June 7 No Sword Needed

John 18:10-11 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 said to Peter, “Put your sword back in its place! Do you think that I will not drink the cup of suffering which my Father has given me?”
 
GOD’s wrath will not come upon his earthly enemies this night. His wrath, instead, will come upon his own Son for you. No sword is needed. The Savior’s obedience is God’s weapon against evil.
   See here why we call Jesus, “My personal Lord and Savior.” Jesus drinks the cup of suffering – his arrest, trial, scourging, crucifixion and death – because of our personal sin. How mournful it is to consider, “My sin is responsible for the Son of God to suffer and die.”
   Yes, that is a very difficult truth to understand for two reasons. The first is because we are not inclined to see that our sins would cause anyone to die. We see the imperfections in our lives, but certainly our sins are not so terrible to cause I AM – the eternal God – to die for me, are they?
   But in truth, each sin causes a deadly divide between us and the Lord God. Adam and Eve’s sin seemed little. But God’s judgment was death to humanity. Any stain on God’s holiness will lead to death. Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death. Indeed, our sins are deadly to our souls. That’s why we must also know Romans 6:23b But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
   Eternal life in Christ is the second reason it is difficult to understand Christ’s suffering for our sins. Does God really love us that much? Does he truly give us eternal life through Jesus’ death? When we consider Jesus’ great cup of suffering for our eternals life is a gift, we must mourn in repentance and weep for joy! Each sin – “big” or “small” – will be cleansed from our souls with Jesus’ blood! Can we truly comprehend that?
   Jesus, in the midst of his great sorrow, lovingly and obediently welcomed the cross. He knew his suffering would fulfill the Father’s mission to save you and the church to come.
   Know God’s love. Believe how precious you are to your Creator and Savior. Yes, you were born to life on earth because he formed you in heaven’s purpose. You are born again to eternal life because this is his gift to you. Jesus took the cup of suffering. He gave you his overflowing cup of life forevermore. Psalms 23:5-6 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for receiving the suffering cup for my salvation. I pray I faithfully, gratefully rejoice in my salvation. Amen.