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Preparing to Die
39
Some time later, even as Christ’s agony continued, His deep
depression and discouragement left Him and calmly, with peace
written on His bloodstained face, He rose to face Calvary.
As He walked back to the place where all the disciples slept,
Jesus was conscious of the approaching mob and woke His associates
by announcing the arrival of His betrayer. Standing in front of the
disciples, Jesus faced the mob and asked, “Whom do you seek?”
When they replied, “Jesus of Nazareth,” Jesus answered, “I am He.”
As He spoke an angel stood between Him and the mob. A divine
light illuminated Jesus’ face, and a dovelike form cast its shadow.
At that sight the murderous thugs staggered back. Priests, elders,
soldiers—even Judas—fell to the ground.
[49]
At that moment Jesus could easily have escaped, but He stood
His ground even as His accusers lay at His feet. The disciples looked
on the scene in silence and awe.
Then the scene quickly changed. As the angel withdrew, its
glory fading into the night, soldiers, priests, and Judas stood up and
faced Jesus. Ashamed of their weakness and afraid that Jesus might
escape, they again said they wanted Jesus of Nazareth, and Jesus
answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me,
let these men go.”
John 18:8
. That evening He had seen abundant
evidence of His friends’ weak faith, and He wanted to protect them
from further temptation and trial.
“Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I
will kiss is the man; arrest him.’”
Matthew 26:48
. For a moment
Judas pretends he has no association with the mob. Stepping up to
Jesus, he takes His hand and says, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kisses
him repeatedly, pretending that he is crying in sympathy with Jesus’
peril. But Jesus responds, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are
betraying the Son of Man?”
Luke 22:48
. If anything could have, this
should have stirred Judas’ conscience. Sadly, he remained defiant,
showing no sign of repentance for this horrible betrayal
“Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple
police, and the elders who had come for him, ‘Have you come out
with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you
day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is
your hour, and the power of darkness!’”
verses 52, 53
.
