Jesus Arrested
43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled. 51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
Reflection:
Just as he had predicted, one of the disciples, Judas, had planned for his betrayal. One detail I hadn't noticed before was that it was not the chief priests and teachers of the Law who came to arrest him, but those they had sent. Meaning they sent their "lackeys" to do the dirty work. They wanted to keep their hands clean. And apparently they felt that Jesus would offer resistance, so they came armed with swords and clubs. Jesus reminds them that violence was never his motive. In the sermon on the mount, he even preached to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
And then the main character is Judas, who betrayed his friend and Lord. And the drama in the story comes when he betrays Jesus with a kiss, the sign of fellowship or friendship. Judas, the one who followed Jesus for three years and ate the last supper with him, fulfilled a prophecy that one of his own would betray him. And the others are not far behind, as it says everyone deserted him and fled. Notice they didn't subtly leave, but they fled in self preservation. In an almost humorous twist in the story, a young man who was following Jesus, runs away naked in fear.
So even though we focus on Judas as the villain in the plot, none of them defend Jesus in this scene. Later his closest follower will deny him three times. So again like yesterday we see Jesus is totally alone with no one to encourage him or help him bear the weight of the cross. Jesus was forsaken by God and man, yet carried out God's plan of redemption for all of us.
I wonder how I have betrayed Jesus with something less than a kiss. To me the kiss represents a double-minded life, where we say we are Jesus' friend and follower and then betray him with the kiss. The kiss of something that has become more important for us than our allegiance to Him. For Judas it was money, what is it for you?. What beckons you to betray Jesus, despite what he has done for you? As we seek to lead lives worthy of our calling it is good to meditate often on the price Jesus paid for us. As we realize the height and depth of His love for us, it changes us. It helps us one day at a time to live out our allegiance to him as Lord and Savior. As you start out a new week today, take a moment to contemplate just how far Jesus went for you to be made right with God. Maybe that might help us when we are tempted to betray Jesus with a kiss or something less.
Jesus, thank you for taking the road of rejection, betrayal and sorrow in obedience to Your Father and in Your love for us. Today we seek to follow you in all our ways and words in response to your great love for us. Amen.
Reflection:
Just as he had predicted, one of the disciples, Judas, had planned for his betrayal. One detail I hadn't noticed before was that it was not the chief priests and teachers of the Law who came to arrest him, but those they had sent. Meaning they sent their "lackeys" to do the dirty work. They wanted to keep their hands clean. And apparently they felt that Jesus would offer resistance, so they came armed with swords and clubs. Jesus reminds them that violence was never his motive. In the sermon on the mount, he even preached to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
And then the main character is Judas, who betrayed his friend and Lord. And the drama in the story comes when he betrays Jesus with a kiss, the sign of fellowship or friendship. Judas, the one who followed Jesus for three years and ate the last supper with him, fulfilled a prophecy that one of his own would betray him. And the others are not far behind, as it says everyone deserted him and fled. Notice they didn't subtly leave, but they fled in self preservation. In an almost humorous twist in the story, a young man who was following Jesus, runs away naked in fear.
So even though we focus on Judas as the villain in the plot, none of them defend Jesus in this scene. Later his closest follower will deny him three times. So again like yesterday we see Jesus is totally alone with no one to encourage him or help him bear the weight of the cross. Jesus was forsaken by God and man, yet carried out God's plan of redemption for all of us.
I wonder how I have betrayed Jesus with something less than a kiss. To me the kiss represents a double-minded life, where we say we are Jesus' friend and follower and then betray him with the kiss. The kiss of something that has become more important for us than our allegiance to Him. For Judas it was money, what is it for you?. What beckons you to betray Jesus, despite what he has done for you? As we seek to lead lives worthy of our calling it is good to meditate often on the price Jesus paid for us. As we realize the height and depth of His love for us, it changes us. It helps us one day at a time to live out our allegiance to him as Lord and Savior. As you start out a new week today, take a moment to contemplate just how far Jesus went for you to be made right with God. Maybe that might help us when we are tempted to betray Jesus with a kiss or something less.
Jesus, thank you for taking the road of rejection, betrayal and sorrow in obedience to Your Father and in Your love for us. Today we seek to follow you in all our ways and words in response to your great love for us. Amen.
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