47 While 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. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.”[a]
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With 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. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
55 At 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. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
God's ways are not our ways.
Have you ever noticed this?
We tend to think the easy way out is the best. Just take away the cancer, just get the divorce, hold on to more money, that will make everything better. Yet Jesus tends to always work through the fire instead of rescue people out of the fire. And this is what happens here.
Jesus is going to the cross to die for the sins of the world, and this makes no sense to his followers. Their Messiah can't DIE!!!! He has to overthrow Rome.
But we have to remember this....God's ways our not our ways.
That is why this situation looks hopeless.
Judas, one of Jesus' disciples, betrays Jesus, Jesus doesn't seem to be putting up a fight, and it looks as if this revolution is going to be stamped out. This especially is true after one of Jesus' disciples tries to fight back. Look what happens:
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With 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. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
Jesus tells him that this is not how his kingdom will come about. It's not with swords and clubs and overthrowing the kingdoms of this earth with brute force, but it is with a cross and a sacrifice, which overthrows all the evils in this world.
God's ways our not our ways.
So what does this look like for you.
How could God be working in your life in a way that wouldn't be your first choice, in a way that you wouldn't expect?
What is God calling you to do? Maybe it is something you would never think of, like serving the homeless or babysitting your neighbors kids so that they can have a night out.
Just remember, God's ways our not our ways, and he is calling us to trust him.
Will you?
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