47 While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd appeared, and the one called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him.
48 Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Human One with a kiss?”
49 When those around him recognized what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we fight with our swords?” 50 One of them struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear.
51 Jesus responded, “Stop! No more of this!” He touched the slave’s ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come to get him, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, as though I were a thief? 53 Day after day I was with you in the temple, but you didn’t arrest me. But this is your time, when darkness rules.”
Reflection
Jesus knew this was coming, but we almost still get a sense of disappointment from Him that people, His friends, would really do this to Him. And for what? Money? Power? Yet even in this final point of no return, Jesus remains defenseless and even bothers to heal those there to wrongfully incarcerate Him. He goes without a fight, but not without speaking truth into the situation. he names what’s happening:
“Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, as though I were a thief? Day after day I was with you in the temple, but you didn’t arrest me. But this is your time, when darkness rules.”
Basically He’s saying: What are you doing? We’ve spent so much time together, sat next to one another in the Lord’s house, everyone was always all smiles. Yet all the sudden you need to corner me with weapons as if I’m some sort of threat? Fine, do what you want now, lead in darkness, but the sun will rise again.
These people, Judas, are being led by darkness instead of the light – and see what it brings.
by Rachel Callender
For Pondering & Prayer
What darkness has been consuming your life. Offer that to God this Holy Week and invite light, even just a speck, to be your guide.
Prayer: Lord of Resurrection, lead us into light. Shine so bright that the darkness can no longer be found. Bring Easter into our lives. Amen.
Our Lenten Series
For our Lent series this year, we’ll be using the Adam Hamilton book Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws. At his website, you can find a 40-day reading plan to help you read through the Gospel of Luke during Lent. And join us for worship, in-person or online, at 9:00 & 10:30 every Sunday.
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