"You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right or at my left is not for me to grant. That will be for those for whom the Father has prepared it." (Matthew 20:23)

The word “Cup” symbolizes the ritual vessels commonly used by ancient oriental people in their daily life. The rich have their own personalized precious cups, while the poor will share one cup among the family. During the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples shared one cup. St. Paul called it “the cup of blessing”. (1Corinthians 10:16)

Jesus spoke to James and his brother John that they would drink the cup which was the “Cup of blessing” as St. Paul mentioned. This “Cup of Blessing” represents the blood of Christ. The two brothers were willing to drink the bitter cup of Jesus. In fact, James died in martyrdom in 43AD. John was the only apostle did not die from martyrdom, because his mission was to take care of the Holy Mother Mary.

At the time, the two brothers were still looking at the Kingdom to be established by Jesus with their earthly eyes. Their wishes were to be the left and right ministers. Jesus did not strongly edify their thought and only told them lightly “That will be for those for whom the Father has prepared it.”After all, these two disciples are in love with Jesus deeply.

Therefore, during the Last Super, Jesus did not disappoint John and invited him to sit by his right hand side. Jesus’ love and affection is so great!

If we are willing to sit at Jesus’ right or left hand side, the best way is to treat our neighbors nicely as we did to Jesus, because Jesus promised: Whenever you did this to these little ones who are my brothers and sisters, you did it to me. (See Matthew 25:31-46)