The apostle John wrote how Judas, “received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek you? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek you? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore you seek me, let these go their way. That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Of them which you gave me have I lost none. Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up your sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twelve of his book John shared how, “the band and the captain and officers … took Jesus, and bound him” where we read:
Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
The verse reads, “Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, ...” John began with the words, “Then the band” which means “at that time the military cohort, company or detachment of soldiers” “and the captain” or “and the commander of the cohort” “and officers” which refers to “the servants, attendants and assistants” “of the Jews” or “belonging to the people within the Jewish nation by origin, birth or religion” “took Jesus” which means “seized, the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation as a prisoner” and did the following. John shared how the crowd of “servants, soldiers and officers” captured and arrested Jesus and did the following.
The verse goes on to say, “and bound him,” John continued with the words, “and bound” or “and tied, fastened and put in chains” “him” which refers to “Jesus”. John shared how the crowd who arrested Jesus tied Him up or bound Him with chains.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how this hostile crowd gained their purpose by arresting Jesus. Judas Iscariot lead them to where Jesus was in the garden, and after encountering Him, falling backward at His words and telling Jesus they were seeking “Jesus of Nazareth”, Jesus told them who He was and allowed them to “bind” Him. Jesus was fulfilling God's plan for the salvation of man, and these people were being used by Him to complete it. God wants a personal relationship with every person, and those who come to Him through His Son Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God in Heaven. Let all who read these words know He was “taken and bound” for every person, and all they must do is believe.
Next time we see John shares how they, “led him away to Annas first”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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