Today’s passage involves the betrayal of Jesus by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane. As we read this passage, let’s reflect on how we might be tempted to act like Judas and betray our loyalty to the Lord.
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large 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; arrest him.” At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. (Matthew 26:47-50).
When Judas called Jesus “Rabbi,” he used the same term that the scribes and Pharisees used when trying to discredit Jesus. The customary term used by Jesus’ disciples was “Lord,” not “Rabbi.”
Let’s ask ourselves today: How close are we to Jesus? Do we see him as Lord and ourselves as his servants, or do we see him merely as a teacher whose directions we can choose to follow or ignore?
Jesus and Violence
The scribes and Pharisees brought a posse armed with clubs and knives to arrest Jesus. Peter pulled a sword and struck the lead man, the slave of the high priest, aiming for his head but only hitting his ear.
What Jesus said next should make us think about how we approach problem-solving and justice in our age:
Suddenly one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:51-52).
In 2023, there were 53 active conflicts in the world—the largest number since World War II. The resulting deaths have reached into the hundreds of thousands, with many Sudanese facing starvation this year.
In my 50 years in ministry, I estimate that I have conducted over 1,500 funerals. Each death represents a loss to a family, and I have never conducted a funeral where there was not grief over the deceased loved one. Imagine multiplying that grief into the hundreds of thousands. These are the numbers of families touched by war deaths.
Truly, Jesus was right: if we live by the sword, we will die by the sword. There surely is a better way.
Fulfillment of Scripture
When Jesus began his ministry, he told John the Baptist to baptize him to fulfill scripture. From that moment on, Jesus fulfilled one scripture after another.
Even at this moment, Jesus could appeal to heaven for supernatural help, but he knew his role was to fulfill scripture:
“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 would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26:53-54).
If you’ve read your Bible today, have you asked the Lord, “How can I fulfill what I have read?” We would all do well to follow that practice each day with our Bible readings.
Why We Need a Savior
The behavior of the religious authorities, the Roman government, and Jesus’ disciples reveals why we need a savior. Injustice reaches its peak as humans put the Son of God on trial, yet God is revealed in grace as he forgives humanity through Jesus’ death and resurrection:
At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a rebel? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me.
But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled (Matthew 26:55-56).
Jesus is Lord
When we worship Jesus as Lord, we see him as the one who delivers us from sin and self. We see him as Lord, above all lesser pretenders to the throne.
As Lord, we are his servants. We depend on him for his grace and help, and we serve him with our whole hearts.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. You can find it on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 