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JESUS PREPARES TO DIE (II)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
Matthew 20:17-28

2 Timothy 2:1-13

 

“…they shall condemn him to death.”

 

JESUS PREPARES TO DIE (II)
 
In response, Jesus said, “Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with?” The “cup” and the “baptism” point to His suffering and death (cf. Matt 26:39, 42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; Rom 6:3-4). Both the cup and baptism are symbols of His passive obedience. The cup signifies His passive obedience throughout His lifelong ministry on earth, and the baptism refers specifically to His death on the cross. The sons of Zebedee answered that they were able to suffer and die with the Lord.
 
Jesus foretold that they would indeed drink the cup of suffering and experience the baptism of death. James would eventually be martyred (Acts 12:2), and John banished to the Isle of Patmos (Rev 1:9). The rest of the Apostles (save the traitor Judas Iscariot who committed suicide) also died a martyr’s death. Tradition has it that the other pair of brothers (Peter and Andrew) died by crucifixion. Peter was crucified upside down, and Andrew on an X-shaped cross. Jesus promised that those who suffer for Him will one day reign with Him. However, whether James and John would get to sit on the highest positions they asked for was not for Him to appoint, but the Father.
 
Then Jesus gave them a lesson on true greatness. The world measures greatness and power in terms of how high a person’s status is in society. How many people do you manage? Who are the people under your control? These are the oft-asked questions. God’s way of looking at greatness is entirely opposite. Greatness is measured by how much you are serving others. “Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” Jesus Himself is the supreme example of true servanthood and greatness, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Calvin restated it thus, “The Son of God became the Son of man so that the sons of men might become the sons of God.” If we want to be great, be like Him.
 
THOUGHT: “A life of service is a happy life.” (McIntire)
PRAYER: Father, teach me to serve Thee and Thy people humbly and happily.

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