SHALL I NOT DRINK THE CUP

Passage: John 18:1-11

Key verse: 11

NIV

Jesus Arrested(A)

18 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley.(B) On the other side there was a garden,(C) and he and his disciples went into it.(D)

2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.(E) 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding(F) a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees.(G) They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him,(H) went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”(I)

5 “Jesus of Nazareth,”(J) they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

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

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. 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.”[a](L)

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(M) the Father has given me?”

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Footnotes
  1. John 18:9 John 6:39
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

18 When Jesus had spoken these words, (A)he went out with his disciples across (B)the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew (C)the place, for (D)Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 (E)So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, (F)knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, (G)“Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.”[a] Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 (H)When Jesus[b] said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, (I)“Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 (J)This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 Then Simon Peter, (K)having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant[c] and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; (L)shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

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Footnotes
  1. John 18:5 Greek I am; also verses 6, 8
  2. John 18:6 Greek he
  3. John 18:10 Or bondservant; twice in this verse
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The soldiers and some religious leaders came to the Kidron Valley with Judas Iscariot the betrayer to arrest Jesus. Although Jesus knew about his painful trials ahead, he stepped forward with courage and calmness. Jesus asked them to let his disciples go. Jesus is the good shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. Jesus protects and cares for his people even when they fail him in their weakness.

Peter struck the high priest's servant with a sword, cutting off his right ear. Peter, as brave as he was, did not help the situation. It was against God’s will. Jesus stopped Peter’s rescue plan because he had resolved to drink the cup that the Father had given him. The cup was his ultimate mission of offering himself as the sacrifice for our sins. Because Jesus drank the cup for us, we now enjoy the gift of his salvation. It is human nature to save ourselves, but God’s life-giving work can be done only as we drink the cup that God has given us. We are here to live a life of mission from God not by joining in the sword fight, but by drinking the cup. Peter drank the cup later, carried out his mission, and glorified God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for taking the cup of death for us. Help me take up my cross and partake in your redemption work.

One Word: Join in Jesus’ spiritual fight