Day 38 – Betrayed with a kiss
Mark 14:43-54
Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
Liz Nixon writes:
Jesus names the two brothers James and John "Sons of Thunder", but I wonder if that hot-headed title should have been given to Peter! Here, he lashes out and cuts off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Mark is kind enough not to point the finger at Peter, making the one with the sword anonymous, but his name is given away in another Gospel!
How would you have reacted in that moment? Seeing Jesus, your friend, your Saviour, your Messiah - the One who was supposed to drive out the Romans and bring healing to the nation - under arrest and taken away. I think I too would have lashed out like Peter, but my anger would have been aimed at Judas, now clearly showing that he is no longer with Jesus but against Him.
We see one of the saddest sentences in verse 50: "Everyone deserted Him and fled". Scared and afraid for their own lives, Jesus' disciples leave Him to it, running away into the night, once more betrayed and now by the rest of His friends.
Today, consider the times that you have deserted Jesus and fled from Him. Maybe express your fear to Him and say sorry. Accept His joyful and willingness to quickly forgive you for those times.