And He That Takes Not His Cross And Follows After Me Is Not Worthy of Me - Part 1590

Jesus said, "But I have a baptism to be baptized with: and how am I straightened till it be accomplished?" (Luke 12:50)

When James and John, the sons of Zebedee came unto Jesus saying, "Master, we would that Thou should do for us whatsoever we shall desire." And Jesus said unto them, "What would ye that I should do for you?" They said unto Him, "Grant unto us that we may sit, one on Thy right hand and the other on Thy left hand, in Thy glory."

But Jesus said unto them, "Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" And they said unto Him, "We can."

And Jesus said unto them, "Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized. But to sit on My right hand and on My left hand is not Mine to give; but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared." And when the ten heard [it], they began to be much displeased with James and John.

But Jesus called them [to Him] and saith unto them, and saith unto them, "Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them: and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:35-45)

Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost. He came to give us life more abundantly. To fill us with His joy and peace and love. For God so loved the world ... (John 3:16-17) So much so that He endured the cross -- a contradiction in terms -- so that we might experience life in His goodness and grace. But I digress.

As the time of the cross got closer, and the hour come when the Son of man should be glorified, Jesus compared the life that we have in Him with a corn of wheat. Indeed, Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you -- "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit. He that loves his life shall lose it and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be; if any man serve Me, him will my Father honour." Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour, but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy Name." (John 12:23-28; Matthew 16:24; John 14:3; John 17:5, 24; Mark 8:35; Matthew 3:17)

What was happening is that James and John were asking Jesus the wrong question.  Instead of being humble, and grateful that the Lord did preach with authority (so that the people did marvel), these had their eyes focused on the earthy.

To which Jesus said, "Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:3-4)

Rather than drawing nigh to God so that He can draw nigh to them [and by extension -- us], the two wanted to be situated on the right and left hand of Jesus in heaven.

"That which thou sow  is not quickened, except it die: and that which thou sow, thou sow not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may be a chance of wheat, or of some other grain; but God gives it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed His own body." (I Corinthians 15:36-38)

So much more in that chapter to read and understand. However, as  apostle Paul wrote, "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption." Why? Because the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening Spirit. Howbeit, that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural and afterward, that which is spiritual.

The first man is of the earth, earthy; and the second man is the Lord from heaven." (I Corinthians 15:39-50)

"The Lord came forth as a mighty man ..." (Isaiah 42:13)

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (II Corinthians 5:21)

"For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave Himself to be a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (I Timothy 2:5-6)

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:13-14)

Therefore, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death -- even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:5-8)

In being thankful for our salvation, we also need to remember the Word of the Lord, how that He [He being Jesus] said: "John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost." (Acts 11:16)

But more importantly, Jesus said while on the cross, "It is finished ..." (John 19:30)

And it was finished because He desired for us a better country, that is, an heavenly, wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city ..." (Hebrews 11:16) Let him with ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.