3 Minute Read
Prepare Your Heart
To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.
Read God’s Word
Exodus 17-19
Matthew 20:20-21:11
A Verse for Today
Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.
Matthew 20:21-22 (CSB): “‘What do you want?’ he asked her. ‘Promise,’ she said to him, ‘that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right and the other on your left, in your kingdom.’ Jesus answered, ‘You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ ‘We are able,’ they said to him.”
Reflecting on God’s Word
I’ve read the verses that I chose for today dozens and dozens of times in my lifetime, maybe well into the hundreds of times. But as I read it reflectively this morning, I saw a glimmer of something that I had never seen before. Let me share it with you.
Matthew recounted this experience by saying that James and John’s mom came and asked if her sons could have the place of utmost prominence in Jesus’ Kingdom, sitting next to Him on His right and left. Mark’s Gospel tells us that James and John were the ones who asked Jesus for this extravagant request (Mark 10:35-40). So, we can deduce that their mom was actually the one who asked, but these brothers apparently put her up to it, so it was essentially their request.
But I want us to focus on their request and how Jesus responded. They unashamedly asked for the high place of prominence in Jesus’ Kingdom. Jesus’ response feels like He’s blown away at such an outlandish request because to achieve those lofty positions would require deep suffering.
Matthew 20:21-22 (CSB): “‘What do you want?’ he asked her. ‘Promise,’ she said to him, ‘that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right and the other on your left, in your kingdom.’ Jesus answered, ‘You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ ‘We are able,’ they said to him.”
It seems clear that Jesus said that a position of such high prominence in the Kingdom would be reserved for those who suffered much for Christ. “The cup” was a Hebrew idiom that spoke of God’s wrath. So, if James and John wanted such a position, even though it would be up to the Father to determine who would sit there, they would have to suffer like few others have.
This would be such a strange thing to say, except for the fact that the New Testament makes it clear that God operates this way. You want a position of prestige in Heaven? Then, lose your life for Christ here on earth. In fact, Jesus often assumed that people who are genuinely saved WOULD lose their lives here on earth. They would follow Jesus even if it meant that they would have less of what the world cherishes. They would follow Jesus if they suffered and even died for Him.
Listen to these other instances where Jesus clarified that gaining much in Heaven could only happen if we joined His agenda here on earth and refused to chase after the things the world around us believes are necessary.
Matthew 16:24-26 (CSB): “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it. For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life?’”
Matthew 20:16 (CSB): “So the last will be first, and the first last.”
John 12:25 (CSB): “The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
Given this truth, it’s hard to see how we can gain Heaven’s applause for a well-lived life unless we stop chasing after all the things the world calls us to pursue. Instead, we should ultimately live for Jesus, “seeking first His kingdom” (Matthew 6:33). In doing this, it may look to those around us that we have “lost” in the game of life. But, we will have won in Heaven’s eyes.
Spend Time in Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for saving me. But help me to realize that salvation isn’t merely a ticket to Heaven. It’s an invitation to know and enjoy You and to live a purposeful life by seeking Your Kingdom first. Help me to live my life for You, and in so doing, hear You one day say, “Well done! Well done!” I pray this in Your Name, Amen.
Going Deeper
If you want to go deeper, check out this article by Got Questions: “What did Jesus mean when He said the first will be last and the last will be first?”
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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com).
Matt’s Musings 