Matthew 26:53 - The Power Jesus Chose Not to Use

Matthew 26:53

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

As we look into the scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, everything feels tense and fragile. Jesus has just finished praying. Judas has arrived with his crowd. Peter has just drawn his sword and reacts in fear,  slicing off the ear of the servant of the high priest. It all looks like the moment has finally spun out of control.

But then Jesus speaks—and what He says changes how we understand the entire scene.

In the Gospel of Matthew 26:53, Jesus reminds His disciples that He could ask the Father and immediately receive “more than twelve legions of angels.”

That’s a lot of backup! 

A Roman legion was about 6,000 soldiers, so the math says that is over 72,000 angels! In other words, Jesus is saying, “If I want rescue, heaven could end this instantly.”

This was not the voice of a defeated man. It was the voice of someone fully aware of His authority.

Jesus could say this because of who He is. He is the Son of God, with all authority given to Him by the Father (Matthew 28:18). Angels were created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16), and they worship Him (Hebrews 1:6). Throughout His life, angels had ministered to Jesus—after His temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11) and even during His agony in the garden (Luke 22:43). Heaven was never distant from Him.

And yet, when the moment came, He did not call them.

Why not? Jesus answers that too: “But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26:54). The arrest, the trial, and the cross were not accidents. They were the fulfillment of God’s long-promised plan (Isaiah 53). Jesus was not having His life taken from Him; He was laying it down willingly (John 10:17–18).

This is where the verse becomes deeply personal for us. Jesus shows us that true strength is not always displayed by having suffering stopped, but sometimes by faithfully walking through it. He had the power to escape—but love kept Him obedient. He trusted the Father’s will even when it led to pain.

Romans 5:8:  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There is something profoundly encouraging here. The cross was not the result of weakness, chaos, or loss of control. It was the result of intentional, sacrificial love. Jesus chose nails instead of angels so that forgiveness, hope, and salvation could be offered to the world.

So when we face moments where obedience is costly, this verse reminds us that God is still at work. Jesus understands what it means to trust the Father when the easy way out is available. And because He did not call the angels, we can now call on Him with confidence.

That is not just theology. 

That is love in action.

Matthew 16:26 - The Most Expensive Thing You Will Ever Buy

Matthew 16:26

"What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Let me ask you an uncomfortable question:  What if you finally got everything you ever wanted… and it still wasn’t worth it?

Jesus put it this way:  “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

— Matthew 16:26a

That’s not just a religious line. That’s a financial warning, a life warning, and a soul warning all rolled into one. Most of us don’t think of life as a trade—but it kind of is. 

We trade time for money. Peace for productivity. Relationships for results. Quiet moments with God for “just one more thing” on the to-do list. And we tell ourselves, “It’s just a busy season.” And—some seasons last about 30 years.

Jesus isn’t against ambition. The Bible never says, “Blessed are the unmotivated.” But it does warn us about chasing the wrong things.

Jesus once told a story about a rich man who built bigger barns to store all his stuff. God’s response? “Tonight your life will be demanded from you” (Luke 12:20).

In other words:  Great storage plan—terrible eternity plan.

When Jesus talks about losing your soul, He’s not talking about one dramatic moment. It’s usually quieter than that. It’s when faith becomes just something in the background. When prayer becomes optional. When success matters more than character. When we know what the Bible teaches—but don’t actually live it.

You can attend church, read Scripture, and still slowly drift from God—kind of like being married but never talking to your spouse. Technically connected—but emotionally distant.

Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). Not second. Not when convenient. First!

Because He knows something we often forget:  You can have a full schedule—and an empty soul.

The Bible offers a different way to measure life. Not just by what you gain—but by who you become.

The apostle Paul said, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).

That’s not anti-success—that’s clarity. Real success isn’t just climbing higher—it’s staying anchored deeper.

So here’s the honest question Jesus leaves us with:

If you get everything you’re chasing, but lose your closeness with God, your integrity, your peace, and your purpose… was it really worth it?

Jesus isn’t trying to ruin your dreams. He’s trying to save your soul from being traded for things that won’t last. 

And really the best kind of success is this:  Not gaining the world—but gaining Christ.