Impetuosity or Prayer
(NASB) Matthew 26:51-52 “And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.
52 Then Jesus said to him, “˜Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.”™”
Which disciple drew a sword? What was the name of the servant whose ear was cut off? John 18:10 tells us that the disciple was Simon Peter and the servant”™s name was Malchus.
Simon Peter”™s impetuosity could have caused great harm to his fellow disciples, but Jesus intervened. Then Jesus gave a strong warning to Simon Peter. That warning may have been referring back to what the Lord God said in (NIV) Genesis 9:6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.”
In what area of your life do you act impetuously?
Think about Simon Peter, he had not prayed when Jesus told him to in Matthew 26:40-41 ““ Jesus warned Simon Peter that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Jesus knew that he needed to pray not only for this impetuous act but for the denials which he would make that night.
Impetuosity is not focused on God and His will. Impetuosity reveals the lack of prayer; it reveals the lack of thought of knowing God”™s will. Prayer and reading God”™s word are linked together”¦consider Jesus, the Son of God Who had given much time for prayer before His betrayal at the kiss of Judas. When it occurred, Jesus went forward doing His Father”™s will in spite of the consequences to Himself.
Follow Jesus”™ example”¦
impetuosity without prayer can be disastrous.
Follow Jesus”™ example”¦
prayer is all-important for God”™s will to be obeyed.