I was reading about Jesus’ arrest today… I found it interesting to think about it through the eyes of the officers and thought I’d share.
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
“I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered.-John 18:4-8
What scared the arresting officers? Was it the conviction and confidence in Jesus’ voice? Was it the boldness and authority with which he answered? Or do you think that just for a brief moment… they caught a glimpse of the power of God? Seconds after this, a disciple pulled a sword and cut off the ear of one of the soldiers. Jesus stopped him and healed the man’s severed ear by touching it. Then he told them all that if he wanted, he could have legions of angels come to his rescue by just saying the words.
Then the soldiers arrested him and took him into captivity.
After all that…
Do you think those soldiers thought he was “just a man” that they were arresting? I doubt it. They obviously saw SOMETHING that made them draw back and fall to the ground in fear when Jesus said he was the one they were after. Then they watched him touch and heal one of their own… a miracle in front of their eyes.
They KNEW there was more to this man than meets the eye. Yet they still arrested him. Why? Likely out of fear of what the Roman government would do to them if they failed to obey the orders they were given. Usually the penalty was death.
One thing is for sure… I bet they carried out that task with extreme fear and caution. Especially after experiencing all they did, then hearing this man say that all he had to do was speak the words and legions of angels would rescue him. Yeah… That’d scare me too… I’d believe it after what they’d seen in the span of 3 minutes. I bet they carried out the arrest and were as civil as possible to Jesus until they handed him over to the rest of the guards and awaiting officials (who knew nothing of the signs they had seen)… then they likely got the heck outta Dodge and avoided being put in a spot where they’d have to be involved.
They sold out the very God of the Universe because they were scared of what their punishment would be if they didn’t do what they knew was right… They feared man more than God. They feared the known more than the unknown…. Even if one of them WANTED to back out, what would he say to the rest of the officers?
Heh… mob rule at it’s finest. They were likely all thinking the same thing. “Are you sure we should do this?” but no one could say it.