The arrest by Jesus is more important than the arrest by guards

Gospel Thoughts*

*Lent : Fourth Week: Saturday*

*GOSPEL - Jn 7:40-53*

*First Reading - Jer 11:18-20*

*The arrest by Jesus is more important than the arrest by guards*

*1) Guards were sent to arrest Jesus*

The guards were sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees. 

They were primarily sent in order to arrest Jesus and to be brought before them 

So the guards reached the place where Jesus was preaching and they encountered a large gathering, listening to Jesus 

*2) The guards who came to arrest, happen to listen to Him*

The guards could not arrest Jesus as soon as they came. The reasons are very clear 

First of all a large crowd of people were listening to Jesus 

Since Jesus was also involved in His ministry of preaching, the guards could not go directly and catch Jesus 

They had to wait for the crowd to disperse. In the mean time they had to listen what Jesus was speaking about 

*3) The preaching of Jesus changes the mission of Guards*

As the guards were listening to Jesus, there was a unique experience which the guards encountered 

They came to realise what exactly Jesus is doing and how is goes about His ministry

As a result guards did not find any reasons to arrest Jesus. Therefore instead of arresting they simply went back without arresting Him 

*4) Guards became the powerful apostles of Jesus*

As soon as they went back, they communicated the reason of not arresting Jesus 

They spoke frankly without hiding anything. They said *Never before has anyone spoken like this man*

In the above words we see the following things 

The courage of the guards to speak boldly about the mission of Jesus 

The divine experience they underwent after listening to Jesus 

The realisation that Jesus is the True Messiah

The genuine attitude of the guards. They didn't manipulate anything. They spoke truth as it is 

*5) Only the listening makes a difference*

The main point which brought about change in the lives of the guards is the *listening*

Since they listened Jesus they came to know the Truth

The chief priests and the Pharisees were not ready to listen, therefore they didn't realise what was the Truth and the worth of Jesus 

Even Nicodemus makes a mention of the importance of listening. He says  *Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?*

In both - Nicodemus and in guards the change is there only because they listened Jesus others not. 

*6) Am I ready to listen to Jesus*

Only through listening the deeper encounter takes place 

If Guards were able to change their life after listening to Jesus what about me? 

They are inspiration to all of us 

*7) Finally guards were arrested by Jesus' sight*

Guards had gone to arrest Jesus 

But Jesus arrest them through His preaching. He arrested them to give new experience and new outlook 

The arrest by Jesus is more important than the arrest by the guards. 

Will I allow myself to be arrested by Jesus himself? 

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*