Matthew 26 As the Passover drew closer, the priests and scribes grew more desperate to get rid of Jesus. He was gaining too much support and was threatening their position of power over the people. They knew that the only way to regain control would be to kill Him. However, the Pharisees and Sadducees also knew that many people truly loved Jesus Christ. They would have to hide their involvement, otherwise, the people would get angry with the priests, and not return to their teachings. One of the twelve disciples was Judas Iscariot. He had spent years following Christ, listening to His teachings and witnessing miracles performed by His power. Despite the influence of the Spirit and the goodness of Christ, Judas was drawn to the power of the scribes and priests. He secretly went and met with them, and together they plotted on how Judas could help them capture Christ. Within a few days, Jesus and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives, made private by the darkness of night. Christ knew the time of His death was coming quickly. He left the disciples and went to pray. He was gone for hours, and when He returned, He seemed exhausted from the effort of His prayers and the lateness of the night. Judas saw his opportunity. With Roman soldiers hidden in the trees nearby, Judas walked up to Jesus and kissed Him on the cheek, the agreed signal for the soldiers to arrest Christ. As the soldiers rushed from the hiding places to take Jesus, He looked at Judas and sadly asked, “You betray me with a kiss?”
