seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Matthew 26:47 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, “Do what you came for, friend.”
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 In that hour 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.
Just so we are all on the same page. Jesus just told the disciples they would leave Him high and dry. They all told Him they would stick by Him through thick and thin. Now look at verse 56. To add to the confusion, there was an unnamed swordsman who lopped off an ear. This gospel doesn't tell us Jesus picked up the ear and stuck it back on. Luke, the doctor of the disciples, reports that it was Peter who pulled his sword. So yeah.... he did try to defend Jesus... but in so trying, he assaulted a member of the guard, and he was in big doodoo.
Now look at verse 54. In order for death to be conquered, Jesus had to go to the Cross. Now God could have reversed the problem the serpent caused. Adam and Eve could have been upgraded to repel such attacks on humanity. But if that happened, every time humans got themselves tangled in some drama, God would have to upgrade. Nope... a human had to fix it. Jesus was God's answer. He had to go through the Mission of becoming human, and understand the ignorance of humans, to completion for the conquest of death.
Yesterday I asked if Jesus was suicidal. No one seemed to think so. I think suicidal thoughts are just horrible, horrible, thoughts brought on by the dramas of life stacking one on top of the other. Being suicidal is a description of deep, deep, dark depression. Being suicidal doesn't mean you kill yourself, but it does mean you are exploring what options you have against what drama you have endured. If Jesus had done Himself in.... or if Jesus had asked God to send down legions... then none of this would matter.... because the Mission would have failed. Jesus had to be human.
He had to do this alone.
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