Still in Control – John’s Gospel chapter 18 verses 1 to 11
Betrayal leaves us powerless, helpless with no control. Here Jesus is about to be betrayed by a friend, yet He shows Himself to be still in control
Jesus is the sovereign Lord who controls His arrest
When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.
2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’
5 ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied.
‘I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.
John 18:1-6
Jesus went out to the men come to arrest Him . He says “I am He”, revealing His divine power and they are felled to the ground.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who protects His sheep
Again he asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’
‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they said.
8 Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.’ 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: ‘I have not lost one of those you gave me.’
John 18:7-9
“Let these men go”. He protects them, who otherwise might have been arrested with Him. He will keep every single one that the Father has given Him. HE LOVES HIS DISCIPLES UNCONDITIONALLY, AND WILL TO THE END. Martin Luther said “when I look at myself I can’t see how I can be saved. But when I look at Christ, I can’t see how I can be lost.”
Jesus is the willing Saviour who drinks the Father’s cup.
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.)
11 Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’
John 18:10-11
Peter’s indignation was natural, but God’s providence deflected the sword. There is a right and a wrong way to face injustice. “Not my will, but. yours be done”.
He is still control!
New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
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