October 27
October 27
Jesus would not exercise his power to protect himself, and he would not let his disciples defend him, because he came to provide salvation through his suffering and death.
The last week of Jesus’s life provides a powerful picture for us of divine, redemptive restraint. The King of kings and Lord of lords, who had legions of angels and infinite power at his disposal, submitted himself to human rejection, betrayal, injustice, and torture till death. Though as the Son of God Jesus had the right to defend himself, he did not exercise his power to do so. He didn’t allow his disciples to act for his protection, either. However, as Jesus meekly and willingly submitted to his redemptive calling, he was, in fact, exercising divine power. All of us would have broken at some point. All of us would have been able to bear only so much. All of us would have tried to escape or to fight in our own defense. But in Jesus’s last days, there wasn’t even a moment of self-preservation. Even when wishing that the cup of suffering would pass by him, he did not seek escape and did not exercise his power to preserve his own life. Jesus never had a moment of self-regarding anger. He exercised divine restraint for the salvation of those who would believe down through the ages. Jesus chose not to defend himself, no matter the cost to himself, because he knew his Father’s will and his love for the lost.
In chapter 22, Luke graphically captures this for us:
“I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” . . .
While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” (Luke 22:37, 47–53)
Jesus understood the eternal plan of redemption. He knew the cross was his destiny, and he was willing. On the Mount of Olives, where he had gone to pray, he did not allow his disciples to take up arms in his defense. He submitted to arrest and to all the suffering that followed. This was a display not of Jesus’s weakness but of his divine power. He was in control, fulfilling everything that had been planned and promised, all for our salvation.