BRAZEN TREACHERY
Just as He was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away under guard.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed Him. The men seized Him and arrested Him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
‘Am I leading a rebellion,’ said Jesus,’ that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not attest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.’ Then everyone deserted Him and fled. (Mark 14: 43-50)
How low could Judas sink to do this treacherous deed?
The moment had come. Jesus was prepared. He had fought His battle in the garden and won. His spirit was at rest, submitted to the Father and willing to face His ordeal through the power of the Holy Spirit. It was time for the action to begin.
How terrible that it had to be one of His own who would sell Him out to the enemy. Notice how Judas did it. First of all he walked up to Jesus and called Him ‘Rabbi’. What did that mean? To every disciples, his rabbi was everything – his leader, his teacher, his mentor, his example, and his model – everything to shape him into a replica of his master. Jesus had bent all His energies to train these twelve men to be like Him, not only in their actions and behaviour but also in their very heart and attitude.
How could Judas so brazenly address Jesus as ‘Rabbi’ when his very word betrayed his hypocrisy? He had become just like the ones he now served. With a sneer and a mocking smile, he walked straight up to Jesus and kissed Him. His very action must have cut Jesus to the heart.
It was a signal for the unruly mob to grab Jesus and tie Him up like a common criminal; Jesus’ hands, which had brought healing, comfort and life to many were now bound and he was dragged off to face the hatred of the most religious of all Israel’s people! Jesus protested. Why? He did not resist arrest. He questioned their outrageous behaviour when He was at their mercy at any time. He was a public figure, teaching and preaching to the crowds, not skulking in dark corners to dodge the authorities.
They could have taken Him at any time, but they waited until He was alone with His friends and out of the public eye. He knew that the religious leaders were too cowardly to order His arrest in the daylight. It was a deed of darkness. It had to be done under cover of darkness so that, by the time the city awoke, the trial would be over and He would be condemned to die. The people would have no say, and they could do nothing about it.
What a shock it must have been for His disciples! They had chosen not to take notice of His repeated warnings. Suddenly, everything He had told them began to happen. Judas, the missing disciple that none of them even bothered to ask about, appeared out of the darkness leading a mob of ruffians. Jesus was grabbed and bound, dragged away unprotesting while they gaped in horror.
They did not wait for the inevitable. No way were they going to be arrested with Him. Without a backward look, they fled into the darkness of the olive grove while the taunts and shouts of the arresting mob grew fainter. Perhaps they stopped in the depth of the garden, breathless and trembling, wondering what it was all about and where their Master was being taken.
When they realised that they were not being targeted, they quietly retraced their steps, listening for the noisy crowd and following them into the city. Where were they taking Him? They could only guess. To the headquarters of the Sanhedrin, no doubt, or perhaps to the house of the high priest.
Their minds were in a whirl. So it was Judas after all whom Jesus had unmasked at the Passover meal. The traitor! None of them betrayed Him, but they were no better. Where were they when He needed them the most? Trembling in the darkness, leaving Him to face the mob alone.
Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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