It would certainly be wonderful if we could gain every good thing God has for us without any struggle or sacrifice on our part, but following Jesus always involves denying ourselves daily and taking up a cross of some kind (Luke 9:23). God’s will must be our priority. This means our sinful natures, egos, personal desires, and comfort are going to be crucified, because our Shepherd leads us toward self-denial. In Christ, we learn to endure difficulties and hardships while remaining faithful to God.
Everything in the eternal life journey requires self-sacrifice. We must love and serve those who are not easy to love. We will grow in patience while suffering inconvenience. Following Jesus will cost us; therefore, Jesus asks His followers to count the cost and consider what is involved in following Him (Luke 14:33). Jesus suffered the cross for the joy ahead of Him, and we must do the same (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus does not offer His disciples a superficial relationship.
In our passage today, Jesus explains what will happen to Him because He chooses the will of the Father for the salvation of the world. The disciples do not understand the sacrifice and how Jesus will lead them to sacrifice their flesh, as well. The disciples vie for positions and prominence, so Jesus deals with that fleshly spirit by setting before them the cost.
We must understand our need today to submit to the will of the Father, be willing to crucify our sin nature, serve those folks we would rather not, and endure painful difficulties, because obeying Jesus, enjoying His presence, and remaining committed to Him is worth it all. Today, the world will serve up a feast of unrighteous choices, but let’s choose Jesus!
Matthew 20:17-28 NT Jesus Again Predicts His Death
17 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. 18 “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. 19 Then they will hand him over to the Romans [Gentiles] to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”
Jesus Teaches about Serving Others
20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked.
She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”
“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
23 Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”
24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Prayer: Lord, You have been the perfect example of loving the Father wholeheartedly and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. We have no excuse for not knowing the cost, because You revealed it with the sacrifice of Your life. Help us draw near and be willing to crucify our flesh to abide and grow in Your righteousness. With each day, we will trust Your plans for our growth. Thank You, Lord, for all You do to make us spiritually victorious. In Jesus’ name. Amen.