The Day All of Jesus' Friends Deserted Him! Matthew 26:47-56

Jesus Arrested

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 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? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” 55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

No sooner did Jesus come out of prayer ready to complete his mission did Judas come with a mob sent by the chief priests and elders.  Interestingly Judas had prearranged to give the mob a signal as to where Jesus was.  This would lead us to believe that they didn't know who Jesus was.  It is bad enough that one of Jesus' own disciples handed him over to this mob, but the way he did it is equally disturbing. 

Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. The kiss of friendship and reverence to his rabbi set in motion Jesus' arrest, trial, and eventual crucifixion. The fact that so many armed men showed up leads one to believe that they thought Jesus might be armed and/or dangerous.  Judas' deal with them was predicated on the fact that they arrest Jesus in a more private place, so mobs which were sympathetic to Jesus could not be riled up. 

Rather than resist arrest Jesus willingly gave himself into their hands even calling them "friend".  It is at this point that we know Peter (we know it is better from John's account of the story in John 18:10) tried to use force to prevent Jesus' capture.  Jesus rebukes Peter telling him to put his sword back.  He uses a phrase that is used even today, "Those who live by the sword die by the sword".  Jesus is saying violence begets more violence.  

If Jesus wanted to, he could have used a heavenly force of angels to prevent his arresat.  To give you an idea of the power of twelve legions, 

 “A legion is judged to be six thousand foot and seven hundred horse. And this great army of angels is by prayer despatched from heaven in an instant.” (Trapp) The number is impressive, especially considering that one angel killed up to 185,000 soldiers in one night (2 Kings 19:35).

And why didn't Jesus call on divine intervention?  Because this was God's plan and God's will, which had been foretold in the Old Testament scriptures.  Here is just one of those scriptures from Psalm 41:9,

"Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me."

Jesus questions the mob as to why they needed such a show of force to arrest him.  Once again Jesus points to the Old Testament and the prophecies that foresaw this all happening.  Psalm 22:1 is just one of those texts,

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me,so far from my cries of anguish .My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,by night, but I find no rest."

Finally, Matthew tells us that it was not only Peter who denied Jesus, or Judas who betrayed him, but ALL the disciples deserted Jesus and fled.  They all had said they would not forsake him and now they all caved and did. 

What can we learn from the way Jesus handled this crisis?  What gave him such courage and resolve? Where did he get his strength from?  When and where are you tempted to desert Jesus?  When does fear cause you to shrink back from following God's will?  How can Jesus' handling of his arrest help you when you are in the time of trialJ? 

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