Tag: JOHN 18

HOW CAN SOMETHING SO TERRIBLY WRONG BE ACTUALLY GOOD?

HOW CAN SOMETHING SO TERRIBLY WRONG BE ACTUALLY GOOD?

We look around us at all the suffering, pain, and agony of this broken world. Wars, terrorism, and tragedies that occur many proclaiming to be in the name of God. Such tragedies have occurred throughout all the centuries since man’s heart first chose to worship the creation more than the creator. We see the natural disasters and ask God why? Then there are those agonizing sorrows much closer to our own hearts when we watch one of our children suffer. Even more agonizing is when we look back and realize that perhaps our own foolish choices may have been a part of their suffering now. Our very best efforts to protect, provide for, love and guide was not enough. Those memories we thought would elevate us become like ashes that fly away into the sky and all we have is shame or guilt. We look into heaven and wonder “how could a Sovereign God allow this?” Couldn’t He have enlightened me more, then? And what about mental illness, such as my mother’s bipolar disorder?  Is God somewhere to be found in the midst of their agony? Or what about physical illnesses such as the cancer I lived through.   Does God use all the failures, the illnesses, the broken pieces of our lives and our world to create something beautiful?  I know that He really does do just that; and because I know that, I can rest in His love, His peace, and His joy in the midst of every circumstance of this pilgrimage journey. I can trust Him, even when everything around me looks bleak and disastrous. Let me explain to you how I know and the steps which will help you to trust Him in the storms.

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BOUND AND CARRIED AWAY

Jesus had declared “I AM the one you seek.” He had willingly surrendered to the cohort of men. In fact, He performed a miracle by restoring the ear of one. He could call a legion of angels and no man could hold Him. In fact, in plain day and plain sight, He had escaped their capture while standing before them teaching. Despite all of this, there in the darkness of the night, they chained Him and bound Him; as if their chains had any power over Him. Then they lead Him to the courts of the High Priest. We are reminded of Caiaphas words: “that it is expedient that one man die, rather than the whole nation perish” (John 18:14 and John 11:50). Something so tragically wrong, that perfect righteousness—the awaited Messiah would be sentenced to death in “the name of God” by the very ones He came to save.

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Why Was This Encounter with Jesus Really so Surprising?

Why was this encounter with Jesus really so surprising?

The cohort of soldiers dispatched with their flickering lanterns, torches and weapons were prepared to fight as they crossed the bridge into the garden. Theirs was a simple command that must be carried out. They were accompanied by Judas and servants of the high priest. They expected the suspect to either run to hide or be prepared to fight. Particularly they had heard that this man had a lot of devoted followers who would defend him. So, as they crossed the bridge they were surprised that Jesus approached them to ask who they were looking for, as though He didn’t know. Yet, He knew. He had just spent agonizing hours alone in prayer with the Father preparing for this very moment. Judas knew that Jesus would be there in the garden, so often He had gone there to pray while the apostles slept. It was His place of solace—His prayer room whenever in Jerusalem. To the surprise of these officers, when they said that they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth; He responded “I AM HE” (John 18:5). They stepped back and fell to the ground in preparation to fight—they must be in position to defend themselves they thought. There were between 300 to 600 men all preparing for the battle. Again, Jesus says, “Who are you looking for?” Once more they say, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Then again, Jesus says; “I told you I AM He; so I am here—take me. Let these my friends go in peace, if I am who you seek.”

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I AM HE WHO YOU SEEK

Not at all what they expected!! Even more surprising when Peter took his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant Malchus; Christ made Peter put away the sword. Then, miraculously Jesus placed His hand over the bleeding wound and restored the ear!! What was so different about this man? Did they understand what Jesus meant when He responded “I AM HE?”  Did they know He meant,  “I AM THE GREAT I AM; the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13).

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