Why do you want to follow Jesus? In yesterday’s passage, we learned that just because we are Christians, we should not expect worldly happiness or wealth. Today, we learn that political power should also not be considered part of the package.

Think about it. When Jesus’ disciples came to the (correct) conclusion that He was in fact the Messiah, they instantly jumped to the (incorrect) conclusion that He was going to set up an earthly kingdom in Judea right then. They therefore naturally assumed that, since they were His most loyal followers, they would get to do the ancient equivalent of serving in His cabinet. Oh yes, they were quite prepared to drink the cup of power and prestige they assumed would be His (Matthew 20:22).

But they just weren’t listening. After all, He had just told them that He was going to Jerusalem, not to wear a crown, but to carry a cross (Matthew 20:18-19). The cup He was to drink wasn’t that of success but of suffering. But in their dreams of worldly influence and power, they couldn’t be bothered to take Him seriously.

So, what about us? Sure, it’s easy to follow Jesus when our allies are winning elections, when the culture is broadly accepting of Christian values. But what will we do when upholding Jesus’ teachings becomes unfashionable, or even dangerous? Are we really any more interested in sharing in the sufferings of Christ than His disciples were?

And remember, Jesus never gave up on His disciples, even when they wouldn’t listen to Him. He loved them and served them even though they abandoned and rejected Him. Are we just as willing as He is to serve those who, in their pride and ambition, turn away from what He says? And if not, can we really say we want to follow Him?

Matthew 20:17-28 (NASB)

17 And as Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them,
18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death,
19 and will deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down, and making a request of Him.
21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left.”
22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.”
23 He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”
24 And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.
25 But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.
26 “It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,
27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”