the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
John 18:1-11
After "the glory which thou gavest me" (John 17:22) comes "the cup which my Father hath given me" (v. 11). In complete dependence, the Lord Jesus receives both from His Father’s hand. But in keeping with the character of this gospel, we do not have the agony of Luke 22:44 here. In the mind of the obedient Son, the work is already finished (John 17:4).
Wretched Judas knows where to bring the armed band which is to capture the Lord, for this is the place of many intimate and precious gatherings where he himself had been present.
The One they call contemptuously "Jesus of Nazareth" is none other than the Son of God. In full knowledge of what is going to happen, He comes forward and meets this menacing company. He gives them a sign of His sovereign power which should have made them recognize Him from the Scriptures (Psalms 27:2). With a single word, He throws His enemies to the ground. But what is He thinking about in a moment which was so terrible for Him? Still as ever, He thinks of His beloved disciples – "Let these go their way," He orders those who have come to take Him. Right up to the last moment, the good Shepherd would watch over His sheep. Now the hour has come when He is to lay down His life for them (John 10:11).
