Mentoring Manna:  Will You Drink of His Cup?

© 2003 Pastor Keith Hassell

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Matthew 20:20-23  “Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.  And He said to her, ‘What do you wish’” She said to Him, ‘Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered and said, ‘You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’ So He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.’”  There is a price tag attached to ruling and reigning with Christ.  The disciples mistakenly believed that Jesus had come to set up an earthly kingdom.  It is evident that they followed Him with a few underlying motives.  Jesus was destined for a throne, but not a political throne.  It was a throne at the right hand of the Father in heaven.  His throne passed by way of the cross.  This they could not foresee.  Jesus was about to drink the cup of suffering given Him by the Father.  It was not a cup that He deserved nor was it a cup He had to drink.  It was cup He took up voluntarily for the sake of all whom the Father loved.  Jesus knew that James and John had not counted the cost to sit at His right and left hand.  When asked if they could drink the cup He was about to drink, they assured Him they were able.  Jesus confirmed that indeed they would drink His cup.  Only later did it become clear what He meant.  To drink His cup is to share in the sufferings of Christ while in this world.  His sufferings include the hardships, difficulties, and persecutions that are often encountered as we live for Him and do His work.  Every disciple that will share in Christ’s glory must first choose to drink His cup.  Paul knew what it was to drink of His cup.  He said in Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him that we may also be glorified with Him.”  Peter described the nature of sharing in Christ’s cup in 1 Peter 4:12-13: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus chose to drink the cup of suffering.  He embraced the sufferings of the cross because of the salvation it would bring.  Because of this, the Father highly exalted Him and seated Him at His right hand.  Do we want to rule and reign with Christ?  If so, then we must count the cost and embrace the sacrifice and suffering associated with living for Christ and doing His work.  We too must take up our cross daily and follow after Him.  If we chose to drink of His cup, Jesus has promised that we will be glorified with Him. Paul highlighted this reward in Romans 8:18:  “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Application:  It is natural to recoil at the idea of suffering.  However, making Jesus the Lord of our lives sets us up to live contrary to the mainstream of this world.  Don’t be surprised by the sacrifice, suffering, hardships, and persecution associated with living for Christ.  Suffering and sacrifice are included in the price tag, but His glory revealed in us is our reward.  The blessings of drinking of His cup include salvation for others and His glory being revealed in us.  Jesus drank this cup of suffering to save us. Will we share in His cup to save others?

Prayer:  “Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to die for me.  I thank You, Lord Jesus, for drinking the cup of suffering for me.  I choose to share in Your cup by taking up my cross to live for You and to do Your work of winning souls and making disciples.  Thank You for granting me the grace and joy to drink of Your cup and to endure the cross.  May I be counted worthy to have Your glory revealed in me.  I thank You for this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.”

Grace Fellowship     P.O. Box 260       Rusk, Texas 75785       (903) 683-6550

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