by Randal Matheny

"But Jesus answered, '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.' He said to them, 'My cup you shall drink, but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom is has been prepared by My Father.'" Matthew 20:22-23, NASB

The natural man desires power and privilege. But Jesus offers suffering.

James and John, by way of their mother, request that Jesus give them the best two posts in his imminent kingdom. Their request merely shows ignorance of its nature.

Jesus doesn't check his friendship factor when granting concessions. Though James and John may have thought Jesus would give them special consideration since they were part of the "inner circle," together with Peter, the Lord makes it clear no one gets VIP treatment. The kingdom, by his Father's decree, is not about behind-the-door deals and favors.

The one whom he and the Father love in a special way obeys the divine will. "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him" (John 14:23).

Though God's grace is free, in one sense, his saving, abiding love is conditional to a response which everyone is capable of making -- keeping his word. And keeping his word means walking his path of suffering and death. When we ask for privilege, Jesus extends a cup.

Not a golden, jewel-encrusted cup of feasting. But a prisoner's cup of afflictions.

It's not clear what James and John understood when Jesus asked them if they were able to drink his cup. But pride, bravado, or some such testosterone attitude kept them from asking directions. Instead, they proffer a short and definitive, "We are able."

"Well, you will drink my cup," Jesus says. "And that's all I have to give you."

Paradoxically, in that cup reside peace, joy, and reconciliation with God.

Can you drink it?