Jesus Is Arrested and Peter's Sword

After Jesus had finished praying in Gethsemane, Judas came with a large band of soldiers carrying torches, swords, and clubs. Judas had secretly agreed to identify Jesus with a kiss. He stepped forward smiling and said, "Greetings, Teacher," and kissed his cheek. It was not a greeting but a betrayal. Jesus looked at Judas and gently said, "Friend, do what you came to do." Even in the most painful moment, he still called the one who betrayed him his "friend." When Peter saw the soldiers seize Jesus, he impulsively drew his sword and cut off the ear of a servant. Jesus called out, "Put your sword back into its place! For all who take the sword will die by the sword." Then he gently reached out, touched the man's ear, and healed it. Jesus said to the disciples, "Do you think I cannot pray to my Father, and he would not send more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled?" The disciples were so afraid that they all fled. The soldiers tied Jesus' hands tightly and led him through the night to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. Peter and John followed quietly at a distance, afraid yet unwilling to leave. The night was dark and silent. Only Jesus, the good Shepherd who chose peace over the sword and faced suffering with courage, walked step by step, calm and steady, to fulfill the redemption set for us from the very beginning.