Notes to the Lord:Arrested

Matthew 26

47While 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.

I wonder if Judas thought for a brief few moments that he was actually leading this group. Did he have the idea that he has some kind of power over what would happen other than his small part?

48Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." 49Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.

Lord Jesus--The most important choices of Judas' life really boiled down to a kiss. Would he betray the one who had taught him and who had lead him for three years.

50Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.51With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

Lord Jesus--Luke tells us that the last miracle before your death was the healing of this servant of the high priest. I wonder if his ears were ringing as the trial proceeded...did he touch his newly attached ear every few moments just to check it was still there? Did he go home and change his clothes to get the blood off of them?

Even at the point of arrest you reached out to stop the bleeding of others. Violence was not going to bring about the changes that needed to take place in hearts and lives.

52"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

Lord Jesus--Was Gabriel looking over the edges of heavens gates to see if you would call for him? I wonder if he was rounding up the angelic troops as Judas was bending near to kiss you.

Lord Jesus--You followed the will of the Father right up to the cross. You did not call the legions of angels who were straining and holding themselves in check...you followed the will of the Father. I wonder how many angels were astonished at what the Father would allow to happen to his only begotten Son.

55At that time 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. 56But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled."

The prophetic in the middle of political infighting and jockeying for power...that is what is jarring and makes me continue to look for the prophetic being lived out in front of me. These people who were seek your death were educated and knew scripture. Yet they could not see the suffering servant right in front of their eyes. They wanted to look out for and lead God's people but missed the power of God at work among them.

Lord Jesus--Don't let that happen to me...don't let that happen in LSCC. Lead and guide your people, let the prophetic be seen and engaged with in a way that changes peoples hearts and minds.
Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Lord Jesus--The disciples knew that this was coming on some level and yet they could not keep their feet from walking away from you. Yet somewhere in the mix was John, Mary and your mother...in the distance, watching, praying, wanting it to turn out somehow differently than in their hearts they knew it would.

Lord Jesus--In this day help me to follow after you without hesitation in the middle of normal life, open my eyes to the prophetic.