Season 4 Podcast 163 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 20:20-34, Pt 3, “Let Him Be Your Servant.”
Season 4 Podcast 163 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 20:20-34, Pt 3, “Let Him Be Your Servant.”
Before their divine commission, the twelve disciples had a very important lesson to learn as recorded in Matthew 20.
“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.”
It is clear from the above that the disciples and the other followers of Christ understand at this late date that the kingdom of Christ is not of this world. Many looked upon Christ to deliver them from the bondage of the Romans. They were more concerned with the Kingdom of God on Earth than they were with the Kingdom of God in Heaven. The mother of James and John clearly understood the concept of heaven where Christ would reign forever. The Savior does not condemn the mother for her desires, nor does he condemn James and John who have been very faithful; however, he teaches a greater lesson to all the disciples.
22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
History shows that James and John would remain true to the Savior, and both would endure tremendous persecution. However, no one was able to “drink of the cup that the Savior was required to drink or to be baptized with the baptism that Christ had to be baptized with.” Though the disciples could endure the cross if necessary, they could not endure Gethsemane where Christ took upon himself the sins of the world causing blood to come from every pour as recorded in Luke 22.
“44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
In fact, it is John while imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos who wrote the following as recorded in
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“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”
It appears that Christ is addressing his remarks to James and John; however, it is overheard by all the twelve apostles. Alluding to their martyrdom, he teaches the following doctrine.
“23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.”
The other apostles are angry with James and John.
“24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.”
Even from their high positions they missed one of the most important teachings of Christ. We must keep in mind the Savior will be with them only a short time for they are on their last journey up to Jerusalem.
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