THE CUP OF THE LORD

In the tenth chapter of St. Mark, we read about Jesus leading His disciples to Jerusalem where He would face His final passion.  Starting at the 32^nd verse, we read, “And they [Jesus, along with His twelve Apostles] were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid.  And He took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto Him…” (Mark 10:32).

 

Scripture tells us that Jesus’ Apostles were both “amazed” and “afraid”.  Why was this?  To begin with, we need to understand that the political climate had turned ugly against Jesus and against the things that He taught.  The Pharisees and the Sadducees, the two main religious factions of His time, along with the High Priest and the doctors of the Law, were clearly plotting to kill Jesus.  Jesus’ followers knew this very well.  They also knew that the seat of their power was at Jerusalem.    For this reason, they were amazed that their Lord “went before them”.  Rather than lagging, or hesitantly stalling, Jesus was leading them forward.  This didn’t fit the profile of a man who was walking to His death.  They should have been walking away from Jerusalem – as far as they could get – not deliberately choosing to go there!  The Apostles were also “afraid”.  It wasn’t just Jesus who was at risk, but all their lives could be in jeopardy because they were His followers. 

 

Jesus took this opportunity to remind them of the things that were going to happen to Him in Jerusalem.  He said, “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles: and they shall mock Him, and shall scourge Him, and shall spit upon Him, and shall kill Him: and the third day He shall rise again.” (Mark 10:33, 34).  The Lord was aware of the path that His Father had asked Him to walk.  He had already settled it in His heart and mind even before He would make His final surrender in Gethsemane.  His resolve to go to Jerusalem clearly indicates this.  It was His disciples who were still unclear and doubtful about the outcome.  They weren’t sure what “the third day He shall rise again” really meant; but “mock Him, scourge Him, spit upon Him, and kill Him” they understood very well!

 

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto Him, saying, Master, we would that Thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.” (Mark 10:35).  Wow!  This seems like a tremendously bold thing to ask.  The ESV translates it like this: “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”  Don’t we all!  The problem is that we often don’t understand what we’re asking from God.  Our natural minds do not readily receive the things of the Spirit of God, and, therefore, what we ask may be more for the benefit of the flesh than for the spirit.  We can begin to treat our heavenly Father like a vending machine – make our selection, push a button, and get what we want!  That’s an effective way for a child of God to become very spoiled.  There are many things that are not good for us to have regardless of how badly we want them or think we would be happier if we had them.  James had this in mind when he wrote, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4:3).  God fed the Israelites with manna from heaven as they wandered through the wilderness, but they grew tired of it and demanded meat.  God, therefore, sent quail in great numbers out of the wilderness; and they ate till they were full.  God gave them what they wanted, but they suffered spiritual loss as a result.  They had to learn a bitter lesson through this experience.  “And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” (Psalm 106:15). 

 

“And He said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?  They said unto Him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on Thy right hand, and the other on Thy left hand, in Thy glory.” (Mark 10:36, 37).  No big deal, just give us the two best seats in heaven, Lord, next to Yours and Your Father’s!  While it is true that God often promises us the sun, the moon, and the stars, we must learn through suffering how to manage what He gives.  Joseph is our example in this.  God gave Joseph a vision of greatness through the dreams that he dreamed, but it was not until he endured years of betrayal, temptation, imprisonment, and servitude that his vision could become fulfilled.  His hardships molded his character in such a way that he could forgive his brothers for their sins against him and provide for them the needed grain that would preserve their lives.

 

“But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38).  Jesus knew that the two brothers didn’t understand the price attached to their request.  Jesus knew, however, and that’s why He mentions His cup and His baptism right here.  There is a cost of discipleship.  We’re told that if we suffer, then we shall also reign with him.  If we lay down our life, we will be partakers of His life.  Jesus’ cup speaks of His self-denial and His suffering.  Jesus’ baptism speaks of the passion of His cross.  Of course, they couldn’t fully comprehend yet what these things meant; but when asked if they could drink of His cup and be baptized with His baptism, they both said, “We can.” (Verse 39).  Oh, how willing we are to make promises and declarations to God that we are unable to keep!  Our intentions are pure, and our spirits willing; but our strength is so very weak.  All of Jesus’ Apostles were about to learn a bitter lesson in humility.  They would all soon run away from their Master and Savior and from the danger surrounding Him.  All their resolutions, determinations, promises and declarations would soon echo hollowly against the reality of their shame.   

 

“…and Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: but to sit on My right hand and on My left hand is not Mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.” (Mark 10:39, 40).  It appears that God Himself will assign the seating arrangement in heaven, and I believe that we will all be overjoyed whatever row we are in; but drinking of Jesus’ cup and being baptized with His baptism are things that all of us must experience to one degree or another.  It is not optional.  John said, “He that saith he abideth in Him [in Jesus] ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” (1 John 2:6).  Peter was not silent on the matter either, writing, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21).  Be very sure that our cup and our baptism will involve suffering on our part.  Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).    

 

“And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.  But Jesus called them to Him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.  But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:41-45).  There is a competitive spirit in man that can be quite ruthless if left unchecked.  We find it in government, in business, in entertainment and in sports; but we should never allow it to enter the Church.  James’ and John’s jockeying for positions of power and prestige in heaven understandably upset the other disciples.  It could have led to more suspicion and mistrust among them if left unaddressed.  Jesus made it clear to all of them that the Kingdom of God was not like earthly institutions or worldly rulers who exercise authority over one another.  He said that whoever would be chief must learn to be a servant and a minister to all.  He Himself had set the example, laying down His life for the sheep. 

 

One of the most important elements of Jesus’ teaching is the call to lay down our lives for Him.  Among many other places throughout the New Testament Jesus mentions it in Mark 8:35 where He says, “…whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel’s, the same shall save it.”  We are very protective of our lives.  The control that we exert over the choices that we make is difficult to surrender to another.  We want to “call the shots” and be in charge when it comes to our free will; but the Lord says that the more we try to save our lives, the more we will lose them.  The very act of following the Lord is one in which we relinquish the power to choose where, when, and if we will go.  Jesus warned Peter about this when He told him, “…when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.  (This He said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.)  And after saying this He said to him, “Follow Me.” (John 21:18, 19 ESV).  It’s true for us all.  From the time we are born, we are learning to fend for ourselves.  We seek to do as we please and to go where we please.  Jesus was speaking plainly about Peter’s literal death, but I see an underlying principle behind His words that speaks of our death to self.  Once we accept Christ, we must learn to stretch forth our hands and allow Another to gird us and lead us places that we would not choose for ourselves.    Jesus would soon face the cup that His Father had prepared for Him to drink, and the reaction of His fleshly man was to say, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me…”  Immediately, however, His spiritual man responded saying, “…nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39).  It is when we lose our life for Christ’s sake and for the Gospel’s that we truly find the secret to an abundant life here and eternal life forever.

 

Paul said it best when he wrote, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20). 

 

When considering what thing he could do for the LORD in exchange for all that He had done for him, the Psalmist said, “…I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.” (Psalm 116:12, 13).  Oh, that we all might be so willing!  This is the thing that the Lord is after: simply to follow Him and to drink of the cup of salvation that He has prepared for each of us.  Cheers!