Daily Wisdom..."Drink the Good Stuff"

“Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink…”  Mt 20:22

In Matthew 20:20-28, the mother of James and John, in a typical motherly fashion, seeks prominence for her sons by asking Jesus if they could sit on His right hand in the eternal kingdom.  Jesus, in His own typical fashion, responds with His own question: “…are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink…?” (vs 22)  This is not a rebuke from Jesus, but a direct question to which the brothers reply: “we are able.”   Such the response from James and John exemplifies many Christians approach towards Christianity, we know not what we ask, assuming we can obtain any type of greatness, position or preeminence.  Jesus Himself was not about a position or preeminence, but instead love and servitude.  This is God’s economy, after all.  Having more isn't winning; being served isn't best; being honored isn't greatness.  We are called to be Christ-like who “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.” (vs 28)   Jesus imagery of the cup has more meaning than we often consider. The bible connects key verses with God’s wrath and the imagery of the cup.  Jeremiah 25:15 “…take this wine cup of this fury at my hand”; Isaiah 51:17 “…O Jerusalem which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury.”  Jesus confirms this connection in the garden of Gethsemane when he prayed, the cross looming just ahead, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me…” (Mt 26:39)  Like the disciples, we know not what we often seek to drink.  The cup Jesus was consuming was the cup of God’s wrath a cup that had accumulated the fury of God against sin of all types.  At Golgotha, Jesus consumed God’s cup of wrath, full strength, undiluted. Paul summarizes the meaning, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor 5:21)  By way of Jesus consuming God’s cup of wrath, allows us to consume God’s cup of fellowship. While it will involve suffering (Mt 20:23), it will not involve God’ wrath.   Don’t long for preeminence, position or power; be willing instead to “serve” the cup that offers God’s love and the gift of eternal life and fellowship through Jesus and the Cross!    

HSAY…Todd