Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.
Through most of my life as a Christian, I wondered why, with Jesus teaching so many people so openly, a plot had to be conceived to arrest him in secret. I guess I missed that part where they said, “not during the festival, lest the people riot.”
So much of the motivation was Jesus’ popularity with the people. They needed time to sway the crowds to the idea that Jesus was a blaspheming criminal.
But two other things occur to me here. First, they bring weapons to subdue Christ and keep his disciples from preventing his arrest. (This didn’t stop one from cutting off an ear.) He had never used violence or encouraged his followers to do so, but they were afraid. Ruling powers seem to need the threat of force to maintain their version of order. Spiritual people do not.
Second, Christ reminds them (and us) that despite their intentions, God’s will, already prefigured by the prophets, would eventually win out. In fact, God would use their plans for evil to fulfill His plan for good.
Lord, help us to trust in You so that we do not expect to overcome evil by our own strength, nor try to win our battles alone. Keep our eyes on You, so that when we do not see the ending of your plans, we may know in our hearts, you will bring them to fruition.
