Becoming More Like Jesus

Jesus' disciples believed the Kingdom of Heaven was to be a literal kingdom, an overthrowing of the hated Roman rule. Two disciples asked for positions of honor in this coming kingdom. Today's verse was Jesus' answer.
 
How often do we want the good things in life without realizing the price? We hear an accomplished musician or see a skilled craftsman and wish we had those abilities. Are we willing to put in the long hours of practice, education, and labor to achieve that?
 
So it is in the Christian walk. Many preach a "prosperity" gospel, but to be more like Jesus is going to include some suffering, persecution, and times of sorrow and afflictions. Peter said, "Think it not strange [when] ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings" (1 Peter 4:12-13). Why? Because you are being made more like Jesus. The "cup of salvation" (Psalm 116:13) is full of wonderful blessings, but there are some seemingly "bitter" things as well. Whatever is in your cup today—blessings or pain—Jesus has already experienced all these things. The contents of the cup are making you more like Jesus.
 
Jesus did not drink this cup because He was strong or determined but because He trusted the Father. Likewise, though we do not fully understand the contents of the cup, we know it is working for our good. We can TRUST our Father does all things well.

Make me more like You, Jesus,
​Make me more like You
Give me a heart that's filled with love
And make me more like You.
—   ​   Author Unknown