Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane when soldiers came to arrest him for trumped up charges of treason and blasphemy. They arrived with weapons and lanterns and ropes to tie him up.
Peter, one of Jesus’ followers, decided to intervene and take a swipe at one of these enemies with his sword, cutting off his ear. Jesus’ response to this threatening trouble teaches us so much. He said, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me” (John 18:11).
Cups may be 10 ounces or 16 ounces but whatever the size, they are limited and hold only a limited amount of contents. Jesus is enduring injustice and persecution, but trusts that God the Father is in charge, not his enemies. The troubles are contained, like they’re in a cup. Contained by God the Father.
This Father God is the One in whom Jesus, the Son of God, trusts in every way. Because the Father knows best, the Father is almighty strong, and the Father is faithfully loving. You have the same Father, who contains your troubles in ways you cannot understand, but you can believe.
Is God even nearby when suffering strikes? Yes, absolutely. God knows. God watches. God even gives. That’s what Jesus said about the suffering that “the Father has given.” That means trouble and hardship are gifts because God is in them.
Although some troubles are purely evil, God is never responsible for evil, but he is always present, always there, always finding a way to make it work for you, always ready and able to rescue. There is a blessing in it somewhere.
Just for you. Jesus believed that when he said that he would drink the cup that the “Father has given me.” Me. This is Jesus’ cup like you might have your favorite coffee mug or your kids have their own sippie cups. It’s personal and made just for you by God.
Endure difficult times in your life by saying, “Jesus is God. And he is here.” Repeat. Prepare for calm and courage. Jesus hasn’t fled the scene just because things aren’t going your way. He knows a better way.
Trust him. Follow him. And tell others that he is always with them, too.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, you saw your suffering as a careful gift from your Father, and now you allow me suffering, too. Help my faith to trust in your higher ways, even as you promise that you are always with me. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Think about troubles in your life that are bothering you today. Take them to Jesus in prayer, and thank him for being with you always.
