Well, I didn't really feel like writing about this part of Matthew 26:47-68. It sure doesn't sound much like good news. That traitor, Judas, actually comes up and points out Jesus to the soldiers by giving Him a kiss and saying, "Greetings, Rabbi". Then as they take Jesus away, "all the disciples deserted him and fled." Finally, at the "trial" with the Chief Priest and religious leaders, they " spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, 'Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?'" Makes you feel sick.
But then it came to mind - "no greater love": "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13) Surely we are beginning the most walked through, lived out, unbearably endured demonstration of this verse by our Lord.
And Jesus could have skipped it all - but didn't. In fact when Peter tried to defend Jesus from arrest, our Lord warned him to put his sword away. He reminded Peter, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" You can calculate that out to something like 72,000 angels or more. It would have been quite a show.
But then it came to mind - "no greater love": "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13) Surely we are beginning the most walked through, lived out, unbearably endured demonstration of this verse by our Lord.
And Jesus could have skipped it all - but didn't. In fact when Peter tried to defend Jesus from arrest, our Lord warned him to put his sword away. He reminded Peter, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" You can calculate that out to something like 72,000 angels or more. It would have been quite a show.
But Jesus chose to lay down His life and demonstrate "no greater love" for you and me.
Again we thank you Lord.
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