THE ARREST

MUSINGS - December 06, 2018

THE ARREST

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Mark 14:42-52
Get up! Let's go! The one who is betraying me is near." Just then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles, arrived. A crowd carrying swords and clubs was with him. They were from the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people. Now, the traitor had given them a signal. He said, "The one I kiss is the man you want. Arrest him, and guard him closely as you take him away." Then Judas quickly stepped up to Jesus and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. Some men took hold of Jesus and arrested him. One of those standing there pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of the chief priest's servant. Jesus asked them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as if I were a criminal? I used to teach in the temple courtyard every day. But you didn't arrest me then. But what the Scriptures say must come true." Then all the disciples abandoned him and ran away. A certain young man was following Jesus. He had nothing on but a linen sheet. They tried to arrest him, but he left the linen sheet behind and ran away naked.

An armed mob came to arrest the Lamb of God. He was a public figure, always in the Temple or the synagogues, never hiding but confronting those so called religious and civil leaders. And yet they set upon him at night when he was at prayer. How they must have feared him to come in great numbers and armed with weapons if war.

They may not have believed that he was the long awaited Messiah, but they had witnessed his miraculous power and feared it. I'm reminded of the old hymn lyrics, "He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set him free." He could have slain them with a word. But he didn't come to murder but to save ... even those who came against him. In his dying breath he prayed, "Father, forgive them. They know not what they do."

How great a love he had and has for all of us.

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