Devotional: Mothers Advocate Matthew 20:20-28

A mother’s natural tendency is to advocate for her children. An advocate is someone who speaks, writes, or acts in defense of another person or for a cause. We have witnessed Black mothers advocate for their sons even though sometimes their sons were in the wrong. In John’s Gospel God sends the Holy Spirit to be our advocate. The Holy Spirit comes along beside us to assist us in our efforts to carry out the ministry that God gives to us.

In our scripture passage the disciples are vying for the most prestigious seats in kingdom that Jesus will establish. There is great completion among the twelve as each has their own reasons for thinking that he has rights to certain position (Mk. 10:35-37). Matthew tells us that the mother of James and John advocate for her sons. We can see in the story that Jesus does not reply directly to their mother. Instead, He directs the discussion to James and John. Perhaps this explains in part the reason that my mother often required me to give an account of my actions. It is not that she did not love me. Rather, I believe that she knew that her advocacy could not relieve me of my personal responsibility and accountability. In her heart perhaps mama was advocating for me.

Prayer: Thank You God for our mothers that advocate for us. Amen.