This Happened That the Scriptures Might Be Fulfilled

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This Happened That the Scriptures Might Be Fulfilled

People struggle  to feel that they are in control  of their lives,  but it is familiar to hear,  “Well,  he just lost it again.”     In all of our unsurety  about all sorts of things  in this life,  it is comforting to know  that  no matter what happens,  the Lord God is in control — even in details  we are totally unaware of.

When Jesus was arrested  in the Garden of Gethsemane,  He had spent the night  in prayer  while the disciples kept on falling asleep,  even though Jesus had told them  to “Keep watch.”     Then,  when the multitude came  to arrest Him,  they carried swords and clubs,  ready for a fight  against the miracle-working preacher.     Based on all the miracles Jesus had performed,  they might have been imagining  that they were going to have a tough time  capturing such a person.     But,  Mark 14:48-49  says what was really happening,

Jesus answered  and said to them,  “Have you come out  with swords and clubs  to arrest Me,  as though I were a robber?     Every day  I was with you  in the temple  teaching  and you did not seize Me;  but this has happened  that the Scriptures  might be fulfilled.”

Jesus meekly allowed them  to arrest Him,  even though He could very well have done any number of miracles  to make good His escape.     Jesus calmly let them arrest Him because,  simply put,  He was in control  of the whole situation — bleak as it looked  to everyone else.     The scripture that was being fulfilled  was Isaiah 53:7,

He was oppressed  and He was afflicted,   
Yet He did not open His mouth;   
Like a lamb  that is led to slaughter,   
And like a sheep  that is silent  before its shearers,   
So He did not open His mouth.

Jesus was not screaming or struggling.     But,  He quietly pointed out the truth  that if they were such brave and righteous men,  they could have arrested Him  in the temple while He was preaching.     But,  these cowardly men did not want a riot  in the temple,  because the people liked listening to Jesus  and learning from Him.     Jesus specifically pointed out  that everything was happening this way  because it was fulfilling prophesy.     That didn’t even ring a bell  in their disturbed minds.

They might have wondered  which prophesy was being fulfilled,  but they couldn’t — so that prophesy would be fulfilled.     They were blinded  for a reason  and didn’t even know it.

We also are clueless  about all the events  in this world today.     We wonder about the things that happen to us personally  and those in world-wide politics.     But,  it’s all in God’s control.     We don’t have to know  any details.     All we need to do is trust  in God’s wisdom and love  for us  in Jesus Christ.     God fulfilled prophesy and worked out our salvation — all in the midst  of the turmoil  of Jesus’ crucifixion.     Jesus’ followers were scared  and heart broken  with their lack  of understanding.     And yet,  all of that was happening  that we might have redemption  from our sins,  through the blood  of Jesus.

It’s God’s way  of working all things  for our good.     All this is exactly why we can trust the Lord  to keep His promises  to us.     We have a fire  to go through  and deep waters,  but whatever our challenges  in this life,  we can trust God’s love and salvation for us.

Let God’s promises be fulfilled  in our lives.     We put our trust in Him  and He will carry us through.     Then we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  we don’t know what tomorrow holds for us,  but You do.     Let us always glorify Your love  with praise and thanksgiving.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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