Doing Our Thing! (part 6 of 6)

We already noted Jesus doing “His thing”; the Father’s Will. “Jesus’ thing” was also to be submissive to allowing the “Scripture’s thing” to be carried out in His life. As Jesus was being arrested, He made this clear to Peter as well as to the crowd who had come to arrest Him.

Directed to Peter we read…
“(52) Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (53) Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? (54) BUT HOW THEN SHOULD THE SCRIPTURES BE FULFILLED, THAT IT MUST BE SO?’” ( Matthew 26:52-54 ESV)

Jesus could have allowed the sword, but He told Peter to put it away. This was not the time and place for the sword. Jesus did not resist force with force nor use the sword to overthrow earthly kingdoms. This was not the way His eternal kingdom would be established. It would be established by the power of truth -- the “sword of the Spirit” -- as we noted yesterday.

Jesus could have also called upon an army of angels. A legion equaled a Roman army of 6,000 men. Twelve legions of angels could have meant a legion for each of the disciples (the remaining faithful eleven) and a legion for Himself. That would have been quite the battle force since there were times all God needed was to send one angel to do His work. (i.e. 2 Chronicles 32:21)

Nevertheless, neither the sword nor an angelic host would be mustered because Jesus submitted to the plan that SCRIPTURE had already pointed toward. He was willing that it be FULFILLED in and through Him. What SCRIPTURE declared, “it must be so”!

Directed to the crowd we read…
“(55) At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, ‘Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. (56) BUT ALL THIS HAS TAKEN PLACE THAT THE SCRIPTURES OF THE PROPHETS MIGHT BE FULFILLED.’ Then all the disciples left him and fled.” ( Matthew 26:55-56 ESV)

These wicked men, though acting in ignorance, were in fact FULFILLING the eternal purpose of God. What the prophets had written was being FULFILLED in every detail! What we must understand is whether we obey God or not, what He has revealed will be carried out. Therefore we must consider what our relationship to the SCRIPTURES is going to be!

Jesus is the supreme example of unwavering devotion to what the SCRIPTURES declare. He came as the Word in the flesh. ( John 1:1-2, 14), being the very embodiment of the Truth of God. ( John 14:6) As Jesus’ ministry was about to begin, He responded three times to the devil’s attempts to tempt Him with the truth based on “It is written…”! ( Matthew 4:4,7, &10) During His ministry He was the Truth, taught the truth, and held to the Father’s timings. Even in the face of death, Jesus would allow the SCRIPTURES to be FULLFILLED. ( Isaiah 53:1-12) Jesus surrendered to what SCRIPTURE prophesied, allowing it to stand and be FULFILLED in every respect. He would do the “SCRIPTURE’S thing.” The “Father’s thing” being “His thing” would be the FULFILLED thing!

What about our own life? How willing are we to do the “SCRIPTURE’S thing”? Are we willing that SCRIPTURE be FULFILLED in and through us? Are we willing to be a wise builder by hearing our Lord’s words and putting them into practice? ( Matthew 7:24-25) It is only though making “God’s thing” “our thing” that we will be able to keep our life on track. Let us not allow anything to move us away from the SCRIPTURES! Instead let us continue to surrender to the truth of God, allowing every thought to be taken captive to obey Christ. ( 2 Corinthians 10:5) It is by submission, not resistance, that we will gain the victory in our life. May our life remain properly connected to the unfolding of God’s eternal purposes.

Have a great day ABIDING IN GOD’S ETERNAL TRUTH!
Carl

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