Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Listen to the Word

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way? (Matthew 26:53-54)

One of the striking things about the suffering of Jesus is that he could have called a stop to it at any moment. When his disciples drew swords and lopped ears to try to prevent his arrest, he told them to stand down. He told them that armies of angels were available to intervene if he called on them (not that a guy who could calm storms and drive out demons would need a ton of assistance). A first century Roman legion consisted of several thousand soldiers. I suspect that twelve legions of angels could have done some serious damage on Jesus’ behalf. The Jewish religious leaders and Roman officials working for his death wouldn’t have been able to put up much resistance. All Jesus had to do was give the order, and the might of heaven would have prevented all of his pain.

He never gave that order. He went through with the ridicule, agony, and death without activating those angelic legions. He chose to suffer so that we could be rescued instead of calling for angels to rescue him. 

Live the Word

Take a moment to ponder the pain that Jesus endured, and thank him for going through with it for your sake.