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Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Don't forget we're doing kind of an "Easter story" timeline to help each of us organize our puzzle pieces for the celebration of Easter. So, grab your Bible, get comfy, spend some time in prayer and we'll take a look at Matthew 26: 47--56...the arrest of Jesus.
Remember, the key to a good Bible study is to begin with simple observations using the "5 w's and an 'h'" questions, so here's a few (but you can always add more) to get you started on this section:
WHO are the key “players” in this scene in vv. 47, 49 & 56?
HOW was Jesus greeted in v. 49?
WHAT was Jesus’ response?
WHAT happens in v. 51 & WHAT does Jesus say/do in 52-53?
WHAT does Jesus say in v.54—55? WHO does He say it to?
WHAT is the reaction of the disciples in v.56?
We learn the Judas is there, as is Jesus. We also learn that at least some of the disciples are there, as are an arresting cohort and some onlookers. Jesus was greeted with a kiss by Judas, who responded by calling him "friend" and telling him to do what he came to do.
Then the scene gets a little out of control. One of the disciples (whom we later learn was Peter) drew a sword and struck a slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Now, I can't imagine that Peter was trying to cut off an ear (I think he was trying to kill him), but I feel that Peter's earlier admonition to die before betraying Jesus was a key player in this action.
Jesus tells him to put his sword away...and reminds Peter exactly who is in control of this situation. It isn't the police or the crowd or Judas or the High Priest of anyone else. Christ is in full control of these proceedings: "Or do you not think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then, shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?" The idea is that He could fix this if necessary, but Scripture has to be fulfilled...and, oh, by the way Peter, there's a whole heck of a lot more of them than there are of us, so put that thing away.
Christ then tells the crowd that it's a bit of overkill to arrest Him this way since he taught in the temple every day that week and now you've come out at night when I was praying and spending time with my friends to come and make the arrest. Then the disciples flee.
What I find interesting is what Matthew leaves out. Mark's account in 14:43-50 does, too...Luke mentions it, though, in 22:47--53. First, Jesus was asked if they should fight with the sword. I'm guessing He either didn't answer quickly enough or they didn't hear the answer because they did strike. Matthew and Mark don't mention it, but Jesus performed a miracle right then and there by healing the ear!
The other Gospels also leave out an interesting event that we see in John 18: 1--11. We learn that Jesus and His disciples frequented this garden. We get details of laterns and torches and weapons. Then in verse 5, Jesus asks them who they are looking for, and when the arresting cohort answers, He says, "I am He." When He said this, they drew back and fell to the ground. I still wonder why the other accounts leave this out!
Think about it for a second. If you'd been sent to arrest Jesus, and had seen a miraculous healing of a slave's ear (whom John identifies as Malchus) as well as what I believe to be a revealing of His glory (which knocked them over...or at least caused them to bow in reverence), how keen would you be on having to put the cuffs on this guy?
But that's what I get out of the arrest account. How often do I see God do things in my midst every single day of my life and miss the main point? All too often, I chalk things up to "happenstance" or "dumb luck" or my own efforts, when God has been in so obviously in control (He even told the soldiers to let his friends go, and they did!) that I should fall down in reverence...well...what does this story do for you?
Brent 4:33 AM
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