Cup and final baptism of Jesus

 

–

The cup of suffering – either from punishment or from persecution- is waiting for all of us.

The first baptism of Jesus was by water. The second baptism of Jesus was by spirit.

The last baptism of Jesus was suffering and death.

–

Mat 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Mar 10:38 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?

Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Many think of the abundant life that Jesus offered was to come without any cost. That it was free, since Jesus died for us.

But this is not what Jesus indicated.

The abundant life is not here on earth. It is in the next life, or after Jesus returns.

–

The abundant life is not a materialistic one. No flashy cars, or dress, no big houses or bank accounts.

The kingdom of God is the kingdom of heaven. It is spirit and eternal, and not a physical entitlement system.

–

While some want to use Old Testament prosperity to justify their prosperous lifestyles, we must remember that Jesus came to clarify what prosperity really meant.

Even those in the Old Testament suffered loss of some sort for what they received, and their faith was tested in many ways.

There is no “blab it and grab it” anywhere in scripture.

–

Jesus came to set an example. While only He could die for anyone’s sins, we are to pick up the cross of self denial, and humility, and be ready to suffer for our faith.

1Cr 11:25 After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.

Mat 20:23 And he said unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Every apostle of Jesus suffered and died for their faith.

–

They were all crucified, or killed in another way, except John, who died in prison.

They all drank from the cup of persecution, and received the baptism by death:

Reference:

http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CN500APOSTLES%20FATE.htm

1. John the Baptist – beheaded by Herod while Jesus was still alive

2. Simon Peter – executed around AD64 during the persecutions of Emperor Nero, or later in AD67. Apparently he was crucified, head-down, at his own request.

3. Andrew – crucified at Patras in Achaia

4. James, son of Zebedee – beheaded by Herod Agrippa I, King of the Jews, in c AD44

5. Philip – martyred at Hieropolis, Turkey.

6. Bartholomew – met his death by being flayed or skinned alive, and then beheaded.

7. Thomas – speared to death near Madras on the east coast of India

8. Mathew – martyrdom in Ethiopia or Persia

9. James, son of Alphaeus – martyrdom in Egypt

10. Jude – killed with Simon the Zealot in Persia

11. Simon the Zealot – crucified or hacked to death in Persia

12. Matthias – may have preached and been martyred in Ethiopia, Other traditions place him in Judea, and later Cappadocia (eastern Turkey) and the Caspian Sea area.

13. Paul or Saul of Tarsus – beheaded at a place now called Tre Fontane in Rome

14. John – died in prison on the Isle of Patmos

–

God, in his mercy, may spare some from persecution and death. But it is our hearts and willingness to suffer these things that God will judge us by.

Either we are willing to drink from the cup of persecution, and be baptized with the baptism of death, if that comes our way, or we are to drink from the cup of the wrath of God.

–

The cup of wrath for faithlessness, and disobedience:

Old Testament

Isa 51:17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, [and] wrung [them] out.

Isa 51:22 Thus says thy Lord the LORD, and thy God [that] pleads the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of trembling, [even] the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shall no more drink it again:

Jer 25:28 And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at your hand to drink, then shall thou say unto them, Thus says the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink.

Jer 49:12 For thus says the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment [was] not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and [art] thou he [that] shall altogether go unpunished? thou shall not go unpunished, but thou shall surely drink [of it].

New Testament

Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Rev 16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

–

–

Note:

It is natural and human to avoid suffering. Suffering hurts.

Even Jesus asked His Father if his cup could be taken away.

My first response to this very serious issue is to escape, or “cop out,” and just be a minimal Christian…… thinking I do not need a special crown for martyrdom.

I can think that as long as I slide by as born again, I will just be glad to make it to heaven.

–

But what we fear most is what comes upon us.

This is a fallen world due to sin.

We either join the fallen, and continue in sin, or we reject sin, and face the opposition of the fallen world.

–

Christians, world wide, are suffering horrible things for their faith.

Why should others go untested?

We all are going to be tested, in some way.

–

God is not a respecter of persons. No one gets special treatment.

Even Jesus suffered, and was tested, and no one is better than Him.

–

I really pray that I am up to this.

May God give me the grace to go through testing, and show Him my love.