Love in a Darkness Descent

Oh, how quickly darkness and trials descend on our Lord and His friends in today's reading (Luke 22:47-65). In just a few hours Jesus is betrayed by a close friend, arrested, deserted by most of the group, denied (not once, not twice, but three times) by His closest friend, mocked, beaten, and repeatedly insulted. As He told the persecutors: "this hour and the power of darkness are yours."

How does Love respond to this attack? The friends were ready to defend and used that sword Jesus had suggested in verse 36. But He says, "Stop! No more of this." Love is going through with God's will do matter what the cost.

And wouldn't that have been enough?  But no, Jesus has to pause and do it one more time. The victim of the sword, the head persecutor's slave, has just lost his right ear. Compassion still reigns and our gracious Lord "touched his ear and healed him."

You have to adore that kind of love.

Lord, help us to know the real You and fall hopefully in love.