27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
John 18
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
John 18
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
The short phrase, "And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them," struck me last night. Image the shock and disbelief of the disciples as they saw Judas standing among the band of soldiers come to take the Lord. They perhaps thought he had gone quickly for something that the Saviour wanted. Perhaps as they left the upper room, went over the brook into Gethsemane, (some staying behind from the Lord, Peter, James, and John going with the Lord), had forgotten about Judas as they pondered the upper room ministry as their eye grew tired and let them pass into slumber. Here he is Judas among those from the chief priests and scribes.
Chaos ensues. The multitude falls backward at the declaration of Christ that He is "I AM." The group returns to their feet. Judas kisses Jesus. They lay hold on the Saviour. Peter reacts violently. They scatter. John Mark, who was lurking behind the scenes, is briefly captured before he escapes naked leaving his coat behind. Earlier, all the disciples had the command to pray earlier. The Lord finds them sleeping. Peter is pointed out especially among the three chosen to come further into the garden. The Lord had no prayer to answer for them because they had slept instead. They were a fulfillment to prophecy... the sheep had scattered.
In the midst of tribulation and trial, when circumstances spun wildly out of control where was their rest... where was their hope? Their world was rocked as their Master was taken away. Could this be the will of God? It seemed so out of character. If He was the Messiah, didn't He come to break the Roman bondage and reign upon the Throne of David? The plans of God were different though they didn't understand them. It seems especially Peter was hit the hardest. So often we can be a Peter.
David knew in Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." The Lord is always in control. Though the world seems crazy and out of control... He is in control. Though millions have their homes destroyed, food and water is scarce, the Lord is still in control.
Where do we flee in our troubles? So often we run from Him, as our oldest father Adam, did when we need Him most. Seek shelter in Him. Seek strength from Him. Seek His help. Peter found it on resurrection day. May we flee to the Lord, rather than finding our peace again three days later.
