47-48 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him,  “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49-50 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 

52-53 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” 54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. Luke 22:47-54 (English Standard Version)

There are crucial moments when the enemy of our soul strikes. There are times when the powers of darkness see an opportunity to take us down. It happened to Jesus (vs 52-53), and it was going to happen to Peter. (vs 54) What a dark hour it was for the Saviour. Betrayed by Judas, arrested by people who were deceived, and led to trial before biased judges. And though his disciples tried to put up some resistance, like Peter, they could only follow Him at a distance. But what do today's verses show us about Christ?

Surely they show that He was always in full control. The powers of darkness did not overcome Him. He restrained His disciples and healed the servant's ear. He challenged the cowardly hypocrisy of those who came to arrest Him, but allowed Himself to be taken into custody. The Gospel of Matthew tells us that when Jesus restrained the disciples He said to them: “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I can’t call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26:52-54)

Apart from telling His disciples to put their swords away, why were the swords and clubs of those who came to arrest Jesus actually unnecessary? (vs 52-53)

Because Jesus was not a robber! It made me think of some words of Jesus in the Gospel of John. He said to the Pharisees (the same people who now sent a rabble to arrest Him): “Truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who doesn't enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life - only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:1-18)

John also tells us in his gospel that “in Him (i.e. Jesus Christ) was life. And the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5) That was the struggle taking place that night in the garden, and Jesus triumphed. But let us also keep watch over our own souls and pray. The enemy looks for the hour of opportunity to bring us down. Let's not follow Christ at a distance, but keep constantly by faith as close to Him as we can. The life He laid down for us is our assurance that we can be triumphant over the darkness too.