Betrayed with a Kiss. Mark 14:43-49.
And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.”And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? “Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.”
Dear Children of God,
Some have wondered why the religious leaders needed the help of Judas at all, seeing that Jesus was a public figure. Jesus was a Galilean and not as well known in Judea and Jerusalem in particular. Arresting the wrong person would have blown the plan, so Judas came in handy.
Sign (v. 43-46). Judas himself had chosen the sign by which he would betray Jesus. Kissing on the cheeks was a sign of affection and is still practiced in the Middle East. That Judas could be so methodical and unfeeling is a sober reminder that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17:9).
Sword (v. 47). At least one disciple had brought a sword. John tells us in his account that it was Simon Peter (John 18:10). Peter tried to honor his promise to die with Jesus but he probably thought Jesus would use his miraculous powers to fight the intruders. But that was not Jesus’ plan. Peter had failed to understand what Jesus’ mission entailed and was using the wrong weaponry. We need to always remember that spiritual battles cannot be fought with physical weapons.
Surrender (v. 48-49). Jesus challenged the group that had come to arrest him, questioning their coming to him armed, as though he were a criminal, and their failure to arrest him in public when they had had numerous opportunities. But this was all part of the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament. Jesus’ conclusion was to “let the scriptures be fulfilled,” a statement of submission to the will of God as stated in his word. Jesus did not allow the things happening around him to distract him from the will of God and neither, should we? Ultimately, the will of God prevails. Happy is the person who yields to that will.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.