June 8 Jesus Arrested

John 18:12-14 & 19-24 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people…19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” 22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. 23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”  24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
 
THESE are violent men who arrest Jesus. They do so in a dark garden absent of public witness. They bind Jesus to immediately cause pain in his arms and wrists. Even after this arresting guard has fallen back in response to Jesus’ power, they forcefully take him to Annas.
   You may wonder why there are two high priests. In the Romans’ view, Caiaphas was the high priest, replacing Annas about 15 A.D. In Jewish law, a high priest ruled for life. But the Romans were uncomfortable with one man ruling so long. Thus, Annas’ son-in-law Caiaphas became high priest. Still, the Jews system honored Annas as high priest, even though the Romans gave him no authority. Caiaphas, we remember, declared after Jesus resurrected Lazarus that it would be better to kill Jesus than to allow the Romans to kill many Jews who would follow Jesus in a rebellion. (John 11:49-52)
   The Jewish rulers are working in physical and spiritual darkness. The secret arrest led to a secret trial that would lead to Jesus’ public execution. The Jews were manipulating events to their purpose to destroy Jesus. The spiritual darkness is evident as Annas questions Jesus about his disciples and his teachings. Again, Jesus protects his disciples from this evil. And he refuses to specifically relate his teachings. Long before these questions, many pharisees and priests had asked Jesus many questions. But few had open ears and hearts to receive the truth. Jesus knows the truth now will only come to some through his resurrection. He knows full well his teaching time is done. Hard hearts have refused to listen. It’s time to complete his work.
   The light will appear to be snuffed out. But it will remain a glow and burn brightly over the land once again. The Lord was permitting the darkness. Yet, out of the darkness will come the light. To paraphrase Matthew 4:16 “the people living in darkness (will see) a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." 
 
 
Prayer: Help me, Father, to live in your light. I pray when I ask you for answers, I will listen to your truth. Amen.