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Written by Peter Karl Youngren on August 20th 2007Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?“ JOHN 18:10, 11
I don’t know what it is but you always seem to regret things when you act too quickly. It seems to be better to wait just a little longer to confront that family member. It seems wiser to refrain from calling back that former friend who seems to be gossiping about you. It seems smarter to keep silent during a conversation which is spiraling out of control.
I love the disciples; certainly not because they were spiritual giants by any stretch of the imagination. None of them were. None of us are. Sometimes I visit some of the older cathedrals in downtown Toronto and marvel at their beautiful stain glass windows. St. Paul is there (murderer). St. Peter is there (arrogant, bull headed, coward), St. Thomas is there (doubter) on and on. I look at the disciples and I look at my own life and I’m in awe of God’s grace.
Yet Peter’s life was one of immediate action. It is tempting, at times, to be envious of uncompromising, bull headed, quick to speak, slow to listen, quick to act, slow to think people like Peter, but I assure you he learned the hard way that this is no way for a disciple of Christ to act. And Peter surely wasn’t going for Malchus’ ear; he was going for his head. Thank God he missed otherwise he would have had blood on his hands in the presence of Christ who was so filled with humility that He was willingly laying down His life.
Perhaps this is why James says “...let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.“ Think about that! When you’re quick to act/speak without “hearing” first you cross over into an wrathful act of man. And that never produces good fruit in your life nor the lives of those around you. Be quick to hear what Jesus inside of you is speaking. You’ll never go astray.
A great hope is that even a guy like Peter learned his lesson. Later in life, Christ’s humility had become his reality. He says “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps… and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;“ 1 PETER 2:21
Doná C.
You are absolutely right Pete!
It doesn’t take very long to realize that life can sometimes treat you unfairly. Gossip, rumours, misunderstandings, conversations spiralling out of control do happen; whether at the workplace, at home, with friends,etc.
There is always an opportunity for us to be offended, and the questions always is, how will be react to these situations?
I have found from personal experience
Prov 15:1 - ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger’ to be true. I have also found that Proverbs is right in saying that it is easier to win a strong walled city, than it is an offended brother!
How we react to situations determines the quality of life that we live.
Like James said by the Holy Spirit, We should indeed be ‘quick to listen, and slow to speak’.
It is important to take a step back even in difficult situations, and listen for what Jesus is saying. In this way, we can be most effective, by allowing Jesus to live big in us,and always have our responses ‘seasoned’!
Laura Feist
I would have to disagree with Ian. ‘In this time and age’ I believe the conversations that we have with each other can easily turn into gossip. Very few may consciously strike up a conversation with the intent to maliciously hurt another person with words, but often times it happens.
The joy of life with Jesus is that we can turn to Him and focus on Him. He helps refine our character and choose words to edify and encourage each other rather than tear down.
I think it is wiser to have humility and realize that we can all have the same temptations. It is by the grace and power of God working in and through our lives that we are able to have the ability to stand against temptation.
Ian Roe
To all previous posters including Pastor Youngren
I apologize for my previous Posting I have’t read properly and thourghly mr Youngren’s message therefore, I completly misunderstood the whole thing. and, reacted based on that misunderstanding.
Having said that I would have disagree with you too Laura as I did’t mean to tear down any one as you have mentioned above.
Have a nice day.
Jeffrey Teo
As fast as Peter reacted to cutting off the ear of the High Priest slave,
so also he fled from the scene with the rest of the disciples.Mtt26:51,56
Peter represented the law.He was always concerned about what he must do.John represented grace.He was conscious of Jesus love for Him.The disciple whom Jesus love.
Martha represented law.She was always quick in doing & serving.Mary represented grace.She always waited and fall at Jesus feet,feeding on His love.Being at the right place at the right time.
God want us to labour to enter into His rest and not be anxious and not be too quick to react to situations.He wants us to work from rest.
The only thing that God tells us to fear is the fear of not entering His rest.Heb 4:1.365 times in the Bible it says,‘Fear Not!‘ for everday of the year.Even Jesus mentioned the fear of God is to worship Him as He is!Deu 6:13,10:20.
Every promise and blessing,including salvation is received by resting in His finished work! Jesus is our Faith and our Rest! Hallelujah!!!
Agape,
Jeff
Ian Roe
I think it is wiser to be carfull when we give to the public a wisdom of nuggets on line. as to our tone can be misintrprated & misunderstood.
I suggest to be carfull how we use our words when we adress certain topics on line. otherwise, people think we are insuniating.
Having said that let us get real in this time and age who does have that much time to sit down and gossip about individuals?( that we don’t even care about) and who does have that much of time for socializing until converstaion spiraling out of control? as far as I am concerned not a lot people do.
Thanks