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Jesus GIVES Himself Up
So this “arresting party” makes its way to the place where Judas has promised them that Jesus would be found. But you’ve got to wonder if some of the guys within the party were literally shaking in their sandals. You see, this wasn’t the first go at it!
An attempt was made earlier in Jerusalem (recorded in John’s gospel) during the Feast of the Tabernacles. The Jews were already seeking to arrest Jesus with the idea of killing Him, and in some respects, this is where the account becomes almost humorous.
Jesus is a wanted man. He initially goes to this Feast in secret (John 7:10) but (because He just can’t help it?) ends up going into the Temple courts to teach some more – out loud and in public. With “the perfect opportunity” clearly in front of them, the Temple Guards, sent out by the Jewish leadership with orders to haul Jesus in, just can’t bring themselves to do it! They end up having to go back empty handed. Why? Simply, as John tells us, “…because His time had not yet come.”(v.30)
Can you imagine the mumbling and shuffling of feet all the while trying to explain to your superiors how you could possibly fail your mission? Not because Jesus had cleverly eluded you, or His supporters had made it a ‘bad timing’ issue. You simply could not find it in yourselves to arrest Him!
You would certainly think that a ‘failure to perform’ story like that had definitely made its rounds among the soldiers. There’s little doubt that the “Garden of Gethsemane arresting party” had not only heard about the previous debacle in great detail, but were highly pressured to ‘make this one stick.’ Which leads to the overkill of employing Judas to specifically deliver his kiss.
Well, you and I know – it wasn’t up to the arresting party. It was up to Jesus. If the Garden of Gethsemane turned out to also “not be Jesus’ time”, the scenario would have played itself out just as before. As on the cross, Jesus could have called 10,000 angels at this moment, too.
He chose not to. He GAVE Himself up to be our Savior.
Thanks, Kevin. We’re glad you and Lea Anne are at CCC. And I am glad that the pastimes of a misspent youth (Just where did you learn poker, anyway?) can be reclaimed by the Lord. It’s a game I’m definitely not good at.
Jesus had the power from the Father to lay his life down and to take it back up. He understood his mission perfectly. He understood that nothing could touch him until the time was perfect. How many of us know our mission? It’s God’s will that we know His will, and to understand that nothing can touch us until it is complete.
In a world where “might is right” and “only the strong survive” I am blown away by the confounding surrender of Jesus. There is no greater demonstration of strength and supreme control then the surrender of Jesus to death. To the world it is foolishness. To us it is life. Hallelujah!
Thanks Kevin.
This issue of timing comes up a lot. Jesus has the one and only, true and perfect tiem line. Nothing happens wihtout him being ready. No one can rush him.
So why is it that I want, what I want, when I want it. Oh yeah, that silly human nature again.
I pray that I remember that it is in him timeline that I work in, not my own.
Thank you God for giving us what we need, just when we need it (or holding back when needed as well). Help me with patience today and always, to know that there is a process and a reason for all things we go through, good and bad.
I wonder how many of the soldiers wouldn’t arrest Jesus because they heard him preach or speak and were then converted and believed. I am greatful for God’s wisdom and timing.