This is Part Three of a seven-part series of family devotions leading up to Easter. Click here to subscribe to the series. You can catch up with Part One and Part Two here.
Verse to Remember: So God lifted him up to the highest place. God gave him the name that is above every name. - Phil 2:9 (NIrV)
Big Idea: Jesus is all-powerful and always in control.
What if you had a secret identity that no one else knew about? Like maybe you were a ninja or a superhero or secret agent, but you just went to school and hung out with regular kids and nobody knew the truth.
Then imagine if a kid started picking on you or even started a fight. Boy, would they be in for a big surprise! They would have no idea who they were messing with until it was too late.
The same thing happened to the group of Roman soldiers sent to arrest Jesus. They had no idea who they were messing with. They thought they were just going out to arrest some teacher their bosses didn’t like, but when they arrived in the garden, they found someone very different.
Jesus knew the soldiers were coming. It was all part of God’s plan to save the world. When Jesus saw them approaching the garden, he didn’t run or hide. He went out to meet them.
Here’s what the Bible says happened next:
“‘Who are you looking for?’ he asked.
‘Jesus the Nazarene,’ they replied.
‘I am he,’ Jesus said . . . As Jesus said ‘I am he,’ they all drew back and fell to the
ground” (John 18:4-5, NLT).
Why did a group of big, tough soldiers fall to the ground? Because of Jesus’ power. Jesus spoke with such strength and authority, these battle-hardened warriors collapsed like a bunch of wet noodles. They knew they were in the presence of someone awesome.
Yet, Jesus let them arrest him anyway. At any moment he could break free or call down an army of angels to take these guys down, but he didn’t. He chose to follow God’s plan to save the world. Jesus’ friends, however, got scared and ran away. They forgot that Jesus is all-powerful and that he is still in control even when bad things happen.
Sometimes bad things happen to you and me too. Sometimes we may hear about scary things going on in the world. But that’s when we need to remember that Jesus is bigger and stronger than any bad thing. He made the universe. He is the King over everything, and he loves us and will help us no matter we face.
Prayer
Jesus, you are all-powerful. There is no one bigger or stronger than you. Help me to remember you are in control even when scary things happen that I don’t understand. Amen.
Talk About It
- How do you think the soldiers felt when they first met Jesus?
- What are some thing that scare you right now?
- How can you remind yourself of Jesus’ power when you’re worried or afraid?
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