Lent Devotional - Day 35

Read John 18:1-14.

Welcome to Passion Week. Jesus had entered triumphantly into Jerusalem yesterday riding on a donkey as people waved palm branches, laid down their cloaks, and shouted, “Hosanna!” Today’s passage speeds us up to Thursday/Friday where things have taken a drastic turn. Jesus was welcomed as king, and is now betrayed and arrested like a criminal.

Have you ever had your fortunes turn on you so quickly? Have you ever been disappointed, betrayed, or been falsely accused? We see Jesus going through all these things. Jesus fully understands the joys and pains of humanity. He is not God that is far away, but he is God who is close to the broken-hearted.

Even as Jesus is being arrested, we see his power and authority. As he replies to them, “I am he,” the people literally fall back, but Jesus submits to the Father’s will. He knows that he will have to suffer even more and then be killed, but this is what he came for. He understood his assignment, it was not the time to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That time will come, but now is the time for humility and obedience.

As Jesus is our master and our teacher, we need to have the same attitude and approach to life. Too many of us are enjoying our celebration dinners now, without having completed our assignment. The time for celebration and rest is coming, but now is the time to work. Let us get ourselves dressed and ready for service and tend to our Lord’s commands.