47 And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. 48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” 49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.
50 Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.”
Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.
52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. 53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? 54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”
55 Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. 56 But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Read Matthew 26:47-56 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!
Of the few events that all four gospel writers include, the one that is the most notable in my mind is Jesus’ arrest in the garden. While there are other events that all four gospels include, in this event, every gospel writer includes something that the other three writers don’t include – and in these unique details, we find some amazing truths about Jesus and God.
One of the unique details that Matthew includes is immediately following Judas’ greeting and kiss, Jesus replies to him, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” (v. 50)
This statement is amazing to me.
All this time, Jesus was not caught off guard, or surprised at what was coming. From even before the supper a few hours earlier, Jesus knew who would betray Him, and how it would happen. And Jesus still calls Judas His friend.
Jesus also knows that this mob would lead Him towards the cross. This was not the first mob that tried to get Jesus, but this was the first mob that Jesus humbled Himself to – and this began by humbling Himself to Judas. When Jesus says, “Go ahead and do what you have come for”, we see the Messiah of the world lowering Himself to be betrayed willingly at the hand of one of His twelve closest followers.
This greeting tells us so much about God and His character.
Even when we are actively sinning against God, He is still willing to call us His friend. Even when we mean to do Him harm, He is willing to take the punishment just to be close to us. Even when our hearts don’t understand what our actions will lead to, Jesus is willing to stand by us. Jesus is the clearest picture of the only God worth serving.
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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