I want to illustrate some verses from Matthew’s gospel with a story. Remember that some His disciples once asked Jesus for a prominent place in His kingdom...
But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.”He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”
Matthew 20:22-23 (NASB95)
This brings me to the story about the cup.
Imagine that you are stranded and alone in a tropical jungle. You are dying from exposure to the sun and dehydration. As you search desperately for help, you come upon a mosquito-infested swamp. At the edge of the swamp is a cup almost completely buried in the mud.
You dig up the cup from the slimy mud because you’re desperate for something to drink. This is the first blessing:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3
Though you had nothing, you realized your desperate need and found this cup. You have found the cup of blessings from heaven!
The cup is completely covered in green algae and full of mud and mosquito larvae. You think “How can I drink from this cup, surely I will die!” You cry out to the Lord “Please help me clean this filthy cup!” Then you hear His comforting voice:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4
The first thing He tells you is to empty the cup; pour out the mud and wipe it out with your filthy hands. “But Lord, it is still filthy, and there is no clean water to drink!” He tells you to be patient and help will come:
“Blessed are the meek (who wait patiently), for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
Waiting is hard when you are dying of thirst, and now you are hungry. But you cry out “Please Lord, help me to obey and wait for your help.” He answers:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6
As you wait, you begin to experience the satisfaction of righteousness that comes from obedience.
But as hours pass, you remember why you are in this terrible place. You remember the people who brought you here and left you here to die. The Lord speaks to you again:
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Matthew 5:7
“Lord, I forgive them because You have forgiven me!”
As you continue to wait, you feel a purifying force in your heart, cleansing you from the bitterness of your past.
Now you not only hear the Lord, but you see Him appear with a large jar of clean water. He sets it down before you and says these words:
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8
The first thing you do with the water is to completely cleanse the cup. You now see that it is a precious silver cup and polish it to a shiny finish. Immediately you dip the cup in the fresh water and drink deeply until your thirst is quenched.
But soon some other people emerge from the jungle, rushing toward you. You recognize them as the people who brought you here, whom you have already forgiven.
“Come and drink!” You extend your cup and invite them to share the fresh life-giving water. They come in peace and refresh themselves. The Lord reminds you:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9
You are truly blessed, not only to survive but to now have friends who share your life-giving water.
But then another mob of people emerge from the jungle, jealous and hostile. They are not interested in your peace or your generosity. They only come to take your cup and your life-giving water, leaving you wounded and dying. Finally, a last word comes from the Lord:
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10
Now you realize that this precious silver goblet is the cup of the Lord, which was left for you. You drank from the cup, which gave life to you and others. The cup carried blessings and led you and your friends to the source of life. But in the end, you shared the sufferings that came with the cup.
My friend, this is the final blessing - to forgive and give life to your enemies, just as the Lord Jesus did for you. And when you take your last breath you will look up to see the Lord, extending His hands to carry you home.
