Daily Bread

First, Jesus betrayed by a kiss (43-47). Just as Jesus roused his three top disciples to meet his betrayer, Judas arrived with a heavily armed crowd. Judas gave the prearranged sign, approached Jesus, said, 'Rabbi!' and kissed him. At once, Jesus was arrested. Violence ensued when someone drew a sword (Peter, according to John's gospel) and struck at the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. Second, '...the Scripture must be fulfilled' (48-52). Although the crowd was armed, and they had fulfilled their mission of arresting Jesus, Jesus rebuked the crowd. He had taught in the open and they had not touched him. Now, at night, they came with him armed to the teeth as if he were leading a rebellion. Jesus showed them it was not the crowd that was in control of the situation, but Jesus. Jesus allowed himself to be arrested in obedience to his Father. His arrest fulfilled Scripture (Isa 53:7-12). At his arrest, all of his disciples deserted him, as Jesus had prophesied.

Prayer: Lord, praise Jesus, who allowed himself to be arrested and that through this, fulfilled Scripture.

One Word: The Scripture must be fulfilled