Then said Jesus unto Peter, “Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” John 18:11
This happened after Peter cut off the high priest’s ear. Jesus healed that ear.
Jesus reprimanded Peter (in my words) > I must accept God’s will, God’s plan. I can’t and won’t fight against it. Jesus’ actual words are above.
It’s hard sometimes to drink of that cup, to be obedient in the flesh of what God is asking us.
Years ago, God told me He was going to strip me. What could I say? I had given my life to Him a long time ago. I’m not going to tell Him I don’t want that. I trusted Him to do what is best. It didn’t sound fun. I knew what it entailed, I thought. After all, isn’t that what I prayed?: Make me a better person. Remove those things in my life that keep me from You. Draw me close to You. Don’t let me leave this earth without accomplishing my divine purpose.
Who wants to be stripped? It’s a process that began many years ago and I still don’t think it’s over.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
Think of Esther who went before the King when it was scary to her and not customary. (Esther 4:14) Or when Daniel kept praying to the Lord God of Israel when King Darius issued a decree against it. (Daniel 6) The bible is filled with people/saints, saintly because of God’s holiness not because of who they were, who obeyed the Lord against their own desires, but placed their flesh, their thoughts and their very own lives in the hands of God out of obedience. If when you read the Word, you look for those attributes, you will surely see them.
My exhortation to all of us: pick up your cross and follow Him, no matter what Jesus asks. He will see you through.