The Power Behind Any Throne
“And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom." But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father." Matt 20:21-23 (NKJV)
I had a guy that I use to work with who coined a phrase once about a co-worker who thought themselves as one who had an influence with the higher ups in the company. He would say that this person would have “their footsteps all around the crime scene but you could never find their fingerprints on the murder weapon.” This meant that no matter how we thought a project should go, this person’s idea would always prevail no matter how off the wall it was and how it put others holding the ball (pretty much) if their idea failed…which they did with frequency. And we were the guys that had to do the cleanup work (Holding the ball) after the failure would occur and would have to hear that, “I was only offering advice; I never said you guys had to do it.” Which was true in a way, we would hear the “advice” from the program manager in charge of the department we worked for and not this person.
The thing about those who believe they are the, or they have some power behind a rulers throne is they really want their way to prevail but do not have the ability to handle it let alone the consequence of its failure. They prefer to be included in the victory but are nowhere to be found when there is defeat. They want their share of the spoils when they are gained but will not sacrifice themselves when it’s time to invest. And the most unfortunate thing that happens is when the one who sits on the throne refuses them or doesn’t have the ability to provide the spoils, the person who has place themselves behind the throne conspire to have the ruling party removed. And that can be a messy affair when it happens because it seems to always take either hostages or causes causalities.
During a recent conversation with my new employer the idea of “power behind the throne” came up. However in the back of my mind I thought of the “Sons of Thunder”, James and John, who may have encouraged their mother to approach Jesus as it is written in the Book of Matthew. After considering what He said about twelve disciples sitting on twelve thrones, it may have been a good idea to conceal any pride or vanity by having mom approach Jesus about getting the best seats in the kingdom. They had to know that she would approach the Savior in a very submissive manner after He acknowledged her to ask her question. What they didn’t count on was the response Jesus gave to them. Sure it was easy to say that you are able to drink from the cup but to be told that greatness will come from serving? Whaaa?
You see the other disciples heard what was going on with the sons of Zebedee and their mother so they got all fired up as well. Jesus lets them in on who it is that really sits on the “Throne.” They had it somewhat a skewed and Jesus reminds them how it is among the Gentile rulers versus how it is with the Ruler of All. You want to be great in His eyes…you best be getting yourself to serving those around you. The crux of the whole matter rest’s in this, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
No matter where we work, there is going to be someone who has deemed themselves higher than you just because they happen to have the cell phone number of the boss. Just as long as they aren’t the mother of Nero or the first emperor of China you should still be able to keep your head on your shoulders. And even if they don’t have much grounded knowledge in the practical and cause you to have to bear the weight of an idea gone wrong, it pales in comparison to what Jesus speaks to in this passage of Scripture. The important thing here is that you were able to serve a person who needs a serving of what the “Throne” provided, and that was His Son, Jesus Christ. – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent Freedom Fighter contributor
GPS – God’s Positioning System: 2 Kings 24-25; Psalm 35; Proverbs 8
Compass Pointers: “To be a Christian is to be an imitator of Jesus Christ. In what can we imitate if not in His humiliation? Nothing else can bring us near to Him. We may adore Him as Omnipotent, fear Him as just, love Him with all our heart as good and merciful---but we can only imitate Him as humble, submissive, poor, and despised.” Christian Counsel Fenelon
Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: John 3:16-17; Level 2: John 3:13-21
Anchored to the Rock: Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
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