The Almighty One Under Arrest

handcuffs

When the authorities are out to arrest someone, it is not unusual for the subject to use every means to evade it. Some go into hiding; some seek political asylum; some learn the art of disguise. The subject may even arm himself and exchange bullets with the arresting officers. You can only  get them when they are seriously wounded, or even worse, dead.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo reigned supreme in the land from January 20, 2001 to June 30, 2010. But since she no longer sits on Malacañang's throne, she was recently overpowered in a legal chess by the resolute Sec. Leila De Lima.

On the night the Lord Jesus Christ was captured, he demonstrated that he was not lacking in power to resist the arrest. The arresting team witnessed two awesome miracles that night: 
First, as soon as he said "I am he", they all fell backward to the ground (John 18:6).
Second, when Peter pulled out a sword and slashed off the ear of Malchus, Jesus instantly healed the wound and restored the organ (Luke 22:51).

They were arresting David's Lord; the One who is strong, mighty and unbeatable in battle (Psalm 24:8).
They were arresting Jeremiah's Sovereign God, with whom there is nothing too hard (Jeremiah 32:17)
 
On that same night, he said he could ask the Father in heaven to send thousands and thousands of angels to defend him (Matthew 26:53). They were arresting the Commander-in-Chief of heaven's armed forces.

Another conspicuous thing in the arrest accounts is the darkness of man's sinfulness. They have seen Jesus demonstrate his deity, but they proceeded with the arrest anyway. Truly our depravity is so severe; it is beyond cure by human means. This is the very reason why the Omnipotent One subjected himself to the "power" of mere earthly weaklings.

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24)

The Almighty One could have had resisted the arrest and destroy them all on the spot. Yet God's power is not only manifested in his judgment of sinners, but also in the salvation of his people.  On the cross, he disarmed the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15). He is mighty to save (Zephaniah 3:17).

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