THE KISS OF JUDAS

 

EASTER STORY CONTINUED The W4TD will be different this week as we review the final details of Christ’s death and resurrection. This is the most important holiday for Christians so please take time to ponder on what happened, and why. THE KISS OF JUDAS LUKE 22:47-53  While Jesus was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve disciples, 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?” JESUS HEALS A MAN'S EAR LUKE 22:49-51 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. JESUS WENT WITH THE MOB LUKE 22:52-53 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.” Was Jesus a Victim? Some people may think that Jesus was a victim in what happened Thursday and Friday, but his arrest in the garden showed that Christ had just as much power as he ever had. SOLDIERS OVERWHELMED - First, all the soldiers fell to the ground when Jesus stepped forward and identified himself. JOHN 18:4-6 Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He,” and when He said that, they backed away and fell to the ground. HEALING POWER - And then, Jesus healed a man's ear when it was cut off! ABANDONED - The disciples couldn't understand what they should do: so in fear and confusion, the disciples fled and hid themselves. IN CONTROL - The mob had come with the idea of capturing the whole group, but Jesus made sure they didn't take anyone but himself. Then, after Jesus had sorted everyone to his satisfaction, he surrendered to the soldiers. BY HIS OWN CHOICE - Does that sound like a man who was a victim? Absolutely not. What Jesus did in the next 18 hours he did by his own choice, and in obedience to what God the Father was asking him to do. As Jesus had prayed in the Garden, "My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." Jesus submitted himself to the will of the Father, and submitted to the torture of the coming hours. He took the bitter cup that was handed to him. OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER - In Hebrew 5:8-9 we are told, "Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him." TRIAL AT THE SANHEDRIN The trial in front of the religious leaders was a sham. They desperately tried to find fault with him but could not come up with any proof. JESUS PROVIDES THE PROOF Finally Jesus himself gave them what they needed. When the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus answered, "You are correct. And furthermore, you will see me seated at the right hand of God." THE TRUTH - In a great show of horror at his blasphemy, the religious leaders condemned Jesus and put him in custody until they could send him to Pontius Pilate in the morning. And so Jesus was killed for the "crime" of telling them the truth of who he really was.