Thursday’s Thoughts from Pastor David
The first Thursday after Easter!
We go back a week to take a look at “The Cup” from which Jesus drank a week earlier (The Thursday before Easter!)
While in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prays – “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’” (Matthew 26: 39)
“The Cup” of which Jesus speaks are those life situations, skills, idiosyncrasies,  circumstances, and calling which has been placed in our path of life with which we must confront, deal with, live with, embrace, and drink.
“The Cup” Jesus is about to partake of is one of betrayal, arrest, torture, trial, dehumanizing defeat, crucifixion, and death.
Jesus prays that “this cup” would pass him by with one incredible caveat – “not as I will, but as you will.”
God’s will was for Jesus to drink the cup of death which would lead to forgiveness and salvation.
Willingly, lovingly and joyfully Jesus raised the Cup and drank the whole Cup all the way to the bottom!
I came across this piece written by Matthew W.
Part of what he wrote follows:
Well-renowned priest and author Henri Nouwen writes, “Holding the cup of life is a way of looking critically at who we really are, accepting our various skills, inadequacies and differences from others, and rejoicing in our radical singularity.”
I recently visited a vineyard and took an informal class on drinking wine. The sommelier taught us how to properly hold a wine glass, how to smell the aroma, how to cleanse the palate, and how to best taste the wine presented and enjoy the full experience. It takes all five senses to fully enjoy a good glass of wine. You have to know what you’re drinking, and you have to be able to talk about it.
Holding the cup of life means looking critically at the lives we are living. Just living our lives is not enough. We have to process, reflect, contemplate, discuss, and form opinions about it, just like wine tasting. This is living: looking deeply into our lives at the things that make us human—a living, breathing being with a body, soul, and spirit, in all our uniqueness and imperfections.
It takes great courage and can be terrifying. But don’t run, as this will be your first inclination. Confront it. Hold the cup. Ask Christ for more revelation, more truth, and more resolve.
What “Cup” are you holding today?
Will you embrace the Cup?
Will you drink deeply of the Cup?
Will you drink it all the way to the bottom?
I raise my “Cup” with you as a sign of solidarity and unity that we, as brothers and sisters in Christ – We do not drink alone!
SeeingGodatWorkEveryDay…
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!
www.daviddendy.com