Easter Together, Day 11 - 'The Cup of Christ'

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 of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom. Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking.” Matthew 20: 20-22a

(CF. Matt. 20:2-2-7; Mark 10: 35-45)

Be careful what you ask for! Not because you may get it, but because… - as Jesus points out - you may have no idea what you’re asking Him for.

Now when this mother came to Jesus to gain position for her sons she was not alone – her sons were there too.  In Mark’s gospel the mother is not even mentioned, showing their culpability is shared. These two men, James and John, made up two of Jesus’ closest disciples – Peter, James and John.  Fishermen by trade, the three had worked in a family fishing business in Galilee when Jesus had first called them.  They were energetic and enthusiastic followers of Christ – but now, in this moment, two of them came and knelt before Jesus in worship – albeit with self-centered cause. 

I suppose the purpose of their coming was not solely to ask Christ this question – but it was certainly a part, as they did.  Too, I can allow that their thoughts were many, and that as they got wrapped up into this wonderful moment of worship, pondering and dreaming, perhaps then their ‘faux pas’ slipped.  After all, hadn’t they seen Jesus perform miracle after miracle?  Hadn’t they been faithful, among His closest?  Didn’t they love him, and weren’t they assured of His love in return?  So that - in the midst of this moment and self-centered assurance they got caught - caught with microphone in hand, the spotlight turned on, and thinking less of Him and more of themselves than they should.

But going on - when the other ten became indignant (you know, the one’s who weren’t on stage, who sat watching and wanting as others often do), Jesus turned this slip into a moment to teach. He told these and their Mom they didn’t know what they were asking for -  and, that no matter what He might say, they could not understand. Then Jesus turned to the others and taught what they could understand. He taught them His marvelous way – His way of servant leadership.

So as we ready ourselves for Christ’s final turn toward Jerusalem – for His crossing the Jordan into Jericho, Bethany and beyond, what do we find ourselves wanting from Him? Do we want to sit at His throne and be recognized? Or, are we ready to drink from His cup and die? The first represents who we are in the flesh – and the second is something we can never do as did he – for He died for the sins of the world. But a third choice can be ours. Just as He taught His disciples, He teaches us all to serve – to become a servant of Christ both to Christ’s family and our fellow man. This is a cup we can drink from! And this cup, given to us by Him, is our call.

Pastor Sam