So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he."
Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go." This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: "Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one."
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?" So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him.
The last prayer is finished and the last supper is digesting in the stomachs of the disciples. Judas has returned with armed soldiers and tension is in the air. Soldiers are falling down at the mere mention of the words "I Am". Swords are striking yet Jesus is healing. A storm is brewing and the glory of the Son of God is radiant in the midst of darkness. Thus begins the journey of Christ to the cross and the return of the Son of God to the glory of heaven.
The heart of Jesus is so evident in the way that he reacts to the assault of the soldiers. It is obvious that he could have eluded their grasp as he did many times before. Or he could have joined Peter and picked up a weapon. Yet Jesus knew that his time had come. This encounter did not surprise him. His whole life had prepared him for this moment. He was ready to drink the cup of death and would not fight it. His glory was blazing!
Help me Lord to know that you have prepared me for the time that I am living in.
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I find it is easy to take the place of Peter and think I know what God wants me to do and be totally wrong. We need to look to Him and not what makes sense to us.
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