In today’s scripture for Daily devotional July 25, Matthew 20:20-28, we witness an intriguing exchange between Jesus and the mother of James and John. She asks Jesus to grant her sons the honor of sitting at His right and left in His Kingdom. Jesus doesn’t rebuke her request but rather redirects their understanding of what true honor entails.
Daily Devotional for July 25
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. (Matthew 20:22 NIV)
Understanding True Honor
Mother of James and John asks Jesus to grant her sons the honor of sitting at His right and left in His Kingdom. Jesus doesn’t rebuke her request but rather redirects their understanding of what true honor entails.
The Cost of Honor
Be careful when you pray because we might get what we ask for!
Jesus makes it clear that honor in His Kingdom comes with a cost.
When He asks if they can drink the cup He is about to drink, James and John confidently reply, “We can.” Their answer reveals their bravery, but also their lack of understanding of the trials and suffering that lay ahead. Jesus uses the metaphor of the cup to signify the intense personal suffering He will endure.
He challenges them to comprehend that true honor is not about positions of power but about sharing in His suffering and sacrifice.
A Lesson in True Discipleship
Like many of us, James and John were eager to be close to Jesus in His glory, but they underestimated the journey that would take them there.
Jesus gently raises the bar, explaining that following Him requires enduring trials and sacrifices. Their willingness to follow Him would eventually lead to significant suffering—James was the first apostle martyred, and John faced exile.
The Path to True Honor
This passage reminds us that true honor in God’s Kingdom is not achieved through earthly accolades or positions. Instead, it comes from faithfully following Christ, even when the path is fraught with difficulty.
Jesus exemplifies this by His own life, choosing the way of the cross to achieve ultimate victory.
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Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us what true honor means. Help us to understand the cost of following Jesus and to embrace it with courage and faith. Strengthen us to endure the trials we face and to serve You faithfully. May our lives be a testament to Your love and sacrifice. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
To You
As we reflect on this passage, we are called to examine our own lives. Are we willing to drink from the cup of suffering and walk the path Jesus walked?
True honor is found in our willingness to serve, sacrifice, and follow Christ wholeheartedly. It’s not about seeking glory but about living a life that honors God through our faith and obedience.
Let us commit ourselves to understanding and living out this profound truth in our daily lives.
