‘IT MUST HAPPEN THIS WAY’
Opening Prayer
Lord, on this day I seek you with my whole being. May I hear you speaking to me as I come before you.
Read MATTHEW 26:47-56
Jesus Arrested
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”[a]
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Footnotes
- Matthew 26:50 Or “Why have you come, friend?”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Commit your way to the Lord (Psalm 37:5): always a good first step in anything.It must have been scary. At least one disciple had a sword. An armed crowd was approaching in the dark. The familiar figure of Judas emerged and identified Jesus as the one to arrest. Did it surprise Judas that Jesus called him ‘friend’ (v 50)?
Why didn’t Jesus resist arrest? He could have walked through the crowd unharmed, as he had before in Nazareth (Luke 4:28–30). He could have tried physical force (v 52) or avoided the garden that night. He could have called on thousands of angels to rescue him (v 53). That would have worked.
It is part of Matthew’s good news that God’s eternal plan for the world was now happening. Twice already in this chapter he has pointed out that the events were taking place ‘as it is written’ (vs 24,31). Jesus says the same here. He was going the way the Scriptures had set out for him (vs 54,56). If he were to be rescued, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled (v 54)? Jesus believed his Old Testament Scriptures, and so may we. He deliberately chose to follow them and give himself up for others. We may ask ourselves: if the Son of God submitted himself to obeying the Scriptures, how much more should we?
Apply
What is your overriding aim in life? Make Christ’s ambition your own: ‘I have come to do your will, my God’ (Hebrews 10:7).
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I would want to stand firm with you, but I fear I may be more like the disciples who fled. By your Spirit, empower me to stand strong and true for you.
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