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

Think about it. When Jesus’ disciples finally realized that He was 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 become His most influential courtiers. Oh yes, they were quite prepared to drink the cup of power and prestige they assumed would be His (verse 39).

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 (verse 33). He had thus made it plain that 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 in broad agreement with 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?

Well, the good news is that Jesus never gave up on His power-hungry disciples, even when they wouldn’t listen to Him. He loved them and served them even though they abandoned and rejected Him.

So will we do the same? Are we willing to suffer at the hands of His enemies? Will we go so far as to love and serve those who, in their pride and ambition, turn away from His teachings? And if not, can we really say we want to follow Him?

Mark 10:32-45 (NASB)

32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him,
33 saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and will deliver Him to the Gentiles.
34 “And they will mock Him and spit upon Him, and scourge Him, and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.”
35 And James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Him, saying to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”
36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
37 And they said to Him, “Grant that we may sit in Your glory, one on Your right, and one on Your left.”
38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
39 And they said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.
40 “But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
41 And hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.
42 And calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
43 “But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”