47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. (Matthew 26)
Yesterday, I noted that in his Passion account Matthew seems to focus on all the ways the disciples failed Jesus on that eve before the Crucifixion: Judas went out to betray Him, Peter promised to never abandon Him, and all were sleeping on the job to pray for Him. Matthew now notes that in the critical hour they all reacted badly - either acting in a non-Jesus-like manner of violence, or running like cowards. Jesus stood alone. Here was all of their best Friend, and not one stayed to support Him. Mind you, none of us would do any differently, save for the presence of the Holy Spirit to see us through. It shows us yet another way we can "let Jesus down". Thankfully, Jesus does not need us like we need Him. But He does want us to stand with Him, follow Him, and stay close to Him. To be sure, we need Him to keep an eye on us...
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