The players had to be in alignment for the Crucifixion to take place.
The Roman Soldiers in the garden after Jesus prayed were a part of the plan that was already written.
Judas betrayed him with a kiss because he had to, that was the plan.
It was an intimate betrayal, for to be close enough to give someone a kiss it would be tender and also full of mixed messages.
Luke 22:47 b [Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of man with a kiss?”]
The soldiers took hold of him and the disciples didn’t like their attitude towards Jesus.
One of them (some say it was Peter) cut off the ear of the high priests slave, Jesus rebuked him and said “no more” then healed the ear back to wholeness.
It was all a part of the plan.
Jesus had to be arrested, he had to be put on trial.
Chapter 22: 52
Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him.
“Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 
Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? 
I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of the darkness reigns.”
In all the years of reading my bible and the Easter story I have never seen this line before.
when the power of darkness reigns. 
Light and dark. Healing and death. Powerful words spoken from a Savior.
The story continues with his ‘arrest’ and the reactions of the disciples.
Beginning with the story of Peter.
I believe this was included to show us how we are as people.
When the bottom drops and it is our life or some one else’s would we deny him too?
We can be as faithful as we hope to be but, when the pressure comes on us, can we really be faithful to the end?
Jesus prepared Peter when he asked him at one point in time, Peter do you love me?
He was testing his heart. He was challenging his zeal and his promise.
Jesus knew the answer, but he wanted Peter to think about the answer before saying “yes”.
Three times Peter said, “Yes Lord” and three times he denied him in the garden, when the mood of the evening became frightening to him.
I don’t think we should judge Peter.
We can sing in church and raise our hands, preach the word and teach the word but when the pressure arrives and we are facing a life or death decision.
Would we say ‘yes Lord, I love you,’ or would we be like Peter.
Who crumbled under pressure and said, “I never knew the man.” vs 61 The rooster crowed.
At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter, suddenly the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind. “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
vs 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.