Can you drink this Cup?
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 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.” –Matthew 20:20-22
Jesus said to them “You don’t know what you’re asking. Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
Now, what cup do James and John have in mind? Why, the cup of victory, the cup of reward, the cup of prestige, power and position; basically, the cup that says: vindication in this life. Our enemies will be vanquished! The Messiah will triumph over them. We will put Him up on top. Yes, Jesus, we can drink that cup of victory! Absolutely, we can drink that cup!
Jesus 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.” –Matthew 20:23
Who in fact drank the cup alongside Jesus on His right and left? Two bandits were crucified with Him on His right and His left. As Jesus indicated later on in their lives James and John would also suffer for the Gospel. Indeed, they would share in the cup of Jesus Christ through their death as martyrs for the faith, but that is not the way that they first envisioned.
The Apostles originally believed that they would be drinking the cup of victory, but the significance of Jesus’ death means that there will be no earthly vindication and no victory in this life. This age has been judged by God, the Father.
Those who would set themselves up as conquering kings in this age will be brought low and humbled in the Kingdom of God. Faithful Christians have been continually surprised when the powers and governments of this world let them down by corruption. Even the institutions of the Church become corrupted as people seek position, power and prestige as methods for propagating their own worldly agendas.
No, this age and all its governances and institutions must incur the judgment and wrath of God. That is the cup which Jesus is asking God the Father “…if it be possible for it to be passed from me, not my will, but Yours.” – the cup of judgment. Jesus would go on to teach James and John:
“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.” –Matthew 20:25-28
The people of this world look to authority, law and power to solve the problems of the day. They fight for prominence and position. Even those who claim the name of Christ can often be no different than James and John. The world says, “It’s push come to shove!”, “It’s who you know!” and “Claw your way to the top!” Jesus taught the Way of the Kingdom; God’s Kingdom subversively transforms society through humility, love and self-sacrificial service.
Jesus’ way to greatness is paradoxical and true: the first will be last, and the last will be first. Consider that the greatest leaders our world has ever known have more often than not been the most humble. Humble does not mean wishy-washy, it is true to the character of Christ. The most powerful people to shape the world for good are the tireless and selfless servants of others. Who are the people in your life that inspire you the most? Have you been seeking the world’s path to greatness or the kingdom of God’s path? How can you emulate the humility of Jesus in your daily life today by serving rather than seeking to be served?
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