Encounter: People Jesus Met, Then and Now预览

James and John's Encounter

"Can we have the places of honour in your kingdom, please?" This is what brothers James and John ask of Jesus in this passage. They want the best seats in the house. They want to ride shotgun. They want the backstage pass and the business-class upgrade.

Their desire for glory, honour, and recognition is under the spotlight, and Jesus tells them that they don’t understand what they are asking. Once again, they miss the true nature of His kingdom. There are no special seats reserved for Jesus’ closest friends—only places for those willing to follow in His footsteps and drink from the same cup He is about to drink.

That cup means walking toward suffering—even death.

James and John are part of Jesus’ inner circle. They have been the closest to Him and have heard more of His teaching than most. Yet, they still fail to grasp the essence of the Kingdom He is establishing. It is not about power and control but about service and sacrifice.

Persecution and opposition have always been part of the Christian experience. In many parts of the world—both then and now—believers drink from the cup of suffering, paying a tremendous price for choosing to follow Jesus.

Ladan Nouri grew up as a Muslim in Iran. In her twenties, she was invited to a Christian church, where she had a life-changing encounter with God. She remembered walking into the church and instantly feeling the presence and love of God. Her passion for Jesus grew, leading her to attend Bible college and start house churches.

But this came at great cost. Ladan was tracked down and imprisoned for sharing her faith.

This encounter between Jesus and the brothers is a reminder that opposition and resistance to Christian faith should be expected. The earliest followers of Jesus understood this, and many were martyred for their faith. People like Ladan have experienced immense suffering and loss because of their commitment to Jesus.

What are you willing to lose in order to gain life in Christ?

Application

Where might Jesus be calling you to "drink from the cup" today? Is there a person, situation, or place where you need boldness in sharing Jesus, despite the potential cost?