On the night he was betrayed ...

Reading the Gospel account of the Easter Story I am struck anew by the myriad of emotions beginning with that night - the night they took him:

- Hostility from those who came with swords and clubs to take him from the garden where he prayed

- Deceitfulness of the betrayer

- Misplaced courage of the disciple who lashed out with the sword

-Fear of the disciples who “forsook him and fled”

-Hatred of those who spit on him, struck and mocked him as he was questioned by the high priest

-Fear that gripped Peter when he was identified as a follower of Jesus, fear leading to his denials and bitter weeping.

And through it all – the calm voice of the Savior – the one really in charge!

“The hour is at hand…

Let us go…

The betrayer is at hand…”

“Friend, why are you here?”  (spoken to the betrayer)

“Put up your sword.” (to the would-be defender)

“I could ask my Father and he would send more than 12 legions of angels to defend me – but Scripture must be fulfilled.”

And to the mob, “Do you come with swords and clubs to take me like a thief, when I was with you teaching every day in the temple and you didn’t take me then?”

And before the high priest, he calmly “held his peace.” He responded to the questions with simple honesty, though he knew he would be condemned by his answer when asked if he was the Christ.

“Thou hast said; nevertheless hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus spoke truth – fully aware of the consequence – aware that the truth would incite more hatred towards him. Yet he was fully in charge even when bound and “led away.”

He knew power was available to save him – power that could wipe out the lying, deceiving accusers who opposed him. He knew he could be vindicated in the eyes of everyone.

But he set aside his own self-justification to provide a way for us to be justified.
And that way led to the cross.