Matthew 26

 Matthew 26: 47-56  Now they came,  Judas, the betrayer.. the temple  guards with "swords and clubs" - representing the "chief priests and elders".. the Roman cohort with its officers.. they all came armed and ready for a battle.. 

Jesus said, ".. do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" A gang of thugs and a Roman cohort numbering at 600 could not stand against 1 angel.. let alone 12 legions.. 72,000 angels!  But, Jesus did not call for the angels.. He had already submitted to the Father's will and was prepared to drink the cup that He alone could take.. 

Judas came with a kiss.  I never noticed before but read in a commentary that Judas addresses Jesus as "Rabbi".. never "Lord".  Jesus still.. in the center of this betrayal.. calls Judas "friend"... a comrade.. even though he was not a true friend. 

Jesus attests that everything that happened in that moment was to fulfill the Scriptures. Zechariah 13:7 says, "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man, My Associate, declares the Lord of hosts. 'Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered.. "  Isaiah 53 is  perhaps the greatest of the Messianic prophecies. Verse 3 "He was despised and forsaken of men. A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from home men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him." 

"Then all the disciples left Him and fled." 

Heavenly Father, if Jesus had called upon the angels.. if He had not taken the cup.. if He had not died on that cross, shedding His blood for our forgiveness.. we would never be able to call on You.. let alone call You "Father".  Your love and grace and peace have been provided to us because of Jesus Christ the Lamb of God.. the Shepherd of Your people. Jesus, King of glory, we give You thanks and praise and bless Your holy Name.  Lord, we are Yours and we want to abide in You always with hearts full of love and gratitude. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth.. in us.. as it is in heaven.  Amen.