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8. The Arrest of Jesus, and the Running Away of the Disciples (Mark 14:43-52)
MARK 14:43-52
43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely.” 45 When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 They laid their hands on him, and seized him. 47 But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48 Jesus answered them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.” 50 They all left him, and fled. 51 A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself, over his naked body. The young men grabbed him, 52 but he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
Jesus was prepared to give himself up to his enemies. He had already spoken to his Father about this hour, and received power to bear the sufferings and tortures without complaint. His prayer had released him from the coming distress, and given him power to overcome the temptation with his love and meekness.
Jesus’ heart was full of sorrow when Judas Iscariot came, and the signal of betrayal was a kiss, for the traitor had made the signal of love a symbol of treachery. The spirit of Satan is able to bring the most repulsive abominations out of the apostate’s heart. However, Jesus did not curse the apostate traitor, but reproached him with kind words, trying for the last time to lead him to repentance.
In spite of that, he was prepared to die as the meek Lamb of God, to redeem us. The disciples did not understand his behavior, for they had expected the revelation of multitudes of angels coming to deliver him. They believed in Christ’s triumph and the revelation of God’s power.
Thus Jesus appeared weak and imprisoned. He did not perform a miracle to save himself and justify his followers, who were like him under persecution for a long time, charged with being spies. They found no meaning in his arrest, and no way for themselves except to flee that night of despair and pessimism.
The unknown young man who followed Jesus from afar, as mentioned in this event, was probably Mark, the writer of this gospel. He is most probably the son of the man who made the Lord’s Supper for Christ in his house. Maybe this young man heard all the words of Jesus at this divine banquet, and was impressed with the making of the new covenant, and accordingly followed Jesus’ procession from afar.
Yet, at the moment of his arrest, he also fled. He preferred to run away at night without clothes, rather than to suffer with Jesus. By mentioning this event, Mark wanted to confess the truth about himself, being unworthy to write the gospel of Christ, having fled as the other disciples did. Nevertheless, Christ remained faithful.
Dear brother, are you firm in Christ, or do you seek fame and riches? Choose humility, contentedness, and meekness as Christ led a life of humility; otherwise you are open to the danger of betraying your Lord and leaving his company. Repent by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, deny yourself, and overcome lusts while it is yet today.
When Jesus gave himself up to the hands of men, he awakened Peter, who sprang from his sleep, and in violent anger drew his sword and struck at the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear. Peter wanted to keep his promise to stay beside Jesus, for he had not yet understood the way of God. He was asleep at the critical juncture shortly before the battle, and did not enter into temptation.
With his stroke of the sword, he prevented the poor servant from hearing the gospel. But Jesus in his love healed his enemy, and fulfilled the law of his kingdom by loving his enemies. Jesus wanted this servant to hear the gospel with his own ears, also to be to be changed by his kindness.
The chained Jesus spoke with the soldiers in the midst of the clamour. He manifested himself, and proved to those who had arrested him that no fault or sin was found with him, and that the soldiers had no right to bind him as a thief, for he was innocent. For the accomplishment of the prophecies, Jesus agreed to give himself up to his enemies under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, though millions of angels, with all the hosts of heaven were at his disposal. He forgave our sins by his death on the cross, and showed us by his Spirit the triumph of his salvation.
PRAYER: O Lord Jesus, your meekness surpasses all understanding, your humility breaks our pride, and your kindness melts our hardheartedness. Forgive our self-conceit, our lust for money, our betrayal, and our failure to follow you. Forgive us if we did not understand the ways of your Holy Spirit, and did not carry out the plans of your love. Establish us in your kindness, and fill us with your love, that we may follow you obediently, praising your great grace. Amen.
QUESTION:
- What impressed you most in the report of the arrest of Jesus?