"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

The Cup And The Baptism (10:35-40)

INTRODUCTION
  1. On the way to Jerusalem shortly before His arrest, Jesus received an unusual request...
    1. From James and John, together with their mother - Mk 10:35; Mt 20:20
    2. For Jesus to do whatever they ask! - Mk 10:35
    3. In particular, the honor of sitting by Him in His glory (kingdom) - Mk 10:36-37; Mt 20:21
  2. Jesus' response was two-fold...
    1. First, about drinking His cup and being baptized with His baptism - Mk 10:38-39
    2. Second, their request was not His to grant, but His Father's - Mk 10:40; Mt 20:23

[In this study we shall focus on the cup and the baptism to which Jesus referred, which is generally understood to be the cup or baptism...]

  1. OF SUFFERING
    1. EXPLAINED...
      1. To drink a cup
        1. Metaphorically, to get one's fill
        2. Either of good (Ps 23:5) or of ill (Ps 75:7-8)
        3. Jesus' cup was one of suffering - cf. Mk 14:36; Jn 18:11
      2. To be baptized
        1. Figuratively, to be overwhelmed
        2. In this case, with calamity - cf. Ps 69:2,15
        3. Jesus' baptism was one of suffering - cf. Lk 12:50
      3. Compare the NLT: "...Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?"
      -- The cup and the baptism refers to suffering Jesus and His disciples would experience
    2. EXPERIENCED...
      1. By the apostles
        1. Foretold by Jesus - Mk 10:39; Jn 15:20-21
        2. Experienced by James (martyrdom) - Ac 12:2
        3. Experienced by John (exile) - Re 1:9
        4. Experienced by the apostles in general - 1Co 4:9-13
        5. Experienced by the apostle Paul in particular - 2Co 11:23-28
      2. By disciples today
        1. Many believers in Christ continue to suffer much
          1. In Muslim and Hindu nations
          2. In communist nations like China and North Korea
        2. In the USA and other western countries there are forms of suffering
          1. Christians and their faith are often ridiculed
          2. Many are rejected by co-workers, neighbors, friends, even family
          -- We ourselves may one day have to receive the cup and the baptism of suffering

        [Having considered how cup and baptism are used in our text to refer to suffering, perhaps it would be appropriate to consider how they are also used in a different context. There is the cup and baptism...]

  2. OF BLESSING
    1. THE CUP OF BLESSING...
      1. There is a cup which we bless - 1Co 10:16
      2. The fruit of the vine in the Lord's Supper - 1Co 11:23-29
      3. Which represents Jesus' blood of the new covenant - 1Co 11:25; Mt 26:27-28
      4. Which we drink in memory of Him, proclaiming His death - 1Co 11:25-26
      5. Thus participating in the blood of Christ - 1Co 10:16
      -- The cup we bless, is a blessing for those who partake!
    2. THE BAPTISM OF BLESSING...
      1. There is a baptism commanded for all by Christ - Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15-16
      2. For the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:38-39
      3. Where penitent believers are commanded to be immersed in water - Ac 8:35-38; 10:47-48
      4. Where sins are washed away as we appeal to the Lord - Ac 22:16; 1Pe 3:21
      5. Where we are buried into Christ's death, raised to newness of life - Ro 6:3-7
      6. Where we put on Christ, becoming children of God through faith - Ga 3:26-27
      7. Where we undergo the working of God and the Holy Spirit - Col 2:12-13; Tit 3:4-7
      -- This baptism is a blessing for all who submit in faith and repentance!
CONCLUSION
  1. Jesus foretold that James and John would...
    1. Drink the cup of suffering
    2. Be baptized with the baptism of suffering
  2. But suffering did not happen before they...
    1. Experienced the baptism of blessing in being saved
    2. Partook weekly of the cup of blessing in remaining saved

To prepare ourselves for whatever cup or baptism of suffering we might experience for Christ...

* Let us be sure that we have submitted to the baptism of blessing in faith and repentance!
* Let us be sure that we drink the cup of blessing weekly as faithfully as we can!