What Jesus Did! 'Mothers!' — Matthew 20:20-21

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. "What is your request?" he asked.

She replied, "In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left."

— Matthew 20:20-21 NLT

Key Thought

Mothers are so precious. They want what is best for their children. They want others to love their children and see them in the same way they do. These desires sometimes cause them to say things they shouldn't and do things that are ill-advised. But they want good things so very much for their children that they cannot contain themselves.

Notice in the following verses that Jesus does not deal harshly with James' and John's mother. In fact, he recognizes that her question may even arise from within the hearts of her two sons and replies to them, not her (Matthew 20:22-23).

Jesus' ministry is routed in the real world, the same world we live in. Rivalry and ambition and motherly love all collide with truth and God's will and timing. That Jesus lived in and knows our world should be great comfort when we go to him in prayer.

Today's Prayer

Holy Father, I want to thank you for godly mothers today. I thank you for the way they sacrifice to give life along with the gifts of blessing, hope, and faith to their children. I ask you to bless each of them now and for all eternity with your love, grace, and reward. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 20:20-21 NLT — "What is your request?" —— "In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, September 21, 2025

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Holy Fear' (Acts 5:5-14)
"As soon as Ananias heard these words [about his lie], he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Phillips Brooks:
"The Bible is like a telescope. If a man looks through his telescope, then he sees worlds beyond; but if he looks at his telescope, then he does not see anything..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'United in Christ' (1 Co. 1:10-13)
"Dear Father, the one and only God of your one holy people, Help me never to be part of any division within the body of Christ. Let me be perfectly..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Roar of the Mighty Ocean Waves' (Re. 19:6-7)
"Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: "Praise the Lord! For....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!