The Privileged Disciples

Sometimes the ones who are called are the ones we might expect.

As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. - Mark 1:19-20

Jesus called James and his brother John the Sons of Thunder, and he may have given them that name from the start, knowing something about their hot-headed nature. Perhaps he had heard of them before he called them to join him.  Maybe he wanted strong-willed people in his entourage.

They were sons of a fairly successful businessman, Zebedee, who could afford hired hands to help him with his fishing business, so these were not poor day laborers.  They may have enjoyed some privileges and knowledge of them may have spread throughout the village.

Jesus often spoke of the difficulties of the rich.  They would not have an easy time giving up what they have to focus on the kingdom.  They would want more than others, and in the case of James and John, this was true.

They wanted to be the first among the disciples, sitting at the right and left of Jesus when he came to his glory, and it was their mother who pointed this out to Jesus.

So, if mom was still involved, trying to help her boys move up the ladder, it seems they did not completely unburden themselves from the benefits of wealth and influence. 

There may be hope, then, for all who are called to serve from the more privileged class.

For many, privilege has become a dirty word.  To have made it, or to have been successful has become synonymous with being selfish, greedy, and other evils.

But Jesus called the tax collector who had cheated others, and he called the sons of a wealthy fisherman.  He calls people from all walks of life, and asks them to walk together along the path of truth, helping one another, loving one another.

So, why is it so hard for us to do that?

Why do we point fingers at those who have more or less, or those who think and act differently than we do?

Jesus did not call the righteous.  None of these guys were leaders in their faith.  They were anything but.

We are the ones who make ourselves out to be better than they were, and we don't even know we are doing it.

So, let us drop the prejudices and preconceived notions of good and evil, and just get to know onw another. 

Getting along should be a priority.

More to come...