SONG OF SONGS – MY HEART IS AWAKE  

“I have come to my garden, my sister, my spouse; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. (To His Friends) Eat, O friends! Drink, yes, drink deeply, O beloved ones!” (SS 5:1). The Song of Solomon is a prophetic love poem describing how King Solomon fell in love and got married to a beautiful simple girl. It is a picture of passionate marital love. Spiritually, it describes the love between Christ and His Bride, the Church. The Groom is called The Lover, and the Bride is called The Beloved. Their relationship is pure, romantic, deep, intimate, and loving as with family members. Please read Chapter 5:1-9.

The Song of songs is one of the least understood books in the Bible. Most Christians just ignore it. But because the Holy Spirit placed in the Bible, we must pay the price to study it. King Solomon is the author. The Book is a collection of love poems. They describe the romantic passionate love between King Solomon and a simple beautiful girl called Shulamite. The poems can also be applied to romantic love in a happy marriage, like when water turns to wine. Spiritually, it describes the Agape Love between Christ, who is the Bridegroom and His Church, who is His Bride. The Jews read this Book only once a year in their synagogues. They do it so that their love for God does not become lukewarm, legalistic, routine, forced. They do it to add romance and spices to their religion. Pray that the Holy Spirit opens your understanding and appreciation the greatest Love of all! This is the Gospel: Jesus died and rose again for me! Jesus is My First Love!

He said: I came to my garden! It is His garden. Her heart is his garden. Like Garden of Eden, it is a beautiful place with colorful aromatic flowers, a place of encounter between God and man. The Lover gathers spices; each is a symbol or something deep and spiritual. The gathering or myrrh and spices shows Christ’s delight in the richness and fragrance of His relationship with His Bride. It is based on His sacrificial love. Myrrh is a fragrant resin used for religious purposes. It was a very expensive item, often worth its weight in gold. Myrrh was one of the ingredients for making the holy anointing oil signifying its role in consecration and holiness. Myrrh was also used as perfume (Esther 2:12) and for embalming the dead (John 19). The wise men brought myrrh to baby Jesus, a prophetic gift predicting Jesus’ sacrificial death (Matt 2:11). In the Bible, myrrh is often associated with suffering and death. It was used during the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. Spiritually, myrrh means sacrifice, worship, and anointing with the Holy Spirit. It is a reminder of the cost of redemption.

Honey symbolizes sweetness, spiritual nourishment and dreams come true. Milk is a symbol of nourishment for spiritual growth. The Promised Land was “a land of milk and honey”. Wine is a symbol of celebration in general and in the wedding feast and marriage in particular. The Groom invites his guests, his friends, to eat and drink at the wedding feast. It shows that weddings are celebrated in the presence of others. The food and the drink are in abundance. The Bridegroom is extremely happy and generous to all. Spiritually, this sweet food and celebration is found only in a relationship with Christ. Your heart is the Garden of the Lord. He is never far. He freely comes into the gardens of our hearts. He receives our worship and rejoices in it. Grace is always abundant, overflowing to guests and friends. Each morning be sure that your heart is always open to Him, to come and collect the fruits of the Holy Spirit. No stranger should be found in that Garden. It is for Christ alone! Tell others how sweet your life in Christ is, from the overflowing cup of His Saving Grace.

The Bride sleeps and at the same time, her heart is “awake.” It shows physical rest and spiritual alertness. As believers, we live in this world, but we are not “of this world”. We hear the voice of Christ in our hearts. My heart is awake. It is ready to respond to the voice of Christ, day or night. The Groom knocks at my heart. Christ is outside the garden, by the gate of your heart. He strongly desires to enter. His love is persistent. Christ loves the Church. Christ loves you! The knock is in the night. There is opposition from forces of darkness. He had to fight them to come to you. He calls the Church “My sister, My love, My dove, Me perfect one”. This shows an intimate relationship, like siblings in a family, but also romantic and special. The Church is the Dove of Christ. Christ sees you pure and perfect. Christ died and rose again so that His Church will be holy. “He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:27). On earth, Christ’ love must be reflected in the husband’s love for his wife.

The head of the Groom is covered with dew. This shows blessings. In Isreal, rain is rare. Between May and October, there is no rain. The temperature rises above 42 degrees Celsius. The place is dry and hot. Dew comes in the night, at the places that need it the most. The dew supplies the water needed for the plants to grow. The dew does not “fall” from the sky like the rain. Dew is mysterious water produced by plants as they cool down after a long hot day. Dew is a symbol of the Holy Spirit that gives spiritual life to men living in the desert of sin. Dew comes quietly. There is no noise, no force, no thunder, like with the rain. When the Holy Spirit comes to our hearts, we may not feel anything, but our spirit is quickened. We become alive with the life of God. When the heart is dry and tired, the heavenly Dew comes and brings the much-needed revival. Dew is like a love medicine ready to restore backsliders. It is a sign of revival, of hope.

“I have taken off my robe; How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet; How can I defile them?” Before going to rest in bed, the Bride washes her feet and takes off her robe. The robe is a symbol of covering and protection from the temptation of the world. It can also be a sign of status, like Joseph’s robe. Removing the robe means detaching herself from the duties of leadership in the world. The bride is reluctant to dress again and go outside to work. She prefers to rest on her bed. There is a tension between duty and comfort, the voice of good against the best, between the desires of the flesh and of the spirit. She knows that the Bridegroom is calling her to a higher level of spirituality, even when it is inconvenient. She must pay the price to be like Him. She must share in His sufferings. Lying on her soft bed, she struggles with that. Human nature resists changes and disruption once she is settled. Washing your feet is an act of humility. Getting out of bed means getting your feet dirty again. That requires a new washing of the feet. The Groom is humble. Humility is His lifestyle. But for the Bride, practicing Humility is not easy. That is why she grumbles in her heart.

“My beloved put his hand by the latch of the door, And my heart yearned for him… My beloved extended his hand through the opening [of the door], And my feelings were aroused for him” (SS 5:4; NKJ; AMP). The Lover takes the initiative of love. He puts His hand by the latch of the door. The latch is an iron rod pushed into a hole to keep the door closed. It is for protection. The Beloved wants to open the door and see His bride. The Lover’s touch of the latch is a gentle invitation to a deeper relationship with her. He loves her. He is patient with her. He waits to see her response. Lying on her bed, she hears the Groom. Her heart starts to pound for Him. This is a deep emotional and even physical reaction to his Love for her. Spiritually, in God’s presence, our very soul is stirred and responds to God’s Love.

Initially, the Bride was not sure if she could love as she is loved. She knows that Her Groom loves her sacrificially. He is ready to die for her. She has some doubts whether she is ready to love like this. Eventually, she decides to answer the call to carry her cross and follow her Beloved. She rises from the bed of comfort and goes to the door. This time, she does not care if she must take her robe again, or if she must wash her feet the second time. These sacrifices look small compared with the excitement of seeing her Beloved. Her hands drip with liquid perfumed myrrh, overflow of love and devotion. She now has the same fragrance as Him.

“I opened for my beloved, But my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer”. Finally, the Bride opens the door for her Lover. He did not want to force entry. Christ wants us to open our hearts to Him. At the door, she discovered that he had gone away. This shows missed opportunities, the effect of spiritual negligence. She was too slow to come and open the door. There were doubts and grumblings in her heart. She took His love for granted. She has made him sad. “My heart sank at His departure… My heart was pounding…”  This is deep disappointment, feeling of loss, regret, anxiety, desperate longing to find Him. She goes out to look for him. She calls Him, but there is no answer. This shows the soul’s seeking God, for a closer fellowship. God sometimes hides Himself. He keeps silent. This is a picture of Grieving the Holy Spirit. There is need for repentance, praying for mercy, and seeking God afresh. It does not mean that God has abandoned us. He wants us to repent from spiritual laziness and infatuation with material comfort. He wants us to desire Him again. We must seek God with faith, perseverance, and thru fasting and prayer until we find Him afresh. Go back to the Bible. This is revival. It is also a warning against spiritual complacency and procrastination. We know that even in times of silence, the covenant of Love between Christ and the believer stands forever. If we seek Him with all our hearts, we shall find Him. Lessons: obedience must be instant, joyful and total. Delayed, grumbling and partial obedience are counted as disobedience. It grieves the Holy Spirit, and it dulls intimacy. Keep seeking when He feels distant. You must press into Scripture, worship, prayer and fellowship. Remember past experiences of His faithfulness, because remembrance fuels hope. Trust His steadfast love and not your fluctuating feelings. On the road to Emmaus, the disciples’ disappointment turned to burning hearts when He revealed Himself (Lk 24:21,32). True love acts quickly when it hears the Lover’s voice.

“The watchmen who went about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls took my veil away from me”. The desperate Bride takes the risk and goes out in the night, looking for her Lover. Instead of help, she meets trouble. She is beaten, stripped, humiliated. In pursuing deeper intimacy with Jesus, the devil will try to stop you. You may encounter unexpected resistance. The watchmen are supposed to keep order, security and peace, especially at night. They represent the civil authority or religious leaders who misunderstand or oppose righteous zeal (seen in Paul’s clashes with synagogue leaders). When seeking for God or for justice, how must we behave? Refuse bitterness. Love your enemies. Pray for them. Lean on Jesus! Draw even closer to Him, as the Bride did! The picture of being beaten is a symbol of Jesus who was wounded for our transgressions. It shows the cost of sacrificial love. The watchmen took away her veil, her clothes, her covering. Being naked on the streets is a sign of rejection and humiliation. In our spiritual walk, we feel exposed and vulnerable, yet these moments lead to deeper reliance on God. This is another picture of Jesus, crucified naked in the pursuit of Love. The men who represent the government authority cannot protect believers who seek for Jesus. There is always danger of misusing the power given to them. God remains the ultimate protector for the oppressed and humble. This calls for perseverance and faith.

“I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, Tell him I am lovesick!” The “daughters of Jerusalem” are women of the city, represent the audience, who witness the story of the Bride seeking her Groom. Love is not only personal. Especially loving Jesus. It also has a public demonstration. In our spiritual journey, community plays a vital role in helping and guiding us. The Bride is charging the women to find her Beloved. It is a deep and serious request. Her lovesickness is not sentimental; it is spiritual, physical, emotional, and urgent. Asking others to “tell him” assumes that the Beloved will respond. True spiritual longing anticipates an encounter. That is faith! This shows the importance of communication in any relationship. Learn to confess your need and your pain to others. Let them pray for you. To be “lovesick” is a consuming passion like fire in the heart. This emotion is so strong that it affects the body and the soul. “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God” (Ps 42:1; NLT). The intensity of this love reflects Christ’s love for the church, who died to save her. Learn to Cultivate lovesickness: set apart undistracted time with the Lord until the soul notices His absence. Tell Jesus: “Lord, I miss You!” This seeking and finding is the romance of Christianity, the dance only true lovers of Jesus can learn. Worship the Lord!

GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption… And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption… And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin]… Don’t give God’s Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you. He has put his seal on you for the day you will be set free [from the world of sin]” (Eph 4:30; NKJ, NLT; AMP; GOD’S WORD TRANSLATION)

God the Holy Spirit can grieve. This is the revelation of the Bible. The word “grieve” means to feel deep sorrow, pain, or great sadness, especially at the death of someone who was very dear. Grieving the Holy Spirit is peculiar to Christianity. No other religion tells you that their god grieves. This is a reminder that the Holy Spirit is a Person. A thing cannot be sad, only a person can grieve. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. He is tender as a Dove. God has humbled Himself to come to our level. He can be grieved by us. This is a fact: Men can disappoint God, their greatest Lover. When we forget this, we fall into so many troubles. The Holy Spirit can be grieved only by believers. We grieve Him with our sinful thoughts, words or actions; by failure to realize that He is in us, and by ignoring Him when he speaks. He can be hurt by our unwillingness to Love as we are loved. Anything that is not holy grieves the HOLY Spirit. Our heavenly Comforter can be made sad by our sins!!! Because the Spirit empowers us in the sanctification process, grieving Him hinders spiritual growth and fellowship with God.

When you grieve the Holy Spirit, you do not lose your salvation. A seal is a seal! But there are many great losses. By grieving the Holy Spirit, the Christian loses his peace, his assurance and joy of salvation. He loses his spiritual power. For example, if you pray, it will be a very weak prayer; you will not prevail with God. When you read the Bible, you shall not be able to gain revelation. When you go to the house of God, you feel bored. You feel like Samson when his hair is cut, lost, weak, captive, and blind. Let the Holy Spirit depart, and assurance is gone, doubts, questionings and suspicions are aroused. Usefulness in ministry will cease. Your ministry shall yield no fruit; your words will fall to the ground. There is spiritual confusion, lack of direction. Because your protection is gone, demonic attacks increase. Worship the Lord!

JEHOVAH EL QANNA DEFEATS DAGON

The Philistines, having captured the Ark of the Covenant, brought it into the temple of their god, Dagon, in Ashdod, one of the five major cities of the Philistines. Dagon was the chief deity in the Philistine religion, often associated with fertility and harvest. It was a statue, half man and half fish. They believed that Dagon was the father of Baal. Placing the Ark beside the statue of Dagon was a deliberate act to show that the God of Israel was now submitting to Dagon. But despite the Ark being captured, God remains sovereign and will demonstrate His power over all false gods and idols. The next day, they found Dagon on the ground, symbolic of Dagon’s submission and defeat before the Ark, which represented the presence and power of the God of Israel, Jehovah El Qanna. Foolishly, the Philistines return Dagon to its place. They try to maintain their religious beliefs despite the clear sign of their idol’s impotence, just like today, people resist acknowledging divine truth. This shows how useless it is to worship idols. Nobody can defeat God! God always wins! (1Sam 5:1-12; 6:1-21; 7:1,2)

“I have sworn [an oath] by Myself, The word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear [allegiance]” (Isa 45:23; AMP). God swears by Himself. This is the highest form of an oath. God is sovereign over all creation. Once God speaks, the Word is final, unchangeable and always accomplishes His desires and “succeeds in the purpose for which it was sent” (Isa 55:11). Lesson: we should preach God’s Word with confidence knowing that He is faithful to perform His Word. This is a fact: Every knee shall bow before God! All creation must submit to God’s authority. God’s Kingdom will ultimately prevail. Amen!

Early the next morning, the Philistine priests came to the shrine of Dagon. They were impatient to see what happened. But they were deeply disappointed. The image of Dagon was fallen again, prostrated before the Ark. The breaking of Dagon’s head and hands signifies the complete powerlessness and defeat of the idol. The threshold of a temple was considered a sacred boundary. The fact that Dagon’s head and hands were found on the threshold symbolize the desecration of the Philistine temple and the impotence of their god to protect it. Lessons: The fall of Dagon illustrates that no false god can stand before the true God. As believers, we need to totally trust God who defeats all opposition. God allowed His ark to be captured by the enemies because of the rebellion of His people. But God is totally in control even when the situation seems hopeless. We must trust and worship God alone!

The priests and the worshipers of Dagon refused to step on the threshold of Dagon’s shrine after the incident. It shows a superstitious fear and acknowledgment of the power of the God of Israel even after many years since the incident. The Philistines showed respect and feared Jehovah God, even if they did not worship Him. Lesson: God’s presence always causes chaos among the powers of darkness. We should always invite God in every situation, knowing that He has the power to transform everything for His own glory and for our good. This is a reminder that we the believers, should never take God’s presence for granted, should fear and honor the God of our salvation.

“But the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and He ravaged them and struck them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory” (1Sam 5:6). The hand of the Lord means power over His creation. The word “ravaged” means severe destruction. God punishes the Philistines for touching and disrespecting the Ark, a symbol of God’s presence among His people. The word “tumors” is the same as painful boils or hemorrhoids. Jehovah God is not only the God of Isreal, but He is the Creator and Judge of all. Lesson: This is a warning not to treat God’s things with disrespect. God’s presence brings blessing to those who honor it and judgment to those who dishonor Him.

“The LORD will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors, with the scab, and with the itch, from which you cannot be healed” (Deut 28:27). One of the curses of disobedience is painful sicknesses that doctors cannot cure. The boils of Egypt are God’s punishment on the Egyptians when they refused to submit to God. Because of the boils, the magicians could not stand on their feet before Moses (Exo9:9-11). The same punishment that God gave to the Egyptians, is now given to His people who are disobedient to Him. Only God can heal spiritual and physical ailments. The fact that no doctor can cure shows that God has removed His favor from His rebellious people. Nothing else than repentance can bring healing and peace. Under the law, obedience to God’s Word was followed by blessings and disobedience attracted curses. In Christ, we find redemption from the curse of the law, showing the importance of faith and grace in the New Covenant.

The Ark was captured by the Philistines because of Isreal’s disobedience. But despite their initial triumph, the Philistines quickly realized that the Ark was not a mere trophy but a source of divine judgment. The decision to remove the Ark shows the fear and respect that even pagan nations have for the God of Israel. They decided to move it to the next Philistine town, to test if the calamities will follow the Ark. They did not understand that the Ark is not just an object like their idols, but the dwelling place of Almighty God. They underestimated its significance. Lesson: God cannot be controlled or manipulated by men. He is sovereign overall!

The Philistines had five major city-states: Ashdod, Gath, Ekron, Ashkelon, and Gaza. They moved the Ark from Ashdod to Gath, which was the native city of the giant Goliath. The Ark caused great destruction and confusion even in Gath. All men in the city, rich and poor, old and young, were affected with an incurable painful disease. Next, they sent the ark of God to Ekron. The cry of the Ekronites shows that they recognized the power associated with the Ark, despite their lack of faith in the God of Israel. This fear is similar with the terror that fell upon the inhabitants of Jericho where the fame of God’s power preceded the Israelites (Josh 2:9-11). The Ark, a type of Christ, symbolizes God’s presence and the dual nature of His coming—bringing salvation to believers and judgment to those who reject Him. Selah!

Suffering terribly, the Philistines finally decided to send the Ark back to Israel, recognizing that it did not belong among them. They became afraid of Jehovah El Qanna. They saw that wherever the Ark goes among their cities, it brought deadly destruction and confusion to all. This shows God’s active role in the events, His authority and the consequences of opposing Him. The cries of the Philistines reached God, showing His awareness of human suffering, even among those who do not know Him. God is sovereign over all nations and attentive to the affairs of the world. Lesson: God responds to the outcry of suffering. God is a God’s justice. He is the judge of all Creation.

The rulers of the Philistines asked their priests on how to return the Ark of God back to Isreal. They now knew that the Ark is central to Israelite worship, representing God’s presence among His people. They knew that they have offended the God of Isreal. They decided to send it back to Isreal together with a trespass or guilt offering. According to the Law of Moses, the trespass or guilt offering is described in Leviticus 5. This offering was required when a person unintentionally violated some of the Lord’s holy things, anything that was dedicated to God, like the sanctuary, or the priests. These are some examples of trespasses: by mistake, a man eats the food of the priests, he makes a vow to God, and he forgets to perform it, eats the first-born animal from his own flock (because that one belongs to God). The offender must bring to God an unblemished ram and compensate the priests by adding 20% of its value in silver. The Philistines were not under the Mosaic Law. They tried their best to repent and ask forgiveness from the God of Isreal, so that the plague would end among them. They now knew that Jehovah God is holy and none should treat Him with disrespect. Recognizing their sins, the priests recommend that they bring an offering to Jehovah. It was made of five golden tumors, symbolizing their sicknesses and five golden rats, a symbol of destruction through poverty and famine in their land. Gold is an expensive metal showing their desire to honor Jehovah God. Lesson: When we sin against God or man, we must repent, forgive and do all we can to make peace with the offended person. The events demonstrate God controls all nations, not just Israel. This trespass offering point to Christ, who died to bring forgiveness to sinners and reconcile man to God.

The Philistines remembered what God did to Pharoah and the Egyptians when they opposed God and His people. They asked themselves: “why do you harden your hearts like Pharoah? He eventually let God’s people go!” This hardening is both a result of Pharaoh’s own choices and a divine judgment, illustrating the connection between human free will and divine sovereignty. The eventual release of the Israelites by Pharaoh shows the futility of resisting God’s will. Despite his initial stubbornness, Pharaoh ultimately capitulates to God’s demands. The Egyptians’ experience is a warning of the dangers of opposing God. Lesson: we must guard against hardening of our hearts towards God.

The Philistines’ use of a “new cart” signifies respect and reverence, ensuring that the cart was not previously used for ordinary purposes. This reflects the biblical principle of offering God the best and the first. Milk cows are cows that have recently had calves. These cows are typically not used for pulling carts. Cows that have never been yoked symbolize purity and a new beginning, like the unblemished animals required for sacrifices. This instruction was a test to see if the cows would act contrary to their nature. If they did, it would confirm that the calamities the Philistines experienced were indeed from the God of Israel. Separating the cows from their calves was a further test of divine intervention. Naturally, the cows would seek to return to their calves, but if they proceeded towards Israel, it would be a sign of God’s hand at work. This separation can also be seen as a type of sacrifice, where something valuable is given up for a greater purpose, ultimately pointing to Christ’s sacrifice. Lesson: God is in control over all creation, including animals, to fulfill His purposes.

The cart with the Ark came to the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh. This was a Levitical city located in the territory of Judah, near the border with the Philistines. It was one of the cities designated for the priests, which is significant given the context of the Ark of the Covenant’s return. The Ark’s return to a Levitical city shows the importance of proper worship and reverence for God’s presence. The large rock, a symbol of stability, was also a memorial. It served as a natural altar for the offering. The stopping of the cart at this specific location is divinely orchestrated, indicating God’s control over the situation. The priests used the wood from the cart to light a fire. They killed the two cows and offered it as a burnt offering, to honor God. Burnt offerings were entirely consumed by fire, a symbol of total dedication to God, an act of worship. This is a symbol of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself wholly for the atonement of sin on behalf of sinners. When the Philistines saw this, they returned to their country. It was the end of the Philistine experiment with the Ark, acknowledging the power of the God of Israel. Lessons: God is sovereign over all nations. He has the power to defend His honor without human intervention.

God struck down and killed seventy people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the Ark. These were Jewish men, not foreigners. According to the Law, only the high priest could approach the Ark, only once a year, on the Day of Atonement, carrying the blood of the sacrifice. Looking inside the Ark was a direct violation of God’s command. This incident shows the holiness of Jehovah El Qanna. It is God’s judgment upon those who disrespected the Ark. This was God’s Law: The ark was to remain covered. Even the Kohathites, appointed to carry it, were forbidden to “touch or look upon the holy things, lest they die” (Num 4:20). To look inside the ark, the men had to lift the cover called “the Mercy Seat”. Without God’s mercy, all sinners die. The men treat God’s presence as a common thing. Overfamiliarity with God’s things is a sin. Lessons: Holiness demands reverend distance. God actively defends His holiness. As worshipers, we have a great responsibility to treat God with honor and respect. The incident calls every generation to approach God on His terms, honoring His holy presence with obedient, respectful, and humble hearts. We must fear God and respect God’s things. While God is just in His punishment, His actions also serve as a call to repentance and a deeper understanding of His nature. We must learn from the mistakes or others, how to worship God! This story also points to the ultimate judgment of sinners and the need for atonement, based on the perfect future work of Jesus Christ, who provides the way for humanity to approach God through His sacrifice. Worship the Lord!

WHOM ARE YOU SEEKING? I AM HE!

This is a very painful story (John 18:1-13). After praying the High Priestly prayer, Jesus, followed by eleven of His disciples, goes to the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas has already gone to the Pharisees and agreed to betray Jesus, for 30 silver coins (about 400,000 Naira). A band of Roman soldiers with weapons follows Judas, who will identify Jesus with a kiss. The cooperation between Jewish and Roman authorities shows the worldly opposition to Jesus. A detachment (or cohort) of troops was made of about 500 Roman soldiers. Just imagine how many people came to arrest the Prince of Peace!!! The presence of weapons shows a misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission. Everything that happened was in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. The use of lanterns and torches shows that it was nighttime. Lessons: Judas’ betrayal reminds us of the pain of being betrayed by those close to us. We must examine our own faithfulness to Christ. Be prepared for opposition in your own walk with Christ. You are the light of the world, preaching the Gospel in the spiritual darkness of the world.

“Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” (Jn 18:4)

Jesus knows all the things that will happen to Him. This shows His Omniscience as God. Jesus said: “When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness” (Lk 22:53). The “hour” refers to the appointed time for Jesus’ arrest and subsequent crucifixion. It signifies a divinely ordained moment when God allows the forces of evil to act, fulfilling the plan of salvation. This phrase acknowledges the temporary authority given to Jesus’ enemies, according to God’s permissive will. It also reflects the fulfillment of prophecies about the suffering Messiah (Isaiah 53). The power of darkness shows the spiritual forces at work behind the physical events of Jesus’ arrest. “Darkness” symbolizes evil, sin, and separation from God, contrasting with Jesus as the “light of the world” (Jn 8:12). The power of darkness refers to Satan’s influence and the spiritual battle between good and evil. This moment is a culmination of the conflict between Jesus and the forces of evil, as foretold in Genesis 3:15, where the serpent’s head would be crushed. Despite the apparent victory of darkness, it ultimately leads to Jesus’ triumph over sin and death through His resurrection. Halleluiah!

Jesus willingly submits to arrest, suffering and crucifixion. As the good Sheperd, He lays down His life for His sheep. He tells the people to arrest Him and let His disciples go away. His stepping forward shows His courage and willingness to face His destiny. His proactive approach is in great contrast with the disciples’ fear and confusion. This act fulfills His earlier declaration that no one takes His life from Him, but He lays it down of His own accord (Jn 10:18). It also reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament types, such as Isaac willingly carrying the wood for his own sacrifice (Gen 22:6). Jesus asked them: “Whom are you seeking?” By this question, Jesus takes control over the situation showing His authority even in the face of His arrest.

“Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground” (Jn 18:6). Jesus said: I AM! This is the name of Jehovah. It shows that Jesus is God. Suddenly, the 500 Roman soldiers, with their lanterns and weapons, who came to arrest Jesus, drew back and fell to the ground. This unplanned response shows the authority of Jesus’ words and His control over the situation, even as He submits to arrest. It was a moment when the light shone in the darkness. The soldiers thought that they came to arrest an ordinary man when they are confronted with God’s presence. The act of falling to the ground can be seen as a physical manifestation of reverence or fear in the presence of divine authority. In the Bible, falling to the ground is often associated with worship or recognition of God’s presence. This involuntary act by the arresting party shows the power of Jesus’ identity and the fulfillment of His mission, when “every knee will bow at the name of Jesus” (Phil 2:10). Lessons: Judas’ betrayal, though evil, is used by God to accomplish His redemptive plan. We find comfort in knowing that God can use even the darkest moments for His glory. Jesus’ calm and authoritative response in the face of arrest is an example for us to remain steadfast and courageous when facing trials and opposition. Never forget the power and the authority found in the name of Jesus! Worship the Lord!