What spirit is this?
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. John 18:10
Where did this come from. Jesus never used violence in His ministry. Why would one of the disciples think that Jesus would want them to draw their sword and fight with the officers that came to arrest Him. Other than when Jesus chased the money changers out of the temple, He never resorted to physical confrontation. This was an act motivated by the spirit of fear.
In Luke’s account of this event, Jesus rebuked the disciple who drew the sword and said: You do not know what spirit you are of. I didn’t come to take lives but to save them. Peter had given in to spiritual pressure instead of trusting that Jesus had it all under control, despite what the circumstances looked like.
It’s not a hard thing to do. In fact, in the world we live in today, it seems like everyone is angry with someone. There seems to be an blanket of rage and hate covering the society we live in. You can’t even drive down the highway without seeing other’s irritation and lack of grace for those who may make a mistake or get in the way. But don’t we all make mistakes. Who among us is perfect?
What about you? What spirit are you of? Are you of the Spirit of God’s love and grace for others? Or are you of the spirit of judging who is right and wrong without any space for error. Be watchful for what side you choose because you are sure to mess up at some point in life too. Make sure you are giving plenty of grace to those around you so that when you do mess up, that grace will come back to you multiplied.
Today I want to encourage you to be gracious. Not that Peter should have fully surrendered to the guards, but he should have been fully surrendered to Jesus and followed His lead. Jesus was on a mission and His disciples were there to follow Him. That is our part today too. We are to follow Jesus’ example of grace and love to all that we come up against. Then when the day that an accuser comes, trust that Jesus has the answer for you to give and wait for His direction.
Today’s scripture reading: John 18:10-14
10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?
12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.
13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year.
14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
The Daily Dose 