Where is Your Garden Spot?

Jesus Arrested

18 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. 7 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.
As we come upon the final showdown between Jesus and his adversaries, as orchestrated by Judas, we see several interesting details.  For one, Jesus was "outmanned".  A detachment of soldiers was a large number of men.  There are varying interpretations of the word in Greek, but it is at least 100 men.  He was also "overmatched".  The men had weapons. What did Jesus have?  Nothing!  But though Jesus was "outnumbered" and "overmatched", he was not "outmanuevered".
Jesus knew what was going to happen.  He knew Judas would betray him.  He was prepared.  Jesus took the lead.  "Who is it you want?", he says.  This was perhaps to distinguish him from his disciples, who later Jesus asks to be let go.  When they say "Jesus of Nazareth", Jesus replies "I am he".  And they fell to the ground.  What's up with that?  The word Jesus uses is the divine name for God the Father, Yahweh.  Apparently some of the holiness of God the Father had manifested in Jesus, as the men fell upon mention of His name.  Later in the story, Peter takes advantage in the lull of the conversation and cuts off the ear of the High Priest's servant.  Jesus tells him to put his sword back.  Jesus knows it is not a time for violence. 
What amazes me is that despite being "outnumbered", and "overmatched", Jesus is "cool as a cucumber".  He is the one in charge.  He is more interested in his disciples than himself.  Most people would have shrank in fear, but Jesus rises in confidence.  Why? Because he knew this was the fulfilment of prophecy.  He knew this was God's will for him.  How do you handle adversity?  How do you react when you feel cornered and overwhelmed?  What gave Jesus the power to handle this situation this way?  I think it is prayer.  Jesus was so connected to his Father and caring for his disciples that he had completely given up self will.  Whatever happened was okay with him, because he knew it was all part of God's sovereign will.  
Find some place finding your "garden spot" today, or at least tomorrow on the Sabbath.  Spend time with your heavenly Father and whatever trial you are facing, stand up in confidence knowing God is with you and He is in charge.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Acts 22 - Paul Sees the Light

Image
6  “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.   7  I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me,  ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’  8  “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.  “  ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth,  whom you are persecuting,’  he replied.   9  My companions saw the light,  but they did not understand the voice  of him who was speaking to me.  10  “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “  ‘Get up,’  the Lord said,  ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do. This is the famous story of the apostle Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus.  Paul was going there to persecute Jewish Christians and throw them into prison and he meets Jesus is a spectacular way.  Not only is he blinded by a briliant light, but he hears the Lord's voice audibly.  And the Lord asks him, "Lord, Lord why are you persecuting me!"  Paul thought he was serving the Lord, but he was persecuting him b
Read more

Hebrews 6 - Have You Graduated From Elementary School of Faith Yet?

Click Here to Read or Listen to Hebrews 6 6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so. The author once again picks up with the theme of moving on to Christian maturity.  He teaches them to move on from the "elementary" teachings about Christ. What does he mean by that?  He gives clues by citing repentance, faith, cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, and teaching on the judgment and resurrection from the dead. We might call these the basics of the Christian faith. If you read through the Apostle's Creed, which our church confesses in our 8am service, it contains many of these core doctrines.  Click here to see the Apostle's Creed Written Around “When we consider the
Read more

2 Timothy 4 - Fight the Good Fight! Finish the Race!

Click Here to Read or Listen to 2 Timothy 4 4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. Paul gives a closing charge to Timothy. First of all, he is to preach the word. God's Word speaks to all situations and seasons. The Word of God will sometimes correct us. Our lives can get of out alignment with God's will as outlined in
Read more