[Holy Week]: #16; Jesus' Betrayal

   And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas,
one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords
and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of
the people.
   Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying,
"Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." Im-
mediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings,
Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
   But Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?"
   Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took
Him. And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus
stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the
servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
   But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place,
for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or
do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and
He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of
angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that
it must happen thus?"
   In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you
come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs
to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple,
and you did not seize Me. But all this was done that the
Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled."
   Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

Matthew 26:47-56