Drinking
from the Cup:
Context:
- In
the Matthew account, the mother of James and John kneels before
Jesus.
- He
asks “...What do you want?...”
- She
wants her sons to sit on the right and left hand of Jesus in His
kingdom.
- In
the Mark account, James and John came to Him.
- He
asks “...What do you want me to do for you...”
- They
want to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus in His glory.
Why
would the mother of James and John ask that her sons be given seats
of honor in the kingdom?
- Matthew
19:28 “...Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new
world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who
have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve
tribes of Israel...”
- Jesus
had just been talking about His glorious throne, and twelve thrones
for those that followed Him.
- Aren’t
all good mothers looking for the best for their sons?
Matthew
20:22 “...Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are
asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They
said to him, “We are able...”
Mark
10:38 “...Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are
asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized
with the baptism with which I am baptized?...”
How
did Jesus respond to the request?
- He
indicated that the request wasn’t made from a good understanding of
things.
- He
put things in the context of God’s unfolding plans.
- He
carefully steered the discussion away from the plans of man, and
mothers.
Do
disciples still need Jesus to steer them toward God’s unfolding
plans?
How
did the disciples respond to the question Jesus posed?
- They
were quick to respond - we are able.
Were
the disciples able?
- The
unfolding story will show the disciples cowering in fear.
Matthew
20:23 “...He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit
at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for
those for whom it has been prepared by my Father...”
Mark
10:39-40 “...And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus
said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the
baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at
my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those
for whom it has been prepared...”
What
did Jesus know about the disciples ability to follow?
- By
fleshly attempts they couldn’t drink the cup.
- When
the Holy Spirit was sent, they would indeed drink the cup.
What
does Jesus know about us?
- By
fleshly attempts we can’t follow Him.
- When
the Holy Spirit is upon us, we can indeed follow His lead.
Matthew
20:25-28 “...But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know
that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great
ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But
whoever would be great among you must
be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must
be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served
but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many...”
Mark
10:42-45 “...And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You
know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it
over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it
shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great
among you must be your servant, and whoever
would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the
Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life
as a ransom for many...”
What
‘final answer’ did Jesus give regarding places of honor?
- The
world looks at authority and greatness in one way.
- God
looks at authority and greatness in another way.
- Jesus
came to serve, and to give up His life for many.
- Following
Jesus means becoming a servant for many.
Is
it an honor to give up your life for others?
