From: February 10, 2024
“Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53 ESV).
When Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and was being arrested, the gospel of Matthew reported that one of those with Jesus drew his sword and cut off a man’s ear. The apostle John identified this man as the apostle Peter (John 18:10). At this, Jesus rebuked Peter and healed the man’s ear (Luke 22:51). Jesus didn’t need Peter or anyone to defend him. He didn’t come to judge the world at the head of twelve legions of angels. No. He came to save the world.
As Jesus told Nicodemus, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17).
Every time I read how Jesus chose not to respond with judgment and instead offered himself as a sacrifice for our sin, I am overcome with emotion and reminded of a hymn we used to sing when I was a child. It was called “He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels.”
Written in 1958 by a country singer named Ray Overholt, he wasn’t a believer when he wrote the song. He said, “One day I thought to myself: I’ve written secular songs, I’d like to write a song about Christ. I opened the Bible and began to read the portion of Scripture that describes Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, telling Peter to put away his sword.”
Overholt said. “I read where Jesus told Peter that he could ask his Father and he would send twelve legions of angels. I didn’t know at the time that that would have been more than 72,000 angels.” Overholt later said that it was the writing of this song that brought him to the point of believing and receiving Jesus as his Lord and Savior.
I can still remember my mother singing the chorus of Overholt’s song with tears pouring down her face:
“He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free
He could have called ten thousand angels
But He died alone for you and me.”
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are amazed at Your love for us that You would send You beloved Son not to judge us, but to save us. Thank You, Lord. Now strengthen us to always live for You and to tell others of Your great love and salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: February 10, 2023
“But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scripture” (Matthew 26:56 NLT).
On the night of Christ’s betrayal and arrest, He ordered His disciples not to resist. For He said that what was happening was according to the Scriptures. Hearing this, the disciples deserted Him and ran away. What about what happened that night was a fulfillment of the Scriptures?
Was it that Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, would betray Jesus? Yes. David wrote of the betrayer saying that he would be a “friend” of the Messiah: “Even my friend in whom I trusted, one who ate my bread, has raised his heel against me” (Psa. 41:9). The prophet Zechariah wrote describing the amount of the betrayer’s bribe and even how he would throw it back: “I took the 30 pieces of silver and threw it into the house of the Lord, to the potter” (Zech. 11:12-13).
Was it that Jesus would willingly allow Himself to be arrested and abused? Yes. As the prophet Isaiah wrote: “I gave My back to those who beat Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spitting” (Isa. 50:6). And in another place, Isaiah wrote: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, He did not open His mouth. He was taken away because of oppression and judgment” (Isa. 53:7-8).
Was it that Christ’s disciples would desert Him and run away? Yes. Jesus actually quoted this prophecy earlier that evening to His disciples, warning them that they would all desert Him. Quoting Zechariah, He said, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered” (Zech. 13:7; Matt. 26:31).
So, there were many Scriptures fulfilled on the night of Christ’s betrayal and many more would be fulfilled in His death, burial and resurrection. Jesus knew these things, yet He was “obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8).
PRAYER: Dear Father, every word of Scripture was or soon will be fulfilled by Your Son, Jesus Christ. How can we doubt? Your Word is sure and Your Son is trustworthy. We therefore put all our trust in Him. Strengthen us this day for Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: February 10, 2017
Before we judge the disciples too harshly, we must answer the question, “When have you forsaken Christ?” For even those of us with the most sturdy faith have certainly faltered at times. Simon Peter, still stinging from Christ’s prediction that he would deny him three times at sunset, pulled out his sword and cut off an ear of the high priest’s servant who had laid hands on Jesus. What did Peter get from Jesus for this protective action? Praise? No. He received a rebuke. Jesus didn’t need Peter’s protection. He could’ve called more than 12 legions (72,000+) of angels to His side, but instead He went willingly and obediently to the cross. Peter dropped his sword and fled along with the other disciples. Peter must’ve been overwrought with fear and confusion. Jesus wouldn’t listen when he tried to talk him out of going to the cross, calling him “Satan” in rebuke. And now, Jesus wouldn’t let him protect him, rebuking him for using his sword. Peter was at the end of his own wisdom and strength. “What does Jesus want from me?” He must’ve wondered. So he “forsook” Jesus and “fled,” instead of forsaking himself and following. Jesus does not need our protection, he wants us to deny ourselves, take up our own cross, and follow him (Luke 9:23). Even the best of us have forsaken and fled at times, but Jesus prays for us as he did for Peter, that our faith should not fail; and that we return to him” (Luke 22:31).
From: February 10, 2016
When Jesus was arrested, Peter tried to blend in as one of the crowd, following Jesus from a distance. This, after following so close must’ve been unbearable. Following Jesus at church is one thing, but following Him in the public square is another. Do you try to blend in with the crowd? Are you trying to follow Jesus from a distance? When will you go public with your devotion?
From: February 10, 2015
When Jesus was arrested, Peter tried to blend in as one of the crowd, following Jesus from a distance. This, after following so close must’ve been unbearable. Following Jesus at church is one thing, but following Him in the public square is another. Do you try to blend in with the crowd? Are you trying to follow Jesus from a distance? When will you go public with your devotion?
From: February 10, 2014
God told Moses that He had given Bezalel and Oholiab special abilities and skills to be used in the making of the Tabernacle. Some today would categorize their work as secular rather than sacred. Yet, whenever God calls and empowers a work, it is always holy work. And whenever we dedicate our abilities and work back to God, our work is sacred too. It’s Monday. Go to work for God!