“Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?”
-Matthew 26:53
Rereading the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection, I have been hung up on this verse. Twelve legions of angels. Twelve legions. When Jesus says this in the Bible, He was being captured by the High Priest to be put to death. The disciples are of course reacting out of emotion and despair; their immediate response was to fight for the sake of Christ… but Jesus in all of His grace and beauty stops them and not only stops them but heals the man who is capturing Him. God could have saved the world in any way He wanted too.
He could have sent another flood to wipe out humanity and create something different.
He could have sent His son as a furious warrior of wrath, slaying all those who betrayed God.
He could have sent a king the Jewish people thought Jesus would be.
He could have saved Jesus from the pain and sacrifice.
He could have sent down AT ONCE 12 legions of angels to rescue Jesus and the disciples.
:: INSTEAD ::
God sent a sacrifice that would atone for humanity’s sin. He showed loved by performing miracles through Jesus. He showed grace by healing the High Priest’s ear. He showed kindness through Jesus’s interaction with children. He showed holy anger when Jesus threw the tables in the temple. He showed that He wanted the creation He made to have the opportunity to go to Heaven to worship and glorify Him. He could have sent down 12 legions of angels to defend Jesus, but He didn’t. He was thinking of us. A way to save us from separation from Him, and the way of saving us was having His Son die in our place and then resurrecting. I’m just blown away by the grace demonstrated in that one verse.
When reading this, it gave me so much hope for Cambodia. Cambodia was such a war torn country, and to this day still has side effects from being in war. Many people fear death, fear war, and fear spirits that are rampant here. But God, in His vast love was thinking of them when Jesus descended to earth. God literally fought for humanity to be saved by defeating the fear of death through Jesus. God fought for Cambodia, a country with people who feel lost and forgotten. It gives hope and excitement to know that the people God has led my team too has already been fought for and their fighter reigns in victory. We just get the privilege to share the beautiful news of the Creator who loves them in ways our minds cannot comprehend. He could have sent 12 legions of angels and won the victory, but instead He won by paying the sacrifice of His son dying. He showed His love, grace and mercy for all of humanity. Jews and the Gentiles.
live fearlessly,
Kristie Allison
*PS: I’ve been in Cambodia for 3.5 months! It’s been hard. Its been the best. I love God, and I love Cambodia. No doubt, I’m where He wants me.
