Devotion: Soldiers
Soldiers
Please take a moment and read the scripture from this weekend: John 18:1-5
On Sunday morning I was listening to Pastor Michelle teach about the Roman soldiers who arrested Jesus, and I became stuck on one of her teaching points. She explained when we hear the phrase “cohort of soldiers” it meant there were 500-600 soldiers. 500-600 soldiers, in addition to the police, came to arrest one man who was gathering in a garden.
Earlier this month, I had the joy of taking my youngest daughter to Italy. We landed in Rome, and after checking into our hotel, we set out to explore our neighborhood. We meandered through the bustling streets, eating our gelato and taking pictures of our first night out. Our hotel overlooked a busy piazza, and that night we fell asleep to street musicians entertaining the crowd. When we woke at 4am and couldn’t go back to sleep because of the time change, we decided to get ready for the day and set out as the sun came up. It was a Sunday morning, so it seemed timely to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. We had the streets all to ourselves at this early hour, except for the Roman police who were on every block, dressed in full gear complete with guns.ย
When Pastor Michelle taught us about the cohort of soldiers that met Jesus, I remembered how I felt on those cobblestone streets of Rome. Walking to St. Peterโs, I wondered what would cause so many police to gather on empty streets. Now I wondered about Judas. How did he feel as he was leading that cohort of soldiers to Jesus? He had to have known what the outcome was going to be. No one brings an army to arrest one man.ย
But, instead of focusing on the human flaws of Judas, maybe I need to turn my attention to the grace of Jesus. In the midst of an army of soldiers, Jesus steps up and says, “Who are you looking for?” and then responds, “I am he.” What courage and humility our Savior possessed. He knew what was going to happen, and he boldly said “I am he.” Jesus did what I can’t understand. He willingly laid down his life so that we could live.ย
As we walked into St. Peter’s Basilica, the first piece of art we saw was Michelangelo’s Pieta. My daughter had studied this work in her Art History class in school and she stood in front of it for a solid 15 minutes, in awe, trying to comprehend what was before her. That is the feeling that I want to have as I remember all that Jesus has done for me. I want to stand in complete awe and wonder of the gift He has given to me and all believers.ย
Merciful Father,As we walk to the cross this Lenten season, help us to focus on the power and courage of our Savior, Jesus. To all those who are going through a hard time, grant them courage, strength and the knowledge that their Savior walked before them and knows all their thoughts and feelings. Thank you for sending your Son. Thank you for giving us life.In the mighty, saving and precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Written by Julie Anderson
Julie Anderson is a member of Sheridanโs Devotion Writing Team. She works as Sheridanโs Childrenโs Music Coordinator where she is passionate about teaching children to use their musical gifts to praise God.
๏ปฟJulie is married to Scott and counts her greatest honor as being mom to Adrienne, Eliot and Elise.