Sons of Thunder

February 17, 2020

Scripture

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach …. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”) …. (Mark 3:13-17 NIV)

Sons of Thunder

For many years I visited friends, who for their sins, lived in Washington D.C. In gaps between meetings I would sneak down to the National gallery to see some Rembrandts or Van Goghs. Nearby was the compelling Viet Nam memorial. I’d often stop at the nearby display by Viet Nam vets and look for T-shirts from their annual “Rolling Thunder” motorcycle rallies.

They came to mind the other day when I was praying the stories in Mark 3. Jesus’ calling James and John “Sons of Thunder” brought the black motorcycle T-shirts of the Viet Nam vets to mind. What behaviour caused them to be “thunder”? My earthy side wonders if it was gastric – Jesus did have a sense of humour after all.

But Jesus also talked about his return as being like a lightning flash across the sky and maybe these guys were especially tuned into that. John’s eventual Revelation might confirm it. Jesus renamed Simon as Peter but did not link him with his brother Andrew. Jesus saw John and James as a special pair – the “thunder brothers”.

So get your black T-shirt on and serve God with whatever nickname he may have given you. I get called “Stormin’ Norman” enough, maybe I’m connected to the “Thunder Brothers”.

A Prayer for Today

Loving God, who knows us well enough to give us nicknames for your purposes, help us hear your call to be with you even in this busy and confusing era. Whatever our way of serving you, by word, by deed, by prayer, by compassion, by generosity or hospitality let us do it with full heart and soul .…. For Jesus’ sake