John 18:1-11

Be Still: Lord, help me to be still before you. Help me to listen. Help me to receive. I ask that you transform my heart and my mind as I choose to spend this moment with you today. Amen.

Read: John 18:1-11

Jesus commanded Peter, 'Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?' (v11)

Encounter: This verse captures a key moment in the Garden of Gethsemane, just before Jesus' arrest. In a burst of loyalty, rushing to Jesus' defence, Peter draws his sword and cuts off the ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest.

'Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?'. It must have been so confusing for Peter, but this question reveals Jesus's complete trust in the Father's plan. The 'cup' represents the pain he was about to endure -- suffering, humiliation, and crucifixion. Jesus knew the ‘cup’ was part of God’s greater purpose and willingly accepted it. 

How often do we, like Peter, try to fight difficult circumstances rather than trusting God? For us, our 'cup' might represent loss, disappointment, betrayal, or persecution. When life feels unfair or painful our instinct is to try and fix things ourselves or even to question God’s plan. Jesus teaches us that true faith means surrender and trusting that whatever ‘cup’ God places before us, he will also grace us to endure it. 

When we face trials, instead of reaching for our 'sword', trying to fight our way out, we can follow Jesus' example: familiarising ourselves again with the promises God has spoken over us and submitting to him, believing God knows what he is doing. Let’s reach for the many spiritual weapons we have available, including prayer, fasting, worship, faith, and obedience.

Apply: Are you facing a situation where you feel the urge to resist or take matters into your own hands? Instead of fighting it, pray for discernment to see how God is leading you through it.

Devote: Lord, I recognise that I'm not always quick to do things your way. Help me today to be slow to 'draw my sword' but instead seek your guidance and surrender to your will.