3 So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
Consider with me for a moment - if you will – what could have possibly been the attitude or thoughts of God the Father as He gazed down from heaven on this scene. The great “I AM” – the “El Roi” - the God who sees – watching all the happenings yet staying his mighty omnipotent hand – choosing rather instead to restrain His achieving power. One thing we can be certain of, He was not wringing His mighty hands in worry and anxiety over what to do next – nor was He taken by surprise. It never ceases to amaze me the sheer audacity of mankind - we who are but mere discerners of “the edges of His ways”. It would behoove us to state as King David did in Psalm 8:
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? Psalms 8:3-4 (NIV)
John begins his description of the passion scene by describing a detachment - perhaps six hundred plus bumbling Neanderthals – all clad with their puny battle of arms - to take captive the One who came to set the captive free – oh the sheer irony of it all! A mixed multitude - Gentiles and Jews alike - all eager to arrest – just as they most likely had been at other times when sent to seize the Lord Jesus but then His time had not yet fully come. Now they appear under the direction of Judas – the willing turncoat, the lover of money over the Lord – to rid themselves of Jesus’ righteousness. I think it extremely interesting that they come with mere candles seeking the true “Son” in all of His radiance – the One who came to give Light and now they come with their flicker in an effort to take it away – how silly to depend solely upon man and his strength.
It has now become markedly evident of our Lord’s voluntary surrender. Jesus, the One who spoke the world into being, the One who could command legions upon legions of angels to do His bidding, the One who raised the dead, the One who gives life to the fullest here willingly acquiesces to the great plan of salvation for mankind - bringing many men to glory. Jesus speaks clearly earlier in John regarding His forthcoming actions:
14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." John 10:14-18 (NIV)
The prophet Isaiah prophesizes regarding the attitude of God the Father concerning God the Son’s great sacrifice:
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:3-5 (NIV)
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:7-11 (NIV)
It was the Great Plan with our best interest at heart. The Creator God suffered, died, and rose again for His creation. Amazing love!
“And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior's blood? Died He for me who caused His pain! For me who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me? Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me?” Charles Wesley
“The darkness of His Providence is starlit with Divine Intents.” Streams in the Desert