The Summons

Why is it that we always seem to imagine the worst? Take for example being called to the principal’s office when we were in school. In elementary school, the principal or one of the office staff would make an announcement over the PA system for someone to report to the principal’s office, and fear would take control. It didn’t get much better in junior high (an ancient form of middle school) and high school. One of the aides would come around with a note from the office. They couldn’t catch you in the hall and give it to you, they had to come to class and hand it to a teacher! As the aide walked out, it always seemed that they were giving you a look of pity. The point is that it made no difference what the summons was for; you assumed that your educational future was on the chopping block.

Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?"
John 18:4

Jesus’ earthly ministry is about to end. He has been sharing with His disciples some of the things they will be encountering after He is gone. While they don’t fully understand the significance of the coming events, they do believe in Jesus. In the previous chapter, Jesus prayed for the disciples and all who had believed on Him during His brief time on the earth. His prayer was that they would remain united in The Way and continue to grow in knowledge of the Father. He wanted them to continue to become more like Him so they could share in the glory of God that is reserved for those who obey and serve Him.

Once this prayer was over, Jesus led the disciples to a spot on the other side of the valley. Even though Jesus had told them, in the course of their conversations this night, that it was time for Him to be turned over to the “religious” establishment, they didn’t seem to be overly concerned. After all, Jesus had often come to this place with His followers. However, this time was to be different. Judas also knew that this was a favorite place of Jesus, and he had laid his plans with the Jews to turn the Savior over to them on this night.

It must have been quite a spectacle - the battalion of Roman soldiers, the temple guards, the religious leaders – all following in a line behind Judas. I can imagine the commotion they caused carrying their torches and brandishing their swords. It must have looked like the beginning of a war. They probably thought that the show of force would so disorient these rebels that they could easily capture the leader. What they were not aware of was that Jesus already knew that they were coming! He wasn’t the least bit surprised.

There was no resistance – no confrontation. Jesus had known since before time began that this moment was coming. He was going to be betrayed, tried, tortured and hung on a cross to die for the sins of mankind. This was just the beginning of a chain of events that would forever alter the relationship between sinful man and a holy God. Even knowing all of this, Jesus went willingly because that was the will of His Father.

Church, we must keep this message at the forefront of everything we do. Jesus wasn’t dragged to His fate; He went willingly – for each of us. Spread the Word!

We serve an awesome God!!!!!