47 While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” 49 Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.
Gripping treachery eclipses the scene. The antagonist is described as “one of the twelve” and, most ironic, “Friend” of Jesus! His mouth dripped with disingenuous respect, “Hail, Rabbi” and a thin veil of affection, “[he] kissed Him.” Not in all of literature can one find such pathetic betrayal of friendship. One who had so much, giving away a relationship so great!
Judas’ plan was concise—subtly catch them off guard. But, not so with the Lord, who had just told them of the coming betrayal. The commotion was not small, a large crowd in tow, weapons ready and wielded. The religious leaders had incited them to accompany Judas. Knowing past efforts to apprehend Jesus had not been productive, they would not fail this time.
Jesus was cooperative; the time had finally come for His sacrifice. Isaiah many years early prophesied about this moment, “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus did not resist, and in fact encouraged His betrayer just as He had done before, “What you do, do quickly” (John 13:27).
After all that had been recorded concerning the tension between the religious leaders and Jesus, this final abduction was written by Luke with a brevity of words. The leaders, using their pawn for a cheap price, take control—like a grand master beginning the final sequence of moves calculated to bring the opposing player into checkmate. The finale is set in motion. It is time for them to regain control of the conflict, their religion and their nation. Things had gone too far and had to stop. Fear had given way to madness and they drove themselves to an elaborately concocted scheme that was about to unfold, which would lead ultimately to Jesus’ death. To change metaphors, all the cards are now on the table, the final hand has been dealt, with the deck stacked against Jesus. Little did they know that God was about to use their sinister plans to bring about the greatest possible outcome. I can imagine God someday saying to Judas, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good (see Gen 50:20).
Lord, thank You for being my Lamb who was slaughtered for my transgressions.
0 Comments