THE STORY OF JESUS: John 18:12-14
“Then the detachment of soldiers… arrested Jesus (and) bound Him.” (John 18:12)
Use your imagination to picture this scene, Jesus being arrested and bound.
I love how C.S.Lewis pictures this in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”
“Four Hags, grinning and leering, approached him. They shrieked with triumph when they found that he made no resistance at all. They rolled the huge Lion over on his back and tied all his four paws together, shouting and cheering. But Aslan made no noise, even when the enemies pulled the cords so tight that they cut into his flesh. They began to drag him towards the Stone Table.” (p.137)
The language and imagination of C.S.Lewis help us to feel this moment.
There have been many attempts to explain how Jesus’ suffering helps us.
But we are standing before a mystery and a wonder, something to be experienced.
Jesus is here because He chooses to be, to let hell have its fury.
And when we see Jesus, we see God, enduring shame and scorn for us, for me.
God is arrested, God is bound… God is crucified, God dies… for us.
There are no words that can fully capture the awesome wonder of this moment.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me not to reduce Your sacrifice to a doctrine or theology. Help me to feel and know deep in my heart the mystery and wonder of Your sacrifice and love.
The soldiers brought Jesus to the religious leaders some of whom were in position because of bribery and corruption. Yet these religious people such as Caiaphas had already made up their minds about the Christ what was to happen. One to die for many. Those who should have known the scriptures now made the scriptures come true by their deceitful acts. How far the leaders went to have their own way – to rid the Voice showing the Way. Yet despite all their efforts, that Voice is still saying – follow Me – today.
Open my eyes Lord that I may see You.
Open my ears Lord that I may hear Your Voice saying – this is the Way. Walk in it.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shinin’ in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy