April 10, 2025 | Be God's Family
Jesus Was Never More Alone
Scripture: Matthew 26:47-68(NIV)
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
Devotional
Jesus was never more alone.
He could have gone to a new hiding place, where even Judas couldn’t find Him. But He didn’t.
He could have allowed Peter to keep fighting with the sword. But He didn’t.
He could have summoned 72,000 of the angels He had created to come to His defense. But He didn’t.
He could have stopped His fleeing disciples in their tracks. But He didn’t.
He could have called down lightning from heaven to destroy His enemies. But He didn’t.
He could have spoken up and proven to His captors that He was indeed the Messiah, the Son of God. But He didn’t.
He could have broken free and fought back against those who spit in His face and struck Him with their fists. But He didn’t.
He could have abandoned His mission of surrendering His life for our sins. But He didn’t.
He could have walked away from His Father. But He didn’t.
Jesus was never less alone.
Poem
A Kiss
Psalm 55
If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers. Psalm 55:12-14
A holy kiss once greeted me
As in her arms I laid
The sweet kiss of my mother true
A nest of comfort made
An oil drenched kiss was giv’n me
At eight-day dedication
A welcome to my cov’nant tribe
The first step preparation
A Jordan river kissed my skin
As dove from heav’n descended
A righteous claiming of my life
Identity intended
A daily kiss of greeting now
From those who’d journey with me
Companions full in ministry
Fulfilling Kingdom’s myst’ry
A tear-filled kiss anointed me
Perfumed hair served in wiping
A gift so beautiful to me
Causation now providing
A Judas kiss, the worst, O, grief
Betrayal of a friend
Insulting all grace that was shared
A farewell kiss, an end
