Sons of Thunder
Jesus called himself the “Good Shepherd.” There have been those through the centuries who have questioned if Jesus ever watched and cared for sheep during his life. We have no clue. We know that Jesus’ primary earthly occupation was carpentry. He would have learned this from Joseph. But it was not unheard of for Hebrew boys to be hired out in order to help watch sheep in their younger years. Whether Jesus actually spent time shepherding, He understood what shepherds did, how they lived, and what their habits were. After all, as God in the flesh, He knew everything. Not only did a good shepherd watch, care for, and protect his sheep, he named his sheep. A good shepherd talked to his sheep. In John 10, Jesus says that the sheep know the shepherd’s voice and follow him. I have been told that shepherds name their sheep. Each one has a unique name.
Could it be this special “shepherd attribute” is seen as Jesus gave special names to his disciples? Remember that Jesus gave Simon the name Peter. The disciple Thomas was called Didymus (meaning “the twin”). Then there were the two brothers, James and John. These two disciples had been fishermen before they followed Jesus. They were an audacious pair. For example, they once asked Jesus if they could have the top two positions of power, honor, and status when He established his Kingdom (Mark 10). To James and John, Jesus gave the name: “The Sons of Thunder.”
While we do not have a definitive reason that Jesus gave these brothers such a descriptive nickname, a story in Luke 9 might provide some insight. Luke 9 starts out with the statement that Jesus gave His twelve apostles special power. This power would allow the twelve to heal people and cast out demons. With this power they would be able to demonstrate that God was using them to proclaim His special message. They were to speak about the coming of the Messiah and the Kingdom of God. As Jesus’ disciples went out and testified about Jesus, they had great success. When they returned from their mission, Luke 9 details several other great and amazing events. For example, Jesus fed 5,000 men by miraculously multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus heals a demon possessed boy. Jesus gives them intimate details of coming events, including His upcoming death. Understandably, the disciples had to be struggling to absorb and understand the many events of Luke 9. It is here that Jesus proposed that they make a trip to Jerusalem. This trip would take them through Samaria. Understand, Samaritans and Jews did not get along very well. When a particular Samaritan village was not happy to have Jesus (a Jewish teacher on his way to Jerusalem) stay in their area, James and John made the following statement in Luke 9:54: “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” (NIV) As we read this story and see James' and John’s over-reaction, it is easy to nod, smile, and say, “Yep, these two are the Sons of Thunder.”
As we read about the whirlwind events that played out in the lives of these men (and the other followers of Jesus), it is easy to understand their misplaced enthusiasm. I’m sure it was an overload of information and emotional bewilderment. Luke tells us that Jesus corrected the “Sons of Thunder” and proceeded to head to a different Samaritan village to end the day. James, John and the other disciples found peace, refuge and strength in the words and example of Jesus. Jesus is the same for us today. He leads us through confusing situations. As a good shepherd, He guards and protects us. Did you know that God promises that He will give us a “new name”? I find it comforting that just as Jesus gave special names to His disciples, He will do the same for us. Rest in that thought and keep looking up!