It Wasn't Taken. His Life was Given

Matthew 26:47-56

Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 

And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and He will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

The night that Satan thought he had me,

the night he planned his victory,

the night his servant Judas kissed me –
would end my walk to Calvary.

The rough arms came, reached out,
and seized me.

My dear friend drew his sword to fight.

“Put back your sword,” I had to tell him. 

“It has to be this way tonight.”

“Oh, don't you think I could withstand them

without your help if I did try?

Oh, don't you know that heaven’s angels

would be at hand with just a cry?”

And then I asked of those who seized me,

“Why did you come with clubs and swords,

while every day
I sat among you, teaching in the temple courts?”

“And on those days did you arrest me?

No, now you come in evening’s hour,

for Satan's way is always darkness

and you by hating, give him power.”

“So lead me on that way to Calvary.

We'll take the road together now.

I'll walk along, no need to drag me

for I won't use my heavenly power.”

“Oh, I could call on heaven’s angels if I wanted to be free.

It must be now, as God has planned it,

so there’s no need to shackle me.”

He gave His life.

It was NOT taken from Him.