“But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scripture” (Matthew 26:56 NLT).
On the night of Christ’s betrayal and arrest, He ordered His disciples not to resist. For He said that what was happening was according to the Scriptures. Hearing this, the disciples deserted Him and ran away. What about what happened that night was a fulfillment of the Scriptures?
Was it that Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, would betray Jesus? Yes. David wrote of the betrayer saying that he would be a “friend” of the Messiah: “Even my friend in whom I trusted, one who ate my bread, has raised his heel against me” (Psa. 41:9). The prophet Zechariah wrote describing the amount of the betrayer’s bribe and even how he would throw it back: “I took the 30 pieces of silver and threw it into the house of the Lord, to the potter” (Zech. 11:12-13).
Was it that Jesus would willingly allow Himself to be arrested and abused? Yes. As the prophet Isaiah wrote: “I gave My back to those who beat Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spitting” (Isa. 50:6). And in another place, Isaiah wrote: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, He did not open His mouth. He was taken away because of oppression and judgment” (Isa. 53:7-8).
Was it that Christ’s disciples would desert Him and run away? Yes. Jesus actually quoted this prophecy earlier that evening to His disciples, warning them that they would all desert Him. Quoting Zechariah, He said, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered” (Zech. 13:7; Matt. 26:31).
So, there were many Scriptures fulfilled on the night of Christ’s betrayal and many more would be fulfilled in His death, burial and resurrection. Jesus knew these things, yet He was “obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8).
PRAYER: Dear Father, every word of Scripture was or soon will be fulfilled by Your Son, Jesus Christ. How can we doubt? Your Word is sure and Your Son is trustworthy. We therefore put all our trust in Him. Strengthen us this day for Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, amen.