Read John 18:3-9. Circle the word(s) that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.
8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
Reflections in the Word.
When difficult circumstances bear down and turn up the pressure on us, what is your response or reaction to it? Do you tune out by listening to your favorite songs or playing your favorite game? Do you sit on the couch with your favorite comfort food and watch a movie? Do you go to your bedroom to take a nap, hoping that by the time you wake up the problem will just go away? Most of us need time to think about what we are going to do when the pressure is on.
Jesus spent that evening knowing what was going to happen in the hours to come. John records, “Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.”
When we see the “train” barreling down on us and the wreck that is coming, our natural tendency is to get out of the way. We know that it would be foolishness to confront it. Jesus saw the mob of people carrying their torches, lanterns, and weapons to hunt Him down. But it was no surprise to Him, He already knew that they were coming for Him!
The text states that Jesus went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”. He didn’t wait for them, but instead He stepped forward to them. He didn’t deny that he was Jesus of Nazareth when they called out for Him. When the soldiers fell to the ground at the sound of His Name, He stood His ground and didn’t flee. He submitted Himself to the will of His Heavenly Father.
Escapism and denial usually don’t work because the issues are still there. To resolve most issues, we have to face the challenge head on. We may have to confront and to say a person, “Who or what is the problem?” In response, they may come at us with hurtful words or acts of hostility. Like Jesus said to those who were hostile to Him, “Who is it you want?”, we may have to say to those who perceive us as enemies, “Who or what do you want?” It’s facing the problem instead of fleeing or denying the issues.
Jesus already spent time in prayer. He prepared Himself for what was to come. If we haven’t spent time in prayer with the Father, we may find ourselves caught off guard when difficult circumstances come. It may result in feelings of being stunned and overwhelmed or perhaps a desire to deny reality and find ways to escape which doesn’t help the situation. But if you spend time in your “secret garden”, by the grace of God you and I can stand up and go out to confront even the most adverse and hostile situations. Today, spend time with our Heavenly Father.
-Kingston