"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE WILL OF GOD FOR JESUS, AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR US"
John 18:11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?”
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
This verse is taken during the period where Jesus was arrested by the Roman soldiers, and then taken to be tried unjustly, and then crucified. There are a number of important truths in this one simple, but profound verse.
1. We often do not understand the will of God for our lives.
John 18:11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?”
You notice here that Jesus had to instruct Peter to put his sword back into it's sheath. That's because Peter had just cut off the ear of a man named Malcus, in an effort to defend Jesus from the soldiers who had come to arrest Jesus. Peter's motives may have been good, but his understanding of God's will for Jesus was not.
Jesus had come to the earth for this very hour. To be taken and to be crucified for the sins of the world, and Peter with a sincere heart was trying to stop this from happening.
We can certainly identify with Peter. How often we also do not understand the will of God. But, not to fear, nor to be condemned, God is faithful, and just as He instructed Peter as to what to do, or what not do to, the Lord does the same for us. Here are two scriptures that make a promise to us from God, about giving us wisdom.
Pro 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him
2. Jesus knew exactly what God had in mind for Him, and was ready to do the will of God.
John 18:11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?”
The last part of the verse is put in the form of a question. "Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given to me?" In other words, Jesus was explaining to Peter what Peter did not know. Peter thought what was taking place should not. Jesus knew that what was taking place was the will of God for Him, and ultimately for every human being.
The cup is, and expression of the will of God. Jesus expressed His desire to drink cup, or to do the will of God.
He came to drink the cup of dying for the sins of the world. He was ready to do what God had called Him to do.
He did this for you and me. And, not for just us, but for the sins of the whole world. He drank the cup that God had given Him to drink, and He drank it because of His love for us. His cup was death on the cross, but, it brought life to those who would believe in Him.
Questions:
1. Wouldn't you agree, that God's cup for us is not always easy to drink?
2. If we had our way, we would change cups, don't you think?
3. But, let's be honest, doesn't God know what cup is best for us to drink?
4. Are you at this time struggling with the cup that God has for you?
5. Or are you embracing the cup that God has for you to drink?
6. Have you in the past experienced that the difficult cup to drink, later turns out to be a cup of joy?
7. Gods cup, has come from His wise, loving, holy, and just heart, it's the best cup we could drink.
A prayer:
Father, we are not orphans. We have You to watch over us, and to guide us. We often don't know what to do, or if a cup is good for us to drink. We sometimes are repulsed by what is put before us. But, after we pray, and wait on You, and seek Your counsel, we conclude, "Yes, this is the best for me", and we like Jesus say,"Shall I not drink the cup" Lord, forgive us for the times that we balk at Your will. And, help us to mature and be those that without question embrace day by day whatever You have planned for us. Your ways are righteous and true, and You do not change. In Jesus name, Amen
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
