“I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” – John 18:8
Jesus’ words in John 18:8 stands before us as a beacon of hope amid the encircling gloom of our trials. In that moment of divine confrontation, when the accusers and persecutors pressed in like ravening wolves, our Savior – steadfast as the ancient Rock – declared, “Let these men go!” What wonderful comfort we receive from those blessed words, for in them we behold a love and protection that surpasses all mortal care!
Consider, dear Christian, the scene in the garden of Gethsemane: while the instruments of death crept close, our Lord’s heart was not stirred by the fear of betrayal or the impending pangs of His cross. Rather, His tender compassion for His flock shone forth! With the authority of the Good Shepherd, He intervened on behalf of His disciples, saying, “You may take Me, but not my men!” Such was His resolve that even in the midst of human treachery, His divine love protected every precious soul entrusted to Him.
In this same spirit, we are reminded by the old gospel hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus!” – a refrain that echoes through the corridors of our hearts. In our darkest hours, when we feel surrounded by the snarling wolves of temptation, doubt, or despair, we are invited to lean upon the unchanging ever-compassionate heart of our Savior. He is not a distant shadow of religious theology, but a living, breathing Shepherd who steps forth in our moment of greatest need!
So then, let us meditate upon the profound mystery of our salvation; that the One who bore the weight of our sin also bore the heavy burden of our protection. His loving intercession reminds us that nothing is too dangerous, nothing too overwhelming, that we might not experience His tender care. His cry, “Let these men go!” is not merely an escape from earthly peril – it is a thunderous call to trust in His providence, and a declaration that our lives, too, are under the watchful eye of a God who loves us beyond measure.
May this truth embolden our faith and strengthen our resolve! As we navigate the valleys of shadow, let us remember that our Shepherd’s protection is unassailable, and His love for us, like a warm mantle, shields us from all harm. In His sovereign hands, we find both our refuge and our eternal hope. Amen.
Former Blackout Artist 