23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” Matthew 20:23 (ESV)
Jesus’ response to James, John and the rest of the disciples was clear regarding greatness in the kingdom of heaven. It is the path of suffering. Jesus said to them, “You will drink my cup.” The metaphor of the “cup” represents not only the outpouring of God the Father’s wrath (Psalm 75:8; Isaiah 51:17, 22; Jeremiah 25:15-16), but also identification with Jesus Christ and His sufferings (Acts 9:4-5; Colossians 1:24; I Peter 2:21).
The Apostle Paul expressed this understanding in his epistles.
Philippians 3:10 (ESV) – “… that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”
Colossians 1:24 (ESV) – Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.”
2 Timothy 4:6–8 (ESV) – “6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
So too did the Apostle Peter.
1 Peter 2:19–21 (ESV) – “19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”
1 Peter 4:12–19 (ESV) – “12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And ‘If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
Let us not forget what James had to say.
James 1:2–5 (ESV) – “2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Jesus then expressed His humble submission to God the Father. “…but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
“In the mysteries of the Trinity, the Son is one with the Father in substance and equal to the Father in power and glory; yet He (the Son) willingly submits to the Father’s will and defers to the Father’s authority as the incarnate well-pleasing messianic Son, even in His exaltation (I Cor. 15:28),” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
May each believer in Christ strive to be a humble servant and not for glory and position. May all glory belong to the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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