Jesus did not seek to rebel against Rome or the Jewish religious leaders through armed force.

Jesus did openly teach God”™s words and ways in the temple courts of Jerusalem. His teachings refuted man”™s traditions and misconceptions of God and His word.

(NASB) Isaiah 53:1 “WHO HAS believed our message?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

Shackled, Jesus spoke to the crowd of armed servants of the high priest and Sanhedrin in the darkness of the Garden of Gethsemane:

(NASB) Matthew 26:55-56 “At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “˜Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me.”

56 “˜But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.”™”

This moment in time, including the hours to follow, would be filled with excruciating pain physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically. And it would be socially humiliating. Jesus met it all with supernatural calm and peace; He was in control of His responses to all of it because He had prayed! Jesus knew He was in His Father”™s will. (See Matthew 26:36-44)

How can you and I meet the unknown and the suddenly”™s?

(NIV) Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus had prayed and come to complete yieldedness to His Father”™s will for Him prior to His arrest. You and I also can be given that same peace.

Are your prayers filled with faith in the living God of the Bible?

What is your prayer as you face the suddenly”™s or the unexpected?