November 12, 2012
Jesus taught publicly in the temple. He went about openly teaching. Yet He wasn't arrested during any of those times. They instead waited and "set traps along his path." Judas knew where Jesus went with His followers to be alone, and they chose that place—in the dark of night—to arrest Jesus.
Jesus didn't run. He didn't try to hide behind His followers. Jesus approached them and said, "Who is it you are looking for?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." "I am he." When they heard that, they moved back and fell down. It would have been a perfect time to run and try to escape. But Jesus didn't run. He stood His ground and asked again, "Who is it you are looking for?" They again replied, "Jesus of Nazareth." And Jesus said, "I told you I am he. So if you are looking for me, let the others go."
I don't know if the phrase "let the others go" ever connected with me before. Jesus was soon going to die as God's final Lamb of sacrifice for all of mankind's sin, but here He is—KNOWING what He will soon face—and He is protecting His followers. "Let the others go." His words fulfilled what He said in John 17:12 - "I kept them safe by the power of your name..."
Jesus. Our Defender. Let the others go!
What you do to the least of these, you do for me (Jesus). The reverse would be true as well. What you do (or attempt to do) to my followers is what you are actually doing to me (Jesus). It is Jesus who stood in front of His followers and protected them and kept them safe. He does the same for us. He is the shield. When Peter tried to take things into his own hands, Jesus said—No, I'm handling this.
And that is enough for me.
Next Entry: John 18:28 – 19:42
Jesus taught publicly in the temple. He went about openly teaching. Yet He wasn't arrested during any of those times. They instead waited and "set traps along his path." Judas knew where Jesus went with His followers to be alone, and they chose that place—in the dark of night—to arrest Jesus.
Jesus didn't run. He didn't try to hide behind His followers. Jesus approached them and said, "Who is it you are looking for?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." "I am he." When they heard that, they moved back and fell down. It would have been a perfect time to run and try to escape. But Jesus didn't run. He stood His ground and asked again, "Who is it you are looking for?" They again replied, "Jesus of Nazareth." And Jesus said, "I told you I am he. So if you are looking for me, let the others go."
I don't know if the phrase "let the others go" ever connected with me before. Jesus was soon going to die as God's final Lamb of sacrifice for all of mankind's sin, but here He is—KNOWING what He will soon face—and He is protecting His followers. "Let the others go." His words fulfilled what He said in John 17:12 - "I kept them safe by the power of your name..."
Jesus. Our Defender. Let the others go!
What you do to the least of these, you do for me (Jesus). The reverse would be true as well. What you do (or attempt to do) to my followers is what you are actually doing to me (Jesus). It is Jesus who stood in front of His followers and protected them and kept them safe. He does the same for us. He is the shield. When Peter tried to take things into his own hands, Jesus said—No, I'm handling this.
And that is enough for me.
Next Entry: John 18:28 – 19:42
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