And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. (John 18:2) Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. (John 18:3; Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43; Luke 22:47)
Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him [*and lead Him away safely].” Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” (Matthew 26:48-50; *Mark 14:44-45; Luke 22:47) But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48) As we studied in a previous lesson, Jesus knew that Judas would be tray him. He even told him when to go; Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” ... Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night. (John 13:27-30; see THE GOSPEL: Plan Put in Motion; Choose the Better Plan)
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you. (Proverbs 25:21-22) Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve disciples; he had heard The Word, just like the other eleven and multitudes; he had witnesses all the miracles; he had been given bread to eat and water to drink by Christ. Yet, he knew from the beginning that he did not believe and he was therefore used by Satan to betray Christ. When Jesus asks him, “Friend, why have you come? ...are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” It's not because Jesus didn't know what he was doing, but He was heaping coals of fire on his enemy head. We should always treat others the way we want them to treat us, even our enemies. When they realize that we knew how they really felt about us, but we treated them like a Friend anyway, the guilt will convict them. Then the Lord will reward us, and He will deal with them!
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none. [John 17:12]” (John 18:4-9) Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. (Matthew 26:50; Mark 14:46)
What an interesting reaction by the troops, they drew back and fell to the ground. Remember when John the Baptist disciples came to Jesus to make sure He was the Christ, He gave them confirmation, then He spoke to the multitude, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? ... A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.(Luke 7:24-30)
The chief priests and Pharisees didn't receive the baptism of John, but these troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees were probably in that multitude that was baptized by John, or at the least was there when He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John. They didn't realize Who they were coming to arrest. They were just doing their job, following orders. But look at Jesus, always in control and not stepping down from God's will being done; Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” ... Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. He told them Who He was again; Then they arrested Him! “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10:17-18)
When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” (Luke 22:49) Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. (John 18:10; Matthew 26:51; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:50) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” (John 18:11) But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus? [John 10:17-18]” (Matthew 26:52-54) But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. (Luke 22:51)
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness. [Genesis 3:14-15]” (Luke 22:52-53; Matthew 26:55; Mark 14:48-49) But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. [Lamentations 4:20]” (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:49) So much prophecy being fulfilled so accurately. Only God! Remember Jesus told the disciples in the upper room, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:" Well, He was even right about that! Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50) “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion,” Says the Lord of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered;... (Zechariah 13:7) Believe the Word of God!
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