Drinking the Cup
Notes
Transcript
Dr. T. F. Cowan once told the story of a small religious college that was having financial difficulties, even though their academic standards had been exceptionally high. One day a very wealthy man came on the campus, found a white-haired man in overalls painting the wall, and asked where he could find the president. The paiter pointed out a house on the campus and said he was sure the president could be seen there at noon.
At the designated time the visitor knocked at the president’s door and was admitted by the same man he had talked to on the grounds, though now he was attired differently. The visitor accepted an invitation to have lunch with the painter-president, asked a number of questions about the needs of the college, and told him he would be sending a little donation. Two days later a letter arrived enclising a check for $50,000. The humility of a man who was fitted for his position as a college president, but who was not too proud to put on the clothes of a workman and do the job that needed doing so badly, had opened his purse strings.
The text that confronts us today is the Gospel reading from Mark previously read. In this text we encounter an issue going on with the disciples. And one could gleen from the text that it was quite the oposite of the life of a Christian, and that they still expected their beloved Teacher, Jesus, was going to establish an earthly kingdom.
The text opens with the following words: “And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to Him and said to Him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you” (v. 35). One could definitely say that this is a very presumptuous request. Note well that the two disciples had not included the details of their request when they first demanded that Jesus fultill for them their desire.
So, Jesus asked the “What do you want Me to do for you?” (v. 36). Here we get a glimpse into the heart of two of the three inner circle of Jesus’ disciples. “And they said to Him, “Grant us to sit, one at Your right hand and one at your left, in Your glory.” Matthew’s account of this request has their mother making the request, “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 o f mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” (20:20-21). It can be understood from this request that these two disciples, along with their mother, believed that Jesus would indeed establish an earthly kingdom, a physical reign on earth, returning Israel to their days of glory under David. More land, no oppressive foreign rule over them, prosperity and earthly blessings they were looking for. And to have both her sons sitting a places of authority in this earthly kingdom was exactly what a mom would want for her two sons.
“Luther says that Jesus treated the presumptuous pride of the Pharisees with severity but the ambition of these disciples with gentleness, for it springs from faith and needs only to be purified. Jesus addresses the two disciples, which explains why Mark leaves out the mother. They do not know what they are asking, are ignorant of what their request involves in the real kingdom that Jesus is establshing.” (Lenski). St. Augstine states “They sought the exaltation but did not see the step”. Lenski, a Lutheran commentator, goes on to say that “The idea is not that, if they knew, they would not seek those high places, but that they would then not make a request which plainly reveals their mistaken idea of the kingdom and of how its high places are bestowed.”
So, Jesus proceeds to enlighten 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?” (v. 38). Here is where the disciples are mistaken. They come to Jesus as a human being, requesting seats of authority in His kingdom, that any political figure could and would do for his closest friends. This is how the world works. But Jesus is not speaking in earthly terms here; nor is He speaking about an earthly kingdom. Keep in mind, that the text just prior to this conversation, Jesus is explaining to them, “See, we are going to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise.” (vv. 33-34). He is telling them about what He must suffer to establish His kingdom, and how He will enter His kingdom.
The way of the kingdom of God is through suffering and death. This is the cup that Jesus must drink, the baptism with which He has been baptized. And Jesus wants to make clear to His disciples that the glory they seek comes only through suffering and the cross.
The cup that Jesus must drink is the cup of wrath of His Father that He had to drink down to the dregs. In the Garden when Jesus was betrayed, He prayed three times that the cup could pass from Him, that He need not drink it. However, Jesus continiued to humble Himself to the point of praying, “Not my will, but thine be done.”
Jesus knew the suffering He would endure. He even explained it over and over again to His disciples, but they still didn’t get it. When asked by Jesus if they were able to drink the cup that He driniks or be baptized with this baptism of blood and they respond, “We are able.” to which Jesus responds, “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 is for thowe for whom it has been prepared.” (vv 39-40).
Here Jesus points out to them their own demise. They too will suffer and will be martyred for following Jesus and being His eyewitnesses to the world.
With His double question, Jesus points out to James and John that the way to greatness in His kingdom is not, as they think, by a mere decree and grant of Jesus, but by way of the deepest humiliation. This is due to the spiritual nature of His kingdom which makes it the reverse of earthly kingdoms in many ways.
It sort of saddens the heart to hear the quick and ready response of James and John. “We are able”. Besides the ignorance which it reveals we note the eagerness of theses disciples to meet any reuirement that Jesus may set for granting their request. These guys are ready and willing to make any deal.
Are we anything like James and John? Seeking authority and glory in an earthly kingdom that does not exist, nor will it? Have we bought into the lies of Satan that we could and should have this glory here on earth? How tempting it must be to have Satan show you all the kingdoms in the world and promise them tous if we would just bow down and worship him? Are we looking for glory in this life by injecting our will into God’s plan of Salvation? Are we looking for the easy way out?
The ony point to be oted is that in verse 38 drinking the cup that Jesus must drink and the baptism is set as a requirement for attaining thte highest places in the kingdom, yet even though endured, it would not assure those places for the simple reason that many will meet this requirement.
Sin always has a way of spilling over into other people’s lives. “When the ten other disciples heard it, they began to be idignant at James and John.” (v. 41). The glory we seek in this life puts others on edge. When we do so, others are made to feel as if they are second class people, not able to attain to what we feel is right and good.
Jesus gathered all the disiciples to Himself and gently corrected 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.”
The way of glory is not as the world seeks it. Our glory is yet to be revealed. That comes in the resurrection. But for now, we are a reproach to the world. The world hates us, just as it hates Jesus. Jesus said this would happen and it has since He walked this earth. The glory the world seeks is not our glory. Our glory is hidden in Christ and will one day be ours.
Christ came into His glory when He uttered those last words from the cross when He received the sour wine, “It is finished.” and He bowed His head and breathed His last. That is when Jesus established His kingdom, through suffering and shame. His death paid the ransom due His Father for the sins of the world. And now all who believe in Him, and His completed work on cross and empty tomb are sealed by his Holy Spirit through baptism and faith for a future glory.
Yes, in this world we have suffering because we believe in Him whom the world hates. Christians in other countries are currently facing fierce persecution. Losing family, property, and even their own lives. This is the way to glory. And in heaven they currently wait for the resurrection and the glory that will soon be theirs.
For now, what little time we have left as sojourners and guest here in this world, it is clear from the words of Jesus Himself that ours is a life of serventude and suffering. We are to become the slave of all. So what!? Our life on this planet is so short in comparison with all eternity. Yes, it is met with sin, shame and disappointment. As St. Paul once said, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but yoyu have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whome we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, an dif children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparint with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Rm. 8:15-18).
Therefore, instead of being or becoming indignant at others who seem to attain their glory here on earth, we should rejoice. As Peter says, Rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted fo the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit o fglory and of God rests upon you.” (1 Peter 4:13-14).
“Blessed ar eyou when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
In the name of Jesus and for His eternal glory. Amen.