THE RIGHT TO CALL

Matthew 26:53-54 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”


Jesus did not fulfill the expectations of a powerful Messiah. His miracles, notwithstanding, he seemed little more than an itinerant preacher from a lower class family.

He certainly did not seem powerful in front of his judges. The reason, of course, is that he came not to judge but to save, and he came to save through service and sacrifice. Jesus’ lack of power was not due to mistakes –

if only he had selected better followers with brains and courage; if only he had not rankled the establishment so much; if he had cashed in on his miracles at the opportune time, he could have been a contender!

No, Jesus knew exactly what he was doing all the time, which was to fulfill his destiny to be our Savior.

When Peter struck out with his sword back in Gethsemane, Jesus rebuked him and the disciples with the above response.

This is the man before whom legions of demons cringed begging for mercy from him (cf. Mark 5:1-13).

This is the man who ordered a raging storm to stop and it immediately obeyed (cf. Mark 4:35-41).

No, Jesus lacked neither power nor the wisdom to use his power. He hid his power to fulfill his mission.