Doing Our Thing! (part 2 of 6)

As things were unfolding toward Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, He continued doing “His thing.” While He had been praying in the garden, the chief priests and elders of the people gathered and sent an armed band to arrest Him in the dark of night. Just as Jesus was finishing praying for the third time ( Matthew 26:44), perhaps the sound of feet on a mission began to gradually dispel the quiet of the garden, followed by the glare of torches and lanterns coming into view, and then the louder clank of swords as the armed crowd approached. Judas led the group to this retreating place of Jesus. However, Jesus would NOT RETREAT!

We read…
“(45) Then HE [JESUS] came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Sleep and take your rest later on. See, THE HOUR IS AT HAND, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (46) RISE, LET US BE GOING; see my betrayer is at hand.’” ( Matthew 26:45-46 ESV)

Jesus did not hide in the garden. Nor did He hide behind His disciples. He would not slip away from the crowd as at other times. (i.e. John 10:39) Jesus was READY! Jesus was WILLING! Though He knew full well what would happen to Him ( John 18:4), He stepped forward, SUBMITTING to what was to be! Jesus is our supreme example of the SURRENDERED LIFE! Though He had just anguished in prayer ( Luke 22:44), there was no hesitation at this point. Earlier, throughout His ministry, He had understood when the time had not yet come (i.e. John 2:4; 7:6, 8, & 30; 8:20), but now was the time for Him to say, “the hour is at hand” and SURRENDER to the hour. In the garden He had prayed, “not as I will, but as you will” ( Matthew 26:39 ESV), completely WILLING to fully SURRENDER His Will to that of the Father’s. That is to be the picture of our life; SURRENDERED to the Sovereign Will of God. It is the way in which “God’s thing” becomes “our thing” and so our life is brought into harmony with Him.

Let us bear in mind that it is “God’s thing” that will ultimately be done! ( Proverbs 19:21) Ultimately it is God’s plan that is going to come together. Ultimately it is His Will that shall prevail. The decision we need to make, therefore, is to strive to live in harmony with His Desires, Plans, Purposes, and Will so that we can be a part of what He will ultimately bring together. Like our Lord, may we allow the “Father’s thing” to be ours as we live out each day He brings.

Have a great day WILLINGLY STEPPING FORWARD IN THE WILL OF GOD!
Carl

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