Michael R. Baggett

In John chapters 18, 19, the Roman Governor Pilate declares Jesus an innocent man three times (John 18:38; 19:4, 6). The Jews pressure Pilate into condemning Jesus to die on the cross. Before Pilate had reaches his verdict on Jesus, a fearful Pilate tries once more to understand more about Jesus' background, but Jesus remains silent (John 19:8-9). Then, Pilate makes a very assuming statement: "...Are you not speaking to me? Do you not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You..." Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it has been given you from above..." (John 19:10-11, NKJV). Jesus' reply stunned him, and Pilate tries even harder to release Jesus, but the hateful crowd prevails.

What Jesus told Pilate is something we should never forget. There was never a man on earth powerful enough to take Jesus' life, unless He allowed it to happen.  In John chapter 10, Jesus discusses how He lays down His life for His sheep. Jesus said, "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father" (John 10:17-18, NKJV). Make no mistake about it, Jesus willingly stretched out His arms and allowed those soldiers to hammer nails into his hands and feet on the cruel cross! Jesus had power to lay his life down and He had power to take it again. Jesus raised Himself up from the dead.

When Judas led the mob into garden where Jesus had been praying, Jesus demonstrated how no man could take His life. Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss to identify Him for the mob (Matthew 26:48-49). The mob which comes to Jesus with clubs and swords "drew back and fell to the ground" when Jesus tells them "I am He" (John 18:1-6). If Jesus willed, the mob could have not only fallen to the ground but could have been burned with fire from heaven in an instance! But Jesus knew He must drink the cup of suffering the Father had given to Him (John 18:11).

When Peter tries to defend Jesus with a sword, cutting off the right ear of the servant of the High Priest, Jesus states clearly how quickly He could leave the woeful scenes and leave man to die in his sins. Jesus said, "Or do you think that I cannot now pray the Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?" (Mattthew 26:53).

How many angels make up twelve legions? The short answer is tens of thousands. But one legion is up to 6,000, so using this 6,000 multiplied by 12 equals 72,000 angels! (NET version notes).  One powerful angel killed 185,000 men in 2 Kings 19:35. Imagine what 72,000 angels could do to only about 200 men coming to arrest Jesus! Let me ask you, would you have called 12 legions of angels to avoid the agony of dying on a cross? Jesus could have done it, but Jesus said, "How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" (Matthew 26:54, NKJV).

Minutes before His arrest, Jesus agonizes while praying. The Bible says His sweat became like great drops of blood. "And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Luke 22:44, NKJV).

Some believe sweat is described in the likeness to blood. I have seen people sweat like they were "sweating quarters." Maybe you have observed this? But others believe that Jesus experienced such intense anguish that his sweat literary became drops of blood. The phenomenon known as hematidrosis, which can occur under extreme stress (Borrowed Light, Did Jesus Sweat Blood in the Garden of Gethsemane? Mike Leake). Whichever way you understand it, Jesus was in a state of mental anguish pouring his heart out to God, and His sweat!

What Jesus was about to face on our behalf was mind-boggling. Jesus was about to be unfairly tried, whipped to the point of ripped up bleeding flesh and then nailed to a cross with 6-to-8-inch-long nails! (Biblical Archaeology Society).

Jesus could have changed His mind and left this confused and unfair world at any time. He could have decided it was not worth the abuse, the pain, and the suffering. But Jesus came to do the will of the Father. The will of the Father was that Jesus would be born of the Virgin, live a perfect, sinless life, fulfill the Old Testament Law, and go to the cross to make atonement for the sins of mankind (Isaiah 7:14; John 3:16; Hebrews 5:8-9). Jesus prayed to the Father as He was about to face the kangaroo courts and cruel and unusual suffering, saying: "...Not my will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42, NKJV).

Whether you believe it or not, Jesus tasted death for every person (Hebrew 2:9). Whether you believe it or not, you are a sinner (Romans 3:23). Left to your own merit, you will die in your sins and suffer the eternal fires of hell (Romans 6:23). Jesus died in your place, so you do not have to die in your sins. Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe. But you must accept it. The first order of things is to bring you to a solid belief with all your heart that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Acts 8:36-37). Next, that belief or faith should move you to sorrow for your sins and repentance (Acts 2:36-38). Obedience to the gospel of Christ by being baptized into His Name gets you into Christ (Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26-27). Jesus laid down His life for you. Would you think seriously of giving your life to Jesus?