Moment of Meditation: As a Robber (Matthew 26:55)

''[Jesus said:] "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me" (Matthew 26:55).''

Why did you have to sneak around at night to find Me? I've been right in front of you, but you wouldn't touch me. But this was done to fulfill the Scriptures.

The chief priests and the elders of the Jews did not want to start a riot among the common people. They were afraid of the common person's devotion to this Galilean teacher. He wasn't even a trained rabbi, but His following kept growing. At the beginning of Holy Week, the Pharisees said, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him" (John 12:19).

The chief priests and the elders had confronted Jesus before, but they always lost the war of words. They were always put to shame because Jesus put them in their place. They had to find a way to put Him in His place. To do that, they had to sneak around in the dark. They had to come out with swords and clubs, like they were chasing a hardened criminal.

But Jesus came to be numbered with the criminals (Isaiah 53:12). Criminals like you and me. He hung on the cross for you. To bring robbers and criminals to Him. To forgive all your sins. Amen.