Drinking from the Cup

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

DRINKING FROM THE CUP

John 18:10-14

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"  12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.

NIV

The beginning of the time when our salvation will be complete. Jesus is arrested and he will be taken to the high priest first. But we have this little incident with Peter and the sword. Wouldn’t we know it, it was Peter, not one of the others, but Peter who had a sword and strikes out cutting the ear off of the high priest’s servant. Neither John, Matthew nor Mark records what Luke does regarding what Jesus said or did in response to Peter cutting off the ear of this servant to the high priest. Luke records Jesus reaching out and healing the man’s ear, showing proof right there in front of all who are arresting him of his divinity, as he states, “No more of this”. There are other words exchanged in those other records of this event, but what we want to consider is these words of Jesus which John gives us. He says in a question form, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” He knew what must be done in order for him to drink of that cup, and all which will transpire is in accordance with why the Father sent Jesus to earth. We also know about the prayer of Jesus when he asked the father is there was any other way, but nevertheless, the Father’s will be done. Jesus submitted his will to the Father's will. Again, that is a little strange God submitting his will to himself, as Jesus and the Father are God. However, Jesus was God in the flesh coming to do that which he was sent by God the Father to do. Jesus would undergo must suffering and even death of his human form. He would feel the pain and know the agony of death. But he will drink the cup the Father has given him. This leads us to consider if we are willing to drink the cup the Father has given us. Sometimes it appears we are acting like little babies, only concerned with our own selfish needs. Paul makes a point about that condition.

1 Cor 13:11-12

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

NIV

There comes a time in our life as a believer we should put aside that child and live as grown adults in the Lord, mature in our relationship with him and understanding he has a plan for our lives and his plan is the best plan and we need to just drink from the cup he has given us. It may not all be a bed of roses, it might include a little suffering and pain. It could also include some very good things as well, but it is about the cup he has given us, not about the cup we want. Our life is not all about, “I want, I want, give me this, give me that, let me have, let me have, I want”. Jesus gave us the example of drinking the cup the Father gave him. If we say we are followers of Jesus, then let us drink from the cup the Father has given us. We remember that the peace of Christ includes the part of being content with our lot in life, whatsoever that is. So we are determined to drink from that cup the Father has given us.