Jesus’ Betrayal… vs. 43-52 

• Introduction…
  • In Gethsemane – Jesus had made the hardest decision – in the whole of History
  • God chose to give up His life – so that sinners might have life
  • The stage was set – His hour had come – He was headed for the cross
  • But first He had to be betrayed – by a trusted and close friend…
    
• The Betrayal… (3 points) vs. 43-46
  • 1^st – They came with an army…
    • Judas – one of the twelve – Matthew, Mark, & Luke all still give him this title…
    • And the Jewish leaders – brought a small army to come arrest Jesus
      • There were Roman troop from the Antonio fortress – John 18:3
      • There were Jewish temple police – Luke 22:52
      • A great multitude all armed with swords – clubs – and lanterns
      • All this for 1 carpenter and 11 simple fishermen…
    • This was not the first time they had tried to grab Jesus – John 7:30, 8:20
      • Jesus had the uncanny ability to slip right through the crowds…
      • * Luke 4:29–30 – “They led Jesus to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.  Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.”
      • They were determined this time Jesus would not get away!
  • 2^nd – Judas gave them a sign…
    • Whomever he kissed – seize Him – and lead Him away securely…
      • Interesting the group needed a sign to know who Jesus was…
      • Often we have the idea Jesus glowed – halo maybe – instantly recognizable by all…
      • As though if you were within a mile of Him you would know Jesus was close by…
      • Apparently not – he had no outstanding features – nothing to make Him stick out…
      • Isaiah 53:2 – “There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.”
    • Kiss – kataphileo – literally to smother in kisses – showing great ‘love’
      • Judas came to Jesus calling Him ‘Rabi’ – meaning teacher or master
      • He then gave him a warm embrace and Kiss – feigning ‘deep’ friendship…
      • If Judas had come and pointed out Jesus – ‘that’s the guy’ – it might have been easier
      • But to come in respect & friendship – and that was the sign of the betrayal!
      • It was deeply personal – a spiteful backstabbing attack – from a close friend
      • If someone you don’t like – don’t trust – says/does something to hurt you – OK
      • But have you ever felt betrayed by someone – maybe someone you trusted…
      • When a friend betrays you – it leaves a deep wound/scar – one that’s slow to heal
  • 3^rd – Jesus answers, “Do you betray me with a kiss?” – Luke 22:48
    • Jesus knew Judas dark purpose – and called him on his outward show of love…
    • There are many who might act like a friend – say they are a friend…
    • But a true friend is there because they love you – not what they can get from you 
    • A true friend is not one in words – or appearance – but in heart
      
• The repsonce… (5 points) vs. 47
  • 1^st – One of the disciples took his sword – John 18:10 – tells us it’s Peter…
    • 1 of the 2 swords that they brought with them from the Passover– Luke 22:38…
    • Peter – likely trying to kill the man – cuts off the ear of the High Priest’s servant…
    • Peter was a fisherman – not a soldier – and apparently not very good with a sword…
    • Most likely he chooses Malchus – High Priest servant – because he led the group…
  • 2^nd – Put away your sword – Matthew 26:52
    • Those who live by the sword – die by the sword
      • Violence wasn’t the answer – attacking them would only end with Peter’s death…
      • 11 fishermen with 2 swords don’t stand much of a chance against an army…
      • Judas had turned on them – Jesus was going to the cross…
      • Peter reacted in emotion – anger – rather than in wisdom…
      • If we react with our emotions when others hurt us – we only do more damage
      • We escalate the problem rather than solving it – anger causes more anger
      • Proverbs 15:1–“A soft answer turns away wrath, a harsh word stirs up anger.”
  • 3^rd – This was not the time for swords – John 18:11
    • If Jesus had come to conquer – then His servants (Peter) would have fought
    • * John 18:36 – “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’”
    • Jesus had not come to conquer nations – He came to conquer sin…
    • The only way sin could be defeated – was through the cross!
    • The ultimate weapon Jesus wielded was Love – John 3:16
    • The most powerful tool we have against others – is the Love of Jesus
    • A love that all men need to hear – especially those who hurt us
    • Remembering they are lost us are just sinners – who are hurting themselves
  • 4^th – Jesus last miracle before the cross…
    • Jesus put the ear back on Malchus – the man who came to crucify him!
    • To the very end – Jesus loved even those who hated and wanted to kill Him…
    • * Matthew 5:44– “I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
    • If someone hurts us – betrays us – spitefully uses us – LOVE them!
    • If we are honest – this is not our first choice – we might rather grab the sword!
    • But Love is far more powerful – love turns our enemies into friends!
    • You might ask – ‘what do you say’ – you might not have any nice words to give…
    • How do we love them – give them the Word of God/Bible – give them Jesus…
    • Not using the Word in anger – but in forgiveness out of genuine Love
  • 5^th – The Word of God…
    • The Word of God often referred to as a sword – Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12
    • When we take God’s word – and try to use it against others – we cut off ears!
      • Too often I have seen people use the Bible to attack others…
      • Using God’s Word to condemn – beat up others with their sinfulness…
      • Rather than giving them the Good News – the message of hope and salvation…
      • In doing so people learn not to listen to the Bible – they cut off their ears
    • The good news – Jesus is in the business of reattaching ears!
      • The next time – or perhaps this time – someone betrays or hurts you…
      • Give them the Love of Jesus – the Gospel/Good News – the hope of forgiveness…
      • You might just find your enemy is transformed by the Word – into a friend!
        
• God is our defense… (2 examples)
  • I am… John 18:5-8
    • When Judas the multitude first arrived Jesus asked, ‘Whom are you seeking?’…
      • When they answered – Jesus of Nazareth – He answered, ‘I AM’
      • This is was not just an answer – it was a title – Exodus 3:14  – the name of God!
      • These men came out to arrest God – with knives & sticks…
      • In this we see just how foolish this plot against Jesus really was…
      • Every army in world today – with all their tanks, planes, and boats…
      • Would still be no match for the creator of all heaven and earth!
      • How much less a small group with sticks and knives!
    • At Jesus Word immediately they all fell down backwards…
      • At His Word – they could not stand – at His Word – they trembled…
      • What Peter could not do with a sword – Jesus did with just one Word…
      • It is easy to forget sometimes whom we have on our side…
      • When the world comes against us – we can think we are at a disadvantage…
      • But the reality with Jesus – no matter who is against us – we have the majority!
      • Like Elisha & his servant when he was surrounded by all the armies of Syria
      • His servant panicked – with good apparent reason – thinking they were dead…
      • II Kings 6:16 – “Elisha answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’”
      • The Lord opened the servants eyes and the whole mountain was full of Angels
      • When we stand for the Lord – we have absolutely nothing to fear from anyone!
  • 12 legions of angels – Matthew 26:53…
    • We might miss just how impressive a statement this is by Jesus…
      • A Roman legion was comprised of 6,000 troops – so 12 legions was 72,000 troops
      • Jesus is saying at any moment – He could call down 72,000 angels!
      • One Angel in one night killed 185,000 troops – II Kings 19:35
      • So 72,000 angels could kill – 13.2 billion people!
    • The point – no matter how many men came to arrest Jesus…
      • He did not go because He had to – He went because He chose to!
      • John 10:18– “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”
      • It was not men who put Jesus on the cross there – it was not nails that held Him
      • It was our sin that put Jesus on the cross…
      • It was His GREAT love for you and me that held Him there!
        
• They all forsook Jesus and fled… vs. 48-52
  • Have you come out against a robber…
    • It was as if Jesus was a dangerous armed robber – with a whole gang at His side…
    • Except they were not robbers hiding out – they had committed no crimes…
    • They were right out in the open – Jesus had even sat daily teaching in the Temple…
    • This was not an act of justice against a criminal – this was THE crime!
    • They came at night when no one was watching – to do what they knew was wrong…
    • They came to take an innocent man to His death!
  • Then all 11 of the disciples forsook Jesus and fled…
    • Including a young man who also followed Jesus (only here in Mark)…
    • He had a cloth wrapped around him – and the soldiers grabbed him to detain him…
    • He left the cloth behind and ran away from them naked!
    • This is thought to be none other than John Mark – the author of the Gospel of Mark
  • But it happened so that the scriptures & prophets were fulfilled…
    • Jesus fulfilled over 300 Old testament Bible Prophecies with His life – and death
    • All He did – He did according to what had been Prophesied…
    • Isaiah 53:5-6–“He was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!  All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.”
    • Jesus lived His life – and gave His life – according to the Word of God
    • If we desire to follow Jesus – then we should also live our lives by His Word!
    • Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for m.”
    • Loving those who betray us – giving forgiveness to those who hurt us…
    • Not fearing the world when it comes against us – knowing God’s on our side!