Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

John 18:1-11, 33-36 (NRSV)

After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

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Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

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Reflect

In 2016, after thirteen years of what seemed to be a never-ending process of submitting applications and paying thousands of dollars in fees, I became a naturalized citizen of the United States. This milestone was significant for several reasons, but especially because it gave me the opportunity to bring my Bible-based faith into conversation with the official citizenship oath in which I would declare “to bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law.” In my statement as a conscientious objector requesting the modification of the oath, I was able to affirm that according to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church’s Confession of Faith, “God’s judgment is experienced in history in the freedom of persons and nations to choose to engage in such evils as war, civil strife, slavery, oppression…” and that “God abhors all such acts which cause needless suffering and death.” (7.06) Persuaded by this view of war as evil and the cause of needless suffering and death, I argued my decision to follow instead the way of Christ, which is to “overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21). Jesus’ words to Peter and to Pilate keep challenging our tendency to equate the modus operandi of the kingdoms of this world to the ways of God’s reign.

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Pray

Prince of peace, we pray that you will give us your peace, liberating us from fear and confusion.

Go with God.