Scripture Focus: John chapter 18
Focus verses: 10, 11
“Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) [11] so Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
God, the Father, gave Jesus a cup and Jesus knew what that cup was. He knew that it would be hard to drink, but he also understood the purpose for which the cup was given to him. He knew that He would be taking the sins of the world upon himself so that we who believe in him could be forgiven and made righteous through His sacrifice.
Jesus cup was to be obedient to God and He knew that God would strengthen him as He did what God called him to do. He chose the cup His Father had given Him. How often do we choose to receive by faith the cup we are given? How are we supposed to handle the cup that He gives to us?
We all daily drink from the cup of life, sometimes the cup is full of sweet goodness and other times it doesn’t taste very good at all. It might be bitter, hard to swallow, and feel sour in our stomachs.
Jesus said in John 16:33 that in the world we will have tribulation. What is your cup? What is God wanting to do in your life as a result of it?
My cup has been the loss of my husband six years ago. I never understood what this kind of loss was like until it happened to me. And, I learned quickly that even those who loved and cared about me, who hadn’t experienced it, could not fully relate to me or what I was going through.
I had died on the inside, even though I was living on the outside. There were times when I didn’t want to be here anymore if it meant living without him. The Lord, handed me a cup. It was not a cup I wanted, but it was the cup He gave me. Would I choose to drink it?
This was a choice that God wanted me to make. He would not make it for me. Jesus had a choice, He did not have to give His life for us—He chose to do it. He gave his life freely for God’s purposes and plans to be fulfilled. Are we willing to have the attitude of Jesus to accept our cup and to trust God to get us through it? Or, will we refuse to believe that maybe He has allowed this difficult trial in our lives to draw us closer to Him and to fulfill His plans for our lives?
Though each person’s cup is different, it will be specific to them in order to accomplish His purposes for them. Some will experience a cup of suffering through sickness, others through abuse—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Another will experience the loss of a child, parent or friend. Whatever the cup may be, the question remains, what will we do with the one He hands to us?
Jesus, received the cup that was given to him by the Father. As, Philippians 2:8 says, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.”
This challenges me. Do I love Jesus enough to humble myself before him, to receive the cup that He gave to me and to trust that He will help me, heal me, and restore my life?
My life was shattered into a million pieces by Eric’s death. It took all I had at that time, a simple mustard seed of faith, to tell the Lord, that I would receive this cup, submit to Him through it, and trust Him no matter what.
What are you going to do with your cup? Will you go your own way and try to fix yourself? Will you choose to consult with family, friends or professionals, hoping that they can make you better? Or, will you make up your mind to accept the cup God has given you so that He can work out His purposes for you through it.
There is peace in choosing the cup that Jesus chose and He offers that to You—but you will have to press hard into Him and into His Word. You will have to dig deep into your relationship with Him to find your way, but He will be faithful to You, like He has been faithful to me. As you draw near to Him, He will draw near to You.
Your life is precious to Jesus. He gave his life for you. Pursue Him and you’ll find the blessings He desires to give you as you seek Him. Your cup will overflow with His goodness, mercy and grace.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
Thank You that You freely chose to drink the cup that the Father gave You. Please help us to choose the cup that You give to us and comfort us with the knowledge that You will be with us and give us the strength to endure.
Lord, we commit our way to You. By faith, we choose to believe that our trials and tribulations will not consume us, but lead us into a deeper relationship with You.
Amen
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5
Whispers from God 