Arrested For God’s Glory Matthew26:47-56
Today we’re looking at the arrest of Jesus. This happens sometime during the night of Holy Thursday and the early hours of Good Friday. And if the events recorded here were only the historical record of the arrest of Jesus, they would have deep and profound meaning for any and all believers. But as with so many accounts in scripture this historical record has spiritual implications for Christians.
Verse 47, “While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve arrived.”
For us living here in the United States, this lesson may not seem very important. But to many in a variety of countries, it does. We know what Judas is about to do. And we know he was one of Jesus’ apostles, his inner circle, his family. And it is Judas who revolts and tries to take Jesus from others and his destiny. In many parts of the world following Jesus is risky, a danger to your position, even your life. In some places there are a multitude who would try to remove Jesus from you. Religious leaders and entire governments try to remove Jesus. They try in a variety of ways including threats, persecutions, imprisonment, and even a person’s execution as an example to others who may be reaching out to Jesus. And many times it is a close friend, a brother or other family member who turns you in. Still, there are many people across the world who believe losing friends, losing family, losing position, are all worth what they gain from Jesus. As believers here we don’t have to give up much for our faith, but we should be praying for those who do, asking God to give them strength and protection.
Verse 47 continues, “With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.” Judas came with a crowd, and it probably contained Temple guards, Roman soldiers, people coming along to see what would happen, and those who were convinced Jesus was a threat. Against all this stood one lone man, Jesus, out in the open and weaponless.
God wants Christians to come together to worship; Psalm 133:1, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity,” Hebrews 10:25, “(Do not) give up meeting together…” Christianity is a community, a family, a kinship through Christ. But the power of Christianity is its power to make you as an individual, strong enough to stand alone against those who come against you. Moses stood against Egypt, Daniel stood against lions, Job stood against Satan, Detrich Bonhoeffer stood against Nazi extremism. Throughout history there have been those who stood with nothing but the power of Christ’s word against family, friend, culture, threat, and violence, firm as a boulder with God.
This crowd coming into Gethsemane also shows us proof of the power of God. One man of God can stand against the crowd of non-believers, but those that try to disprove God and the salvation of Christ never seem to attempt the feat alone. Religions try to prove Jesus is not the Messiah. Governments try to suppress his message. One believer may help to fan the flames of faith in another, yet so much harder for a group of non-believers to turn the heart of a faithful man away from God.
Verse 49 & 50, “Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings rabbi,” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
Let’s take a look at John 11, where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Shortly after this miracle, a meeting of the Sanhedrin, the church leaders, was called. Caiaphas, the high priest called for Jesus’ death; John 11:53, “So from that day on they plotted to take (Jesus’) life.”
There is no specified time in the Bible between the raising of Lazarus and the crucifixion of Jesus. Many believe it was two weeks, but all agree we don’t really know. Israel had large areas where Jesus traveled that had nothing in them. The story of the Good Samaritan tells us how dangerous some of these areas were. Jesus had a habit of walking off alone to pray. All this to show Jesus could have been quietly killed far away from crowds, His sudden and mysterious disappearance would have ended the faith before it even got started. What we can learn from this is God had a place and a time set. God had a plan and moved things into place according to that plan.
God’s plan, that can be the hardest thing for us to accept. Why not? Why not now? True patience is not a human virtue. Jesus lived, endured, was angered by his own followers, rejected by his countryman, all while patiently waiting for God to move all the pieces in place for the final act. A spiritual lesson from Jesus’ physical arrest is, trust God’s plan. When things don’t go the way we want, when things are constantly just out of reach, when disappointments or worry comes, have patience, and know God is working in ways you may never recognize. God’s plan has timing, and it takes time for all the pieces and players to be aligned.
Verse 50, Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.” Jesus is God, he could have raised his hand and they all would have died in an instant, but he didn’t. He allowed himself to be led. In Mark 15, Jesus is being questioned by Pilate; Mark 15:5, “But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.” Our spiritual message, show restraint while in God’s purpose. Jesus’ anger, his shouting and arguing, would have no effect on God’s plan. It’s the same for us; anger, violence, shouting, threatening, none of it will have any effect on what God will accomplish through us, though it may very well hinder our work for him. Keep your peace and trust in God.
Now I want to back up just a little to Matthew 26, verse 39, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” And Matthew 26 verse 42, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
Now, with these in mind, let’s look at our readings verse 54, “But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Moses went against Pharoah knowing he was part of God’s plan. Gideon, with just a small force of three hundred went against the whole Midianite army knowing he was part of God’s plan. Eric Bonhoeffer died preaching the word in Germany just weeks before the end of World War 2, knowing he was part of God’s plan. Jesus, about to suffer more than anyone before or since, did so knowing he was part of God’s plan. Whatever we face, whatever difficulties, whatever pain, when answering God’s call, focus on your being part of God’s plan. See God’s glory in whatever you face.
The events around Jesus’ arrest and death are important for us to see in order for us to comprehend the majesty of his resurrection. But these physical facts also impart important spiritual meanings for us.
We have the freedom to worship Christ freely and in the open, pray for those who don’t.
Like Jesus didn’t stop Judas, our job is not to harass or persecute those who don’t accept Christ, it is only to make sure they have the opportunity to hear of Christ.
We can see those who stand against God seldom are able to do so alone, yet the power of God allows us to stand alone against those who would try to prove our faith is wrong.
God has a plan. We may not know it. We may not understand it. But we will be bound by it. Be patient and trust God.
Show restraint. Anger, violence, upheaval will do nothing to advance God’s plan and our part in it. And whatever you go through as you answer God’s call, see his glory, and focus on him.
God bless,
Amen