Daily Devotions
John
John 18:1-11 "TOTAL SUBMISSION TO THE FATHER'S WILL"
Day 277 – John 18
THE LAST FEW WORDS TO PETER AND THE DISCIPLES
The reaction of Peter, to use his sword to strike at one of the enemies, was not unexpected. The circumstances, the tension, the sight of the enemies – they added tremendous pressure on Peter and thus he struck out angrily.
Jesus’ word to Peter was most striking. Let us take time to ponder over what Jesus said to him. Those would be the very last words that Jesus spoke to Peter.
“Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not
drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”
John 18:11
Jesus sought to teach His Disciples, even at that hour! What deep and precious lessons He had always taught! The last lesson was one of the most difficult to learn!
TOTAL SUBMISSION TO THE FATHER’S WILL
The simple words that Jesus uttered to Peter represented deep, profound and personal truths. Let us take time to comprehend what Jesus meant by these words,
“Shall I not drink the cup which My Father
has given Me?”
John 18:11b
1. The question of “the cup”
The issue of the bitter cup that Jesus was sipping from had already been settled in prayer. It was His Father’s will that Jesus drank from it, all of it, right to the bitter dregs at the bottom of the cup. Jesus had already submitted to His Father’s will, and as far as He was concerned, what remained was not resistance to the drinking of the bitter cup, but trustful obedience.
2. The practice of the Lordship of the Father
Once again, Jesus made reference to His “Father”. It was His Father who handed the cup of suffering to Him, bidding Him to drink from it. How should He respond, but to submit Himself to the Lordship of His Father?
Jesus had practised the Lordship of His Father all His life! He was not about to abandon this vital principle in His life at this late hour!
A PRACTICAL COMPREHENSION OF THE PRINCIPLE OF PRACTISING “LORDSHIP”
The principle of practising the “Lordship of God” may be traced all the way back to the Book of Leviticus. Throughout the Book of Leviticus, the phrase, “I am the LORD, your God” is written again and again.
In Leviticus 19 for example, we see this phrase used more than a dozen times! It is used in the following ways:-
1. It is used to preface a commandment from God.
2. It is used to conclude a commandment from God.
3. It is used as the rationale for a commandment to be obeyed.
4. It is used as a reminder to the people that the commandments were given by the Lord Himself.
Let us consider some of the statements found in the Book of Leviticus.
“You shall be holy; for I the Lord Your God …”
Leviticus 19:2
“Do not turn to idols … I am the Lord Your God.”
Leviticus 19:4
“You shall not swear by My Name falsely … I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:12
“You shall not go about as a talebearer … I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:16
“You shall love your neighbour as yourself … I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:18
The challenge was obvious. The children were to practise this principle of total submission to God as The LORD of their lives! Unfortunately, the story of Israel is anything but a history of full obedience. Instead the chronicles of Israel revealed a nation that had rejected the Lordship of God.
“Lordship” is not God superimposing His sovereign will over subordinate man! It is a call to recognize His wisdom, His will, His power and more! The believer must desire with all his heart to obey the Lord, out of love and understanding if he is to practise Lordship properly.
JESUS PRACTISED THE PRINCIPLE OF THE LORDSHIP OF HIS FATHER
The Gospels recorded correctly that only Jesus was able to practise the Lordship of God perfectly. That Jesus practised the Lordship of His Father completely is obvious. John recorded in his Gospel time and again where Jesus spoke of His submission to His Father’s Lordship. Let us consider how Jesus willingly, humbly and lovingly submitted Himself to His Father’s Lordship.
“… the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He
sees the Father do …”
John 5:19
“… I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father
who sent Me.”
John 5:30
“My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.”
John 7:16
Jesus practised the Lordship of his Father in trust and love. He trusted His Father’s hand even though it held a bitter cup. Jesus took that cup and drank deeply, even if that would lead to great suffering and death.
As we read about how Jesus practised the Lordship of His Father, we cannot but ask ourselves this question. “Are we practising the Lordship of Christ in our life?”