The Most Amazing thing

John 18:1-9

Have you ever had anyone say to you, “you would have had to be there, it was the most amazing thing.”  After Jesus had shared His heart with the Father, in what we often refer to as the High Priestly Prayer, he took his disciples across the Kidron Valley to a garden that they went to often.  Now that low life thief that posed as a disciple of Jesus was gathering a group of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and also some Pharisees with lanterns, torches, and weapons to go an arrest Jesus.  This band had an impossible task because their goal was to sneak up on the Son of God, the same one who created both them and time, “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17)  But that is what they set out to do!

This is the account, and if you would have been there you would have told the story something like this, “you should have been there, it was the most amazing thing.”  This is the account; “Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. (John 18:4-6 ESV)  They did what?  These guys had the weapons, and the band of soldiers, it would seem as if they were in control, but how absurd, in fact given any thought it was totally irrational, that a band of soldiers or the greatest army in this world could arrest the One who formed them.

But that was the task given to them, so as they were getting off the ground, Jesus ask once more, “So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” (John 18:7-11 ESV)  The questions that must be ask; who is in charge, and it is not the soldiers, and surely not Peter, no only one person had any authority at that event.

When you’re the boss, the owner, others may give opinions, but Harry Truman while he was President of the United States of America made this true statement, “the buck stops here,” others may give council or advice but the one in Authority will make the final decision.  That is what was happening in that garden, Jesus the Christ was in total control; much earlier in a confrontation with some Pharisees He had said that He was the good Shepherd, and that He would lay down His life for His sheep.  Picking up the story in John 10:17-18, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (John 10:17-18 ESV)

So the next time someone tells you the Jews or the Romans killed Jesus, you may want to share the garden story with them.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice