“Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to Him, so He stepped forward to meet them.” John 18:4 (NLT)
Jesus and His disciples have gone off into the garden, a place they had gone often. There the Roman soldiers and temple guards came to find and arrest Jesus. And without any fan fair, Jesus stepped forward. Verse 4 says that Jesus “fully realized ALL that was going to happen.”
Jesus asked, “Who are you looking for?” They replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.” (v. 5) When Jesus told them, I am He,” “they all drew back and fell to the ground.” (v. 6) Did you catch that? when Jesus spoke, there was such power that they “all fell to the ground!”
First, Jesus stepped forward because He knew the time had come for Him to fulfill His purpose. He was aware of the suffering that was to come, yet He stepped forward without any resistance.
Then, in verse 6, He demonstrates His power. He could have wiped them all out and continued on. He chose to go forward and become the sacrifice we all need. He knew God’s plan. He knew the difficulty ahead. And even though He could have stopped them all, He willingly let them arrest Him. He surrendered Himself.
I’m not sure I can find the right words to adequately express what I am understanding here in these couple of verses. I’ve always known that Jesus went willingly to the cross. But, really, He went WILLINGLY! He had the power to stop it all, but He chose Me. He chose suffering and death for my benefit. He said yes to Me and took the punishment I deserve.
This is a truth I’ve always known. But this morning I am gaining a new a deeper revelation of His love for me and for all mankind. I’m in awe of Him. I’m amazed and overwhelmed.
Jesus, thank you for your great love for me. I can’t fully comprehend it all and I don’t feel thank you is enough. I pray that I would live my life walking in your presence and reflecting the grace you have given me. I pray today for a continued awareness of your love for me. Amen.
What is God revealing to you today in chapter 18 of John? Share your insights in the comment section below.
Wow the Lord is definitely trying to work something out in me! The same things keep competing up!! LOL
The Jewish leaders were so brain washed by and stuck on their own customs and traditions, they couldn’t see past all of that and see Jesus. The Lord has been revealing to me how I’ve been stuck in my ways and not his. I’ve had a hard time lately not being able to see past the the “customs” or habits I’ve created and see him and see others. Just because I like things a certain way or to do thing a certain way doesn’t mean that when others do them differently I shouldn’t be hardened by it and want to shut them out.
Lord Thank you for always loving me and being so kind to me. Your ways are so much better, help me to stay focused on you and your word and not get so blinded by my routine and habits that I miss out on you and people.
I love you Lord! Amen
The thing that sticks out in my mind in this chapter is the PROCESS….. Jesus is trusting the process of his Father. He could have wiped them out like Stasia said, but he knew what the process had to be. These days, I am having to trust the process. I just really want to get to the answer, but God wants us to walk through the process. That is soooo hard some days. But, it is a learning experience and we will be better for it. We just need to trust God he has our best interest at hand and he is walking us through the process, We are growing each day through the process to become who he wants us to be. Thank you Jesus for walking me through the process instead of making me go alone. Thank you that you are right there with me all the way.
“Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward and asked them, “Who is it you are looking for?”
Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back in its place! Do you think that I will not drink the cup of suffering which my Father has given me?””
John 18:4, 11 GNB
Jesus stepped forward knowing the suffering to come, and He also knew the final outcome. How many times in my life have I been asked to step forward and didn’t, because of the fear of suffering and/or not knowing the final outcome. This scripture is a perfect example of everything working for God’s greater good. What seemed absolutely hopeless, is what now gives us hope. And when Caiphas said that it was better that one man should die for all the people – he had no idea how much TRUTH there was in that statement. And Jesus did it willingly.
One man died for all the people, so that we might live. Hard to wrap my brain around it, that someone loves me that much. I will never be worthy, but I pray that I will never forget, and always be thankful to Jesus for His love.