Jesus Went As It Was Willed

What Did Jesus Do?

“…they led him to Annas, father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest.”
John 18.13

The wills of two men, Annas and Caiaphas, had such influence with the Sanhedrin that it might be said that they directed the actions of that body. Thus, one might conclude that anyone who was brought before the Sanhedrin was subject to the authority and will of those two men. While this may have been the case for others who were arrested, and who stood before the Sanhedrin during the time of Annas and Caiaphas, it was not so when they had Jesus of Nazareth seized and bound. Truly, Jesus went as it was willed, not by any man, but by the Father.

You see, while Caiaphas had lately come to the shrewd political conclusion that it would be “expedient” for one man to die rather than the whole nation perish (see John 11.50), the Father had ordained, before the foundations of the earth had been laid, that justice, grace, mercy, and love required that the Son should die rather than the whole world perish. This is not to say that it was the Father’s will that the whole world would be saved, but that whoever believed in the Son should have eternal life (see John 3.16). Jesus, ever the obedient Son, went as it was willed by the Father. And all who are saved owe eternal thanks and praise to the One who willed, and to the One who went as it was willed.

Of course, much that transpires still in this fallen world appears to be the direct result of the will of men and women, and even children. Yet, even though it is true that God has granted to human beings the privilege and responsibility of exercising moral choice, no one, regardless of how high or low their station in the world, imposes their will on others but that it is ultimately subject to the perfect and sovereign will of the Father. Jesus went as it was willed. But it was neither his own will (see Mark 14.36), nor that of man, that directed the Lord’s steps, but the Father’s will alone.

Everyone of us has the opportunity and the need each to make the choice, actually to make many choices, as to whose will we will submit to. Do we impudently act as if we possessed total freedom of will, and simply do as we see fit, such as the people of Israel did in the days of the Judges (see Judges 21.25)? Or do we, much as the Sanhedrin, submit to the will of those who are positioned by wealth, politics, or religion to exercise undue influence and power in the world? If we claim to be believers, then there is but one faithful course for us to follow, and that is the path which Jesus took all the way to the Cross, and beyond. Jesus went, not as he himself willed, nor as men willed, nor as the world willed, but as it was willed by the Father. If we would be Christ’s disciples this is the only way for us to travel through the days of our lives.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4