Flight 1549 was in trouble. After taking off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport on January 15, 2009, the jetliner struck a flock of geese. Some of the birds were sucked into its twin engines, causing them complete failure.
Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger didn’t allow the chaos of the moment to overwhelm him. He didn’t lose control. The veteran pilot chose the safest course—a water landing in the Hudson River. Due to his cool head, the lives of all 150 passengers and five crewmembers were saved.
In Luke 22, as Jesus faced betrayal and an unjust arrest that would lead to His crucifixion, He remained calm and in control. He said to Peter—who had just used his sword to slash off the ear of the high priest’s slave—and the others, “No more of this” (Luke 22:51; John 18:10). Then, showing His divine power, Jesus reached out and touched the man’s gaping wound and “healed him” (Luke 22:51).
The Master chose to use a gentle touch and calming words to still the chaos of the moment (v.51). As He confronted the leading priests, captains of the temple guard, and elders who had come to bind Him and take Him away, He coolly stated, “But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns” (v.53).
Jesus knew the horrors that awaited Him as He laid down His power in order to allow the “power of darkness” to reign for a time. Earlier, He had told His disciples, “No one can take My life from Me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again” (John 10:18).
Out of love for you and me, Jesus willingly was led away in chains. But make no mistake—He was still in control.
More:
Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).
Next:
What do you learn about Jesus in how He chose to use His power? How do you see His love and compassion even in this bitter scene of betrayal?
jstith on May 16, 2010 at 12:24 am
Amen. Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
He is allways in control.
msumalabe on May 16, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Thank you tom, and thank you Jstith. This message is exactly what I need to be reminded of today.
R R Kelkar on May 16, 2010 at 1:06 am
Humankind often holds itself responsible for climate change, past, present and future. God’s role in this natural process gets completely overlooked. But the Bible tells us that every raindrop, every snowflake and every lightning bolt does God’s bidding. He has power over wind and waves, over cloudbursts and hail. One has only to read the questions that God put to Job. That is enough to remind us that even today we are no more knowledgeable than Job in these matters. God is very much in control whether we accept the fact or ignore it. There are many laws that we have unravelled in nature, but God has the override switch.
msumalabe on May 16, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Amen!
F.O.C.U.S. on May 16, 2010 at 4:06 am
I absolutely love todays devotional.
We are never more out of control when we decide to take control – apart from God.
Chileshe – been there, done that! But you did the best thing – you realised your sin, repented and looked to God to help you be a better husband. You couldn’t have done better.
Soldier4Christ on May 16, 2010 at 6:47 am
Don’t feel bad Chileshe, we have all been there. Just because we are Christians doesn’t mean that we are perfect but rather we are forgiven. We do have to go to the person(s) that we wronged and ask for forgiveness as well as to God but we can pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and carry on. This devotional reminds me that I need to always trust God as the pilot of my life.
narod on May 18, 2010 at 5:44 am
I experienced a similar situation the following day on I-95 headed home from work, I traveled to Danbury everyday from Meriden in Connecticut. As always we have on the highways road rage, someone cut me off, gave a sudden hit to his/her brakes and mind you an 18 wheeler behind me. GOD didnot let me see that 18 wheeler until he drove himself into an embankment to prevent from hitting my suv in the back. It could have ended my days here on earth. GOD’S ALMIGHTY hand was and still is over me. I stopped, was shaken up at that moment I let the 18 wheeler get out of the embankment I wanted to know that he was ok. Looking up into the heavens and thanking him for HIS almighty Hand saved me and the 18 wheeler driver may THE LORD BLESS him where ever he maybe.
tom felten on May 17, 2010 at 9:36 am
Ted, the realization that Jesus willingly laid down His life so we might be set free of the power of sin is amazing. What love. What sacrifice. What an example for us to follow.