Below is today’s text combined with all four Gospels taken from the Merged Gospels… #266. Jesus is Arrested – MT 26:47-56, MK 14:43-53a, LK 22:47-54a, JN 18:2-14 (Location – Gethsemane, Passover, 30 AD.)

And immediately, while He was still speaking, behold the one called Judas, one of the twelve, came along, accompanied by a great crowd. Now Judas, who was betraying Him, also knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. Therefore, Judas, having received the Roman cohort, came there with lanterns, and torches, and with weapons, swords and clubs, and officers from the chief priests, and from the Pharisees, and the scribes, and the elders of the people. Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign saying, “Whomever I will kiss, He is the One. Seize Him and lead Him away under guard.” And after coming, he immediately went to Jesus to kiss Him, saying, “Hail, Rabbi,” and he kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? Friend, do what you have come for.” Then Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus, the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who was betraying Him, was also standing with them. Therefore, when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Then again, He asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus, the Nazarene.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He. If, therefore, you seek Me, let these go their way,” that the word might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me, I did not lose one.” And when those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” Then they came and they laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. And behold, a certain one of them, Simon Peter, standing by Jesus, having a sword, reached and drew it, and he struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. And the slave’s name was Malchus. Then Jesus answered and said to him, “Stop. No more of this. Put your sword into its sheath, for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. The cup which the Father has given Me, will I not drink it? Or do you think that I cannot now appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?” And He touched his ear and healed him. And at that time, Jesus answered and said to the crowds, the chief priests, and officers of the Temple, and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as against a robber? Every day I used to sit while I was with you, teaching daily in the Temple, and you did not lay hands on Me (to) seize Me. But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. But this hour and the power of darkness are yours.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

May we all become true followers of Jesus and careful students of God’s word.

Pastor Mike