I would tell any new mom that no matter what she did to prepare for her new child coming into the world, she has no idea what to ‘really’ expect.  Anyone who is a parent, knows this is true! As parents, they see their newborn child for the first time, and it takes their hearts away.  Suddenly, within just seconds of that birth and seeing their child for the first time, its mom and dad love that child more than life itself.  From that point forward, parents find their selves doing things that they never dreamed they would do – from changing diapers, being advocates for them in the secular world and the public- school system, to spending thousands of dollars for their education, extra- curricular activities, and all the things they want along the way.  Being a parent is a selfless love.  As parents, our children come first – hoping that everything is perfect in their lives and they live a fulfilled life of joy and happiness.

In Matthew 20:17-28, Jesus tells his disciples for the third time what is going to happen to him on the cross.  Jesus wants to prepare them – forewarn them of what is to come.  But, just like a new mother preparing for the coming of her newborn child, the disciples had no idea what was ‘really’ in store for them.  Then the mother of the two disciples who are brothers – James and John, goes to Jesus and asks Jesus to make a place for her sons in the Kingdom of heaven.  Well, can you blame her!  She wants the best for her children.  She wants them to have salvation! She loves her children and wants them to have a secure future.

This is how God loves us!  From the second we came into the world, God’s love for us is beyond anything that we can imagine.  God didn’t send Jesus in the world for God’s sake!  God sent Jesus into the world for OUR SAKE!  Just as a parent loves their child and would do ANYTHING for that child, God has done for us through Jesus Christ.  God wants each of us to be happy, live a fulfilled life of joy, and to be safe and secure in our future – just like the mom who went to Jesus asking that her two sons stand next to Jesus!  God puts us first – hoping that everything is perfect in our lives and we live a fulfilled life of joy and happiness – not just hear on earth, but also in our eternal life.

Let us pray…Dear Jesus, you love us so much that you went to the cross for us so that we could be with you in our eternal life.  Help us to remember that you only want the best for us as we live out our lives here on earth.  Teach us to serve others, to help others, and to remember that we are brothers and sisters in your name.  Amen.