43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived, and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. 47 But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 Then Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a rebel? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.” 50 All of them deserted him and fled. 51 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.
Prayer Focus: Day after day Jesus was with them in the temple teaching, but they did not arrest him. They come by night with swords and clubs. It appears more like a mob than an ordered contingent of soldiers. They come with authority from the chief priests, scribes, and elders, and yet they need Judas to identify Jesus with a kiss. How easy it is to follow the crowd. How easy it is to become swept up in the destruction of a life or a reputation or a future when we don’t even really know the person. The crowd comes and the disciples flee, leaving Jesus alone. Which crowd are you a part of today?
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