The Death and Resurrection of the KingSample

Everything happened according to God's plan

“But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” (Matthew 26:56)

Matthew shows us how chaotic Jesus' arrest was. The dark and quiet olive garden where He was, was suddenly filled by “a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.” They seemed ready to overpower a serious criminal! Judas led the way, pointing out Jesus as the one to be arrested. When the soldiers wanted to seize Him, one of Jesus' disciples began striking around with a sword. Imagine what a confusion that must have caused in that dark garden full of people. But Jesus corrected him. He did not want to be defended by violence. All this, He said, had to happen this way to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.

That’s a striking comment. Everyone seemed to have their own agenda, but in the end it was God's eternal plan of salvation that was carried out here. Centuries before, prophets had foretold that the Messiah would be treated like a criminal. And so it “had to” happen this way (Matthew 26:54). Just like Jesus had to die during the feast of Passover because He was the ultimate Passover Lamb.

Can you name other events in Jesus' life that had already been foretold by prophets? What does that tell you about the reliability of God's Word?