Doing Our Thing! (part 4 of 6)

Once Judas did “his thing” of identifying Jesus, the soldiers and an armed mob stepped forward to do “their thing”.

We read…
“(47) While he [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him A GREAT CROWD WITH SWORDS AND CLUBS, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. (48) Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.’ (49) And he came up to Jesus at once and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ And he kissed him. (50) Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you came to do.’ Then THEY came up and LAID HANDS ON JESUS AND SEIZED HIM.” ( Matthew 26:47-50 ESV)

Here were those sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. It seems to have been quite an entourage for the purpose of arresting just one man; coming armed as if they were arresting a violent criminal. It was a great show of force. However, it was also an act of cowardice because there had been plenty of opportunities within the city and in the temple to take Jesus as He taught in broad daylight. Nevertheless, here they were, doing “their thing” in the middle of the night “by stealth” ( Matthew 26:3-5 ESV) away from the sight of the people who began to see Jesus as a prophet and perhaps the long awaited Messiah.

Now one might say that these sent to arrest Jesus were simply following orders. Perhaps the lesson for us is to be careful whose orders we allow ourselves to come under. Whose COMMAND and INFLUENCE have we placed our life beneath? Since even “religious leaders” can lead astray, what is the ULTIMATE AUTHORITY for our life?

When Peter and the other apostles were given ORDERS by the Jewish leadership, note how they responded.

“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘WE MUST OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN.’” ( Acts 5:29 ESV)

May it be the RULE OF GOD to which we continue to submit our lives. His “COMMANDMENTS are not burdensome” ( 1 John 5:3 ESV) because they help us to overcome the influences of this world. God’s INFLUENCE will not lead us astray, but will always lead us in the way of righteousness. Let it be GOD’S AUTHORITY by which we march through life seizing the opportunities to do “His thing”.

Have a great day KNOWING GOD’S COMMANDS ARE ALWAYS GOOD!
Carl

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