Reading: Luke 22:47-53
While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! 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 against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.” [NASB1995®]
The hour has come; the lovers of darkness have come for Jesus; it is the moment of the wicked.
Darkness in the Heart of Judas: Judas, one of the twelve, gives Jesus into the hands of those who want to kill Him. With a kiss. How darkened can a heart be? Judas has walked with Jesus for three years; he has seen him heal the sick, extend his hand to the suffering, proclaim a kingdom of grace, but it is Satan who has won his heart.
Darkness among the disciples: Although Satan has not penetrated their hearts, the disciples are full of confusion at this hour. They try to face the mob with a sword. And the Lord must reprimand them. This is necessary, it must be so, let the mob do what they want, this is their time.
Servants of Darkness: The priests and scribes, who claim to be masters of truth, have paradoxically become servants of darkness. And they come to Jesus in the middle of the night because what they want to do is shameful. The children of God do not move in darkness, but seek light. Light displays who we are, but the servants of darkness live by appearances. Tonight they are showing their true faces. Darkness hates, hurts, kills. That is what they want to do.
MEDIATE: Jesus knows that this hour of darkness is necessary, because He has come to bring light. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not prevail against it (John 1:5). Christ’s victory shines so powerfully that the deepest darkness is broken.
Scripture quotation taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Translation by: Emily Stader
