The Arrest of Jesus – Gentleness and Self-Control
Matthew 26:45-56
Gentleness – “tenderness, carefulness, caution, courtesy, meekness” – Paul commands us in 1 Timothy 6:11 to pursue gentleness. Self-control – Self-control is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23) and Peter tells us that we need to add self-control to our lives in 2 Peter 1:6.
As Jesus is our example in all things, He is also our example in gentleness and self-control. To see His use of these two fruit of the Spirit, let’s meditate on His behavior in the Garden of Gethsemane when He is arrested – Matthew 26:45-56.
GENTLENESS WITH JUDAS – 26:47-50:
Matthew emphasizes in verse 47 that this betrayer – Judas Iscariot – was “one of the twelve.” This was certainly not an enemy of Jesus.
The place where Jesus met in the Garden was a habitual place – He met there often with His disciples (John 18:2). It was His own special place to meet with His disciples and pray together with them. This special place turned into the place where Judas betrayed Jesus.
Even though many of us have been betrayed by family and friends or even acquaintances, few of us have been betrayed to the extent that Jesus was betrayed. Yet, He refers to Judas as “Friend” in verse 50. How could Jesus be so gentle with Judas?
There are a few answers to this question in this context. I’ll point out others as we move through the text but at this point, we consider what Jesus has been doing up to this point. Jesus came to the Garden to pray (verses 36, 43, 45). Jesus knew what was about to happen. I propose to you that Jesus knew He needed to pray to be gentle with those who would betray Him, not the least of whom would be Judas Iscariot himself.
GENTLENESS WITH HIS ENEMIES – 26:51:
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Luke tells us that Jesus touched his ear and healed him. How was it that Jesus could be so gentle with someone who came out to His place of prayer with malice in his heart?
I propose to you that Jesus knew He needed to pray to be gentle with those who would kill Him (Matthew 5:44-45).
GENTLENESS WITH THE CROWDS – 26:55-56:
In His rebuke to Peter in verse 53, He reminds His apostles that He had the access to the Father to call twelve legions of angels. But gentleness means having access to that power but not using it because it would not be according to God’s will.
That brings us to the second reason why Jesus was able to be gentle with Judas, Malchus, and the crowds. Look back at His prayer in verse 39 – “Let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” Jesus knew – as you and I need to constantly remind ourselves – He knew that the Father has all things under His control. If it was God’s will for Jesus to be released, that would happen. If it was God’s will for Jesus to be arrested, that would happen.
Pray for gentleness. Pray for self-control. Also, remember that God is in control. Why do I need to retaliate against someone who has injured me? Why do I need to seek revenge on someone else – through my words or my actions (Romans 12:19)?
Remember that God is in control and God will take care of you.
–Paul Holland
