#1320 Matthew 26 Part 6 Lend Me Your Ears

 

47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. Matthew 26: 47-56 ESV

Matthew 26: 47-56 How then Should the Scriptures be Fulfilled

Judas came, one of the twelve - We left the last section with Jesus talking to Peter, James and John, and seeing the reality of their dedication and devotion, now it will be further shattered, their words will come to haunt them. They go from not being able to keep their eyes open to the great stage of human redemption. Judas has led those who seek Jesus' life to a place he was familiar with, a garden where they met and prayed. Judas is often referred to as one of the twelve, and this reminds us of how heinous an act of betrayal his was, but also that betrayal always comes from someone close, someone that the disciples considered one of them, a friend. Some people are very good at playing the game, outward appearance, cleaning the outside of the cup, smiling at the right times, seeming warm and sincere, even passionate, in our world Judas would be the CEO. We need to know the word of God well, pray, and submit to it, and we need to be wise about those around us, look past words, reject clichés, see that their life is conforming to the image of Christ.

18Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. 20You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.… 1 John 2: 18-20

A great crowd with swords and clubs - They realized that Jesus had a lot of followers because of the many healings, the hope that people always had for Messiah, and this was the part Judas played as well, the elders didn't want a huge altercation. Judas took them to look for Jesus in a secluded place where a mob could be avoided. If anyone saw this particular party they would think that they were probably hunting down a thief or some other criminal in the night. The elders definitely had some fear, and as we will see in coming post, they were breaking their own laws in arresting and trying Him this way.

“Those skilled in the Jewish learning tell us, that the ordinary guard of the temple belonged to the priests, and such officers as they employed; but upon their great festivals, the Roman governors added a band of soliders, who yet were under the command of the priests.” (Poole)

Greetings, Rabbi, and kissed Him - He called Him, Teacher, or esteemed teacher, this was His Professor for the last 3 years. There is an intimacy in that, walking together, having many a meal together, and knowing not just what your teacher says in class but how He lives it out day to day. He kisses Him, and this seems to forever soil such a greeting, and in the Arab world this is a common greeting for a close friend or a family member, but so vile and full of deception here. 

Friend, do what you came to do - You kissed Me, that's how you greet a close friend, what an amazing response. Jesus knows why he is really there, and He presses on towards being lifted up. He has overcome the second and greatest temptation back in the garden, and we will dive deeper into this in Luke, but here is His arrest.

…11It was revoked on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me knew that it was the word of the LORD. 12Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. 13And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent price at which they valued me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.… Zechariah 11: 11-13

One of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword - John lived longer than the other disciples, and though the rest do not name Peter, John takes the liberty to do so. I think this is because Peter and other people, who John names in his gospel, were already long passed as martyrs and in no legal danger of being named. 

Cut off his ear - Peter could have been arrested for this, but Jesus heals the man's ear, so imagine going to court like that. "This man cut off my ear," he says. "Did you have a third ear?" the judge ask. "No," the man replies. "Well then, help me out here, because you have two whole ears." The physical evidence is lacking and any testimony will have to also testify to the miraculous. Jesus tells Peter to put his sword away, for those who live by the sword also die by it. He goes as the pascal Lamb, peacefully.

…22Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken. 23But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You. Psalm 55: 22-23

…31“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth. 33In His humiliation He was deprived of justice. Who can recount His descendants? For His life was removed from the earth.”… Acts 8: 31-33

More than twelve legions of angels - I came to do this, this is the hard thing, being the Passover Lamb, I don't need your supposed might, you need Me to go to the cross. A legion is more than six thousand, and angels are no slackers, this would be enough to conquer the whole of humanity with ease. God created the heavens and the earth with words, He spoke the universe into existence, this crowd is a laughable thing. 

“A legion is judged to be six thousand foot and seven hundred horse. And this great army of angels is by prayer despatched from heaven in an instant.” (Trapp) The number is impressive, especially considering that one angel killed up to 185,000 soldiers in one night (2 Kings 19:35).

How then should the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so - Jesus puts a high priority on fulfilling the Word of God. Men don't realize what they hold in their hands when they have a Bible, what majesty they take in when they read, all the integrity of God is on those pages, that what He says He will accomplish. Everything in the Law and the Prophets has pointed to this.

1Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises. 2I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else. 3On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.… Psalm 138: 1-3

“We never know our hearts upon the prospect of great trials, until we come to grapple with them, and to be engaged in them. These disciples had all said they would not forsake him; when it comes to the push, not one of them stands by him.” (Poole)