“But Jesus answered and said, ‘You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’” Matthew 20:22 (NKJV)

In this passage of Scripture, Jesus asks His disciples James and John a very profound question. It's a question that reminds me of an encounter I had with one of my patients.

While nursing and caring for her, one of my patients asked me, “Marsha, are you willing to be cut?”

I really didn’t understand what she meant until she told me her story.

Her doctor had found a cancerous tumor in her abdomen that would require surgical removal. She said, “I’ve been telling my doctor all along that God was going to heal me and remove the tumor but he didn’t believe me.” Although her faith never wavered, she consented to have surgery anyway. But when the doctor went in to remove the tumor, it was gone!

She told me her doctor apologized because it had seemed like it was an “unnecessary surgery.” I asked her how she felt about that. She said, “It’s alright; I was willing to be cut so he could see God’s glory!”

Jesus asked His disciples if they were willing to drink the cup He was going to drink. Although Jesus knew His brutal crucifixion was in the cup, He was willing to drink it so that God’s glory would be revealed in the earth. He died to His own desires, and instead submitted to the will of God. What an incredible sacrifice!

Dear Jesus, thank You for being willing to drink the cup and for Your sacrifice. Help us to be like You, Lord, and die to our own desires so that Your glory would be revealed. May we be light to those around us today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Take Action

What is God asking you to submit to Him today? Perhaps it’s the worry you feel about your future, or the resentment you have towards someone in your life. Ask God to give you the courage to submit to His will so that His glory may be revealed to those around you.



Tags: suffering