jesus gives them a nickname. Why do they get a nickname ? Was Jesus closer to them than the others ? Had they grown up together in Nazareth ? Sons of Thunder is a cool nickname to have. I wonder if Jesus would give me a nickname. Growing up, people used to call me " Freddie " , and "red hat", because I played goalie in soccer with a red hat on. Nothing special. I would like to have a name like James and John had been given by Jesus. I have brothers James and John, and they are an accountant and an artist. No Sons of Thunder there !

Like Andrew and Peter they are mentioned more than the others. They are called early as disciples as well. But, they would like to be the best in heaven. Really ! They ask Jesus if he could put a good word in for them in heaven. And, then it is recorded in Matthew, that their mother gets down on her knees to ask Jesus if they could have a place at the right and left side of Jesus when they get to heaven. The other disciples are angry with them ( Matthew 20:24 ). I wonder how that discussion went at the Last Supper ?

Church history has all kind of Johns and James' . There is the John the writer of the Gospel, the letters and the book of Revelation. They might be all different people who wrote this  biblical material . Then there is another disciple named James ( son of Alphaeus ), and then there is Jesus' brother, the leader of the church in Acts. John the disciple is said to have taken Jesus' mother Mary to Ephesus. Today there are the ruins of the Church of St. John there, where it is said the bones of John are buried. There is also a large shrine to the Virgin Mary nearby.

 These two men are both Sons of Thunder, and are petty and want something only for themselves. They are faithful and broken just like all of us. They would like to be at the front of the line, just like us, or we want to be at least in the top half. I am pleased that the Gospel writers did not edit out such a glaring mistake by James and John.

What do you think of James and John ? Thinking of their request, what would you have done with them ?

Prayer for Today

Thank you , O Lord

for the honesty of the writers,

for the honesty of the disciples

Thank you, O Lord

for your presence with the us

even when we,

mess up, as sons and daughters of Thunder.

our lightning is not as bright,

as we might think it is.

Thank you, O Lord.

For your patience, understanding and love . AMEN.

Remember to pray for our frontline healthcare workers who are responding with love to their patients and clients. AMEN.

Fred