Being in a mob can be one of the most dangerous places. Mobs are very unpredictable. You can’t really predict what will happen. Something very small can trigger some very unexpected outcomes. A scurrying animal can spook a mob. Only one or two people see the animal, but the screams set off a mass panic. People begin running in all directions, not even knowing why they are running. A police officer can give a look as they burp their chili cheese burger, and someone in the crowd see it and think they are being disrespected, reacting negatively.
Most justice in this country is not done by a mob. In fact, the property damage and personal violence done by mobs does nothing about the purported injustice. It simply reinforces stereotypes on both sides of the equation.
A mob comes to exact justice on behalf of cowardly Jewish leaders. They had wanted to avoid too much publicity around Jesus’ capture and death. They wanted to wait until after the crowds had returned home and Jerusalem had empted of the festival crowds. But Judas’ offer we too good to pass up. Judas was the perfect insider. He could provide access that few others could. He was the perfect mole.
So the crowd approaches and gives the signal. He targets Jesus with a kiss. If this were a modern spy movie, the kiss would have transferred a microscopic tracking device that would have allowed the delaying of their response. Or maybe Judas would place a small device on His collar or in His pocket. They would track Him with satellite over the next few days and then pounce at a moment more in tune with their plan. But they didn’t have this option.
So the signal has been given and the mob grabs Jesus. In the excitement one of His disciples swings the sword, probably aiming for the head and hits the ear instead. He probably thought it was the right thing to do at the moment. Those “right things” can get us in trouble.
Jesus points out the obvious. There were plenty of easier ways to capture me. You just had to grab me any one of those time I was teaching. That would have been easy. But I know this is part of the plan.
One young man was going to follow Jesus, staying true to his commitment. But they get cold feet when they grab him. He becomes a streaker. I am sure he was glad there were no cameras rolling. CNN would be playing that video endlessly, wouldn’t they!
Life will throw some reality balls our way, some expected and some unexpected. What we do with those balls will speak volumes about who we are and the nature of our trust in Christ. Let us face the realities that come. Let’s not get caught up in the ‘mobs’ of our day, exacting ‘justice’ based on emotion and the moment.
The Arnold Journey 