“And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’” John 18:2-4
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced the crushing and unimaginable burden of bearing every sin of humanity across all time, past, present, and future. Every genocide, betrayal, premeditated murder, sexual assault—every act of evil across the spectrum of time, he faced at this hour. As the eternal Son of God who had known perfect, unbroken fellowship with His Father from before creation, He now contemplated becoming sin itself for us. (2 Corinthians 5:21) He was preparing to absorb the full wrath of God against evil. He was preparing to experience —for the first time in eternity—total separation from His beloved Father. This spiritual horror, far beyond physical torment, pressed upon Him, causing profound anguish as He anticipated the divine rejection that our sin demands.
“And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:44
Jesus was experiencing hematidrosis, where extreme emotional and psychological stress causes tiny blood vessels around the sweat glands to rupture and mix blood with perspiration. This literal, bodily response to the overwhelming dread of carrying our sin and enduring divine abandonment underscores the depth of His suffering. Yet, He willingly entered this darkness in perfect submission to the Father’s will. He longed that every human would be given the opportunity to avoid the consequences of sin—hell and eternal separation from God. This was the darkest night of His earthly life. Yet He did not run.
And in this moment of unimaginable suffering, Jesus was not out of control—He was fully in control.
Jesus knew everything that would come upon Him—the betrayal by Judas, the arrest, the scourging, the crucifixion. He was fully aware of the separation from the Father that sin demands. And what did He do? He didn’t hide. He didn’t flee. He went forward to meet the very enemy coming for Him. A detachment of troops—likely hundreds of soldiers and officers, armed and ready—approached with lanterns, torches, and weapons. An extremely large force was sent to seize only one Man. They came to find a Jesus they could control, bind, and condemn to death. Instead, they encountered the sovereign Lord who was in complete command.
Jesus stepped TOWARD them and asked, “Whom are you seeking?”
When they answered, “Jesus of Nazareth,” He declared, “I am He.” And at those words, the entire force of evil fell to the ground! (John 18:6) In the face of betrayal, suffering, and impending death, Jesus demonstrated absolute authority. He was never out of control. He willingly surrendered to the Father’s plan. He was never powerless. His omnipotent power was manifested by 100% submission to His Father’s will.
Jesus paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Through the gift of salvation, He invites us to give Him absolute control of our lives. Then, as we daily surrender to Him as Lord, though our circumstances may seem chaotic and riddled with betrayals, trials, fears, or uncertainties—He is always in control.
Nothing takes God by surprise!
Jesus, who walked boldly toward His enemies in His darkest hour, walks with us in ours. There is not a single trial in our lives that compares to what Jesus endured. He knocked down a hostile army with a single word. Is there any good reason we wouldn’t place Him in charge of every area of our lifes?
My friend, as born-again believers, we possess His power through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The authority that caused soldiers to fall back is available to us—not for our own glory—but for God’s glory. But to live in this authority—we must be daily disciplined to live in loving obedience to Him.
We often SAY we are willing to die for our faith, yet we struggle to truly LIVE for it day by day.
When we awaken each day with the attitude of surrender to Christ, we lay our head down at night in peace. When we are committed to make every corner of our lives, every closet, every decision, thought, word, and deed—HIS territory—then we are fully empowered by Him. We speak truth in love. We step toward the enemy. We claim victory in the face of defeat. What a satisfying life God wants to give us!
There is only one question we need to answer every day to ensure we are living in God’s Divine power: Is Jesus MY Lord?
To be in total control over our lives, Jesus must be at the wheel. We must stop grabbing the wheel when life gets hard. When we yield to Him, we discover the freedom of knowing that even in suffering and death, He remains in control.
When Jesus is IN control, our life is never OUT of control.
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Your Son, Jesus, who in His greatest hour of suffering walked forward in perfect control and submission to Your will. Forgive me for the times I try to take the reins instead of trusting You. Help me to place Jesus fully in control of my life—my fears, my plans, my future. Empower me by Your Spirit to use the authority You’ve given me as a believer: to stand firm, speak boldly, and resist the enemy without fear. In the face of betrayal, suffering, or uncertainty, remind me that You are sovereign and that greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. May I live surrendered to You, knowing that with You in control, I am secure. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
