Wednesday, November 21, 2012

GOSPEL: Matthew 20:20-23

Reading

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.   And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.   But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.   And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Commentary
When we seek our own glory in this world, we are not seeking God's glory.  This request of a mother, though sincere, was sinful.  Her two sons could not drink the cup Christ would have to drink.  Note the gentle rebuke of Christ which was not overly severe.  Even though they said "We are able" Christ did not reject them for their pride.  In like manner, though we sin daily and indeed deserve nothing but punishment, God for Christ's sake does not cast us away either.  Rather He daily absolves and forgives all sins by His Gospel Word of grace, and this same grace strengthens us to bear each cross He gives.  His cross is our glory, hence let us seek no other.

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