Before coming to Jerusalem and his date with the cross, Jesus made a third announcement to his disciples concerning his upcoming arrest, execution, and resurrection. He had no sooner finished than the mother of James and John came to him, asking for a favor.
He said to her, “What do you want?” She replied, “Permit these two sons of mine to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He told them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right and at my left is not mine to give. Rather, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
Matthew 20:21-23 NET
It was as if she had not heard what Jesus had just said. She clearly expected him to march into Jerusalem and declare himself king. And she wanted to ensure that her sons had the places of honor at his right and left.
But, Jesus told her, you do not know what you are asking for. It was on the cross that Jesus defeated the real enemy (Col. 2:15) and took up his reign over the kingdom. So she was, unknowingly, asking that her sons occupy the crosses to either side of Jesus at his crucifixion. But those “places of honor” were to be given instead to the thieves who hung there with him.
James and John indeed drank from the same cup Jesus had, giving their lives for Jesus. James was later executed (Acts 12:2) and John faced exile on the island of Patmos (Rev. 1:9). But it was not just James and John who would drink from Jesus’ cup. Jesus called all his disciples, both then and now, to take up our crosses and follow him (Mark 8:34). To drink from his cup–giving our lives to him and for him.
