September 26 Daily Devotional

Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 18

“Then assembled together the chief priest, and scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the place of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. And they consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him … Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.”

Now Judas knew where the garden of Gethsemane was, “for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. While Jesus yet spake, Judas, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns, and torches, and weapons. Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he … As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he. If therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: that the saying might be fulfilled which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me, I have lost none.

Now, he that betrayed him, gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. When they which were about him, saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? And he touched Malchus’ ear and healed him.”

In that same hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Are ye come out as against a thief, with swords and staves for to take me? I was daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But this is our hour, and the power of darkness.”