And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead [Him] away safely.” 45 As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 46 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? 49 “I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then they all forsook Him and fled. 51 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around [his] naked [body]. And the young men laid hold of him, 52 and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

– Mark 14:43-52 (NKJV)

The world is breaking into chaos around Jesus and the disciples as the mob comes up the hill and toward Jesus. While he was still chiding the disciples for sleeping and not praying, he noted the crowd that had come to arrest him. He didn’t even finish his sentence and they were there. The formerly sleepy disciples who had risen out of slumber were now wide awake as the adrenalin pumped through their veins. Jesus was prepared, but they were totally unprepared and the scene descends into chaos.

Judas kisses Jesus and betrays him. Over zealous Peter attempts to chop off the head of a man, misses and cuts off an ear. A young man who had been there takes off running and someone grabs ahold of his clothes and this guy keeps on running naked, in essence streaking across the garden. It is all chaos… but the one place where it isn’t chaos is in Jesus measured response. He is ready for this moment. He meets his captors head on and speaks gracefully of their opportunity.

When it seems like my world is out of control, it is comforting to know that Jesus is still in control. When I’m blindsided by something I should have seen coming a mile away. Jesus is still in control. When I’m all fear and no thoughtfulness. Jesus is still in control.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We take comfort in your sovereignty and grace in the midst of our chaos. We are grateful that even in your humanity, you were obedient in the most chaotic moments. We thank you for your grace when we are blindsided and struck dumb by our own ignorance. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.