Matthew 26:45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
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.”
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.
John 18:12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
Big Idea: Jesus choose to die for you.
- He had the divine power to avoid it
- He had the human power to avoid it
- He had the legal right to avoid it
Judas was paid by the pharisees to lead them to Jesus when he was alone and away from the crowds. Jesus, despite knowing this, went to the garden of Gethsemane, a place where they frequently camped out to await his betrayer.
Why did Jesus do this? So that one man could die for the people. He died for Judas and those just like him. He died to give everyone the opportunity to be redeemed.
Application: Our petty plans and politics are what gets in the way of seeing the big picture. In my own case, annoyance, often affects how I treat others. Christ even served his greatest betrayer and I’m annoyed at dealing with the internet company.
Today I get to look past the small and petty to see what Jesus saw. To see the joy that is leading a soul to the light. We get to be stewards of the grace of God with each interaction. This week, we get to be light and love to everyone we meet, from the cable guy to that annoying relative, what a privilege!
