November 21

Drink From My Cup

“You will indeed drink from my cup.” Matthew 20:23

Jesus was here speaking to James and John when they tell him they are willing to drink of his cup. Paul, likewise, on the road to Damascus, was told that he would suffer great things for Jesus’ name. We are all called to drink from Jesus' cup of suffering. It is a great privilege to be called to suffer with and for Christ Jesus. It is an honor to suffer with Christ. Do we view it that way, or do we count it as a burden? Victorious Christians will rise to their calling, they will bravely meet the hardships and the risks of being called "Christian," but they can only do this through humble submission. James and John were called to drink of this cup and yet their suffering differed so dramatically. James’ life ended quickly when he died a martyr’s death shortly after Jesus’ return to heaven. John, on the other hand, lived to be almost one hundred years old. He ministered to the Ephesians and later was banished to the isle of Patmos where he died a natural death. Both suffered very different fates, yet both drank from the cup of Christ’s suffering. William Barclay puts it this way, ”There is a Roman coin, which has as its inscription the picture of an ox facing an altar and a plough, with the words: “Ready for either.” The ox must be ready for the dramatic sacrifice of the altar or the long routine of the plow. The Christian who dies in one heroic moment and the Christian who lives a long life of fidelity to Christ both drink the cup of Christ. The Christian must be "Ready for either.” No matter how we are called to suffer for Him, we do not go it alone. He suffered alone, so that we would never have to. 

Father, we are willing to drink of the cup of suffering. In Your wisdom You know what experiences we need to perfect us. Help us to embrace those experiences and grow from them; not to shrink from them. Thank you, Jesus; that you were willing to suffer alone that we might never have to. Thank you for walking with me and ministering to me as I suffer with you. Make me like you in life, that I might be like you in death. Amen