God loves us so much that He wants us to know Him. Jesus came so we can know him, indeed, to make Him known. As Jesus is arrested and stands on trial he continues to do that.
John records that Judas led some soldiers out to arrest Jesus. He does not record the kiss, but does record an interchange that the other gospels do not have. Jesus asks the soldiers, “Who are you looking for?” And they reply, “Jesus of Nazareth.” It’s night. They can’t see his face very well. He replies, “I am he.” Except, in the original text Jesus simply says, “I AM.” The great name of God. And they all fall to the ground in front of him.
Interesting. “Every knee shall bow . . . .” Jesus’ statement, “I AM,” and that response shows that He is God standing in their midst, and as He utters His own name they are forced to bow before him, even though they do not want to acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah, let alone God in human flesh.
Immediately after this display of power, impetuous Peter draws a sword and cuts off some poor guys ear. Jesus tells him to put his sword away. He is prepared to walk forward silently like a lamb to the slaughter, to be the sacrifice. The other gospels also record that Jesus heals this man and puts his severed ear back on his head. What an amazing display of mercy!
As John records these last events, we see that his family was probably pretty well connected. It speaks of Peter and “another disciple” who was, “known to the high priest.” Many people, myself included, think the other disciple is John. It makes one wonder how big John’s family’s fishing business was. However, big it was, this relationship gives us access to some information other gospel writers do not have: Jesus’ patience, even as he his struck by the high priest’s officer and how Jesus reached out to Pilate.
I am amazed at Jesus’ calmness in all of this. He doesn’t whine, cry or beg. He stands strong, even while gently reaching out to those around him. Acts 6:7 tells us that, “a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” I cannot help but wonder how many of those seeds were planted as Jesus stood trial. Some traditions record that Pilate himself eventually came to faith in the man he sentenced to death.
God’s mercy is profoundly patient. Jesus displays that for us here.
As Christians there is always that sense of shame that Jesus had to die for us. But these were the men who arrested, beat, and sentenced Jesus, that we just read about and he loves them and reaches out to them. How much more does he continue to reach out to us who love him and fall short? How much more will he be patient with us?
God’s mercy is new every day. Jesus could have had a legion of angels come and destroy those who had mistreated him that day. But in his mercy he chose the cross to forgive us and claim us as his own. Apply that mercy today – to yourself first remembering God’s love for you, but then also to the people God brings into your life so they may see God’s love for them.
Father, Your mercy is new every morning. Help me remember that. Help me to live in your mercy, to rest in it and to have peace because I know you have given it to me. Then help me show your mercy to others as I deal with people today. In Jesus name. Amen.
John records that Judas led some soldiers out to arrest Jesus. He does not record the kiss, but does record an interchange that the other gospels do not have. Jesus asks the soldiers, “Who are you looking for?” And they reply, “Jesus of Nazareth.” It’s night. They can’t see his face very well. He replies, “I am he.” Except, in the original text Jesus simply says, “I AM.” The great name of God. And they all fall to the ground in front of him.
Interesting. “Every knee shall bow . . . .” Jesus’ statement, “I AM,” and that response shows that He is God standing in their midst, and as He utters His own name they are forced to bow before him, even though they do not want to acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah, let alone God in human flesh.
Immediately after this display of power, impetuous Peter draws a sword and cuts off some poor guys ear. Jesus tells him to put his sword away. He is prepared to walk forward silently like a lamb to the slaughter, to be the sacrifice. The other gospels also record that Jesus heals this man and puts his severed ear back on his head. What an amazing display of mercy!
As John records these last events, we see that his family was probably pretty well connected. It speaks of Peter and “another disciple” who was, “known to the high priest.” Many people, myself included, think the other disciple is John. It makes one wonder how big John’s family’s fishing business was. However, big it was, this relationship gives us access to some information other gospel writers do not have: Jesus’ patience, even as he his struck by the high priest’s officer and how Jesus reached out to Pilate.
I am amazed at Jesus’ calmness in all of this. He doesn’t whine, cry or beg. He stands strong, even while gently reaching out to those around him. Acts 6:7 tells us that, “a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” I cannot help but wonder how many of those seeds were planted as Jesus stood trial. Some traditions record that Pilate himself eventually came to faith in the man he sentenced to death.
God’s mercy is profoundly patient. Jesus displays that for us here.
As Christians there is always that sense of shame that Jesus had to die for us. But these were the men who arrested, beat, and sentenced Jesus, that we just read about and he loves them and reaches out to them. How much more does he continue to reach out to us who love him and fall short? How much more will he be patient with us?
God’s mercy is new every day. Jesus could have had a legion of angels come and destroy those who had mistreated him that day. But in his mercy he chose the cross to forgive us and claim us as his own. Apply that mercy today – to yourself first remembering God’s love for you, but then also to the people God brings into your life so they may see God’s love for them.
Father, Your mercy is new every morning. Help me remember that. Help me to live in your mercy, to rest in it and to have peace because I know you have given it to me. Then help me show your mercy to others as I deal with people today. In Jesus name. Amen.
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