Day 4 -- The Cross He Bore

The scene is slowly changing. We have just spent precious time examining the intimate details of the submission of Christ, to His Father and His 'cup' of wrath, in Gethsemane. Now we are entering into the moment where Luke in His gospel says, "This is your hour and the power of darkness" (Luke 22.53). It is at this moment, a predetermined hour, that the enemy is given freedom and access to the Redeemer.

"Christ met his captors at the entrance of the garden. How easily he could have escaped arrest! But in the spirit of voluntary self-surrender he met his enemies."

Every single event, episode and detail throughout redemption history has brought us to this place, to this time and for this purpose--the gospel!

"The hour of Christ's arrest, trial and crucifixion was determined in the counsels of the Godhead from all eternity. Clearly, Christ saw his captivity in terms of God's sovereign schedule."

"But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled." ~ Matthew 26.56

As Christ said, "the hour has come and now remains" we are seeing Christ being arrested, bound and taken into captivity from the very ones that He Himself may one day "set free" not from a civil prison, but from the prison of darkness and brought into His Kingdom of righteousness.

"Yet as he prayed in the very shadow of the cross, Christ saw his death as the means to true glory, and he saw his own glory closely connected with that of his Father. Indeed they merged into one. The garden was empty again, this lonely garden that time-wise is situated mid-way between Eden and a greater garden than Eden that is so beautifully described in Revelation 22, and where flows forever 'the river of the water of life'."