Matthew 26:51-56

Man, I never thought about Jesus disciples having swords. You don't see that in the pictures in Sunday school. But somebody had to have one if they cut off some dude's ear.
I think verse 56 must have been one of the saddest moments for Jesus. I don't think that was prophesied, so I bet he was just like I can't believe they left me. I'm sure they were just worried about themselves, but to think that after all of those times of them saying that they would go with Jesus to their deaths, it was all just talk. Makes me hope that I would be something more. Able to really stand up for something, even when it really threatened me. JM

Matthew 26:49-50

Man, Jesus is mean. I never noticed what he said to Judas after Judas had kissed him: "Friend, do what you came to do." Why not just say do what you came to do. But he called him friend. I bet that haunted him for his last few days. I bet he heard it echoing in his mind. He had spent so much time with Jesus. He really was Jesus' friend. Or he should have been, but he missed it. He didn't get it. Everybody else did, but somehow Jesus didn't get it and he betrayed his friend.
People always talk about wanting to sit down with Jesus, or Peter, or Paul or something, but I think Judas is one of the most fascinating people in the Bible. I'd love to talk to him. JM

Matthew 26:47-48

I always used to wonder why the pharisees needed Judas to kiss Jesus. I'm sure it's symbolic and everything, but didn't they know which one Jesus was. They had seen him tons of times. He was probably in their nightmares. But the pharisees didn't come for Jesus. Instead they sent "many people carrying swords and clubs who had been sent from the leading priests and the older Jewish leaders of the people."
It was all a setup. They sent these people to get Jesus and bring him before their council as if they had nothing to do with it. It's a smart little plan. It worked. They ended up getting Jesus crucified.
It's just interesting to really see what happened. JM

Psalm 60

Ever notice that the stuff that hurts the worst is when people you trust betray you. It cuts so much deeper. It's the worst feeling in the world when someone that you care about acts as if they don't care about you. JM