JOHN18:7-11 THE POWER OF OBEDIENCE

7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

8 “I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

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?”

Jesus is very much in charge, even of those who have come to arrest him. He demands to know who they are coming for and when they tell him, he gives the order for them to let his disciples go free. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus makes good on his promise to protect and provide for his sheep. Even when the impulsive Peter attacks the high priest’s servant, Jesus prevents Peter’s arrest or being killed on the spot by healing the man. Furthermore, he puts his arrest and what is to follow squarely in the will of God. The Father is the One who has given him the cup of suffering to drink, and in obedience Jesus will drink it to the dregs.

What a contrast between Jesus and worldly men in the use of power. The Word that created the world and lays flat the coercive power of fallen humankind, yields to obedient suffering in order to bring eternal salvation to others. In contrast, the fisherman takes the sword and tries to exert power in order to serve himself and his own agenda.

As followers of Jesus we are to announce and demonstrate God’s will and not our own. We have been given specific gifts by God which are to be employed in concert with the gifts of others in the community of believers so that the world might come to know God. True power is not to be found in the exercise of our individual gifts according to our individual desire, but in employing our gifts to reveal the true power of God’s sovereign will. Any other use of our gifts renders them barriers to the manifestation of God’s saving power.

Thank you Lord for bestowing upon me the gifts that come only from you. Most of all, thank you for the blessing of your Spirit. May that Spirit guide me into the proper use of my gifts and into the relationships through which my gifts are meant to be used so that your power might be manifested in this world and all human beings come to know you as their God and Savior. Amen.