Mamma says
It’s the kind of comment that makes me bristle, as a local church leader. Someone is not happy with an aspect of church life. Let’s face it – there’s plenty to be unhappy about, especially if we insist that everything has to be done in our preferred style. But instead of expressing their own personal dislike, they quote others. ‘It’s not just me that doesn’t like the music’, said one baron- like person who had a problem with the worship, a cause of many tensions in church life. ‘There’s a lot of people who are upset, and quite a few people who are leaving because of it.’ The suggested exodus of souls may or may not be happening, but what’s difficult is when people use others to express their case. Others even nudge others to speak up on behalf of a disaffected group, because they don’t want to take the risk of speaking up for themselves.
It’s a detail, but it seems that James and John were not exactly confident, big-voiced guys when asking for thrones. Their mother made the request on their behalf – but Jesus knew who and what was behind the request, because He addressed James and John directly in response. Let’s not use others to fire ‘bullets’ we are unwilling to fire.
Is there a situation where you need to speak up, but you are hoping others will take that awkward task instead?