37. Jesus Defends His Own

Jesus Defends His Own

Jesus answered, I told you that I am he; if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way. John 18.8.

Jesus made this request at the time of His capture. He had nothing to ask for Himself, but He did have a word for His followers.

The request, “Let these go,” reveals what love and concern Jesus has for His own. If every Christian knew the Lord’s concern for the welfare of every one of His followers, he would be constantly rejoicing. When Jesus said, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28. 20), He meant that very thing. Of course, if we go by our feelings rather than by the promise, such words will not mean much, for our feelings are constantly fluctuating. A child of God must learn sooner or later to stand squarely on the Word of God, and on the Word alone. Jesus Himself says, “Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you” (John 15. 9). Calvary proved this statement, for it was there that “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15. 3). That act alone should convince any one that Christ loves him.

“Let these go” is a request made on behalf of the few who were willing to let Jesus be their Saviour. When Jesus made this request, He included but eleven in the word “these.” As much as the priests and the Pharisees may have hated these defenseless disciples, they did not lay a finger on them at this time. These few men were to be commissioned to get the gospel started on its course around the world. “The very hairs of their heads” (Luke 12. 7) were all numbered. “The gates of hell” (Matthew 16. 18) should not prevail against them. Jesus by His request prevented the enemy from destroying them. Since that time, the followers of Jesus have grown in numbers. Jesus has often stayed the opposing powers who would destroy them. Great attempts have been made to stop the Christians, but in spite of all, they have moved triumphantly onward.

“Let these go” is a request that Jesus makes to the Father on behalf of all repentant sinners. He is our High Priest who pleads our case before the Father. “For Christ entered . . . into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us” (Hebrews 9. 24). Such a verse should give courage to every Christian. Truly, he is well represented in heaven. “Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7. 25). Christ is our Advocate before the Father and is always pleading on our behalf. He never turns against us, but always makes intercession for us. Therefore, “if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2. 1). In other words He is saying to God the Father, “Let these go,” for He is at the right hand of God “making intercession for us” (Romans 8.34).

“Let these go” is a request that even death must honor. Three times during His earthly ministry Jesus commanded death to deliver up his victims, and in each case death immediately obeyed. The day is coming when “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4. 16). “The dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15. 52). “Then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory” (v. 54).

Jesus always defends His own. When Mary sat at His feet and was rebuked by her sister, Martha, it was Jesus that came to her defense, and said, “Mary hath chosen the good part” (Luke 10. 42). When the sinful woman sat at His feet and was rebuked by Simon the Pharisee, it was Jesus also who spoke for her, and said, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven” (Luke 7. 47). Blessed then are they who are numbered as His disciples, for they will find their protection in Him. He will often speak His “Let these go their way,” and there will be no power, however strong, that can refuse His request.