KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF LOVE || Lesson 27 

KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF LOVE

[With Reference to the Events Concerning Jesus’ “Passion,” note how Jesus’ love is amazingly displayed throughout and therefore ‘stand in awe of God, the Most High.’]

Lesson Twenty-seven

At Gethsemane – (Cont’d.) – His Arrest:  Matthew 26:47-56 (Mark 14:43-50; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12)

Matthew 26:47-56 – ⁴⁷While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” ⁴⁹Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

⁵⁰Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

⁵²“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

⁵⁵At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

V.47 – John adds: John 18:2-3 – ²Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. ³So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

V.48 – John adds: John 18:4-9 – ⁴Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

⁵“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) ⁶When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

⁷Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”  And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

⁸“I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” ⁹This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

V.49 – Luke adds: Luke 22:48 – but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

The Easy-to-Read New Testament: But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you using the kiss of friendship to give the Son of Man to his enemies?”

V.50-51 – Luke adds: Luke 22:49-51 – ⁴⁹When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” ⁵⁰And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

⁵¹But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

V.49 – “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”  See Luke 22:35-38.

John’s account: John 18:10 – Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

V.52-54 – John adds: John 18:11 – Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me? – See His prayer:  Matthew 26:39, 42, 44.

V.55 – Luke adds: Luke 22:53 – Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour–when darkness reigns.”

Note John 18:12 – Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him

They bound him – Matthew Henry’s Commentary: “… tied his hands behind him, as they usually do with convicted criminals.”  Note: He had not yet been convicted.

V.56 – Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. – See:  Matthew 26:31-35; John 16:32.

The following passages show that, except for the fulfillment of Scripture, there had been no need to flee.

John 6:39 – And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.

John 17:12 – While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. See: Psalm 41:9; John 6:70-71; John 18:8-9.

Application: Let us ask the GOD OF LOVE to help us to heed the following:

Matthew 26:41 – “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

(AMP) – All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

(MSG) – Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”

1 Corinthians 10:12 – So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

(AMP) – Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].

(MSG) – Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.