What Jesus Did! 'Are You Able?!' — Mark 10:36-38

Sunday, July 28, 2024

"What is your request?" [Jesus] asked.

[James and John] replied, "When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left."

But Jesus said to them, "You don't know what you are asking! 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?"

— Mark 10:36-38 NLT

Key Thought

Before we overestimate what we would actually do to serve the Lord, we had better look at some who failed him miserably. This retrospective is not to discourage us, but to humble us and remind us of how difficult it is to let faith triumph over fear and trust win over trial. We will not succeed on our own, but with the help of the Lord and the encouragement of each other and by God's grace, we can remain faithful even unto the point of death.

Today's Prayer

O God, I confess that I cannot serve you alone. My strength is not sufficient. Looking at the great heroes of faith who came before me and who paid the ultimate price, I'm sure that I don't have the strength to pay the ultimate price on my own. I sometimes have trouble even in my efforts to serve you and others. So, dear Father, I turn to you and the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain me. I ask that the encouragement and support of your people will help uphold me. I promise to do my best, but I also know that without your grace, my best is not sufficient. So please strengthen my courage and inspire my strength. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Mark 14:37-39
  • 1 Peter 5:6-11
  • Joshua 2:11

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 10:36-38 NLT — "You don't know what you are asking! 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?"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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