Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 46 And they laid hands on him and seized him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” 50 And they all left him and fled. ESV
Mark 14:43-50 Have you ever been betrayed? Have you ever betrayed someone? All betrayal is evil but the betrayal of Jesus in our text is the most evil. Most betrayal has at its heart an element of seeking the approval of the crowd or ensuring they don’t lose the crowds approval. This group has wanted to kill Jesus for quite some time. The raising of Lazarus from the dead a few weeks prior to this night had been the final straw. They were very afraid of the crowds during the Passover week but God’s hand of providence had orchestrated this night. One of the 12 would betray Jesus with.a kiss. Peter tried to prove he would stand & fight with Jesus. In less than 24 hours Jesus would say: it is finished!
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