Last Updated on March 28, 2025 by Ryan
But Jesus answered and said, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’”
Matthew 20:22 (NASB)
The Bible is God’s Great Redemption Story
As we have been studying we know that God is redeeming a people but sometimes in our minds we think that path is going to be a smooth ride. We think sometimes that because we become redeemed by our Lord, all our troubles will by over, but that is not want scripture teaches. Scripture teaches that the path to glory, in God’s kingdom, does not bypass suffering, it goes through it. That is one of the things James and John certainly did not yet understand. When they asked for the best seats in Christ’s kingdom, they weren’t thinking about the cross they were thinking about the highest places in Christ’s Kingdom. But Jesus gently corrected their thinking. He didn’t rebuke them harshly, but He did bring them back to reality by asking them this: “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” That cup of suffering was the means that our Lord would eventually drink to redeem us. That cup was pain, rejection, and death.
Just like the brothers, we often want the reward but we do not want to walk the road that leads to it. However, in God’s kingdom, there is no shortcut to glory. Christ drank the cup of wrath so that we could be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:21) and now, He calls us to follow Him even when that path leads to suffering.Suffering for God’s sake is a privilege not a punishment, this is contrary to what our fallen nature would tell us. As Paul would later write, we are invited into “the fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil 3:10) so that we might also know the power of His resurrection.
That’s the pattern of redemption: The Son of man came to suffer first. This means all who belong to Christ , will also suffer with Him in order that we may be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17). This passage is not just about James and John, it is a story about us. It teaches us that we must learn not to rest in our own power and make bold promises but depend on the Holy Spirit who is at work in us. We must remember when we walk on this road of suffering by faith it will only be for a little while but like our Lord it will end in Glory. The more we live like this the more we become living proof of God’s saving and changing power and we show forth the world God’s redemptive plan o redeeming a people for His Glory.
Theme: Jesus confronts selfish ambition in spiritual leadership by revealing the true path to kingdom greatness through suffering and sacrifice.
Lesson: True discipleship involves sharing in Christ’s sufferings, not seeking positions of power.
Redemptive Connection: Christ perfectly modeled the humility of drinking the cup of suffering before receiving the crown of glory, this shows us the divine pattern for greatness.
Exegetical Theme: Jesus teaches the disciples that positions in His kingdom require sharing in His suffering, this challenges their worldly understanding of greatness and leadership.
Timeless Truth: God calls His people to pursue humble service rather than self-promotion, recognizing that true greatness comes through sacrifice, not status.
Introduction
For most of us in the world, there are times when an opportunity presents itself for us to just go for it. There are slogans in the world that say “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” or “Just do it”. James and John took their shot, it was a bold request which revealed that thing which we all struggle with “we want to be great”.
What we see in today passage is Jesus’ remarkable answer, He does not answer their request with by saying “sure have it” or does he come out right and say no. He asks them a probing question – You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?”
The brothers confidently declared “We are able”.
The lesson here is a simple one , when the Lord ask us a question , we must be slow to speak and consider what He is asking.
This passage also teaches us that we must cultivate these four heart postures:
- We must embrace the cup of suffering
- We must surrender our personal ambitions to God’s sovereign plan
- We must recognize the deception of spiritual overconfidence
- We must Commit to the path of humble service
This will help us to not fall prey of the enemies game.
Devotional Body
We Must Embrace the Cup of Suffering
When Jesus asked James and John, “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” He was inviting them into the fundamental pattern of His kingdom—suffering precedes glory. The cup Jesus referred to was His suffering and death (Matthew 26:39), specifically bearing God’s righteous wrath against sin on the cross. This pattern runs throughout God’s redemptive story.
In Exodus 6:7, God declares, “I will take you as My people, and I will be your God.” Yet this covenant promise wasn’t fulfilled through instant glory but through the suffering of Egypt and the wilderness journey. Moses later explained that this difficult path was designed to reveal what was truly in their hearts (Deuteronomy 8:2). Suffering tests us and shows whether we will cling to God’s promises and keep His commandments when the path becomes difficult.
As 1 Peter 2:9 declares, we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession,” but this exalted status comes through identification with Christ’s sufferings. James and John wanted the glory without the cup, the crown without the cross.
Key Takeaways:
- God’s redemptive pattern always involves suffering before glory, just as Christ suffered before being exalted.
- Our desire for spiritual position often reveals our unwillingness to embrace the suffering that accompanies true discipleship.
- God is redeeming a people who will follow Christ’s pattern of humble sacrifice rather than self-promotion.
The second heart posture is surrendering personal ambition to God’s sovereign plan.
Surrendering Personal Ambition to God’s Sovereign Plan
When Jesus told James and John that the positions they sought were “for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father,” (Matt. 20:23) He was teaching them about divine sovereignty. It is God who get’s to decide who sits in whatever position. Our attempt to secure positions through personal maneuvering shows us that we are just like them and have a misunderstanding of how God’s kingdom operates.
John 3:16 reminds us that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.”
It does not say, that any human gave their Son, it says God the Father gave His only begotten Son, this was His sovereign just and not through any hum initiative. God’s redemptive work flows from His sovereign will.
Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This verse highlights God’s initiative in redemption, it was contrary to any human merit or ambition. So since salvation is God’s sovereign work, so too are our positions and roles in His kingdom is His sovereign work. We like James and John need to learn that kingdom greatness comes through submission to God’s plan, not through our selfish efforts.
Key Takeaways:
- Christ redeemed us according to God’s sovereign plan, not human initiative or merit.
- Our positions in God’s kingdom are determined by His wisdom, not our ambitious maneuvering.
- True spiritual maturity involves surrendering our career plans to God’s sovereign appointments.
The third heart posture is recognizing the deception of spiritual overconfidence.
Recognizing the Deception of Spiritual Overconfidence
When James and John confidently declared, “We are able,” they revealed a dangerous overestimation of their spiritual readiness. We see that in children don’t we? “Daddy I want to drive the car”…. “Are you sure you can drive you may ask” The response is childish “Yes Daddy of course you know I can”. What we see here is that James and John’s response parallels Peter’s later assertion, “Even if all fall away, I will not” (Mark 14:29).
Both the statements of James, John and Peter demonstrate how easily we can overestimate our spiritual capacity when we depend on our own capacity.
Colossians 1:16 reminds us that “by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible,” establishing Christ’s supreme authority. Our confidence must be in Him, not ourselves.
James and John’s overconfidence revealed their lack of understanding about what the Lord was trying to teach about how different His kingdom is.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual overconfidence often masks our ignorance of what true discipleship requires.
- Christ redeems us for Himself, calling us to humble dependence rather than self-reliance.
- Genuine spiritual readiness acknowledges our weakness and relies on Christ’s strength.
So far, we’ve seen how embracing suffering, surrendering our personal ambitions to God’s sovereign plan, and recognizing our spiritual limitations shape our approach to kingdom service. But there is one more heart posture for us to embrace.
The fourth heart posture is committing to the path of humble service rather than status.
Committing to the Path of Humble Service
Jesus concludes His teaching to James and John by contrasting worldly leadership with kingdom service: “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). This reversal of values lies at the heart of God’s kingdom, where greatness is measured by service, not status.
Isaiah 43:7 declares that God created us “for My glory,” reminding us that our ultimate purpose is to glorify God, not ourselves.
Ephesians 1:12 echoes this, stating that we exist “to the praise of His glory.” True greatness comes not through self-promotion but through living for God’s glory and living on God’s agenda
Revelation 7:12 depicts the heavenly worship where all creatures proclaim, “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever.”
This vision of eternal worship reminds us that all glory ultimately belongs to God alone.
Key Takeaways:
- God redeemed us for His glory, calling us to serve rather than seek status.
- Christ modeled true greatness through His sacrificial service, becoming the standard for all leadership.
- Kingdom greatness is measured by how much we serve others, not by the positions we hold.
Application Framework
What This Teaches Us About God’s Kingdom
God’s kingdom operates on principles directly opposite to worldly systems. While the world measures greatness by position, authority, and recognition, God measures it by sacrifice, service, and humility. The cup of suffering precedes the crown of glory, just as Christ’s cross preceded His exaltation. This pattern is what we find in scripture – humanity has fallen and need a saviour, it was the curse of sin and death that entered the world. It was the stain of Sin that cause our Lord to be crucified on the cross. But God uses suffering as a tool to refine us. This suffering will be for a little while but we must trust God’s sovereignty and trust God’s redemptive work, where He teaches us that sacrifice precedes glory.
Let This Stir Your Heart
Consider how often your spiritual ambitions mirror James and John’s request. Do you seek positions, recognition, or influence while claiming pure motives? Are you willing to drink Christ’s cup of suffering, or do you merely want His crown of glory? Let the gentle correction Jesus offered His disciples penetrate your heart today. His question, “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” invites honest self-examination. The disciples’ overconfident “We are able” should caution us against presuming our own spiritual readiness.
Living the Prayer We Speak
When we pray “Your kingdom come, Your will be done,” (Matthew 6:10) we’re surrendering our ambitions to God’s sovereign plan. Begin implementing this surrender through:
- Serving in unseen ways without seeking recognition
- Embracing difficult assignments as opportunities to share in Christ’s sufferings
- Celebrating others’ advancement without jealousy or comparison
- Submitting your career plans to God’s sovereign appointments
- Finding joy in humble service rather than position or title
Q&A: Understanding Kingdom Greatness
Q: What did Jesus mean by “drink the cup”?
A: The cup in Scripture often symbolizes God’s judgment or wrath (Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15). For Jesus, drinking the cup meant bearing God’s wrath against sin on the cross. For disciples, it means sharing in Christ’s sufferings through persecution, sacrifice, and self-denial. James would later be martyred (Acts 12:2), and John would endure exile (Revelation 1:9).
Q: How do we balance healthy spiritual aspiration with avoiding selfish ambition?
A: Examine your motives regularly.
Ask:
- Am I seeking this position to serve others or to elevate myself?
- Would I be content serving in obscurity if that’s where God placed me?
- Do I rejoice when others are promoted?
Healthy aspiration seeks greater effectiveness in service, not greater recognition or status.
Q: How can leaders guard against the subtle influence of selfish ambition?
A: Practice regular self-examination, invite accountability from trusted friends, celebrate others’ successes genuinely, serve in unseen ways, and remember that all positions are temporary assignments from God, not personal achievements or entitlements.
Q: What does Psalm 75 teach us about promotion in God’s kingdom?
A: Psalm 75:6-7 declares, “For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he puts down one, and sets up another.” This reminds us that all advancement comes from God’s sovereign hand, not our own maneuvering or self-promotion.
Simple Explanation
As the Lord answered this bold, brazen move by James and John, He asked them if they could drink His cup of suffering. They then doubled down and said “We are able” not fully grasping what it entails. This answer revealed their ignorance about what following Christ truly means and what it truly requires. I am reminded of Peter who said the same thing, although others may forsake you, I will never forsake you. (Matthew 26:33). But as we know Peter denied our Lord three times and these same brothers along with the rest fled after Jesus was arrested in the garden.
This lesson for us reminds us of little children asking to drive a car without understanding the responsibility involved, the brothers sought kingdom glory without fully understanding what was the necessary sacrifice.
They were like that young athlete who begs the coach “put me in coach, I got this, I can handle it!” , but the coach knows although the player is eager , he doesn’t quite understand. Jesus similar to a good coach gently redirected the brother’s ambition toward service rather than status, by doing this He was able to teach the brothers that true greatness in God’s kingdom comes through humble sacrifice, not self-promotion.
Reflection Questions for the Day
How does today’s study fit into the theme of the Bible?
This passage reveals how God is redeeming a people who have selfish-ambitions. It is teaching us that Christ modeled the ultimate example of humble service by drinking the cup of suffering before He went on to receive His crown of glory. With that in mind God is calling a people who follow this same pattern, who value service above status.
What does this passage reveal about Christ?
It shows Christ’s perfect understanding of His redemptive mission, including the suffering He would endure. It reveals His patience and compassion with ambitious disciples who walked with Him but still didn’t get it up to this point. It shows that He was committed to teaching kingdom values.
How did the original audience need to respond?
The disciples needed to humble themselves and abandon the useless and worldly understanding what greatness means. They were called to embrace Christ’s call to humble service. The disciples needed to recognize their spiritual limitations and their need for God’s strength and power rather than relying on their own over confidence. The lesson for them is the lesson for us we must put all of our ambitions at the foot of the cross and submit to God’s sovereign appointments.
Application Steps
- Begin today with the prayer: “Lord, help me desire service more than status.”
- Identify one area where you might be seeking recognition rather than focusing on faithful service.
- Reflect: Does your approach to ministry reflect worldly ambition or kingdom values?
- Embrace the truth: The cup of suffering precedes the crown of glory.
Final Meditation
God’s Word – The Path of Humble Service
Matthew 20:22 challenges our fallen desire for position and prominence. It reminds us that true discipleship involves sharing in Christ’s sufferings, not merely enjoying His benefits. Paul told the Philippians, “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29).
Psalm 15 describes those who dwell in God’s presence as people who:
- Walk blamelessly and work righteousness (Psalm 15:2)
- Speak truth in their heart and do not slander with their tongue (Psalm 15:3)
- Honor those who fear the Lord (Psalm 15:4)
These qualities reflect the humble heart God desires.
God’s Works – The Pattern of Suffering Before Glory
Christ’s incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection established the divine pattern: suffering precedes glory. This same pattern appears throughout Scripture, from Joseph’s prison (Genesis 39:20-21) to his exaltation in the palace (Genesis 41:39-41), from David’s wilderness wanderings (1 Samuel 23:14) to his enthronement (2 Samuel 5:3-4). Scripture clearly shows that God works through suffering to produce glory, through humility to bring exaltation (Genesis 50:20).
God’s Character – The Judge Who Exalts the Humble
Psalm 75:7 declares, “It is God who judges; He brings one down, He exalts another.” This reveals God’s sovereign authority over all positions and promotions. He is the one who gives grace to the humble (James 4:6) . God’s character is perfectly just, and He exalts those who serve Him faithfully rather than those who promote Him, and not themselves.
Final Prayer
Father, forgive us for our selfish ambition and status-seeking, even in spiritual matters. Like James and John, we often want the crown without the cup, the glory without the suffering. Reshape our hearts to value service above status and sacrifice above recognition. Give us the humility to drink whatever cup You offer, knowing that the path to true greatness runs through valleys of sacrifice. May we find joy in serving others rather than being served, following the example of Your Son who came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Conclusion – The Bible You Hold Tells This Story Clearly
- The Old Testament says: “There is a Promised Seed who will come” – We see humanity’s desperate need for a Saviour who would perfectly embody and submit to the Father’s divine plan.
- The Gospels declare: “The Promised Seed has Come” – Jesus Christ comes as the God-Man who demonstrates for us perfect obedience and humility, offering His life as the ultimate act of submission for sinners.
- Acts shows: “The Promised Seed reigns through His people.” – It shows The explosive growth of the Church as ordinary persons are indwelt by Him to live under His Lordship and spreads His will on earth.
- The Epistles teach: “The Path Revealed how we are to live in Christ” – The Redeemed Church is called to live for Christ and reflect Christ’s humility and reflect God’s glory.
- Revelation promises: “The Perfect Completion – The Promised Seed will Come Again in Glory.” – Every Knee Shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord. When our King returns, those who surrender their lives to Christ will share in His ultimate victory and eternal Glory.
The heart of discipleship is found not in position but in participation, not in status but in service. When James and John sought places of honor, Jesus gently redirected their ambition toward the cup of suffering that precedes the crown of glory. This pattern, woven throughout Scripture, reveals God’s kingdom values where the first become last and servants become great.
Today, we face the same invitation Christ offered His disciples: to drink His cup of sacrifice and follow His path of humble service. As we surrender our ambitions to God’s sovereign appointments and recognize our need for His strength, we discover the paradoxical truth that true greatness comes not through self-promotion but through self-giving love. May we, like Christ, find joy in serving rather than being served, knowing that those who humble themselves will be exalted in God’s perfect time.