Matthew 20: Calvary in Sight (4)
Pray Psalm 63.1, 2
O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
Sing Psalm 63.1, 2.
Nun Danken: Now Thank We All Our God
O God, You are my God, and earnestly I seek You!
My soul thirsts and my flesh in weariness now greets You!
Thus I would see Your face, with glory and pow’r arrayed,
In this Your holy place, Your beauty here displayed.
Read Matthew 20.1-23; meditate on verses 20-23.
What “cup” and how did Jesus “drink” it?
Prepare.
1. What was James’ and John’s mother seeking?
2. How did Jesus respond?
Meditate.
Jesus had previously promised His disciples that, in the time of regeneration, they would be rulers and judges over the people of God (Matt. 19.28). That promise struck a receptive chord in the souls of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Mark has James and John approaching Jesus by themselves (Mk. 10.35). But in our text, it looks as if the two brothers put their mother up to asking the question that burned in their souls, whether they might be the right- and left-hand men of Jesus in the Kingdom (vv. 20, 21). They are present, we know, because Jesus addressed His remarks to them, and they replied (v. 22).
Jesus explained that they didn’t know what they were asking (v. 22). They had latched on to the promise Jesus made, but had somehow skipped over the means to that end. There was a cup to be drunk, and it was bitter, a cup of suffering. Were James and John ready for that? They answered without hesitation, “We are able.” But were they? Like everyone else, they would abandon Jesus in the garden less than a week following this incident (though John stayed around the cross, as he himself reports, Jn. 19.25-27). They thought they were ready to rule, because they didn’t understand that ruling with Christ entails suffering with Him (Phil. 1.29).
We should commend James and John for wanting to be great in the Kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5.17-19). We all should embrace similar aspirations. But obedience and suffering—self-denial and cross-bearing—are the way to greatness. God has prepared a place for each one of us in His eternal Kingdom (v. 23); our duty is to seek and fulfill that calling by making sure we’re ready to live for Jesus, and to die for Him, if necessary.
Are you able?
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
We are able; but only through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
James and John did drink the cup, as Jesus promised them, they would.
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12.2).
And although John was not martyred, he was imprisoned, and no doubt, suffered many other things during his lifetime as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ gentleness with the mother is notable. I think, perhaps, her request was not reproached, because she clearly believed that Jesus is the King; and He has a Kingdom. Else, why would she be asking Him for this honor for her beloved sons? (Matt. 20.21)
Our inclusion, although unspoken here, is understood.
Jesus constantly reminded His followers that being part of the Kingdom
would include hard work and suffering.
It is our privilege. It should be our joy.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5.10).
“Blessed are you when men hate you,
and when they exclude you,
and revile you,
and cast out your name as evil,
for the Son of Man’s sake.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!
For indeed your reward is great in heaven,
for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets” (Lk. 6.22, 23).
“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ,
not only to believe in Him,
but also to suffer for His sake…” (Phil. 1.29).
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3.12).
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened to you;
but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings,
that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
If you are reproached for the Name of Christ, blessed are you,
for the Spirit of glory and of God rest upon you” (1 Pet. 4.12-14).
“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.
Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison,
that you may be tested,
and you will have tribulation ten days.
Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2.10).
“Fear not, for I AM with you; be not dismayed,
for I AM your God.
I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Is. 41.10).
“He Who calls you is faithful, Who also will do it” (1 Thess. 5.24).
You are able!
Reflect.
1. Where your faith is concerned, do you ever hear yourself saying, “I can’t do that?” Explain.
2. What if you began to feel a sense that Jesus was calling you to “do that”? What would you do?
3. Whom will you encourage today in their calling and work in the Kingdom of God?
Nothing makes more mischief among brethren, than desire of greatness. And we never find Christ’s disciples quarreling, but something of this was at the bottom of it. That man who labors most diligently, and savors most patiently, seeking to do good to his brethren, and to promote the salvation of souls, most resembles Christ, and will be most honored by him to all eternity. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Matthew 20.20-23
Pray Psalm 63.3-11.
Thank the Lord for His constant Presence and steadfast love. Seek these for your Kingdom-seeking work today.
Sing Psalm 63.3-11.
Nun Danken: Now Thank We All Our God
Your steadfast love, O LORD, than life is better to me;
so I will praise Your Name, and bless You, LORD, most truly.
My soul is richly blessed; to You my hands I raise,
and open now my mouth to offer joyful praise.
By night, LORD, fill my mind with pleasant meditation.
For You have been my help as ’neath Your wings I station.
My soul clings, LORD, to You; I rest in Your Right Hand;
may all who seek my life in Your displeasure stand.
Unto the sword’s strong pow’r let our foes be delivered!
Pursue them to devour their mortal lives forever!
In God will we rejoice and glory in His grace;
but all who live by lies shall perish from His face.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: Our Read Moore podcast continues readings from the book, The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart. Our Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing a series on the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column is working through a study of the role of reason in the life of faith. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
