Discovering power and light for overcoming the forces of darkness
By Dean Collins
When Jesus speaks, opposition will likely come, suggesting what might appear to be a better way. But we must be careful to listen to Jesus rather than follow the voices of the crowd. Our best preparation for these moments comes through prayer.
The power of darkness
Consider the situation at the base of the Mount of Olives where Jesus went to pray. The conversation from the Upper Room continued as Jesus prepared his disciples for what was about to happen. Knowing what was coming, he prayed to his Father in Heaven. He even asked if there was another way, even as he surrendered to the will of his Father over every other option.
Jesus had instructed the disciples to pray so that that they would not surrender to temptation, but sleep prevailed while Jesus prayed. Jesus was in mid sentence when the crowd arrived, led by Judas. Seeing that those with Judas were armed, Peter grabbed a sword and tried to stop a guard who was nearby. Jesus, strengthened by his earlier prayers, stopped the skirmish and questioned his arresters: “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?” he asked. “When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
The prophet Isaiah had words centuries earlier about deeds done in the darkness: “Ah, you who hide deep from the Lord your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, ‘Who sees us? Who knows us?’ You turn things upside down!”
Did the chief priests and those with him think that darkness could hide their evil from God? We who follow Jesus know well there is nothing that can prevent the light of Jesus from shining. The enemy will stir many to make plans in secret places, hoping to disrupt the inevitable. But note that our King uses things and situations turned upside down to accomplish his purposes.
Breaking through the shadows
Isaiah continued: “Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, ‘He did not make me’; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’?”
Judas thought his small profit would bring a better path forward. His result proved tragic. Attempting to alter the plans of God will always result in tragedy.
But we have an option, which the disciples failed to take in the Garden. We can keep our ears open to the words of Jesus. John reminds us that the sheep listen and hear the voice of the shepherd. Hebrews reminds us that the Word of God is alive and active. This means there is never a moment regardless of our situation or apparent darkness that God is not speaking and waiting for us to listen.
His words can bring comfort, hope, and courage. His clear voice can break through the shadows and the darkness. His call to us can prevent tragic mistakes. When we are in doubt, in fear, or in trouble, our best option is to go to Jesus in prayer and listen for his voice. No darkness or opposition can prevail over the voice of our good shepherd Jesus.
Your time with God’s Word
Luke 22:47-53; John 10:27; Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 29:15-16 ESV
Photo by Victoria Quirk at Unsplash.com
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