John 18:10-14

 “Simon Peter therefore having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus. Jesus therefore said to Peter, "Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?"

 

“So the Roman cohort and the commander, and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.”

 

Although Jesus was in control and was voluntarily handing Himself over while protecting His disciples, Peter felt that He needed to do something. He did not understand what Jesus was doing, so He took a sword out to protect Jesus and attacked Malchus, the high priest’s own servant, cutting off his right ear.

 

But Jesus was in control. He was not defending Himself, nor did He need Peter’s defense. So He commanded Peter to sheath his sword. He was fully willing to obey His Father’s commands. In this case, Jesus intended to “drink the cup” His Father had given Him. Jesus intended to go to His death.

 

And that is where Jesus began to go. He handed Himself over to the Romans and the Jews who had come to arrest Him. They bound Him and led Him away to Annas. And Jesus was now in the hands of those who wanted to kill Him. Annas was father-in-law to the high priest, Caiaphas. And Caiaphas was the one who, because the Sanhedrin was worried that the Romans would respond to the Jews’ belief that Jesus was the Messiah, advised the Sanhedrin that they would all be better off if Jesus were dead (John 11:47-53). If Jesus intended to drink the cup His Father had given Him, He had come to the right place. Again we see how completely in control of His destiny Jesus was. His choices led Him straight into the hands of those He would permit to murder Him.

 

Father, as men who love Jesus, our perspective is so often limited. We do not know the good that Jesus intends to do. We see only the evil and the pain at hand. Thank You for teaching us and reminding us that Jesus really is in control. Help us to act as You have taught us to act, and to accept Your directions even when they seem contrary to our understanding. Thank You that You accomplish what You plan to do. Thank You that Jesus was in control, even placing Himself in the hands of those who intended to kill Him. Thank You that He was in control even in death. And thank You that He lives, and is still in control!