Read John 18:1–18
When we are presented with God’s will for our lives, we are faced with a choice: to resist or to obey. This passage captures two opposing responses to God’s will—one of complete surrender in Jesus, and one of resistance and fear in Peter.
Jesus, knowing the immense suffering ahead, chooses to drink the cup the Father has given Him. His obedience reflects absolute trust in God’s plan, even when that path leads to the cross. There is no struggle or hesitation, only a quiet confidence that God’s purposes are greater than the pain He is about to endure. Jesus models for us what it means to surrender fully, not because the road is easy, but because He trusts the One who leads Him.
In contrast, Peter struggles to accept the path laid before him. First, he takes matters into his own hands, drawing his sword to defend Jesus. Peter’s reaction is rooted in earthly wisdom—fighting against what he cannot control or comprehend. When that fails, he turns to fear, denying his connection to Jesus. Peter’s actions, though understandable, reflect our own resistance to God’s will when it seems too hard or confusing.
We often find ourselves responding like Peter, resisting God’s plan by trying to take control or by retreating into fear. We may resist the “cup” God offers because it involves suffering, discomfort, or uncertainty. Yet, Jesus calls us to something greater—to trust in God’s wisdom even when we do not understand, and to believe that His plan, however painful, is ultimately for our good.
The challenge for us is to embrace the cup we are given. Like Jesus, we are invited to surrender our fears, our resistance, and our need for control, trusting that God’s plan is not only wise but also good. In that surrender, we find peace and purpose, even in the midst of suffering.
Begin praying with Psalm 39:7:
“Now, Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in you.”