Judas’ role

The arrest of Jesus needed to take place away from the public eye. To accomplish this, Judas served as the guide, as he was well familiar with the place where Jesus often prayed. (1) He led a squad of soldiers (about 600 men) along with officers sent by the chief priests and Pharisees to the Garden of Gethsemane. The crowd, armed with swords and clubs, accompanied them. They were also sent by the chief priests, scribes, and elders. (2) Judas, following a predetermined signal, approached Jesus and betrayed him with a kiss. A kiss, that is an expression of love and respect toward a “Rabbi (teacher),” was used to betray Jesus. This illustrates the depth of darkness within Judas’s heart.

Jesus willingly arrested

In John 18, it is recorded that Jesus said, “I am He.” This was a declaration of His divinity. (1) The crowd of over 600 men led by Judas fell to the ground upon hearing Jesus’ declaration. This indicates that Jesus was in control of the situation, and no one could have arrested him without his consent. (2) The “one of those who stood by” refers to Simon Peter. He drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. (3) Jesus stated that his arrest was for the prophecy to be fulfilled. (4) Witnessing Jesus being arrested, all the disciples abandoned him and fled. The same disciples who just earlier, affirmed their loyalty, at the most crucial moment fled so easily. (5) It is suggested that the young man who left behind his linen cloth and fled naked was the author of this Gospel, Mark himself. Looking at this series of events, there is an overwhelming sense that God was in control of everything from beginning to end. Jesus’ arrest and the stumbling of the disciples all happened according to prophecy. In the midst of it all, the Son of God, Jesus, willingly walked the path to the cross. In this, is love. In any trial, God is in control of all things. Blessed are those who see the hand of God in their trials.