In Matthew 20 v 20 - 28, the mother of James and John knelt before Jesus and asked,that her sons be granted the pre-eminent position in His kingdom. Her request was not granted, Jesus told her why,then he went on to clarify how one achieves true greatness in His kingdom. Jesus asked John and Peter where they willing to drink the cup that He was going to drink?,they said they were.The cup that Jesus spoke of ,was the suffering that He was going to experience. The other disciples were angry at what Peter and John asked even though they were guilty of the same thing. CP Mark 9 v 33 - 34.Jesus goes on to explain to then where true greatness lies in God's kingdom,being a servant, and suffering .He summed it up with the following words of v 28 'Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many'.These words summed up Christ ministry ,serving and suffering,and this is the path we who go under the name Christian are called to take.Consider serving,what does that mean? it is not about sitting giving orders,and being bossy,its doing what needs to be done, in the fellowship,in the home,and in the world. It involves suffering , the Church of Christ in many countries, is suffering greatly for our dear Saviour. Isaac Watts wrote that wonderful hymn,'Am I a soldier of the cross', here are two verses from it.
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to in the prise
And sailed through bloody seas?
Since I must fight if I would reign
Increase my courage, Lord!
I'll bear the toil,endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
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