The Betrayal of Jesus (3 things)

• 1^st – The Betrayal… vs. 1-6
  • 1^st – When Jesus had finished – they entered the Garden of Gethsemane… vs. 1-2
    • They came down from Mt. Zion – crossed over the Kidron brook…
      • And climbed up the Mt. of Olives on the eastern side of the City of Jerusalem…
      • The Garden there was one of Jesus favorite places to go – and Judas knew it!
      • It was the perfect ambush – while all of Jerusalem was celebrating the Passover…
      • The leaders could come and arrest Jesus quietly without making a scene!
    • Judas – had been given a small army to help him arrest Jesus…
      • It included well armed Roman troops from the Antonio fortress…
      • As well as an armed contingent of Jewish temple police – Luke 22:52…
      • A great multitude each with a sword – club – or lantern – Mark 14:43…
      • All this for 1 carpenter and 11 simple fishermen…
      • This was not the first time the leaders 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.”
      • The leaders were determined this time Jesus would not get away!
  • 2^nd – Jesus knew what was about to happen – He was ready to be arrested… vs. 4-6
    • So when Judas and the multitude arrived He asked, ‘Whom are you seeking?’…
      • When they answered – Jesus of Nazareth – He answered – ‘I AM’…
      • This was not just an answer – it was a title – Exodus 3:14 – the name of God!
      • These men came out to arrest God Almighty – with knives and sticks…
      • In this we see just how foolish the plot against Jesus really was…
      • In the last days the whole world will gather with the Anti-Christ against Jesus…
      • They will come with their weapons to Armageddon – Revelation 16:16
      • But they will be no match for the creator of all heaven and earth…
      • With one word Jesus will defeat them – Revelation 19:15 – the war will be over!
    • At Jesus Word immediately they all fell down backwards…
      • At His Word – they could not stand / at His Word – they trembled…
      • 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 and 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 servant’s eyes and the whole mountain was full of Angels!
      • When we stand for the Lord – we have absolutely nothing to fear from anyone!
    • Jesus does not fight His battles with swords – His weapon is His Word…
      • Hebrews 4:12 – “The Word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any sword…”
      • The Bible that convicts us of sin – shows us we need salvation – Romans 3:23
      • The Bible / Gospel has the power to save us from our sin – Romans 1:16
      • The Bible lights the way for us to be able to get to heaven – Jesus – Acts 4:12
      • Which is why it is so important for us to study and learn the Bible!
  • 3^rd – Jesus asked a 2^nd time – ‘who are you seeking’… vs. 7-9
    • The soldiers – perhaps more cautiously this time – answered ‘Jesus of Nazareth’…
      • So Jesus told them a 2^nd time – ‘I Am’ – confirming His title as God almighty…
      • But Jesus was willing to go with them one condition…
      • They only came to arrest Him – so they should let His disciples go free…
      • He did this to fulfill His prayer to the Father – ‘I have not lost a single one’…
    • Jesus was facing certain death – but His concern was for His friends…
      • Because everything Jesus did – all the way to the cross – He did because of love!
      • Jesus did what no one else could– He lived a perfect life…
      • Then Jesus – paid the price for our sin – Death – Romans 6:23
      • Then came one of the great mysteries of the ages – God gave us Jesus’ righteousness!
      • II Corinthians 5:21 – “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
      • We failed in the test of life – but Jesus took our grade and gave us His perfect score!
      • In Jesus – we have lived a perfect life – we have fulfilled the requirements of God…
      • Now when God looks down on us – He does not see our sinful mistakes/flaws…
      • He instead sees the perfect life of His Son Jesus – He sees us as perfect/flawless!
      • Because of the Love of Jesus – by faith in Him we are forgiven – get to go to heaven!
        
• 2^nd – Not the time for swords… vs. 7-11
  • 1^st – Peter drew his sword – intending to defend Jesus… vs. 10-11
    • 1 of the 2 swords that they brought with them from the Passover– Luke 22:38…
      • Peter – likely trying to kill the man – cut 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…
    • Jesus told Peter to put away his sword…
      • Those who live by the sword – die by the sword – Matthew 26:52
      • Violence was not the answer – attacking would only end with Peter’s death…
      • 11 fishermen with 2 swords did not 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.”
    • 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 know – especially those who hurt us…
      • Remembering they are lost us are just sinners – who need to hear about Jesus!
  • 2^nd – Jesus last miracle before the cross – Luke 22:51…
    • 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– “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 – we are to 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…
      • How do we love them – give them the Word of God/Bible – give them Jesus!
    • The Power of the Word of God…
      • The Word of God often referred to as a sword – Ephesians 6:17 / Hebrews 4:12…
      • When we take the Word of God – 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!
        
  • 3^rd – 12 legions of angels – Matthew 26:53…
    • Jesus told Peter He could at any time call 12 legions of angels to help Him…
      • 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 just imagine how much damage 72,000 angels could do!
    • 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!
        
• 3^rd – Following from a distance… vs. 12-18
  • The soldiers arrested and bound Jesus – taking Him first to Annas… vs. 12-14
    • Annas was the first Roman appointed ‘High Priest’ in Israel – 6-15 A.D.
    • He was succeeded (a puppet leader) by his son-in-law Caiaphas – 18-36 A.D.
    • Both were considered to be the ‘High Priest’ because Annas still made all the decisions!
    • Caiaphas was the one who prophesied – ‘better one man die – than a whole nation’…
    • John 11:50 – “Let this one man die for the people.”
  • Peter and John followed at a distance…
    • John knew the High Priest – so he was able to get them both into the house…
    • He talked to the woman who guarded the door – and she let him in…
    • But she asked peter before letting him though – if he was one of Jesus’ disciples…
    • Peter immediately denied knowing the Lord – likely out of fear…
    • He is right outside the mock trial that was rushing Jesus to His death on the cross…
    • There was very real fear that if you stood for Jesus – you would share His fate…
    • Rather than stand for Jesus – it is far easier to blend into the world
    • If we stand for what is right – we might very well be mocked or ridiculed
  • When they came into the courtyard – the officers and servants had made a fire…
    • Peter went over and stood next to them – warming himself by the fire…
    • This was Peter’s mistake – he was following Jesus – but from far away…
    • Not only was Peter not close to Jesus – instead he cozying up to the world!
    • Often like Peter – we believe in the Lord – we follow the Lord – from a distance…
    • We want to live both for the Lord – and for the world… 
    • Look like a Christian on Sundays – like the world Monday – Saturday…  
    • Problem: the farther we are from Jesus – the closer we will find ourselves to the world
    • And when we are close to the world – we will find it hard to stand for the Lord…
    • Instead let us stay close to Jesus – so we can boldly stand for Him every day!