2019-12-20

Being taken to take away something

"Then [they] took Jesus." (John 18:12)

It is hard to fathom these words. His created beings “took Jesus” and bound Him (John 18:12). Pilate “took Jesus” and scourged Him (19:1); the chief priests “took Jesus” to be crucified (19:16).

Then, in tender tones, we read that Joseph of Arimathaea “took the body of Jesus” from the cross (19:38), then, with Nicodemus, they “took the body of Jesus” to prepare it for burial (19:40).

It may seem that Jesus appears passive in this whole process. But this was all done “that the scripture might be fulfilled” (John 19:24, 28, 36).

Make no mistake, Jesus was in total control. His purpose? That He, Himself, might “take” something: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)

He took my sins and my sorrows, 

He made them His very own;

He bore the burden to Calv’ry, and suffered, and died alone.

 

B.C.

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