When I was younger I was involved in a theatrical group. I remember the big velvet curtains ready to open, the lights panning the audience, the sound swelling from the orchestra pit and then the show began. “Another opening, another show, in Philly, Boston or Baltimore” still swirls around my mind. The big production proceeded and culminated in a grand finale. That’s just the progression we expect. Holidays remind me of these events as they ramp up and we expect a certain outcome. We anticipate the ending of the Passion story: Jesus lives, goes thru a series of intense, painful events and then goes from life to death.
This week I had to go out of order in my reading, to help my kids as they started a new devotional time. Gotta admit, it was a bit weird reading it backwards as I was reading about the Emmaus road and they were back in the Garden of Gethsemane. I like doing things in order. I’m a big fan of the breakfast burrito at McDonalds, available now all day long. Some things just need to be done in order to keep on track. So, there I was rewinding Easter, as if it was a story to be put on the shelf. Somewhere in the middle however, something in me was stirred:
When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. (Note to self: Leader meetings with Jesus were done in God centered, restful nature, not a board room, hmm?) 3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward (or as hubby says ADVANCED) and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back
and fell to the ground. (screeech… rip)
7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”
Using lame humor I asked my kids if Jesus had garlic breath and asked why they thought these gang participants fell backward. Responses were mainly about power and comparisons to superheroes. The lanterns were probably held by religious people, the torches by government people and the weapons probably by (insert people you are mad at here. Don’t be all coy like that was not what you were thinking when you read that). These folks came “armed”. They ask questions, another actor gets off script and then escort Him off to His death. Here’s the rip (screech….) All the bad guys and gals are now laying on the ground. That’s a problem with a torch in your hand. Talk about a literal hot mess. Do they scramble up, does someone give them a hand? Then there is this question: When Houdini wanted to escape he did. When animals are caged up and get even the smallest opening they run. When robbers or thieves see a chance to high tail it out of there, they take it. When the moment presents itself that you might get annihilated most people would run screaming away like a little girl. Why didn’t Jesus run?
I’ve seen power similar to this (falling down) when people encounter God. History records events like this when people are in revival or encountering the spiritual. You can find it in cults or genuine churches. It’s real and anyone who’s ministered at an altar knows that people react differently when their emotions are touched by the living God. Phenomenon like this is not all that unusual when people are scared, excited or transformed. When you touch a supernatural live wire there is bound to be a supernatural manifestation, sometimes fake and sometimes real.
But this is different. This is not a usual altar, it’s a beat down. Here’s where Jesus “alters forgiveness” forever. The ones carrying things fell backward. That’s greater than Ninjago or Karate Kid. Jesus didn’t even lift a finger, they fell backward. Not fantasy, not fiction.
There was power in His name.
Superman and all childhood superheroes either fight or flee and that is what we expect, but this is wholly different. He is wholly different. What fight scene EVER ends this way? The soldiers fall backwards and there is the huge NCIS like opening for Jesus to run. Exit stage left – whoosh. But He remains. He helps them “learn things”. What is the producer thinking? CUT! Did someone forget to follow the script? The One who is preparing to die for all, inserts a pause into the narrative, speaks calmly and then secures the release of His friends. Maybe He’s following scripture. It does not seem wise to do this. Don’t you just want to yell out “This is your opportunity to run!” In the black of night a getaway in this moment is possible. But He doesn’t take it – He just stands there, undistracted.
It will unnerve you if you meditate on that verse. Not only does He somehow cause these carriers of implements (lanterns, torches and weapons), aka unsavory villains, to fall back to the ground by some mysterious force but then protects His friends. That’s weird but what is weirder is that He gives Himself up and then… He helps them. Now is not the time to be forgiving – run! You had a chance; they were on the ground for Heaven’s sake, run! Maybe He stays, for our sake.
Was the character of Jesus such that even in a moment like this He could not act any differently than He did on other days because His nature and character were defined by His father rather than His circumstances? Was it ingrained in every fiber of His being? I could not shake this thought. Would Jesus even support, help and assist those whose twisted life destiny was to crucify Him on a bloodied cross? That thought is challenging to “feel good” theology. Did He know that if He did not help these horrible people they would face certain death just days before He could redeem them? Did that matter to Him? Is His mercy really that endless? Were even they on His radar for salvation?
I get that Jesus gives mercy to the broken and weary. I get that Jesus gives grace to the addict. I have seen Jesus give love to the hurting but giving assistance or peace to the hateful enemies trying to destroy Him? RUN! Jesus, RUN! They fall, His friends tremble, then Jesus gives them what they are looking for and peacefully, gently goes with them. Wholly unlike an escape artist, a Navy Seal, any human being and any superhero. Completely different. Beyond our scope of understanding or intelligence. No comparison. When everything in our history, memory, training and survival instinct would tell us to hide, run or lie, He loves His enemies. This is the crucible, precursor to the cross.
This hand that formed mountains, constellations and a little babies feet stands in the cold starry night – empty handed, while theirs are filled with weapons. And He gives them a hand – to help carry out His own demise. Wow. That’s beyond comprehension. It would be enough that Jesus asks us to remember His suffering or even to love our enemies but we are told to love AS He loved. There must be some power we need to fulfill that because we are not superheroes, we are mere humans. He would not command that love without providing the needed resource to do so.
Sunday I went to church, still miffed by this passage and wrestling with the crazy notion that Jesus would actually help His enemies. The substitute preacher/ chain breaker read Luke 6:32-36, “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is KIND to the ungrateful and the evil.
Could it be that there is a whole category of people that Jesus wants us to reach? They aren’t in the 10/40 window but they may be breaking yours. They may or may not be from a foreign country but they may ask you to accept their ways –or be martyred. They may look just like you but snarl when you walk by. They may be the ones God uses to irritate you just enough to trigger violence– or prayer. God gave Jesus a way of escape, a way out but the cross was the only way He could run back Home. He wasn’t trying to get out of the tasks His father had given Him; He was aiming to fulfill them.
Maybe we should set aside the Christmas shoeboxes, the clothing give aways, the homeless handouts and instead this year look for some really ugly, mean, violent people carrying lights, torches and guns. It sounds like a Frankenstein movie doesn’t it? Maybe it’s time for a reverse thriller – chase the chasers, run down the rebels and pursue the persecutors but with God’s love instead of hatred. “Let me help you up so you can throw me down.” Radical. Revolutionary. So contrary to what we think is our “right” or the norm. We can sing “we got the POWER” all night but this pure, restrained beautiful example of power under control, submitted to Gods’ will changed the world once, perhaps that same power can change the world again. We just need to find some ungrateful and evil people and begin to let God do His work. Prayer connects us with that. It was those people who lifted Him to the cross and God’s will for His life. All under His Lordship.
What will you do with this information? Jesus, assisted the ones who came to crucify Him. Kindness must have been more than just a child’s admonition. Being kind was the weapon He used on that day. “Did He win that fight mama?” Yes, He went from death to life and reigns victorious!” Jesus loved the ungrateful and evil ones. I’m not loving like He is, but I want to be, I choose to be. Maybe it’s time to put the running shoes aside and stand firm in God’s will and plan. Lord, guide us. Arm us with Your kindness and goodness and lead us into YOUR battle.
Jesus remained, even when given the chance to flee. He was wholly unlike all others. Fully God, fully man. John 13:32-36 will tell us how to live this out. Christ’s One commandment will guide us. “Give us YOUR power Lord that we could obey Your commandment and will. Help us not to run from our destiny but to walk in Your example and power.”
RenaeRoche2018