Ironic, Don't You Think?

John's gospel records the intimate details of Jesus' arrest in the garden called Gethsemane (see John 18:1-11). In the third verse we read, "Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying tourches, lanterns, and weapons."

Can you picture the parade of torch and lantern carrying soldiers making their way at night down from Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley, and up the Mount of Olives. I was fortunate to visit Israel a few years ago. One of the things I most remember is how close these places are to one another (see picture above). Jesus could have easily watched the string of lights make their way toward Him.

And please don't think this detachment of soldiers was in any way like the Keystone Cops or Barney Fife. These were serious soldiers sent on a serious mission. And there were a lot of them! A detachment of Roman solders could number anywhere from 200 to 1,000 men. They were well trained and they were armed.

Think of the irony of this entire scene: The armed soldiers were on their way to arrest the Prince of Peace. To do so, they were using laterns and torches to apprehend the Light of the World. Ironic, don't you think?

There is irony in a larger sense, as well. Jesus, who knew no sin, was made sin for us (sinners). Jesus died to overcome death. Satan lost by killing the Son of God. And we live only by dying to ourselves and living for Him. Ironic, don't you think?

Irony probably isn't the best word for the truth of the gospel. Let's try another: grace.

From Grace, George