It's Holy Week: Obedient Unto Death

Today, let's look at what happened when the men came to arrest Jesus.

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place:

for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees,

cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him,

went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he.

And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye?

And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he:

 if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake,

Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it,

and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear.

The servant's name was Malchus.

Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath:

the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

And led him away...

John 18:1-13a

Jesus remained obedient in what the Lord had ordained for Him to do. Just moments before this passage happened, Jesus had been praying asking God if it was really His will for Jesus to die. When Jesus knew that there was no other way, He chose to be obedient to the Lord's will.

He went forward and asked the crowd who they were looking for. Jesus did not try to hide or be deceitful. He boldly went forward in the path God had laid out for Him. Even when Peter tried to fight back, Jesus chose to willingly give Himself up in order to obey the Father.

What has God asked you to do that you are struggling with? Remembering Jesus' great sacrifice, is what God asking you really too much for you? Jesus was obedient to lay down His life, and He was blessed to be exalted higher than all. What blessings are you holding back because of your disobedience?