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Have you heard someone say, “What would Jesus do?”
This question has an implied answer, to be used by the person asking the question in supporting their viewpoint – either right or left politically, either liberal or conservative, either Democrat or Republican, and either rioting or law abiding.
We do not have to ask this question! Jesus has already said what He would do. We just need to follow Him.
Then Simon Peter, since he had a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, am I not to drink it?” John 18:10-11
Jesus drank from the cup – a cup symbolic for forgiveness, the path to peace, and justice. Jesus drank from a cup to bring freedom.
That’s what Jesus did!
The solution is the cup. Forget the cup, and nobody wins the back and forth, this election or the next election, grasping for control and power. The victors get the spoils of vengeance.
The Cup…
Being in agony, Jesus was praying fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling upon the ground. Luke 22:44
Jesus said, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Don’t you know that I can pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:51-52
Blood and prayer were the contents of the cup. A powerful mixture.
The ancient writer, Tertullian, said that the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church. The message of the cup is that faith persecuted or repressed keeps growing – often exponentially.
The base intentions of oppression or violence cannot solve problems. A willingness to drink the cup brings life changing revolution.
The Bible teaches that confusion will reign in the end times. Rumors and speculation will foment, round and round through media, while any opinion, any thought, and any act can find justification.
Without Biblical truth, based upon “the cup,” all truth becomes true – it just depends upon the listener.
The Cup…
Jesus kept saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
Above the head of Jesus on the cross, was the sign, “This is the King of the Jews.” Matthew 27:37
Leaders who bring peace must first drink from the cup. Those that drink deeply can be used by God in His peacemaking mission. Sadly, listening, conciliation, and forgiveness are rare in political discourse. Many elected officials give affirmation of Jesus while ignoring the cup.
Drinking this cup gives a clear voice, not compromised, of respect and honor.
The Cup…
Don’t look out for only your interests but for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus, who was God but did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. Instead, He emptied Himself becoming a servant, born in the likeness of men, and humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death. Philippians 2:5-9
I’m a satisfied “little” person living in a flyover state. I am ignored politically, and no one is asking my opinion. I am okay with that. I have friends who are engaged actively from both sides of the political spectrum – I agree, and I disagree.
I say what I think. I am okay with confirmation or opposition to my thoughts. The weapons in my battle are prayer and obedience to Jesus.
I want to drink The Cup…
Christ suffered for you leaving you an example to follow in His steps. While being insulted, He did not insult in return… for by His wounds you were healed. 1 Peter 2:21-24
It is difficult to drink from the cup. There is a place for resistance and defending principles, but power, without first drinking from the cup, becomes oppression.
Biblically, scripturally, according to Jesus, understood by the Apostle Paul, and affirmed by the Apostle Peter: saints, drinking from the cup, often become martyrs. And Jesus, Paul, and Peter were martyrs.
Their followers should first drink The Cup!