[To the armed mob that came to arrest him, Jesus said,] “Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.”
Key Thought
Just as Jesus used a question in the previous verse to confront his accusers about their injustice, [1] he confronted their fear and treachery in this verse. They came to arrest him at night in his place of prayer away from the crowds. They feared the crowds who were loyal to Jesus. They feared the people because they believed in him. So rather than conducting their “arrest” of Jesus of Nazareth in the daytime, the mob snaked their way through the darkened streets to a place they could arrest him without being seen by the crowds. However, Jesus wanted to make clear that their treacherous schemes worked only because he allowed them to work: He was determined to honor his Father’s will and fulfill what the Scriptures had said about him. Jesus was about to be arrested, brutalized, and murdered by these people. However, their evil deeds happened only because he offered himself for our sins, not because they had power over him.
Today’s Prayer
Father, for your Son’s faith, obedience, and sacrifice, I give you thanks. May his example motivate me to be faithful no matter what circumstances I find myself facing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
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