John 18:1-6 (NIV)
When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.
Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Jesus knew exactly where Judas was bringing the detachment of soldiers in order to arrest Him, so that is exactly where He went. Even though He knew the events of the next several hours were going to be horrendous, He also knew that they were God’s will and the only way to the glory that awaited Him on the other side.
It was in the Garden of Gethsemane that lay in the middle of the Olive grove (Matthew 26:36-45) that Jesus used the time between His arrival and the arrival of Judas and company to pray, to strengthen Himself, and to ensure that He was accurately following God’s will. Jesus never made a move without hearing from the Father precisely what He was supposed to do (John 5:17). How much more would He check in before this most momentous move!
When Judas and company arrived, it was not a sneak attack – the lanterns and torches and the sheer size of the company made it very obvious that they were near. Jesus could easily have withdrawn or hidden from them among the trees. But instead, He marched out alone to confront the crowd. Since He knew that this truly was the Father’s will, He did not hesitate or draw back.
His presence was so forceful, His marching forward to meet this “army” so unexpected, and His confident self-identification so firm that the mob was taken aback. They suddenly feared that Jesus’ followers had set an ambush, and those in the front moved sharply back, knocking over those behind them, and then stumbling backward over them. This was not going at all the way that they had planned. In their minds, they had been sent out to arrest a rabble rouser, positive that they would have to search Him out among the shadows in the trees. But it was Jesus who seemed most in control of the situation. And it freaked them out!
Father, I can easily see in this a model for us to follow when we are facing opposition. First, we need to make the time to pray and to listen for Your guidance, so that we know Your will in the circumstances. Then, no matter what that will might be, we need to move boldly forward and face whatever it is that lays ahead in our path, whether it be blessing or danger. And we need to do this relying constantly on Your power and grace to succeed, just like Jesus. Thank You for this guidance. Amen.
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