Today’s Reading: Mark 14:43-65; Luke 22:47-53, 66-71; John 18:1-14,19-24; Isaiah 61

And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders. The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss. – Mark 14:43-45

BETRAYED

Judas approached Jesus and greeted him with a kiss. It was his last moment to touch Jesus — his last point of contact with his mentor and friend. He had been a follower of Jesus, a student of his teaching and a witness of the power of Jesus to heal. He had watched so many be delivered from their demons, and yet here he was submitting to his. Now he was the one handing Jesus over to be arrested.

Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.
“Jesus the Nazarene,”they replied.
“I am he,”Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) As Jesus said “I am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground! Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.”
“I told you that I am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.”
He did this to fulfill his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.” – John 18:4-10

DEFENDED & DESERTED

The disciples were not expecting all that was happening around them. Jesus was back from praying and they had once more been guilty of falling asleep. As they were shaking off the heaviness of sleep, the drama of Jesus’ betrayal played out before them. At a loss of how to respond, Peter grabbed the sword he had brought with him and took a swing (John 18:10). But this was not the way Jesus wanted his disciples to handle the situation. They longed to defend and protect him, but he intervened with the power of these four words — No more of this!

This passage reveals the heart of our Savior. He showed such patience and care for his disciples, while also taking the time to heal the soldier whose ear had been cut off. He was facing so much in that moment, yet his compassionate love for others was evident.

Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away. – Mark 14:50

Judas had arrived with a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards. They came with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons — ready for a struggle. Jesus intentionally took the time to instruct those who were about to arrest him to let his disciples go. In fear, his disciples ran out of the olive grove. With courage, Jesus stood in place and allowed the soldiers to tie him up.

ARRESTED & ASSAULTED

They took Jesus first to Annas and then to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest. This religious leader who should have been quick to recognize the coming of the Messiah had joined in the plot to kill Jesus. They brought many false witnesses in to tell lies about Jesus and they brought up the moment when Jesus had said, “I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days, I will build another, made without human hands.”

Even though they couldn’t get their stories straight, the people still cried out, “Guilty! He deserves to die!” Then the guards mocked him and beat him, they blindfolded him and hurled insults at him (Mark 14:53-65). The next day, Jesus stood in front of the elders, leading priests and teachers of religious law. They condemned him for saying that he was the Son of God.

ARRAIGNED

“Tell us, are you the Messiah?”
But he replied, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me. And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.”
They all shouted, “So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?”
And he replied, “You say that I am.”
“Why do we need other witnesses?” they said. “We ourselves heard him say it.” – Luke 22:67b-71

When Judas heard that Jesus had been condemned to die, he went back to the leading priests and tried to undo what he had done. It was too late. Filled with remorse, he threw the silver coins down, left the Temple and hung himself (Matthew 27:3-5).

When Judas chose sin, he chose slavery; when he chose to do things his way, he was tortured by his shame and regret. It was God’s plan for Jesus to die so that we could experience salvation, but it did not have to be through Judas. He willingly participated in Satan’s plan and was overwhelmed with the weight of his sin. Yet Jesus did not die because of Judas; He died for Judas. And He died for me; He died for you.

Where do I see myself in this story? Am I paying attention or has my focus drifted away from what Jesus has asked me to do? Am I swinging the sword of injustice when Jesus wants my response to match his own? When fear overwhelms me, do I run away and desert the One who willingly surrendered to those He knew were going to kill him? Have I betrayed the One who died for me?

Father God, as we prepare for our Good Friday services and Easter celebrations, we are reminded of how much we have to be thankful for. You are our Provider and Protector, our Savior and our Redeemer. Your willingness to give your Son for our salvation fills our hearts with gratitude. Show us in what ways we are continuing to surrender to our demons rather than living in the freedom for which Jesus died. Amen.

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
For He has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
And draped me in a robe of righteousness.
I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.
The Sovereign Lord will show His justice to the nations of the world.
Everyone will praise Him!
His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring,
With plants springing up everywhere. — Isaiah 61:10-11