Day 34 - Security well placed

Reading: John 18:1-11

One of my school reports once commented, “Victoria will do better when her knowledge and understanding match that of her enthusiasm!” I wonder if Peter’s would have been similar?

In John’s gospel we don’t get the prequel scene written in the other gospels; of Jesus’ agony in the garden of Gethsemane and the narrative of the disciples falling asleep. It makes it more poignant then to read today’s verses in the light of those other accounts. Jesus’ closest friends had not grasped what was about to happen, and in true Peter style he jumps in, both feet first.  We could concentrate on so many things from this passage; Jesus’ obedience to his Father, his willing submission, the dramatic impact on the soldiers as Jesus declares who he is, or the disciples’ reaction to his arrest.  But, reading it I kept coming back to verses 8-9 and Jesus’ compassion for his flawed friends, even in the midst of his agony.

As Jesus faces his earthly enemies in the garden, knowing that he is about to be handed over to the one true enemy and separated from his father on the cross, his priority is the safe-keeping of his disciples. Jesus was fully aware of the suffering he was about to endure and yet his thoughts are for his friends. “That caring heart is our security,” writes B. Miles. “He takes our place, absorbing our guilt and all its implications, that we might go free.”

Response

Regardless of our own failings, doubts or fears, as his stumbling followers, our security is Jesus.  He has chosen to fight for and win our freedom, promising his Father, “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” (verse 9)

Victoria