The Bigger Picture
Opening Prayer
God of heaven, You are in control. Teach me to take You at Your Word.
Read Mark 14:43–52
[43] Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. [44] Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” [45] Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. [46] The men seized Jesus and arrested him. [47] Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. [48] “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? [49] Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” [50] Then everyone deserted him and fled. [51] A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, [52] he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Everything was going wrong in this passage. Does that sometimes happen for you?From the intimacy of Gethsemane, with his Father and the inner group of disciples, suddenlyJudas appears with a mob armed with clubs and swords to arrest Jesus. Jesus offers no resistance,merely asking why they have come now when they could have arrested him while he wasteaching in the Temple. Someone standing near draws his sword to defend Jesus. A youngman—almost certainly Mark, the Gospel writer himself—is grabbed, resists arrest and fleesnaked, leaving his outer garment. It is a scene of chaos and disorder. Everyone deserts Jesus andflees. Yet Jesus himself remains calm and sure in the midst of everything, knowing that theScriptures—the promises and the prophecies about his life and death—are being fulfilled.When all around was chaos, Jesus had the “bigger picture.” He knew that God was in control. Intoday’s world, with all of its uncertainties, threats and troubles, it is good to know that the Lordis in control. The same can be true for us personally. Things may seem to be going wrong athome, in the family or in the local church or community. But if we are “right with the Lord” weshall discover the bigger picture that God has already drawn.From the intimacy of Gethsemane, with his Father and the inner group of disciples, suddenly Judas appears with a mob armed with clubs and swords to arrest Jesus. Jesus offers no resistance, merely asking why they have come now when they could have arrested him while he was teaching in the Temple. Someone standing near draws his sword to defend Jesus. A young man—almost certainly Mark, the Gospel writer himself—is grabbed, resists arrest and flees naked, leaving his outer garment. It is a scene of chaos and disorder. Everyone deserts Jesus and flees. Yet Jesus himself remains calm and sure in the midst of everything, knowing that the Scriptures—the promises and the prophecies about his life and death—are being fulfilled. When all around was chaos, Jesus had the “bigger picture.” He knew that God was in control. In today’s world, with all of its uncertainties, threats and troubles, it is good to know that the Lord is in control. The same can be true for us personally. Things may seem to be going wrong at home, in the family or in the local church or community. But if we are “right with the Lord” we shall discover the bigger picture that God has already drawn.
Apply
“The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne” (Psa. 11:4). Claim this promise today.
Closing prayer
God, I often fail to see the “bigger picture” in my life. Give me the faith to take the step in front of me today.
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