John 18:12-13 “So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.”
“So…” makes it clear that what follows the “so” is dependent on what preceded it. Jesus’ willingness to drink the cup the Father gave Him is what permitted the Roman cohort, and the commander and officers of the Jews to arrest and bind Jesus. He could have spoken the word and again, all would have fallen to the ground and been incapacitated. Could He not have called out to the “myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands” of angels surrounding heaven’s throne to come and deliver Him? Matthew’s version of this event included this statement to Peter. Matthew 26:52-53 “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (that’s 7200 angels!).
Jesus’ appeal had already been made. Twice already He had prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; not as I will, but as You will.” He had no more appeals. He put His hands into the hands of His enemies to fulfill the Scriptures, for Matthew records, “How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way” (26:54).
May we be as committed, determined, and passionate for the fulfillment of the Scriptures as we live to love with Jesus today. The Scriptures say that everyone who knows God loves his brother (1 John 4:8), and that all men will know that we are Jesus’ disciples, if we have love for one another (John 13:35). How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled if we don’t live to love with Jesus?
Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
