Suffering, the way of Jesus

I'm reading Mark 10 today. Jesus speaks to James and John, saying"The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized..." (v39).

James Edwards (The Pillar New Testament Commentary) has written:

Verse 39 seems best read as a reminder and renewed call to discipleship, which ineluctably entails sacrifice and suffering. Disciples of Jesus do not decide to accept or reject hardships on the basis of the future rewards accruing from them. They accept suffering on the sole basis that it is the way of Jesus. “The Son of God suffered unto the death, not that men might not suffer, but that their sufferings might be like His.”

Edwards is correct, and is quite bold for a commentary! Disciples, followers of Jesus, including followers today (that is you and I), accept suffering on the sole basis that it is the way of Jesus. If you follow Jesus, this is the way, the path, ("put" in Bosnian) that is ours.

May this hard truth impact our lives, our choices, our goals, our interactions with and service to others, and ultimately our relationship with God and Christ in 2020.