February 14 Protected Son

John 7:44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
 
I have asked several times, “Where do I put this verse? Should it be with the previous passage or the next?” Finally, I determined to have it stand alone. Hopefully, you will see how fascinating this moment was in Jesus’ ministry.  
   Think about the Jews. What was the authorities’ desire? From the very first time the Lord came to his city, the Pharisees, Sadducees and Priests “tried all the harder to kill him” (John 5:18b) We have seen, too, both Jesus and the crowd refer to the authorities’ deadly purpose. So why did no one touch him here?
   The Bible speaks very often of God’s sovereign authority. We see it boldly proclaimed in Psalms 46:8-9 Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. Our hearts rejoice when the gospel teaches of God’s authority over death in Matthew 28:6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. God displays his sovereign majesty from the creation in Genesis to the new creation in Revelation.
   And God displays his sovereign authority here, when “nothing” happens. No one seized Jesus because the Father had not yet permitted his Son to be touched, scourged and crucified. It is not yet the time for Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. Instead, it is the moment of God’s authority sustaining and protecting his Son until God’s will is done on earth. Yes, God’s will would ultimately move Jesus to the cross, but not yet.
   We can understand, then, in this verse that the sovereign Lord works to his will in his time. The Father protected the Son until the day he had ordained for the Son’s human death. Then we ultimately know that God’s will protected the Son from the grave to rise from the dead and return to heaven’s throne. Here is God’s will on display. No one seized Jesus because, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
   What season has he given to you? Are you under the sovereign Lord’s authority? Rise up and go with confidence into each day as you seek and trust God’s mighty shield around your eternal life.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord God Almighty that you are sovereign over my life, that I need not be afraid, but I walk boldly into each day. Amen.