Read Luke 22:47-53
Judas approached Jesus with a kiss. Traditionally this would have been a typical greeting, but here it serves as a signal to the arresting officers that would identify Jesus whole he was betraying.
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Pause and Ponder:
A closer look at Judas: take note that he didn’t wait for the devil to come too him, He went after the devil. He went looking for a way to benefit from the ultimate betrayal (see Matt 26:15-16, “… How much will you pay me to betray Jesus for you…?” In other words, “What will I get to do this for you?”) Charles Spurgeon says, “Alas! Some people’s religion is grounded on that one question, ‘What will you give me?’”
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The disciples retaliated the only way they knew - fighting by sword. John 18:10 is the only gospel that identifies Peter as the swordsman. But Jesus still displayed His love, right up to the end.
What did Jesus do to show love to His enemies? (vs 51)
Jesus here is proving that the swords He had been speaking of earlier in scripture, were not for physical combat, but for spiritual warfare. Jesus never promoted or authorized violence.
Observe the manner of which Jesus met with enemies and tough circumstances:
1.) He was calm.
2.) He was gentle.
Look up the definitions of these words and journal them.
Jesus accepted and received with lamblike meekness what He knew to be treachery.
This is the only instance in all of scripture where Christ heals a flesh wound. It was particularly unique in that Christ healed an enemy, unrequested, and without any evidence of faith in the recipient. It also had no affect on altering the heart of the men who had come to arrest Him, even though His words, “I AM He” caused them to fall to the ground (see John 18:6).
In what ways can you show this type of enemy-love that Jesus had?
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