King of Glory

Five - Betrayed

"A kiss? You betray me with a kiss?" Jesus whispered to Judas as he exchanged the custom of kissing the cheek of a friend. 

"There was no other way... I ... I" Judas couldn't  verbalize his sorrow.

"Quiet! You've served your purpose." The guard bit back. Shaking his head, Judas backed away before turning to run.

The guards took hold of Jesus to bind him, but were stopped when Peter, who was standing nearby, drew his sword and sliced at a servant's ear. 

"Peter! Stop! If you live violently, you'll die violently. This is the will of my Father!" Jesus rebuked him before healing the man's severed ear. The man immediately touched it and was amazed that it was whole. He looked at Jesus, and at the guards with him, and ran out of the garden. 

They attempted to round up the disciples, but Jesus stopped them. "Let them go. You came for me; you have me. They are no concern of yours." They jostled Him and bound His arms, taking Him away towards the High Priest.

# # # # #

Two disciples followed at a distance: Peter and John. 

John followed into the outer court thanks to a believer among the Pharisees. Peter stayed outside, listening for any news. 

"You! You were with Jesus, weren't you? You even look like a fisherman. What's your name?" A commoner asked him while they waited for the drama inside to unfold.

"I don't have any idea what you're talking about. I'm just a curious onlooker like you." Peter winced at himself when he heard a rooster and realized the words of Jesus were coming true. 

"You have a Galilean accent. Are you sure?" The man pressed. Again, the rooster crowed the arrival of dawn.

"I'm certain. I'm here for the Passover like most of the throng in Jerusalem." He answered again. The dark sky was lightening.

Another pilgrim agreed with the first. "I think you are with Jesus. I've seen you around the Temple area with Him these past few days."

Peter cursed. "I don't know the man. Now leave me alone." He shouted before walking away alone. The third crow he heard brought stinging tears to his face. He'd done just as Jesus had predicted. He didn't want to, but he was a weak human. 

# # # # #

Judas went to the house of the High Priest, not aware that he would be gone. A servant answered. 

"What do you want?" He asked. 

"I-I wanna know what Caiaphas has done with Jesus."

"Well, he's called a council. I believe he's trying to get Jesus condemned. It looks bad for Him."

"I never meant for that to happen. Caiaphas asked to arrange a meeting, not arrest Him." Judas cried.

"I think that's your problem. Goodbye." The servant shut the door, leaving Judas in the now empty street holding a bag of coins and crying.