Hello and welcome to Bible Stories.

We have a special Easter devotional for you today as we take a look at what Jesus was

doing on the Friday before Easter.

Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested, Matthew 26, 47 through 56.

And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with the crowd

of men arm with swords and clubs.

They have been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people.

The traitor Judas had given them a pre-arranged signal.

You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.

So Judas came straight to Jesus.

Greetings, Rabbi.

He exclaimed and gave him the kiss.

Jesus said, my friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.

Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high pre-slave, slashing

his ear.

Put away your sword, Jesus told him, those who use the sword will die by the sword.

Don't you realize that I could ask my father for thousands of angels to protect us?

And he would send them instantly?

But if I did, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?

Then Jesus said to the crowd, it might some dangerous revolutionary that you come with

swords and clubs to arrest me?

...