Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, and you will be baptized with the baptism with which I will be baptized, but to sit at my right and at my left is not mine to grant. It will be given to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
In these words Jesus affirms that His disciples are called to share in His sufferings. The expressions “you will drink from My cup” and “you will be baptized with baptism” symbolize being in fellowship with Him on the way of the cross and in trials. At the same time, He clearly sets the boundary that positions in His kingdom are not given by request or by human expectation, but are granted according to the providential will of God the Father. In this way, Christ shows that glory is inseparable from the cross, and the reward is entirely God’s decision, which a person can approach only through humble service and faithfulness.