Tuesday 23 September, 2014

This passage, read many times before, has made me stop and think about the clash of emotions going on here. The intimacy of a friends’ greeting – Jesus & Judas eye to eye & then betrayal. Anger & aggression as a slave looses his ear (Jesus’ compassion in Luke’s gospel healing the slave Lk 22:51). The power and supremacy of the arrestors – and Jesus calm yet assertive responses and his surrender to the fulfillment of scripture. What a hectic few minutes and lastly, fear as all the disciples desert.

Clubs and swords, aggression and fear – no one really knew how to respond in all of this except for Jesus. He had just spent a considerable time in prayer in the presence of the Father. What an amazing difference this made to Him, knowing from the scriptures – God’s Word – how to respond and walk His life as this hectic moment unfolded. Jesus is showing me how to walk through the things that are overwhelming to me at the moment. Prayer and staying in God’s word, staying in His presence.

Father, thank you for the amazing example of Jesus, that when I don’t know how to respond I can look to His example to me … spend time praying and spend time in your Word … spend time with You!

Written by Suzie Hodgson