3 Reasons Why Your Faith Matters to Your Kids
Do you know who Salome is from the Bible? You might have first thought of Herod’s daughter who danced for him and then requested the head of John the Baptist. I’m not talking about that Salome.
The Salome I have in mind is the mother of Zebedee’s sons. She is also known as the mother of James and John, two important disciples of Jesus Christ. Salome was a Biblical woman of influence.
Zebedee, who was a fisherman, was Salome’s husband. The Bible alludes to the fact that Zebedee was a prosperous fisherman, so the family relied on James and John to help out in the family’s business.
In the chapters of Matthew and Mark, we read that Jesus approached James and John and asked them to follow Him. Following Jesus meant: to leave behind their family, their possession of a successful family business, and live a life of ministry.
(Matthew 4:21-22, NLT).
21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too.
22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
The Bible says the boys immediately followed Jesus, so we need to assume; God had been working in the hearts of Zebedee and his wife well before Jesus called them.
Salome, nor her husband, interfered or tried to talk their sons out of it. None of the parties involved had excuses nor offered delays. This tells me that they already knew and found Jesus’ ministry important.
What We Can Learn From This Biblical Woman of Influence
Our Devotion to Christ is Important to Our Kids
Salome brought up her boys knowing the Bible as can be seen from their respective books in the Bible. She was devoted to Jesus and allowed her children to leave their family’s business and participate in a low-paying, sacrificial lifestyle. I surmise this had been talked about ahead of time and both parents gave their blessings to James and John joining in this ministry.
Salome was a devoted follower, as she was part of the crowds of listeners, and she was present at the cross. She definitely was a woman of influence. Many of Jesus’ followers and disciples fled in fear during the events of the crucifixion, but Salome was present with Mary in allegiance to her Lord.
Once Jesus was in the tomb, Salome was a part of the group of ladies who brought spices to anoint the body of Jesus. She was also present at the empty tomb on Easter and was one of the first to share with the disciples and other followers about the Resurrection. How amazing!
Where we spend our time is a direct sign of what we think is important. It’s crucial that we seek first the Kingdom of God. Salome clearly demonstrates Who was important.
Our Best isn’t Always God’s Best
Salome wanted the best for her boys. While she knew being a part of the team with Jesus was important, she wanted them to also get earthly recognition.
(Matthew 20:20-21, NLT).
Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “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.”
Here’s what we learn from her: asking for recognition, especially in God’s Kingdom, requires sacrifice and sometimes extreme pain. When we ask for God to use our children in His Kingdom, we have to be willing to accept that they will be targets of God’s enemy, the devil.
When we ask for God to use our children in His Kingdom, we have to be willing to accept that they will be targets of God’s enemy, the devil. As mothers, we can stand in the gap for them through prayer. Click To TweetOur flesh desires worldly success, but God desires those who want to be a part of His work to be humble servants.
So it’s important to note, though we want the best for our kids, we need to hold ourselves back in directing where we think they should be. Our desires need to align with God’s.
As Christian moms, we need to pray for God’s will in our children’s lives and ask Him to bless them as they become servants in His kingdom.
Our Influence and Job Extends into the Future
Even though Salome didn’t know that Jesus would be asking her sons to follow Him, this Biblical beauty was prepping them (in tandem with God) for their futures.
When each of these boys was born, she was one of the first relationships that demonstrated love to them. The love of God showed through Salome.
As a mom, she was their role-model against a sinful world. The time she spent telling them about the Savior and the teachings of the Old Testament prepared them for standing- out in an evil world. She led them to not conform to the world but to be ready to say “yes” to Jesus Christ.
This Biblical woman of influence’s devotion to God prepared James and John to join in the Great Commission, be totally devoted to Christ, to experience suffering, death, and exile, and eventually to write words that would change history.
Don’t underestimate what you can do momma as you bring up your children. God is working in you: His love within you, and your faith being lived out daily matters to your children! Your greatest calling is being a mom!
When we look back over the footprints of our journey, God will start unmasking the hard places. Joy and wonder will fill us because there was meaning in the mess for us.
Blog: https://www.unmaskingthemess.com
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I have read the scripture about her request but didn’t see it from this perspective. Thank you for sharing the story of this woman of God and this insight into our critical roles as mothers. Our faith and our example matters.
I’ve never even thought about all the implications related to Salome’s mothering influence in her sons lives, Julie! This is a very thought-provoking and encouraging post, my friend! Thanks to you and Angel for sharing and I’ve pinned this 2x. I hope it helps spread the word!
I love this! May we always aspire to be women who live our faith out in a way that we pass it along to others.
Great post. I always think about how our sins will one day visit our sons and daughters. This is scary to me. lol. This helps motivate me to keep my relationship with Christ close.
I have never thought of this perspective before – WOW – thanks for sharing!
So true! Our children will learn from the example we set… and bland faith won’t pass. I pray that I will be a mother that fiercely seeks the Lord and that my children will follow me as I follow Him!
I’ve counseled many a mom who has been paralyzed by the fear that pain will enter their children’s lives–always trying to protect them from painful issues, Julie. Though that’s what a good mom should do–be a protector–there are so many ways that God redeems and uses pain in our children’s lives. And that’s exactly what happened for James and John. It was a bittersweet reality that helped to carry the gospel forward into all the world after Christ’s death. I’m so glad they were willing to accept the suffering that comes with following hard after Christ! And thankful too for Salome’s godly influence and investment in her son’s lives as well. Thanks to you, Julie for this great post and to Angel for sharing it with us all!
So good! This is right in line with the sermon series that’s church just started – Leaving a Legacy! We cannot expect our children to have a relationship with the Lord, if we don’t have one ourselves! Thanks for sharing!
I agree. I am going to teach my boy to pray as early as possible. We have Children’s Bible story books that are appropriate to his age.
What an important role we play in the lives of our children. I thank God we have His wisdom and guidance to lead our children. Thank you for this post.
Thank you for the opportunity to share here again!