June 27 – When Legions Stood Down

“Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:53 (ESV)

The setting of this verse is the Garden of Gethsemane just outside the walls of the City of Jerusalem.  Today, many structures have been built and many places have shrines but the night Jesus said these words, it was simply a garden at the base of the Mount of Olives.  Jesus is being arrested and one of his disciples takes up his sword to defend Jesus.  At that moment, Jesus says these words recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.  They remind us of the wonderful love of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He could have avoided suffering and dying on the cross. Thousands of angels could have been called upon to set Him free. But because God promised a means of redemption, and Jesus was the only way to accomplish that.  Jesus went with the arresting officers and then to the cross to die for us.  Why? Because He so loved us He did what He came to do – He obeyed His purpose.  In return Jesus asks us to love him and show our love by obeying Him.  Today, let's stay close to him and lets again commit to love Him with our whole heart, mind, and might. 

March 23

“Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’”  John 18:11 (NIV)

During the final hours before Jesus died He made many important statements. Here He is speaking to Peter when He was being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had just prayed to His Father asking that, if possible, He might not have to drink the cup. But He had also said, “Not what I will but what You will.” So when Peter tried to defend His Lord by fighting for Him, Jesus would have none of it.  He said, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” I’m so glad Jesus obeyed the Father. There was no other way for us to escape eternal punishment for our sins.

January 20

“I pray for them. I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.” John 17:9, 10

Just before Jesus went to Gethsemane He prayed to His Father. He talked to Him about His disciples and prayed for them. He thought about them and I believe that’s how He thinks of His followers today. I believe He is telling His Father about us. If you belong to Him, He tells His Father that you belong to Him, too. And the fact that you are trusting in the Lord brings glory to Him. You may fail Him, but as you return to Him, He remembers you are His.