“Jesus, having prayed this prayer, left with his disciples and crossed over the brook Kidron at a place where there was a garden. He and his disciples entered it. Judas, his betrayer, knew the place because Jesus and his disciples went there often. So Judas led the way to the garden, and the Roman soldiers and police sent by the high priests and Pharisees followed. They arrived there with lanterns and torches and swords. Jesus, knowing by now everything that was imploding on him, went out and met them. He said, “Who are you after?” They answered, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said, “That’s me.” The soldiers recoiled, totally taken aback. Judas, his betrayer, stood out like a sore thumb. Jesus asked again, “Who are you after?” They answered, “Jesus the Nazarene.” “I told you,” said Jesus, “that’s me. I’m the one. So if it’s me you’re after, let these others go.” (This validated the words in his prayer, “I didn’t lose one of those you gave.”) Just then Simon Peter, who was carrying a sword, pulled it from its sheath and struck the Chief Priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. Malchus was the servant’s name.” (John 18:1-10 The Message Bible)
There are times when our natural impulses, our internalized reactions to specific types of actions, and our indoctrinated ways of handling certain situations join forces to interfere with our intent. Sometimes it is our lack of understanding of a situation or even a lack of sleep that get in on the act. Yesterday, I was guilty of covering up my intent with one or more of these things. At least I know for sure it was the latter. Consequently, the way I said something, with the intent of being protective, came out the wrong way. My intent was so camouflaged that you could not see my intention at all. Has that ever happened to you? Be honest now!
Well, if it has not happened to you yet, it certainly happened to Peter in the passage above and it also happened to the servant in the passage below. Both of these Biblical examples present us with the two borders that will help us keep out intent pure or right. One side of the border of intent can be best described as, “thinking before you speak or react.” The other side of the border is best described as “the purpose that the Lord above wants fulfilled.”
Think about those two borders when all those things mentioned in the first paragraph, and possibly even other things that are personal to you, try to mess with your good intentions. Aside from the two borders, there is one more thing I need to share with you before I close. When I realized my good intent did not come across right, I apologized quickly that same morning. I could have suppressed what was required of me, but I did not. I explained my intent and how it was interfered with at the time, and I owned up to be reaction by saying, “I’m sorry.” The day was reset. My advice: Operate without going beyond the two borders as best you can my friend. And on the rare, yes, the rare times you go beyond the two borders, put away your pride, humble yourself, and say “I’m sorry.” Have a great Tuesday! Be blessed!
“The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’ “The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.” (Matthew 25:24-27 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King