Matthew 20:17-28, Romans 5:1-11
Along the way to Jerusalem, the mother of James and John requested that her sons be given places of honor next to Jesus’ throne. Jesus looked at the two disciples and put forth his own question; “Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” Jesus knew the cup he was given by his Father meant he would suffer and die for the sake of God’s people. The cup he was to drink is the cup of God’s salvation, a cup that comes at the cost of pouring out his life.
Jesus asks, “Can you drink the cup?” In faith we answer, “Yes, but how?” Jesus gives clear instructions; deny yourself and take up your cross. Drinking the cup of Christ means suffering with him, serving others, enduring hardship, and having faith that God will equip us to do these things. It means putting away our selfish ambitions and extending our hands to meet the needs of the poor, hungry, and lost. Drinking the cup means loving God and neighbor first, offering our lives to Christ in order to gain life in God’s kingdom.
Can you drink the cup? With God’s help, yes you can.
Prayer: O Lord, make us able to drink your cup, that we may follow your example of love. Amen.
In the Beginning 