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Jan 16, 2024 18:30pm

The Greatest Redemption Story Ever

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Matlock. It’s one of my favorite shows. Ol’ Ben may be grey headed, but you can’t get much by him. They think they’ve got it all figured out. They’ve got their stories straight, the evidence destroyed and there’s nothing tying them to the murder.

Or so they think.

He starts investigating, sending Tyler under cover and Michelle to ask questions of family members and key characters connected to the case.

The day of the trial arrives and Ben calls one of the main characters to the stand. He goes through a series of events, not forgetting any details, as he tells the story of what he believes has occurred. Through many objections and him arguing its relevance, he continues to lay it all out before the jury and the judge.

And then, that big smile spreads across Ben’s face. He points out one thing. One tiny thing, but it has the greatest of implications.

That detail reveals the true nature behind their actions. And it proves their guilt.

Luke 22:52-53

“Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Judas has betrayed Jesus. He’s brought the religious leaders with him to arrest Jesus. The disciples stand with Jesus, Peter grabs a sword, slices off the ear of the assistant to the High Priest, but Jesus tells them to put away their swords and heals the man’s ear. That’s not how they will fight this battle.

And then, in just one sentence, we see the truth. They wouldn’t arrest Him or try anything like this during the day in the temple. They had waited until night, under the cover of darkness, while everyone was asleep, to arrest Him. That detail revealed the true nature behind their actions.

Satan.

The adversary. The devil. The one who seeks to steal, kill and destroy. The enemy. The one who thinks the cover of darkness will hide him. The one who convinced these men of the same.

They thought they were pulling one over on Jesus. They truly thought coming at this hour would be a surprise. They thought they had everything figured out and that they had won.

Jesus had told the disciples before during situations that it wasn’t yet the hour for Him to die. But here, He knew. The time had come. And it was all planned by God.

Contrary to what the religious leaders thought, there was no surprise.

They thought they were destroying Jesus, but they were simply a piece of the greatest redemption story ever known.

Jesus would give His life to save us.

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where it feels like the enemy is winning. In our own strength, we know we can’t withstand. But, just as God revealed through His Son Jesus, there is a purpose and plan. With God, we have something the world doesn’t – hope. It’s not the wishful thinking kind of hope, but more like a promise. The hope of a future in heaven with God.

The enemy may have power in this world, but remember, God has overcome this world. All because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Have you put your trust in Him? I pray you’ll do that today.