This lengthy chapter covers the betrayal and capture of Jesus including his anointment with costly oil, the Passover feast, Gethsemane, and Peter’s famous triple-denial.
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘…Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?…’ At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, ‘Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples left him and fled.” (v52-56 abr)
While reading this it really struck me that Jesus could have prevented His capture and execution (He had foreknowledge of the betrayal), and God certainly could have delivered Him from it as well (by sending “legions of angels”, for example).
Why didn’t Jesus or God stop the betrayal and execution from happening? Because Jesus’ death was the mid-game plan, part of God’s sovereign will. His death was integral to God’s salvation plan, and so that “the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled”.
God’s plans did not end with Jesus’ death and resurrection – His plan continues to this day, and will not be completed until Jesus returns, the old heaven and earth pass away, and the new heaven and earth (the new Jerusalem [Rev 21]) begin. Until then, He allows us to continue in this period of waiting and preparation, readying ourselves for Jesus’ return (what we talked about yesterday).
Whenever we find ourselves struggling with ‘why God allowed something to happen’, I challenge us to remember that it is all part of His sovereign plan, and so that “the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled”. All pain and suffering, no matter how severe, is temporary in God’s eyes, and will one day be eradicated at the conclusion of His grand plan. In the mean time, our mission is to prepare and persevere until Jesus returns.
Father God, our Glorious and Sovereign Lord, Your may Your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. May we learn to joyfully persevere with endurance until Your plans are completed. May we honor and glorify Jesus with our words and actions. May You work through us to save more souls for the new heaven and earth. May we love and trust You every moment, from his day forward, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training