The World’s Methods Or God’s?
by Dan Jones, M.D.
Matthew 26:47-56
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Over the last hours and days, Peter’s faith had been slipping. He was not behaving in a way to fit his name, “The Rock”. In the last hours, instead of staying awake and praying with Jesus, he napped. When the mob came to arrest Jesus, they came with weapons of the world, swords and clubs. Peter was not in a state of mind to be mindful of God’s methods of dealing with difficult circumstances. Instead, he instinctively responded to the world’s methods with the world’s methods – he drew a sword and attacked the assailant.
Later in his life, Peter demonstrated his ability to respond with God’s methods rather than the world’s when faced with difficult circumstances. Just days after the ascension of Jesus he would demonstrate this at the Pentecost with his preaching and healing. But in Gethsemane he was not prepared.
Through struggles as a medical student, I had many opportunities to learn to focus on God rather than my circumstances during difficult times. Especially, as a third year student, God gave me ample opportunities. Some lessons about how to focus on God in trying times learned then include: asking Christian friends for support, regular prayer and Bible study during good and bad times, knowledge of the scriptures, and accepting God’s will irrespective of the circumstances.
Lord, please equip me with what I need to respond to difficult circumstances. Keep me spiritually strong and faithful to you at all times.
Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.
Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu
Rounds with the Master, Spiritual Pearls from the Great Physician Devotionals are released every Monday and Thursday.
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