I am not sure about you, but when I read the words “betrayed, arrested, and forsaken,” it is hard to believe that they can be used in the same sentence with Jesus. Yet, as we open God’s Word and grow closer to Him, we know that without those three words we could never be called righteous.
In Luke 22:47-53, Luke gives the account of what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane the night that Jesus was betrayed, “While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?’ And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, ‘Lord, shall we strike with the sword?’ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, ‘Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.’”
Although it is truly difficult to read this passage, it never ceases to amaze me. In a true hour of darkness, Jesus knows the task at hand. This is the penultimate chapter in His mission before the cross. Yet, as He is betrayed by a friend and one whom He had literally done life with, Jesus stops an event from what could have been utter chaos. He not only willingly goes with the Pharisees and guards, but He stops and heals the man whose ear was just cut by one of His disciples.
Jesus was betrayed, arrested, and forsaken. Yes, this statement is sadly true. However, because of the truth of this statement, we are justified by the blood of Christ, freed from the chains of Hell, and loved eternally by our Heavenly Father. My hope is that I will never take Jesus’ sacrifice for granted and I hope that you too will rejoice and hold onto this truth.