The Fourth Sunday in Lent (CL)

Matthew 20:17-28
17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 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.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Mt 20:17–28). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Later on, the mother of the sons of Zebedee will see those at Jesus right and left when he comes into his Kingdom. But here she makes what some might think of as a grad request of the LORD. God asks her in return if they are wiling to drink the same cup he drinks. He drinks the cup of God's wrath. This cup Jesus will later in the garden ask to be taken from him.

All of Jesus disciples will eventually drink the same cup he drinks. We drink the cup of his blood poured out for us and for our forgiveness. This cup reminds us that Christ was handed over to sinners and crucified for our forgiveness. This is why they are going to Jerusalem. God sends his son to be servant of all, to lay down his life for all.

Jesus Christ died for the forgiveness of all sins. He truly has heard the cry of sinners and has had mercy upon them. But those who desire to be with him in his Kingdom must drink of the same cup he drinks. Christians will suffer persecution for their faith. Christ has told his disciples to take up their cross and follow him. So are you able to drink the cup he drinks? God willing we are.