Kiss and Capture – Arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane

The Garden of Gethsemane was the scene of the arrest of Jesus. Brian explains how Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus with a kiss.

Betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane

I am reading from Mark 14, verse 43 to 47.

“And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.’ And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him and seized him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.” 

Mark 14:43-47

Judas Plans A Kiss and Capture

How will Judas point Jesus out? Point his finger at Jesus, looking away in shame? Push a dagger into him, making the first violent blow? Shout out, “There he is!  Seize him!”? No, he will do a friendly walk toward Jesus and place a kiss on his face. Not a quick, embarrassed peck on the cheek. The word for “kiss” is a strong word for the kind of kiss you would give to someone you love. Judas disgraces one of our most sacred gestures.

Jesus Greets Judas

Notice the way Jesus greets Judas.

“Friend, do what you came to do.”

(Matt 26:50)

Friend!  The word means my “comrade”, my “partner”. Jesus reached out to Judas at the last supper. Here he still calls him, ‘Friend’. Though he is ‘captured’ by Judas’ betrayal, his love is not taken prisoner.

We can’t push that away by saying, “Well, that was Jesus. He was human but had God qualities I don’t have.” We also are called to forgive our enemies. As believers in Jesus, we are human but also have supernatural resources:

“Do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?”

(2 Cor 13:5)

Famous Traitors

There have been famous traitors in History, like Benedict Arnold, offering to sell West Point to the British. Have you ever been betrayed? Cheated? Kissed by someone who deserted you? Embraced by a friend who wronged you and walked away? Wronged so badly you can never completely erase it from your thoughts? Never forget? Never forgive? The example of Jesus cancels any of our chances for hate and unforgiveness.

The Parable of the Man That Was Forgiven

Do you remember the parable of the man that was forgiven a great debt but refused to forgive someone who owed him much less? The unforgiving man’s debt was 50,000 times greater than the debt he refused to forgive. Brothers and sisters, Jesus has forgiven us all our debt. Compare that to anything you might need to forgive. Post these numbers in several places: 50,000 to 1.

When someone cheats you of money? 50,000 to 1. Someone breaks a sacred promise? 50,000 to 1. A family member won’t have anything to do with you? 50,000 to 1. Put it in your Bible. Stick it in your wallet. Post it on a mirror. A mirror is a good place. When you look in the mirror, remember: You are the 50,000.

The Ear of Malchus and Divine Aid

Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest, one of Jesus’ biggest enemies.  Jesus continues to love and forgive and he heals the ear.  Maybe 100 swords flashed from their holsters, but a healing touch from Jesus’ puts the swords and clubs away. Jesus could have called 12 legions of angels. There are 6,000 in a Roman legion. So, 72,000 angels are leaning over the edge of heaven waiting for a single word from Jesus. That word never comes.

Hours later when the crowd taunts Jesus to call for divine aid, Jesus is silent. And the angels are silent.  The heavenly hosts that loudly filled the sky with the announcement of his birth are silent at his death. The Lord Jesus who opened the mouths that could not speak, closes his mouth to cries for angel help. He dies refusing help so that he can help us all the way to heaven. How can you size up that chance for forgiveness? Well, it’s at least 50,000 to 1.

Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? What did you do?  Contact us at HopeStreamRadio,  or comment below.