Put your sword away

"Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?" (John 18:11)

Jesus died in the prime of life. People today would say, "He was so young! What a tragedy!"

What Peter called premature, Jesus accepted as divine. What Peter called preservation, Jesus called ambitious.

By human standards, I have outlived Jesus. And can you believe it? I want more time.

I want to live long enough to raise my children, take care of my wife, care for my parents, do more with my work.

I guess I want a lot. 

Moses insisted: the longer the life, the more "toil and trouble" (Psa. 90:10).

Jesus was drawn and committed to the eternal. He knew exactly where He was going. And because of that, men have followed Him even to death.

He promised a place, "...where I am, there you may be also." 

Better yet, He promised a Person: "...my Father's house..."

I must put away my sword.
It is not my job to stay longer.
It is my job to live better.