Jesus questioned his captors and then made an unusual comment. Luke 22:53 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.[1]
Jesus knew that satan had been waiting for this time. The evil one was behind the plot to arrest Jesus and was busy directing and influencing the Chief Priest and other leaders. They thought this was their secret plan. But the real power behind them was satan. Jesus exposed their cowardly actions as they resorted to a covert arrest in the middle of the night.
Satan Will Win the Battle But Lose the War
It will look like satan wins the night that Jesus was arrested. It looked like darkness reigned that night. Amazingly, Jesus knew that and was willing to accept it. He did not resist arrest and undid the damage his disciples did to resist. The Jewish leadership had sent a large contingent to arrest Jesus, but it was not needed.
Satan meant this night for evil. He assumed he was in control and, by appearances, was. When Jesus died on the cross, it looked like satan had won. But we know God used this evil and turned it for good for our salvation. Three days later, God raised Jesus never to die again. On the cross, Jesus defeated sin, death, and the devil.
Satan is Still Trying to Reign
Satan is still working for evil in our lives. There may be times when it feels like satan is winning the battle. He tempts us to sin and then condemns us to discourage us and turn us away from Jesus. But Jesus paid the price for our sin and forgives us when we confess and repent.
Romans 8: 1So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.[2]
Don’t be deceived; even when it looks like darkness reigns, God can turn and redeem it for our good. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-real-battle
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Lk 22:53). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ro 8:1–3). Tyndale House Publishers.