Holy Week Devotion: The Arrest

Darkness surrounds them. Their bodies are tired. The sound of people stirring, not one or two, but twenty, thirty. Unknown voices whisper in the darkness. A friendly face. A kiss of friendship. A kiss of betrayal. Swords clash. Blood is spilled. Confusion reigns. The Master cries out, "No more of this!", and is taken away.

This is the scene of the arrest of Jesus, as it is told in the Gospels (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53). The authorities have come to take control of a situation. Firebrands must be dealt with. The Roman Empire will have none of this. Jesus draws large crowds wherever he goes. Large crowds are always a ticking time bomb... Jesus' words talk about God's kingdom, God reign, what does that mean for those in charge now?

The authorities come to take control. But the story of the arrest is the story of Jesus who, even in this confusion, remains in control. It is Jesus who stops the violent reaction of his disciples. It is Jesus who acquiesces to the guard's demand. It is Jesus who shames the authorities by his word,“Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me” (Matthew 26:55 ESV).

And it is Jesus who gives in to the fulfillment of Scripture. The Gospels tell us that Jesus' life, from its beginning in Bethlehem, was a fulfillment of Scripture. And here Jesus moves to the next step, saying "Let the Scriptures be fulfilled." He knows the Scriptures talk of the reign of God, of the new covenant. He knows that reign, that covenant are not in this earth. He knows that even now, God the Father is in control. And so the Son, in his Father's spirit, guides the action, and let's the Scriptures be fulfilled.