Daily Devotional – I’m Normal.™ I AM Ministries
“To promote Godly living in a culture committed to destroying it”
Friday, February 27, 2015
Keeping the Faithful
“While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except for the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.” (John 17:12).
As Jesus prayed before His arrest (John 17), He reminded the Father, Himself, and us that He is faithful in keeping His faithful followers. Shortly after offering this prayer, our LORD would demonstrate how He keeps those who need His protection, just as He keeps us and protects us today.
The quiet time of prayer had ended (John 18:1). Jesus and His disciples had crossed the Kidron Valley and had nestled in an olive grove – the Garden of Gethsemane. The sound emanating from the detachment of soldiers – hundreds of men – had been growing inexorably, along with the light from their torches. Now the Romans, guided by Judas Iscariot, had arrived in the Garden to arrest Jesus.
When His accusers announced they were seeking Jesus (John 18:5, 7), Jesus immediately set about protecting His faithful followers from the rage of the oppressors. Courageously, He identified Himself as the One they wanted, but told them to “let these men go” (John 18:8). Jesus demonstrated in action the words He prayed just a short time before, as He wished none of His disciples to be lost while under His care (Romans 5:7). As a hen gathering and protecting her chicks under her wings (Matthew 23:37), Jesus put a hedge of protection around His faithful disciples.
Observe the strength of Jesus. Despite the dire circumstances, Jesus did not shy away from or negotiate with His accusers. Jesus commanded them to let His people go. He spoke with His full authority, the authority of God, and was prepared to do what it took to protect His faithful followers. Just moments before, He had knocked the soldiers to the ground using the power of His voice, providing a vivid demonstration of who was really had the power, even if He chose to give up control.
It was almost quaint – the accusers thought they had the power and were in control. By virtue of their military authority, their weapons, their numbers, and their physical abilities, the soldiers were deluded into thinking they had the upper hand in the situation. In fact, they lay at the mercy of the all-powerful One. Jesus was prepared to knock them down again, or worse, if they refused His orders. They failed to realize they could capture Him only if He allowed them to do so.
By standing up for His faithful, Jesus also showed how the disciples were not as strong in their faith as they should have been, just as we are often weak in our own faith. The disciples were not yet fit to suffer the trials of the Cross as Jesus was; however, in time they would all endure tests of their faith, some of them on a cross. For now, however, Jesus knew it was counterproductive to put new wine into old wineskins, lest they burst under the stress (Matthew 9:17). The disciples had work to do in the future on His behalf, and thus, must be kept safe. Jesus also knew He had to fulfill Scripture, for it is written “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” (Zechariah 13:7).
Jesus gives us great encouragement to follow Him, even though it brings trials and difficulties. He demonstrates here how He is concerned for our condition, and intercedes on behalf of the faithful. Whether we need deliverance from temptation or protection from physical harm, Jesus acts on our behalf, as long as it is in the will of the Father.
This scene in the Garden of Gethsemane allowed Jesus to show how He is our mediator. Here He mediates with the aggressors and offers Himself to suffer and die on our behalf. Today, He is our One mediator with the Heavenly Father (1 Timothy 2:5). He insisted the disciples be set free and, as with the ram offered instead of Isaac, offered His own life so we may all be set free (John 8:32).
It is normal for Jesus Christ to keep His faithful, whether it be keeping from physical harm or saving souls from the sin of apostasy. His love and care go beyond concern for His own well-being. Jesus showed here that He will not let His witnesses die until they have given their evidence for Him. Jesus kept His disciples from harm in the Garden so they could witness for Him another day. Jesus is keeping us all today, so we might tell others about His faithful provision. What will you tell the world today?
In His love and service,
Jeff Myers
A servant of Jesus Christ
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