MATTHEW 26:47-56 A CLASH OF KINGDOMS

Written by Rev. Dr. Charles D. Alley (Chuck), Rector of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia

⁴⁷ 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. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.”
⁴⁹ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
⁵⁰ Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.”Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ 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.
⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
⁵⁵ 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. ⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”
Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

The clash of kingdoms could not have been more obvious. The peace of God and the violence of men met that night in the Garden. They came for the One who is the Light of the World with torches to light their own way. While Jesus healed the servant of the high priest, they were bent on killing Jesus. The Son of Man submitted to the Father’s perfect will, while the disciples attempted to interfere. As the Savior of the World he was faithful to the end, while those who knew him best deserted him. The Love of God Incarnate received the deceitful kiss of his betrayer. What an awful scene. What a terrible episode.

We must remember that we are human beings and not Jesus. After 21 centuries of listening to the story it is far too easy for us to view it through the lens of Jesus’ peaceful resolve. Our emotions are muted by sterile stain glass windows and sanitized Bible book pictures. We miss the wide-eyed frenzy and fear tinctured blood-lust of the mob. We see only order where there was chaos and confusion. We miss the evil of humankind in the overwhelming holiness of the Christ. In the end, we identify with Jesus and not our brothers in the crowd. Those who arrested Jesus were not the rabble from the streets but the religious men from the synagogues and Temple. The betrayer and the deserters were all Jesus’ disciples. The truth is that they are us and we are they. What an awful scene. What a terrible episode.

Yet, Jesus died for us. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). What an awesome love. What a glorious redemption.

What thou, my Lord, has suffered was all for sinners' gain; mine, mine was the transgression, but thine the deadly pain. Lo, here I fall, my Savior! 'Tis I deserve thy place; look on me with thy favor, vouchsafe to me thy grace. Amen. (Oh, Sacred Head, Now Wounded, v.2)

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