The Final Journey
‘While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.‘ Matthew 26:47-50
This story challenges me every time I read it because Jesus didn’t show anger to Judas who was betraying Him, or the other people who were looking to arrest Him. Instead, Jesus still loved these very people. Even though He had the opportunity to really show His anger to them, He chose not to. Through doing this, Jesus was demonstrating the way of the kingdom. Jesus had the power to do anything to them that He wanted but He didn’t.
This also showed Jesus’ humility. In this passage Jesus was demonstrating the way we as Christians are supposed to live; he was setting the example for us. This is a challenge for us because this isn’t something that comes easily to us as humans, and we have to ask for the Holy Spirit to help us to love people around us – especially people who are the hardest to love. When we live like this, becoming Christlike, we reflect the character of God to the world around us.
Another thing that really challenges me is that Jesus was able to recognise that what was happening was God’s will. ‘In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.’ Matthew 26:55-56.
This is a very important lesson for us today because we can go through certain seasons in our lives where we experience different things and we can struggle to understand why. We have to learn how to truly trust God. It is about having faith in God even in the times when you are in a season of not understanding how God is working. We will have our doubts in life, but we can always point back to God and trust that He is working through it even when we don’t understand.
As the people of God, we learn how to trust in the will of God, even if it is not comfortable.
Jesus was truly demonstrating being willing to surrender to God’s will even when it is the most difficult and this is how we are called to live as Christians.
- Shekinah Tagoe
Inward prayer: Father help me to truly trust you in every season of life.
Outward prayer: Help me to love others around me like you do.
This story challenges me every time I read it because Jesus didn’t show anger to Judas who was betraying Him, or the other people who were looking to arrest Him. Instead, Jesus still loved these very people. Even though He had the opportunity to really show His anger to them, He chose not to. Through doing this, Jesus was demonstrating the way of the kingdom. Jesus had the power to do anything to them that He wanted but He didn’t.
This also showed Jesus’ humility. In this passage Jesus was demonstrating the way we as Christians are supposed to live; he was setting the example for us. This is a challenge for us because this isn’t something that comes easily to us as humans, and we have to ask for the Holy Spirit to help us to love people around us – especially people who are the hardest to love. When we live like this, becoming Christlike, we reflect the character of God to the world around us.
Another thing that really challenges me is that Jesus was able to recognise that what was happening was God’s will. ‘In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.’ Matthew 26:55-56.
This is a very important lesson for us today because we can go through certain seasons in our lives where we experience different things and we can struggle to understand why. We have to learn how to truly trust God. It is about having faith in God even in the times when you are in a season of not understanding how God is working. We will have our doubts in life, but we can always point back to God and trust that He is working through it even when we don’t understand.
As the people of God, we learn how to trust in the will of God, even if it is not comfortable.
Jesus was truly demonstrating being willing to surrender to God’s will even when it is the most difficult and this is how we are called to live as Christians.
- Shekinah Tagoe
Inward prayer: Father help me to truly trust you in every season of life.
Outward prayer: Help me to love others around me like you do.
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