To the Cross

If one must have a source for v. 34, Ps 22:6–8 and Isa 50:6 are likely. There is no reason why Jesus could not have seen his fate reflected in these Scriptures.

Jesus went before

Jesus knew why he came and was making his final march to Jerusalem and then the cross

Others followed in fear but Jesus kept his face as a flint (Isaiah 50:6-7)

His trust was in the Lord who would deliver him from those who would crucify him (Psalms 22:6-8)

He knew all that would happen to him but also knew the victory that would be given him on the third day

Disciples follow behind

They cannot do the work that Jesus will do on the cross

They still have not understood the true victory that Jesus is bringing to all people

They have not accepted the fact that Jesus is establishing a spiritual kingdom, not a physical kingdom

However, they are called to a life of sacrifice and condemnation

They too will drink the cup

In the Old Testament a cup is sometimes a symbol of joy and salvation (Pss 16:5; 23:5; 116:13), but more often it is a symbol of the wrath of God (Pss 11:6 [NIV “lot”]; 75:8; Isa 51:17, 22; Jer 25:15–17, 27–28; 49:12; 51:7, etc.).

Kingdom of servants

The kingdoms of this world are striving for authority and lordship

This is the goal of all manmade religions, to gain respect and prestige

How few people are over me? how many people are below me? This is the metric of success among men

The kingdom of Christ follows the example of the greatest servant who came to minister

He exampled this in his daily life of healing and helping those who needed it, just like the children we looked at last week

He did this ultimately by going to the cross and giving his life a ransom for many

A ransom was a buying back of land or life in the OT Judaic culture

Many times this was done by a brother who would redeem another back into the community of God (Leviticus 25:23-25)