How many times do we have a conversation in our heads with words we wished we would have said AFTER we leave a situation in which a person or persons who were saying and doing things to us that were not good or appropriate at the time?  We are so much the wiser after the attack, right?  But when we are surprised and blindsided by an attack, we lose all sense of wisdom and sputter out statements and questions of disbelief that it is even happening to us.  “What are you doing?”  “What are you talking about?”  “I didn’t do that!” “When did I do anything to you?”  “Why are saying that?” “Why are you doing this to me”? “Can I explain?”  “Can we talk about this?”

Jesus knew what was going to happen.  Nothing was as surprise.  Jesus knew how it was going to happen.  He had just prayed to His Father to change the mission only if it was His Father’s will.  Jesus knew the suffering He would face.  Jesus also knew that He could call on thousands of angels to come down from heaven and rescue him while destroying His false accusers.  He could have—but He did not.  Why?  Because of His great love for us.  That’s why!

Matthew 26, The Message

With Swords and Clubs

^47-49 The words were barely out of his mouth when Judas (the one from the Twelve) showed up, and with him a gang from the high priests and religious leaders brandishing swords and clubs. The betrayer had worked out a sign with them: “The one I kiss, that’s the one—seize him.” He went straight to Jesus, greeted him, “How are you, Rabbi?” and kissed him.

^50-51 Jesus said, “Friend, why this charade?”

Then they came on him—grabbed him and roughed him up. One of those with Jesus pulled his sword and, taking a swing at the Chief Priest’s servant, cut off his ear.

^52-54 Jesus said, “Put your sword back where it belongs. All who use swords are destroyed by swords. Don’t you realize that I am able right now to call to my Father, and twelve companies—more, if I want them—of fighting angels would be here, battle-ready? But if I did that, how would the Scriptures come true that say this is the way it has to be?”

^55-56 Then Jesus addressed the mob: “What is this—coming out after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I have been sitting in the Temple teaching, and you never so much as lifted a hand against me. You’ve done it this way to confirm and fulfill the prophetic writings.”

Then all the disciples cut and ran.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

There were no after thoughts of what Jesus wish He would have said when the soldiers came to arrest him with roughness.  He said to Judas exactly what should have been said to let Judas know, He knew.  Jesus completely and courageously fulfilled every detail of what God to the prophets, centuries earlier, said would happen.  Jesus, Son of God, had the power and authority to change the mission—but He did not.  When Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane that night before the soldiers came, He knew what must happen to save us from all our sins.  “Not my will, but yours, Father.”

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Jesus knew Judas would betrayed him with a kiss.  Jesus knew the rest of the disciples would cut and ran for safety.  He prayed they would.  Jesus stood ready to peacefully be arrested though falsely accused.  He knew he would be humiliated, spat upon, beaten beyond recognition, then nailed to a cross.  He who never sinned became our sin so our sins could be removed from us forever. 

The perfect Son of Man who felt every blow to His body took our place of punishment that we deserved while His Father looked the other way while our sins were on His shoulders.  Even as He suffered excruciating pain, He could have cried out for an end to all the pain.  He could have—But He did not. Love held Him there.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

Jesus knew He was the only One who could do this—and He did! 

And we are eternally grateful that He did!!

Lord,

Tears flow in grateful praise for what you did and what you still do for us/me and in us/me.  There are not enough words to tell you how much I love you.  You are everything to me.  You not only saved me, you make me whole by daily teaching me, speaking truth to my heart, whispering comfort when I am perplexed, giving wisdom for living in your ways.  You cleanse our hearts and remove all that offends you when we ask.  We find you quickly as we call out to You.  You renew our minds, refresh our souls, and restore the joy and peace of your salvation work that continues in and through.  There is no one like you!  Yes, I’m yours.  I trust you with my life.  I love you with all that is in me.

In Jesus Name, Amen