Daily Devotion for Monday 23rd March 2026

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.  Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.’  At once he came up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him.  Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you are here to do.’ Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.  Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?  But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?’  At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, ‘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.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Reflection

I am struck by the trauma that must have accompanied the events that Matthew narrates. Judas greets Jesus as  “Rabbi” (one to whom, in first-century Palestine, someone devoted themselves body and soul). The intimate kiss that should have denoted that devotion is perverted into the very sign for Jesus to be surrendered to a weaponised mob. He who simply used reasoned words in the Temple, peaceably, day after day is going to be subject to shadowy violence, perverted justice and public humiliation. 

Then we have the chaotic response of Jesus’ loyal followers. They fight back in kind – actual bloodshed. Realising  this is not a response their master endorses they can only desert the scene in confusion. What raw emotions must have been unleashed. What chaotic despair. 

The scene resonates with much of the world’s current division with civic and political chaos, retreat from reason to violence, justice abused, anger in gloomy corners (and sadly, openly on display). Many are tempted to respond in kind, others feel a numbing sense of powerlessness when constrained from doing so.

The calm presence at the centre of this storm is Christ himself. Certainly able to misuse his power but resisting the temptation. Well aware that violence will have inevitable consequences for those who use it. Still teaching the right response even if it means people distance themselves. Trusting that Scripture has foretold that people will “…do what they are here to do”, that things “…must happen this way”  

The mystery of the Cross is that it is a place where both God and Satan’s purposes were accomplished – in the very same time and space! Can we trust that, even when things are at their worst, God, in the crucified Christ, is right there with us in the human mess? Can we be a calm presence, trusting God’s purposes and strengthening hope and peace in others?

Prayer

Lord, we praise you that you are with us – 
present in even the most difficult moments. 
We rejoice in the mystery of your will. 
Your purposes are being accomplished, 
even in, even through, 
the many difficulties we see around us. 
Help us to trust you, our true Rabbi,
example and guide, 
and respond to others with peace and hope – 
calling even those who let us down 
and sometimes betray us: “Friend” – Amen.