2. The arrest
Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples on the Thursday night, then he went with his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane.
1. What was unfair?
2. What was unlawful?
2.1 What was unfair about the arrest of Jesus
a. His friends did not pray with him
b. His disciple betrayed him
c. His followers abandoned him
2.1.a His friends did not pray with him
Three times, Jesus asked the disciples to pray with him but they fell asleep, while he was sweating blood in prayer.
Matthew 26:36-46. 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
2.1.b His disciple betrayed him
Judas had years as a disciple of Jesus to learn to love his leader, witness his miracles and absorb his teaching. Yet he plotted against Jesus.
2.1.b.i Judas accepted money to betray Jesus
He went to the chief priests and offered to give Jesus up to them.
Luke 22:3-6. 3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.
2.1.b.ii Judas betrayed him with a kiss
He led a mob (that could have been a thousand strong) to Jesus and identified him to them by kissing him.
Matt 26:48-50. 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.”[f]
2.1.c His followers abandoned him
The disciples ran away when Jesus was arrested.
Mark 14:50-52. 50 And they all left him and fled.
2.2. What was unlawful about the arrest of Jesus
a. The Sanhedrin bribed Judas
b. Jesus was arrested at night
2.2.a The Sanhedrin bribed Judas
Deuteronomy 16:19c. You shall not distort justice, you shall not be partial, you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.
Luke 22:4-5. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.
2.2.b Jesus was arrested at night
Jewish law did not allow any part of the legal proceedings for a capital offence to take place at night.
Introduction
Previous post – 1. Background
2. The arrest
Next post – 3. The trial
4. The sentencing
5. The judges
6. The execution
7. Summary
8. Conclusion
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