Passage
Matthew 20:17-34 (ESV)
Misery of Disobedience
Genesis 34:1-31
Key Verse: 34:30
Drink Jesus' Cup
Date: Sep. 26, 2015
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 20:23
He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
First, a ransom for many (17-19). What is the cup Jesus will drink? It is the "cup of redemption" (Ex 6:6), the third cup during the Last Supper. Jesus said "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Mt 26:27). This cup symbolizes his suffering and death on the cross to redeem us, to earn eternal salvation for us. He established a new, deeper meaning for Passover - "do this in remembrance of me" (Lk 22:19).
Second, Christians accept suffering for the Gospel (20-28). Jesus said his disciples would drink of this same cup. How so? "Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church" (Col 1:24). Jesus' death on the cross was 100% complete payment for our sin, but as his body, we deny ourselves, suffer and even die to reach the lost. Tens of thousands of our brothers and sisters in Christ are dying each year for their faith in our time.
Third, Jesus' amazing compassion (29-34). Despite his upcoming cup of suffering, Jesus cared deeply for these two blind men. This points to his healing of his disciples' - and our - spiritual blindness too.
Prayer: Dear Lord, guide us in your great wisdom to fulfill in our lives your high calling to preach the Gospel though it require self-denial, result in oppression or persecution, "even to the point of death" (Rev 2:10).
One Word: Be faithful to preach the gospel!
