What is in the Cup
Good Morning Friends,
Bitterness has a tenacious way of becoming a persistent aftertaste deep within the soul and resisting all efforts to alter its flavor. Time, rather than diminishing the experience, only seems to sharpen the unpleasantness robbing us of hope. Robin Williams seemed to have lost all hope. Very sad. I think perceived sin causes bitterness. It has little to do with how big the sin is and a lot to do with how close the sin and the sinner is to us. We insanely think that we have a right to be bitter….a right to be unforgiving. If we keep it inside, eventually it can kill us. Friends, unless we allow God into our lives we will always have doubt and worry as part of our lives. And even if we do allow God in we still might be distressed and agitated. Jesus was. The hope is that we can be changed forever. It depends on how we respond to What is in the Cup.
Scripture: The psalmist wrote, “Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.”
Psalm 69:20 (NIV)
They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
Mark 14:32-42 (NRSV)
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled.
Hebrews 12:15 (NRSV)
Message: Severe truth is expressed with some bitterness even when we live in the forgiveness of Christ. The bitter cup cannot be completely avoided for all the sins of the world are in it, all the pain of dying on the cross is in the cup. Our sins still kill us. Still we can avoid being perpetually bitter about it because even when we feel abandoned God is still our friend. God became the bitterness, the sin, the pain so we might obtain grace. And grace is so sweet. Friends, do not let bitterness devastate you spiritually or destroy you physically or discourage you emotionally of divide or defile or deprive you of life. Jesus drank the cup so we can live life abundantly.
Pray God not let us sink into the mire. Pray we never doubt God’s perfect plan and purpose. Pray we experience God’s pure love. Pray we learn the power of praying under pressure. Pray we not sleep while the Savior suffers. Pray we weep over the sins of the world. Pray we never cultivate retrospective bitterness. Pray our hearts become sweet knowing we do not have to bear the bitterness forever because Jesus is willing to redeem it all. Pray we realize that Jesus tasted bitterness on the cross and had victory over it.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 