Mark 14:43-52 NLTse And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders. (44) The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” (45) As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss. (46) Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. (47) But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear. (48) Jesus asked them, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? (49) Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.” (50) Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away. (51) One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him, (52) he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.
Jesus stood on the top of the mount looking down towards Jerusalem. Although His vision was still blurred by tears of anguish, He could still make out a line of lights snaking up the twisted trail to the garden. Jesus turned to take one last look at His disciples gathered close to Him. Looking back at the assembly of torches heading toward Him, Jesus wiped His eyes to clear His vision. A million thoughts went through His mind, most of them centered around what He wanted to teach His disciples in the minutes remaining. Jesus could not put His thoughts into words, but knew the Spirit was ready, willing, and able to take over in His absence. Jesus turned to His disciples with the only words he could think of saying. “Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!” And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. Jesus knew they had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders. The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.”
It didn’t take long for the disciples to recognize the disciple leading the group. In a moment they finally realized what Jesus meant by one of them will betray Him. It was a strange scene to behold as darkness gripped the night like a cloak. The disciples could see the guards approaching, lite by their own torches. Judas and the guards could only see a fee feet in front of them, as the night seemed to swallow up the light in front of them. First they saw Jesus as if He was standing alone. As they came closer, their lights finally reached the disciples. The guards hesitated for a moment, thinking they saw a great crowd behind the disciples. They stood looking into the darkness waiting for their eyes to adjust. As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss.
The kiss did not surprise Jesus, and neither did his hesitation. Judas stood in front of Jesus thinking over his next move. Judas wanted to give Jesus time to react. Judas moved his lamp in front of Jesus’ face. Judas was sure Jesus would show the guards who He was, but wait … maybe Jesus was waiting until they took Him before the high priests. Judas moved his lamp back and forth in front of Jesus’ face looking at lines of anguish he never noticed before. Judas leaned over and kissed Jesus. Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
As soon as the guards stepped forward, Peter pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear. Darkness shielded Peter’s attack taking the young man by surprise. “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” (Matthew 26:52-54 NLTse).
After the guard calmed down Jesus asked them, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.” Judas became engulfed in fear as he realized Jesus had the opportunity to reveal Himself to the priests in the temple court if He wished. Suddenly Judas realized it was wrong to prod Jesus into action. Judas stood helpless as he watched the guards chain Jesus. Judas knew something was wrong. Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away.
One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him, he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.
The young man represented the dawn of era. No longer would the world seek salvation from any other source but Jesus. In a few days Jesus would offer His robe of righteousness and garment of salvation. As Jesus was led away into the night, one Psalm came to mind:
From the depths of despair, O LORD, I call for your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer. LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn. O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows. He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin. (Psalms 130:1-8 NLTse)
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