BiblicalInsights.net

The betrayal and arrest of Jesus exhibit the power of darkness in the human heart.  When we see such, we turn away.  We shutter at the capacity of the human heart for sinful conduct.  We wince at the darkness that can envelope the human soul.  When we see the true nature of sin and its capacity to reign in the hearts of men, confirmation is made of the need for salvation.

THE BETRAYAL OF JESUS

In Luke 22:3 we learn of the conspiracy made by Judas Iscariot and Jewish leaders to betray Jesus.  While Jesus was completing His discourses in the upper room, a conspiracy to take His life had commenced.  Judas was a key player in this event.  The chief priests and scribes actively sought to kill Jesus.  The treachery born in their hearts involved evil thoughts, motives and actions.  Now, they waited for the right time and place to carry out their dark intentions.
Satan entered into Judas (Luke 22:3).  Satan suggests to Judas evil thoughts that develop into evil intents and eventually bring forth evil actions.  Judas does not resist.  Satan does not flee.  Judas was one of the twelve apostles.  His treachery will forever mark him as a traitor.  Judas’ role in the plot to kill Jesus involved identifying Jesus and delivering Him to the captains of the temple for arrest.  The Jewish leaders feared the people (Luke 22:2) so they had to plan to arrest Jesus in some obscure place and under secrecy if possible.  Jesus sought a place of solitude to fortify His spirit.  He chose the Garden of Gethsemane.  In this garden, late at night (around midnight)–the perfect time and place–the arrest was made.  Earlier that night, Jesus had revealed that Judas would betray Him.  Yet, this exposure did not deter Judas.  Evil intents gripped his heart.  It is the power of darkness.
Judas agreed to betray Jesus for money–thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 27:9; Luke 22:5).  Judas was a thief (John 12:5-6).  Money adds to the motive and helps fire the evil intent.  Judas made a profit from the conspiracy, but afterward, the blood money tormented his conscience and he rid himself of it.  The devil says everyman has his price.  What’s yours?  It is the power of darkness.

THE ARREST.

After Jesus’ agony in the Garden, while He yet spake the words of warning to His disciples, the band of men who would arrest Him entered.  Judas led them (Luke 22:47).  The betrayal was accomplished with a kiss.  A kiss would normally be the sign of friendship.  The incongruity of the moment caused Jesus to say, “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?”  The breach of trust is obvious.  It is the power of darkness.
Jesus’ friends did not remain passive.  They were ready to fight as promised.  Peter draws his sword and cuts off the right ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest.  Jesus rebuked Peter and healed Malchus.
Jesus then spoke to the chief priests, captains of the temple and elders and said, “Be ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves?”  The Lord was not a violent man.  He had never been a violent man.  When He was teaching daily in the temple they did not attempt to arrest Him (Luke 22:53).  What would they arrest Him for?  For teaching eternal truths?  For the miracles He performed?  Their actions were unfounded.  It is the power of darkness.
They led Jesus away to the house of the high priest to begin to interrogate Him.  Nothing He said would stop them from doing what they had imagined and schemed for so long.  Their envy and jealousy was fully developed.  They will kill Him.  It is the power of darkness!

EVIL WITHIN

Satan tempts the human heart to think, intend and do evil things.  In the moment of temptation, we have the will to decide to act to either glorify God or succumb to Satan’s lies.  In that moment, either the power of righteousness and truth will prevail or the power of darkness.  We decide.  When we sin, it is the power of darkness.
Is there any hope for people in the grip of evil?  Yes.  Jesus died to liberate them from sin–its practice and its eternal consequences.   It is the power of love! (Acts 2:38; Eph. 1:7).