"Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?"
John 18:10-11
I like Simon Peter here, seeing how utterly wrong things were, and knowing where his loyalty was, despite likely facing some serious personal consequences for fighting with these powerful leaders in their society. He was fierce and loyal and ... unfortunately wrong. Christ teaches him, and us, a huge lesson here, as he heals the servant (Luke 22:51) and helps Peter understand that we all need to do God's will, even when it seems to lead to personal tragedy.
I say seem not because I think that Christ's death wasn't a tragedy. It was absolutely a tragedy despite it being necessary. And none of the rest of the things that we are afraid of happening to us or loved ones are easy to face either. I only say that because we know that if we stick with God all tragedies are just stalled or unfinished stories. They don't stay that way (Mosiah 16:8). If we keep turning the pages they turn into triumphant happy endings. Good wins, everyone is whole, and even star-crossed lovers get a chance to recover from their unwise choices.
Today, let's be thankful for Christ's sacrifice, and be also willing to drink whatever cup God gives us. Let's remember too though that God truly loves us beyond our capacity to understand, and even if the cup is bitter now, it won't always be that way. Let's move forward in patience and faith, trusting in that love, and also learning the joy that he is teaching us along the way.
No comments:
Post a Comment