When Betrayal Meets Extravagant Love

Sunday, March 14th, 2010 | Lent Meditations

As we continue our sermon series on The Road To Revolution, we are looking at the events of Jesus’ final week. Today’s passage is difficult, and even dark. But as you meditate on these verses, be careful not to miss the beauty that is also there—Jesus’ sovereign knowledge of what Judas was about to do, His compassionate healing of one of the men who came to arrest Him, His confidence in His Father, and His determination to carry out what was foretold in Scripture. Even in this situation, He shows Himself to be Lord and King.

Take a few moments of quietness to wait on God. What does He want to show you this morning?

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. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 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. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” At that time 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. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Edit: The sermon mentioned above is available online at our sermon blog

Tags: Lent 2010