“Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. ‘Who are you looking for?’ he asked.” — John 18:4 (NLT)
>> Sign up here for Sports Spectrum devotionals sent right to your email inbox <<
Charlie Brown said, “The loneliest place in the world is the pitcher’s mound.” After talking with pitchers, they agree. It’s that place where pitchers feel the pressure, the weight of the team on their shoulders, and the loneliness that comes with it.
I would argue that “place” for Jesus was the Garden of Gethsemane. It was here that He asked His disciples to pray, and they kept falling asleep while He asked the Father for another way, but knew His death was the only way for our salvation. It was here that Judas, a disciple, would betray Jesus.
But look what Jesus did: “Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them” (John 18:4, NLT). Jesus didn’t shrink down or wait for the enemy to take over — He stepped forward. Why? Because in that very place, He had already surrendered His life to His Father when He said, “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39b). The enemy couldn’t take what Jesus had already surrendered to the Father.
When we feel the loneliness or pressures of life, we need to surrender and step forward.
The best part of this story? After Jesus resurrected from the dead and was with His followers over a 40-day period, He had the disciples meet Him so He could give them one last message: the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). He then ascended into Heaven right before their eyes. Do you know where He had them meet Him? The Garden of Gethsemane!
Be encouraged: What the enemy tries to take, God will restore when we surrender and step forward.
— Sarah Roberts, University of Oklahoma softball chaplain
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him <<
>> Purchase “The Increase 52 Week Devotional” to further grow your relationship with Christ <<
>> Dive more into God’s Word with Sports Spectrum through the YouVersion Bible App <<
If you would like to submit a devotional, please email all submissions to
devotionals@sportsspectrum.com
