“Abandoned by the Rest” – Matthew 26:47-56

I enjoy reading books on military history. There are a series of books based upon the British army in Spain and Portugal during the Napoleonic Wars. I was reading one where the British riflemen were holed up in an old castle tower at the top of a hill. The French had sent more than enough troops to storm the tower, but the approach to the tower was uphill via a narrow, rocky path. The French artillery were ineffective due to the height of the tower and the hill.

In an effort to discourage more artillery fire, the British sent their riflemen down to snipe at the artillery. The French, in turn, sent a large group of troops to take out the British. Armed with muskets, the French where no hope for the accuracy of the rifle fire. After a number of French soldiers had been killed or wounded by the riflemen, the French captain ordered his men to charge the riflemen. Gallantly, the captain led his men.

As the captain ran up the hill, he noticed the British were not shooting. He also noticed that it was remarkably quiet behind him. The captain turned to see that none of his men had chosen to follow him into the withering rifle fire. The British refused to fire on a brave man’s charge.

Upon seeing the futility of his actions, the French captain raised his sword to the British officer who had come from cover himself to face his brave enemy. The British officer gave a courteous nod of his head, and the Frenchman walked back to his men.

I was reminded of that story when I read today’s passage. Jesus was surrounded by His disciples who had all pledged to fight and die for Him rather than let Jesus be taken by His enemies. When Judas led the temple guards and chief priests’ servants to arrest Jesus, things went differently than what the disciples expected. As a result, they turned and fled, leaving Jesus to face His accusers alone.

When Jesus died on Calvary, even His disciples deserted Him. Jesus truly died alone.

Background

The events of Jesus’ arrest come in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was here that Jesus had come to pray as He wrestled with the reality of going to the cross. We know that Jesus asked the Father for an alternative means, but that the Son submitted to the Father’s will, as He had done His entire life. Christ’s love for us is seen in the inner turmoil Jesus was experiencing at that moment. Judas and the crowd that came to arrest Jesus appeared just as Jesus had completed His time with the Father. He was prepared to go to Calvary and accept the full ramifications of what that would mean for Him and for the world.

All four gospels give an account of Jesus’ arrest. Some are shorter than the others, and some include details that are omitted by the other accounts. Mark includes an item about a young man following Jesus who was grabbed at, but escaped by leaving his garment behind. Luke records that one of the disciples asked Jesus if they should draw their swords, with one of them striking out and lopping off the ear of one of the chief priest’s servants. Luke, the physician, records that Jesus then restored the man’s ear. John says that Jesus asks who the crowd has come for, and when He identifies Himself, the crowd initially shrinks away before Jesus asks again. John identifies the swordsman among the disciples as Peter.

Jesus had tried to prepare His disciples for this day. He had repeatedly told them that He was going to go to Jerusalem and then be turned over the religious leaders and then be crucified. Now the time had come, and the disciples still had no idea of what was happening or why. Throughout the events from the night in the Upper Room through the crucifixion, there can be no doubt that Jesus was fully aware and in charge of the events. It really is the case that Jesus laid down His life; no one took it from Him. Easter assures us that Jesus also picked His life up again.

Central Truth: As Jesus approached the cross, He was abandoned by the disciples who fled His side.

Jesus’ arrest:

1. Led by Judas (47-50)

While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested Him.

Have you ever wondered what was going through a person’s mind just before a major event happens unexpectedly? What was a sailor on the Arizona thinking before the first Japanese bomb hit the battleship? What was on a musician’s mind the first time he or she hears their song on the radio?

We don’t have to ask that question of Jesus when Judas showed up with the mob sent to arrest Him. Jesus was always aware of His surroundings and the thoughts in people’s minds. We know that Jesus was not caught unaware of Judas’ plans both when Jesus sent Judas away from the upper room and as Judas was approaching. Jesus’ last words to the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane are, “Rise, let us go! Here comes My betrayer!” (v.46).

Jesus had just spent the previous moments in anguished prayer. Luke tells us that Jesus’ prayers were so intense that God sent an angel to strengthen Him, and that Jesus sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (cf Luke 22:43-44). While Jesus was struggling with the ramifications of His ultimate mission, Judas was gathering the force needed to arrest Jesus.

Matthew describes the group with Judas as a crowd armed with swords and clubs. It is reasonable that they anticipated the possibility of violence in attempting to arrest Jesus. Judas had been with the others when Jesus spoke of this moment, and he no doubt had heard Peter’s declaration that they would never let it happen. It’s possible the disciples spoke of what they would do should it ever happen. The crowd probably knew that those with Jesus would be relatively small in number, still they came prepared for any eventuality, even a battle over taking Jesus captive.

Judas’ signal to the crowd was not unusual. It was customary for a student to greet his teacher with a kiss. Such an act would be a show of respect and appreciation, of affection and loyalty. The irony of the kiss in this instance should not be lost on anyone in the crowd. The original language indicates that the kiss was not just a peck on the cheek, but a showy, exaggerated kiss. Perhaps this was so in order that those with Judas would be certain of Jesus’ identity. Remember that the arrest was taking place in the darkness of night, and even if the crowd had torches, the light would still be suspect. To make a mistake in arresting the wrong person could have major complications.

Jesus’ response to Judas tells us a lot about His control of the situation. Whether Jesus’ words are a statement — “Friend, do what you came for” — or a question — “Friend, why have you come?” – it lets us know that Jesus was aware of what Judas was about. If it is the statement, then it is similar to what Jesus told Judas before the betrayer left the upper room – “What you do, do quickly” (John 13:27). If it was a question, then the intent of the question was not to ascertain what Judas was literally doing, but to cause Judas to come to terms with himself and the evil deed he was doing.

As we consider the events recorded in these verses, it becomes clear that the only one who know with certainty what was happening was the One who was being betrayed. Jesus cannot be taken by surprise.

2. Jesus rebuked resistance (51-56a)

With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword away,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” At that time, Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture Me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest Me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”

Shortly after Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God in Matthew 16, Jesus told them that He would be betrayed in Jerusalem and be crucified. At that time, Peter refused to accept this. Earlier in the night when these events took place, Jesus had told the disciples, “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me” (Matthew 26:31). Peter responded again, this time asserting that no matter what the others did, Peter said he would never do so. Jesus then predicted Peter’s denial later that night, and Peter said, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You.” And all the other disciples said the same.

It’s important to remember this as we read these verses. The events Jesus had predicted back at Caesarea Philippi were unfolding, and Peter was as good as his word. As the crowd went to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword and lashed out at the nearest target. Peter was willing to die with Jesus rather than abandon Him. It’s not known if the other disciples were preparing to put up a resistance, but it doesn’t matter, because Jesus immediately stopped the violence before it got out of hand.

Picture the crowd, tense and wary of what was about to happen. They had come armed, prepared to wage battle. As the sword came out and lashed out, it seems only reasonable to believe others immediately began to draw their swords.

Jesus once again had to rebuke His followers for their misguided loyalty. At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus had rebuked Peter with the words, “Get behind me, Satan.” Now He rebukes him with the words, “All who draw the sword will die by the sword.” This is not how Jesus saw His disciples dying.

To reassure them, He reminded them that His Father would send Him the help He needed if Jesus needed rescuing. Jesus tells them that God would send a legion of angels for every disciple present, including Judas. A legion consisted of 5,500 soldiers, so a dozen legions of angels would be 66,000 heavenly beings that could quickly make short shrift of any crowd coming to harm Jesus.

Jesus didn’t call upon the Father for the angel army because Jesus knew that the cup would not pass over Him. He knew what awaited Him, and He reminded the disciples, the crowd and us that all the events taking place that night were the fulfillment of Scripture. His arrest and eventual crucifixion were all an expression of God’s great love. It was the fulfillment of God’s plan that was put into place before the Creation took place. It was the fulfillment of reconciliation between God and all who had rebelled against Him with our sins.

Jesus knew there was no need for rescue, because what was happening had to happen in order for us to be set free from sin and become the children of God.

3. The disciples fled (56b)

Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

In the previous verses, we talked about how all the disciples agreed that they would rather die with Jesus than to abandon Him. They were all committed to Jesus’ safety and His life.

But with a few words, Jesus had put an end to their plan. He had stopped them from dying with Him, because He knew that they would need to live for Him before they would eventually die for Him.

The words of this short verse tell us two things about the disciples. First, they deserted Him. They no longer wanted to be identified with Jesus. If He was to be arrested by the crowd, what would stop the crowd from arresting them? If the intent of the crowd was to ultimately kill Jesus, what would lead the disciples to think their lives were not also in danger? Because Jesus had refused to let them act out rashly, they had a few moments to think. The rashness that had led them to fight for Him now was replaced with a rashness that told them to get away as quickly as they could. Rather than stay and be identified with Jesus, they left Him to fend for Himself. In so doing, they deserted the One who deserved their loyalty. They deserted Jesus.

And they fled. The courage of the adrenaline rush had now been replaced with a dread fear that they would be next. They were in a garden, and gardens are great places to hide, especially at night. Fleeing from the crowd and the torches, the disciples found comfort in the darkness of the garden’s plants, and from there to the safety of a large city filled with guests from all over the empire. They could become lost in the crowds, and, hopefully, wait out the events surrounding Jesus’ arrest.

The Bible doesn’t tell us what was in Jesus’ heart as the disciples fled. If anything, I imagine He felt sorrow for them and the pain they were experiencing in that moment. He must have known of their terror and confusion, of their ignorance of what was really happening. He had tried to tell them, but now that it was upon them, it was too much for them to handle. Jesus was secure in knowing He was were the Father wanted Him, but His compassion for the disciples at that moment must have welled up in Him.

When Jesus could have used a friend, the only disciples that was left in the garden was the one who had betrayed Him. Jesus was alone.

Conclusion

We’ve heard it said that hindsight is 20-20. There is clarity in the past. But in the chaos of the Garden of Gethsemane that night could only blind us by confusion and fear. It would be easy to condemn the disciples for deserting Jesus and fleeing, but we would be wrong to do so. After all, very few of us have ever had our lives threatened for knowing Jesus. Sometimes, we are reluctant to speak up for Him because we don’t want to “open that can of worms” or create conflict. Instead, we remain silent to keep the peace.

We know from the disciples’ lives that deserting Jesus at that time was not an unpardonable sin. We know that Jesus used the disciples to further the kingdom by proclaiming His gospel loudly and forcefully. By the power of the indwelling Spirit, these men who deserted and fled became men who stood firm and allowed God’s will to be done in their lives. For many, that meant martyrdom in the end.

What does Jesus have in store for you and me? Are we willing to turn from our momentary sin and take a firm stand for the One who died alone for us?