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?"
Once again, Peter’s impetuous temperament comes out in full view. Acting hastily – being ever impulsive, zealous, earnest, and lacking thought of consequences – he seeks to behead the priest’s servant Malchus. Fortunately, by God’s grace, he ends up only slashing off his right ear. He foolishly exposed himself and the others with him to the fury of the multitude. Peter’s fervent loyalty was touching yet unfortunately he totally missed God’s divine plan of redemption. He seems to have completely forgotten all of Jesus’ frequent predictions regarding His being delivered into the hands of the Gentiles and subsequently condemned to death. Peter lacked the full knowledge of the Father’s perfect will which included the Lord’s passion. Jesus was prepared to pave the path of salvation before us, leveling the mountains of evil, breaking down its gates of bronze and cutting through its bars of iron to give us this treasure.
We would do well to remember that zeal – however fervent - without knowledge in religion has often led many down the wrong path, driving them to foolish actions. Paul states the Jews as an example of “zeal without knowledge” in the tenth chapter of Romans. They were a religious group but their knowledge was not based on the Truth. Interestingly, we could replace the name “Israelites” with any name whose knowledge is not based on the Truth. Remember it is the Lord Jesus Who is Truth. Truth is not a theory, Truth is a Person:
1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Romans 10:1-4 (NIV)
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV)
We also see in our verses for today, Christ setting forth for us the example of meekness – not weakness - in suffering – practicing what He had preached to them. Christianity was never intended to be spread by the sword. Our Lord calmly surrendered and yielded Himself prisoner not because He could not make an escape but because He would not. His suffering was not forced on Him by the Jews rather the cause was from above. The cup had been given to Him by His Father and our Lord willingly took it. It was His time, it was His Father’s will and here He shows He was willing. This brings up an interesting question – are we, like Jesus, willing to drink the cup the Father has given us – choosing to stay rather than abort our circumstances?
The process Jesus went through is an interesting one to note and is deeply instructive. He is our perfect example in all things in life. God became man and walked in our shoes all the while living a sinless life – fulfilling all righteousness. He knows our conflicts by experience. It is good therefore for us to seek to be like Jesus in everything.
We find our Lord very shortly before in the Garden of Gethsemane wrestling in His spirit to the point of sweating drops of blood regarding this forthcoming bitter cup. He had earnestly prayed - if possible – for its removal yet all the while embracing God’s will over His own. This shows me we are not wrong to pray for our crosses to be removed if it is within God’s perfect will:
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Matt 26:39 (NIV)
Next He prays a resigned declaration knowing God’s will must be accomplished whatever the cost:
42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." Matt 26:42 (NIV)
Lastly, we see a firm and composed readiness – a perfect willingness to drink the bitter cup of suffering set before Him:
“Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” John 18:11 (NIV)
Our Lord first prays for relief and His prayer was answered not in the removal of His dilemma but rather in His complete willingness to embrace it. Indeed, the writer of Hebrews adds the precious three letter word “Joy” in His anguish in an effort to encourage us to run our races with focus and perseverance as well:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:1-3 (NIV)
“No man is fit to comprehend heavenly things who has not resigned himself to suffer adversities for Christ.” Thomas a Kempis
“In shunning a trial, we are seeking to avoid a blessing.” Charles Spurgeon