But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

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While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

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Can you feel the heart of Jesus break when he is kissed by his friend? Can you sense the anger of men with swords? Hell is about to break out and emotions are raw. And in the midst of a riotous crowd Jesus heals an ear that has been cut off. Yet even this miracle does not deter the blood thirst of men who should know better. Darkness has descended. A grave injustice is being done. What men would not do in the light of day is being done under the cover of night.

I sometimes marvel at how God allows evil in the world. When I ponder the darkness that sometimes surrounds me I remember that once the power of darkness ruled in the garden where Jesus prayed "not my will, but yours, be done." The idea that God allows bad things to happen, even to his Son, is a conundrum that has baffled theologians forever. Perhaps events such as these are meant to reveal the true nature of man apart from the influence of the Holy Spirit?

Help me to learn from these events that happened so very long ago Lord.

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