John 18

John 18:1-9 (NIV)

Jesus Arrested

18     When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.

2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

8 “I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”a [1]

They came in force to arrest Christ as if it were necessary, as if there would be enough force to capture God.  You would have to ask yourself what they would be afraid of.

Judas did not believe that Jesus was anythign more than a human leader of some sort.  He could not deny that Christ was unique to others.  He had an unexplainable power that he used to help others.  He preached an irresistible message of forgiveness and grace.

The problem was not with Christ.  The problem was that Judas had a different agenda.  Most likely he was interested in the politics of the Messiah and the nation of Israel.  They were powerless over Him.  With all their weapons and all their numbers, they shrank back from him.

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a  2 John 6:39

[1]  The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.