Fully Realized

Scripture: John 18:1-4 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

1 After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. 2 Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples. 3 The leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him. Now with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, they arrived at the olive grove. 4 Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked. (John 18:1-4 NLT)

The Rest of the Story: Chapters 13-17 of John’s Gospel consist primarily of the words Jesus spoke during the Last Supper, the instructions he gave his disciples, knowing this would be the last time with them this side of the tomb, and the prayer Jesus prayed for them and for us, that we would love and live in unity with each other so the world would believe. Now, and for the remainder of the Gospel, the mode and the message shifts to a narrative account. In Chapter 18 John speaks of Jesus’ arrest and trial, in 19 of his crucifixion and death, in 20 of his resurrection, and in 21 of a special encounter between Jesus and his disciples on the shore of Lake Galilee.

Judas, the betrayer, had left the table hours earlier. Now he arrived at the olive grove where Jesus and his disciples had gone to pray. The leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a contingent of Roman soldiers and temple guards, and they entered the little orchard with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, to arrest Jesus.

The leading priests and the Pharisees were always the driving force behind the arrest and crucifixion of their Messiah. Jesus had fulfilled all the prophecies they so tightly held to about the Messiah and Savior, but their love for power, their greed, and their refusal to believe the Truth had turned them into brutal, heartless murderers. This has impacted me deeply this year as we’ve worked our way through the stories of Jesus’ goodness, and as we’ve seen the evil the religious leaders had given themselves to! Friends, please don’t be willfully ignorant! Please embrace the Truth!

Jesus fully realized what was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. When the greatest test and the fiercest battle began, Jesus stepped forward to meet it! Jesus is our example of courage and faith.

Prayer:

Father, May we always love the truth and never waver or falter in the battle! Amen!