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The moment had come. The quiet hush of Gethsemane was suddenly shattered by the sound of marching feet, clinking swords, and flickering torches. Through the darkness came Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, leading a mob armed with clubs and weapons. And with the most painful of gestures—a kiss—he betrayed the Son of God into the hands of sinners. Luke 22:48 records the heartbreaking words of Jesus: “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” What was meant to be a sign of affection became a signal of treachery. The Lamb was now in the hands of the wolves.

Jesus was not caught off guard. He had predicted His betrayal and even identified Judas at the supper table. But knowing it was coming didn’t lessen the sting. The betrayal of a friend cuts deeper than the wound of an enemy. Psalm 41:9 had prophesied, “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” And yet, Jesus did not retaliate. He did not resist. He willingly allowed Himself to be taken. This moment was not one of weakness—it was one of complete surrender. He yielded not to man’s power, but to the will of the Father.

As He stood before the crowd, Jesus was kissed by betrayal, forsaken by His disciples, and bound by the very ones He came to save. The soldiers treated Him like a common criminal, even though no guilt could be found in Him. But Jesus, in complete control, responded with calm authority. In John’s Gospel, when Jesus identified Himself to the mob with the words “I am he,” they went backward and fell to the ground (John 18:6). Even in the hour of His arrest, divine power flowed from Him. He was not overtaken—He was offering Himself.

This scene reminds us that Christ’s journey to the cross was marked not only by suffering, but by stunning grace. He allowed Himself to be betrayed, arrested, and bound—because He was binding Himself to the work of redemption. Every chain they placed on Him was a symbol of the bondage He came to break in us. Every step they forced Him to take was a step He willingly walked for our salvation. As we reflect on His betrayal and arrest, may we see not only the injustice of man, but the mercy of God. The hands of sinners held Him for a moment—so He could free sinners forever.