Walking in Strength: A Lesson from Jesus’ Final Hour

By Gabi Bemis

“While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus replied, ‘Do what you came for, friend.’ Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested him.”—Matthew 26:47–50 (NIV)

A dear friend of mine recently experienced the traumatic loss of her husband. As I’ve journeyed with her, I’ve often asked myself, “How does she walk through this with so much strength and peace?” She often tells me it’s the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, which enables her to overcome her feelings and walk in a strength that’s not her own.

In Jesus’ final hour, we see Him display a supernatural ability to overcome His emotions and display God’s character and heart. Amid deep agony, betrayal, and anticipation for what was to come, we see Him exhibit courage, strength, and love.

Courage

Jesus sees a large crowd of armed men coming toward Him in the darkness of night, a sight that would send any human into immediate fight or flight. But rather than running away in fear or aggressively charging at the crowd to fight back, Jesus approaches His enemies with peace. Jesus showed incredible courage when He confronted His arresters.

Strength

Take a moment to imagine how Jesus might have felt as Judas approached Him to greet (and betray) Him with a kiss. Natural human emotions in a moment like this might be immense anger, sadness, and disbelief. After all, how could a best friend do such a thing? And yet Jesus shows great resolve when He greets Judas and lets him proceed with his treacherous deed. Jesus could have lashed out, called upon angels, struck them all with lighting—ANYTHING—yet, He remains, again displaying a strength of character unlike any other.

Love

Even as Judas walks forth to betray Him, Jesus still calls him “friend.” Jesus loved and had compassion for Judas and the crowd that had come to arrest Him. Throughout this entire scene and the events that followed, Jesus was revealing to the world God’s love. Jesus was showing them, as He reveals to us, what the Father is like: “The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness . . .” (Exodus 34:6 NIV).

Jesus exhibited tremendous qualities in times of ease as well as during the most difficult moment of His time on earth. If we’re called to live as Jesus lived, how can we possibly come close to displaying the bravery, grit, and mercy He does here? The answer is in the words He prays in the garden: “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39 NIV). Jesus surrendered all He was to the Father’s will, walking in perfect obedience that would become our righteousness.

My friend allowed the Holy Spirit to minister to her, surrendering her heart, mind, and soul to His work. This allowed her to rise above her grief and despair with love and strength for others. We can also rise above our feelings in life’s most difficult circumstances to face each moment with supernatural Spirit-generated strength.

As we surrender to His work in us, as we say, “Not my will, but Yours,” we, like Jesus, will find the ability to face our greatest challenges with the love and peace that surpasses all understanding. As we walk in the Spirit, may His fruit be evident in our lives (Galatians 5:22–24).

Pause: Do you let your emotions control you and your feelings rule over you?

Practice: Think of a time when you were gripped by an emotion so great that it overwhelmed you (i.e. anger, fear, despair, etc.). Write down three ways you can overcome those feelings with God’s truth.

Pray: Heavenly Father, You are perfect in all Your ways, and You’ve given me Your Spirit to help me walk according to Your will. When my emotions flood my heart, help me surrender them to You, and in my surrender, may Your glory be put on display. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.