The Lamb Who Overcame: Trusting in Christ’s Victory at Gethsemane
“Even in the shadows of Gethsemane, obedience triumphed.”
Luke 22 draws us into the final hours before Jesus' crucifixion, revealing both the darkest intentions of man and the most radiant obedience of Christ. The religious leaders are thrilled to have found a traitor in Judas, allowing them to arrest Jesus quietly. Yet Jesus is no victim. He arranges the Passover, controls the details, and transforms the old covenant meal into a new covenant celebration—His body and blood given for us.
Throughout the chapter, Jesus isn’t surprised or shaken. He knows His betrayer, foresees Peter’s denials, and prepares His disciples for the suffering ahead. He embodies servant leadership, telling His disciples that greatness in His kingdom comes through service, not status. Even as they fail to grasp the weight of the moment—arguing over who is greatest, or misunderstanding His call to be prepared—Jesus lovingly continues to guide them.
In the garden, we see His full humanity and divinity. He grieves deeply, sweating drops like blood, yet surrenders fully to the Father’s will. His disciples sleep from sorrow. Judas betrays Him with a kiss. Peter strikes with a sword. But Jesus remains calm, composed, and healing, even as He is seized. In the courtyard, Peter does exactly what Jesus predicted: he denies Him three times. And yet Jesus’ gaze finds him, not with condemnation, but with a love that will later restore him.
Finally, the chapter closes with Jesus mocked and dragged before the council. Though abused and questioned, He declares that He is the Son of Man who will be seated at the right hand of the power of God. He knows who He is. And He knows what this is all leading to—the cross, yes—but beyond it, resurrection, glory, and the salvation of those who will believe.
Personalized Journal Entry – In the Holy Spirit’s Voice Through Scripture
I was with Him in the upper room, guiding every moment as He lifted the bread and gave thanks, saying it is His body given for you. As He lifted the cup and declared it the new covenant in His blood, I whispered into the hearts of those gathered that this moment would be remembered forever. They could not yet understand that the old covenant was fading and the new had come in Him—He who would bear your sins in His body on the tree.
I saw Satan ask to sift Peter like wheat, and I interceded when Jesus prayed that his faith would not fail. Though he would fall, he would rise again and strengthen his brothers. I guarded the disciples in their confusion, in their arguments about greatness, and I opened their eyes later to see that the One among them as the servant was in fact the King.
In the garden, I comforted Him in agony as He accepted the cup of wrath. His prayers reached the Father with groans too deep for words, and I ministered to Him there, for the path of obedience is not free from anguish. Yet it is filled with glory.
When Judas arrived with a kiss, I revealed the deceit beneath his gesture. And even then, mercy flowed as Jesus healed the servant’s ear. When Peter denied the Lord, I stirred his heart with the gaze of Jesus, and I prepared him for restoration on the shore of Galilee.
Through each mockery and beating, I sustained Him. As He declared that the Son of Man would be seated at the right hand of God, I affirmed it in power. Nothing was slipping out of control. Everything was being fulfilled.
I moved through betrayal, fear, sorrow, and misunderstanding to bring about the one thing needful—redemption. The door to the kingdom has been opened not by force, but by a Lamb laid down. Now, you walk in the freedom that was purchased there. Walk as one who has been made new. For the One who gave Himself for you now lives in you.
Verses woven into this section: Luke 22:19-20, 22:31-32, 22:27, 22:42-43, 22:48-51, 22:61-62, 22:69; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 8:26; Galatians 2:20
Prayer in My Voice
Father, I don’t look at this passage with dread or guilt anymore—I see it with awe and gratitude. The Lamb has taken the wrath, and I have been passed over. What love You’ve lavished on me in this perfect plan of redemption. You allowed betrayal and agony to give birth to eternal peace. Jesus was not a victim—He was victorious, even in Gethsemane.
I rest tonight, not trying to hold myself together, but resting in the arms of the One who never broke under the weight. You have brought me into this covenant not by my effort, but by Your grace. I trust You now to live this life through me—not with sword or striving, but with yielded confidence. You are my preparation, my provision, my peace.
Amen.
Devotional credit: Insights summarized and adapted from the Grace and Truth Study Bible, Luke 22 commentary.
Image credit: Photo suggestion from Unsplash