Luke 22:47-53
47 While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading the way for them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him.
48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”
50 And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51 But Jesus responded and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.
52 And Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a man inciting a revolt?
53 While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.”
The Arrest of Jesus
Judah’s kiss
Luke records the arrest of Jesus briefly, focusing only on the central points. Let us observe the people involved in this arrest scene. (1) Judas tried to betray Jesus with a kiss. A kiss is a sign of respect and friendship (ref. 1 Thess. 5:26). Judas used this kiss to hand Jesus over. He committed the most dreadful sin using something most beautiful. A deep wound was inflicted upon Jesus’ heart by Judas’s kiss. (2) The disciples asked, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” Before Jesus could answer, one of them (Peter) struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. The conversation they had with Jesus about the sword must have remained in their minds. Yet what a terrible misunderstanding that was. Jesus was led to the cross without being understood by His disciples. (3) Jesus showed compassion and healed the slave’s ear. Through this act, He revealed that His kingdom is not of this world. Later, before Pilate, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews” (John 18:36). Even in the midst of His arrest, Jesus had complete control over the situation.
The hourof darkness
(4) There were chief priests, officers of the temple, and elders who came to arrest Jesus. While Jesus was teaching in the temple, they did not seize Him. But now their opportunity had come. Referring to this, Jesus said, “But this hour and the power of darkness are yours.” In the Gospel of John, the term “hour” often refers to “the hour of the cross.” In this passage as well, the word “hour” is used in the same way. It means that “the hour of Jesus’ suffering” had come, which is a time when the power of darkness would prevail. However, even in such a time of despair, we must not overlook that God’s best plan is still moving forward. Have you recently been feeling discouraged because only bad things seem to keep happening? Now, let us offer thanksgiving and worship to God, who reigns over all things.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, I thank You for reminding me once again that You are the Almighty God. I believe that Your intervention is present in every hardship, and I now entrust to You the burdens that I cannot carry on my own. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.