Matthew 20:20-28 Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.… I. CHRIST HAD CUP AND A BAPTISM. 1. Christ had a cup. This cup contained the death which, as our Redeemer, He had to die. Its ingredients were, all that He suffered. The time during which He drank it — His lifetime. 2. Christ had a baptism. The baptism of the text was alluded to, when He said, "I have a baptism," etc. It anointed Him and set Him apart to His priestly and kingly offices. II. BELIEVERS PARTAKE OF THE CUP AND THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST. 1. In many particulars, the cup and baptism of Christ were His own — and peculiar. 2. Yet the experience of believers sufficiently exhausts these words. Scripture testimony. The events of Providence. 3. The sufferings of believers, a cup. Because, punishment by the world. Because, death to the flesh. 4. The sufferings of believers a baptism. Because, they are purigying. Because, they are qualifying. 5. The sufferings of believers are the cup and the baptism of Christ. In many particulars — the same. They are inflicted on Christ — in believers. They are acknowledged by Christ. 6. That, which to Christ and His people is but a cup, is to the wicked an exhaustless ocean. III. THE OFFICES AND HONOURS OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM ARE DISTRIBUTED BY HIMSELF. 1. As the cup and baptism of Christ were succeeded by glory to Him, so they are to His people. 2. Some of the moral glory of heaven visible even amid the sufferings of earth. 3. The sufferings endured here prepare and fit for the high employments of heaven. 4. The fitness having been acquired, the dignities are given by Christ. He bestows that which He purchased. 5. This fulfils the promise, "He shall see of the travail of His soul," etc. IV. CHRIST GIVES THE HONOURS AND DIGNITIES OF HIS KINGDOM TO THOSE FOR WHOM THEY HAVE BEEN APPOINTED OF THE FATHER. 1. This brings out the place occupied by Christ in the arrangements of the plan of redemption. 2. It brings to light the original source of redemption. 3. It shows the perfect security of the believer. 4. It illustrates the order of God's procedure. 5. It furnishes a proof of the unchangeableness of God.Conclusion. 1. If you are believers, you shall drink of Christ's cup, and be baptized with His baptism. 2. But you shall not suffer till prepared — fitness for suffering provokes persecution. 3. Your sufferings shall be — (1) Limited — a cup. (2) Purifying — a baptism. (3) Joyous — Christ's. (4) Honourable — a crown. (J. Stewart.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. |
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