My Walk Through the Book of Matthew by Annette Godtland

Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:47-56)

47And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." 49Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.

50But Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?"

Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

52But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?"

55In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. 56But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled."

Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

Jesus knew that He must suffer on the cross for everyone’s sins. In a moment when He was feeling very sorrowful and distressed He asked His friends to stay with Him, but they fell asleep. One of his closest friends, one of the twelve, lead the multitude against Him. The multitude who had listened to Him teach in the temple has now turned against Him with swords and clubs. When Jesus was taken, all His disciples abandoned Him. Imagine the aloneness that Jesus must have felt. It seems like there would be the feeling that the whole world had turned against Him. How did Jesus react?

Notice how He protected everyone involved. He let His disciples sleep till the time was at hand. He still called Judas friend. He wouldn’t let His disciples fight for Him as that could only lead to their death. And He instructed each of them to think about what they were doing.

This whole series of events seems so out of character for all involved. It makes us angry that this had happened. How could all these people who behaved one way before now be behaving so differently. It almost seems like a play carried out by people who weren’t aware of what they were doing. Was what was happening really the will of the participants? I’m beginning to think not. All that happened was because it must happen. For each one that did something that seemed so out of character for what you would have expected from them, Jesus asked them to question their motives: “Could you not watch with me one hour?”, “Are you still sleeping and resting?”, “Friend, why have you come?”, “Have you come out as against a robber?”

Jesus knew the answer to all of these questions. They did not do these things because they had something against Jesus, but because they would be made to stumble, and because these things must happen to fulfill scripture. So what is the purpose of Jesus asking these questions? The only reason I can think of is to prompt each of them to reflect on what they did and to ask for forgiveness. Jesus is not forsaking any of them. He still loves all of them and wants to help them.

If you ever worry that you did something unforgivable, something so bad that you think there is no way Jesus could still love you, remember this night for Jesus. Jesus didn’t give up on any of these people. Think about what you did and why you did it. Ask Jesus for forgiveness. He was trying to help those who had turned against Him. He wants to help you.

And if you ever feel that the whole world has turned against you, remember you are never completely alone. Just like for Jesus, if God feels you need it, He will send a whole army of angels to protect you. But sometimes things have to be carried out the way God planned. But even in those times, remember, you are not alone.