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Matthew 26:47-56
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. |
This passage demonstrates Jesus' commitment to His earlier prayer, in verse 42, that His Father's will be done. He shows self-control, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, throughout His arrest. When Judas comes and betrays Him with a kiss, a gesture of close friendship, Jesus does not blame him or retaliate in what must have been a hurtful moment. Jesus accepts what must happen and responds to Judas' greeting by calling him "Friend".
When one of His followers strikes the servant of the High Priest, Jesus rebukes him for it and explains that He could have legions of angels at His disposal if He needed. I wonder if any part of Him was tempted to call on them? Yet He submits to what must happen.
Jesus is not silent - He points out to the crowd sent to arrest Him, that the night time mob is unnecessary. After all, He has been openly teaching right there in the temple courts - but He does not resist the arrest, knowing these events have been foretold by the prophets and are part of God's salvation plan.
There are areas in my life which I try to surrender to God, but this requires self-control in my thoughts, words and actions. Jesus is the perfect example of submission to God's will and God's plan. May I follow His lead.
Fiona R