Chapter 2: The Kiss

While Jesus was still speaking, torches appeared through the trees.

Judas was leading a large crowd sent by the chief priests and elders, armed with swords and clubs. He had given them a signal beforehand. In that darkness, with a crowd of men, they needed a way to identify which person to seize. Judas had told them: the one I greet with a kiss is the man. In that culture a kiss on the cheek was a standard greeting between a disciple and his rabbi.

He walked straight up to Jesus.

JUDAS“Rabbi!”— Matthew 26:49

He kissed him. Jesus looked at him.

JESUS“Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”— Luke 22:48

The crowd moved forward to seize Jesus. In the chaos Peter drew his sword and swung it at the high priest's servant, a man named Malchus, cutting off his right ear. Jesus stopped him immediately.

JESUS“Put your sword away. Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”— John 18:11

He reached out and touched Malchus's ear and healed him. It was the last miracle before his arrest. The man who had come to take him away was healed by the hands being bound.

Jesus then turned to the crowd.

JESUS“Am I leading a rebellion that you have come out with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the Temple courts and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”— Luke 22:52-53

Every disciple turned and fled into the night. Jesus stood alone among his captors, exactly as he had known he would.