Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) John 18:10“Lifesaver man.” It was his new name for his hero.
On the Andy Griffith episode, Andy Saves Gomer, Andy puts out a small oil fire at the filling station while Gomer sleeps soundly in a chair nearby. After Andy wakes Gomer and warns him about letting the owner throw cigar butts on top of greasy rags, Gomer is overcome with a sense of gratitude. Andy is now his “lifesaver man” and must be repaid.
Little does the Taylor family know how taxing Gomer’s good intentions will be-the culmination of which comes when he cuts them enough wood for four winters. Andy finally stages a mock scene in which Gomer saves his life and the fiasco ends.
In spite of Jesus’ best efforts to teach the disciples about his impending death, they didn’t understand. When the Roman soldiers arrive to arrest him, Peter takes action. His intentions were good but his timing off.
If I thought hard enough, I could remember many times when my intentions were good but the timing wasn’t. It’s essential to get both correct. Rote actions with improper motives carry no spiritual value even though they may provide practical service. And good intentions without any action are useless as well.
Peter’s intentions were good-he was trying to protect his best friend from impending doom, but his timing was bad. He was actually interfering with God’s plan for Jesus to die for humanity’s sins. Only through prayer and God given wisdom can our timing and intentions melt into a perfect match.
Prayer: Spirit of God, give us good intentions and godly wisdom so our service will fulfill Your plans according to Your purposes.
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