The Betrayal and Arrest, Part One

Transcription

1 The Cross/Lesson Three page 1 The Betrayal and Arrest, Part One Lesson Three - John 18:1-11 We come today to our third lesson on The Cross. In our first lesson, we surveyed our series on the Cross of Christ as recorded in John's gospel. We noted that the cross is central in... its mention in Scripture the mission of Christ the message of the apostles its meaning to our lives In last week s lesson, we set the context for the remainder of the series by taking a look at Christ s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on the Sunday beginning of the week of Christ s crucifixion as recorded in John 12. In today s lesson we shall begin an examination of the immediate events that culminated in the cross. The 18th chapter of John is one of the most thrilling chapters of the Bible because it begins the climax - the ascent to the cross. I. The Prelude Before we read the text, let s review some background from last week s lesson and add in a little more detail. These events most probably occur in the year 30 A.D. Friday Jesus leaves Jericho at the start of His final trip to Jerusalem. He tells the disciples what will happen that week but they do not understand. He arrives at Bethany and spends the night there. Remember that it was at Bethany that only a short time earlier (we do not know how recently) He had created quite a stir by raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11: 17-24). As a result of raising Lazarus from the dead, the Sanhedrin decides that Jesus must be killed (John 11: 45-54).

2 The Cross/Lesson Three page 2 Saturday Nisan 9 Many come to Bethany to see Jesus and the man He raised from the dead (John 12:9). Jesus goes to the house of Simon, a leper whom He had healed earlier, where a feast was prepared for Him at which Mary and Martha and Lazarus were present, and also the disciples and other interested friends of Jesus (Matt. 26). Mary anoints Jesus with valuable perfume in preparation for His burial (Matt. 26:6-13). Sunday Nisan 10 Jesus enters Jerusalem with a great display with many rushing out to greet Him waving palm branches and proclaiming "Hosanna! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel" (John 12:13). Jesus weeps over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Monday and Tuesday Nisan 11 and 12 Jesus cleanses the Temple for the second time (Matt. 21:12-13; 18-19). Jesus is confronted by the Jewish religious leaders on several occasions, disputing with them and answering their challenges (Matt. 21:23-32; 22:15-46). Jesus delivers several sermons and parables and speaks of judgment and His coming again (Matt. 21:33-46; 22:1-14; 23:1-39; 24:1-51; 25:14-46). Judas plots with the leaders of Israel to betray Jesus. It's now a matter of finding the right moment at which time Judas can point Him out, tell them where He is so they can capture Him (Matt. 26: 14-16). Wednesday Nisan 13 In the Upper Room, Jesus washes the disciples feet (John 13:1-20). Jesus identifies His betrayer (John 13: 21-30).

3 The Cross/Lesson Three page 3 The disciples argue over who will be greatest in the kingdom (Luke 22:24-30). Jesus predicts that Peter will betray Him (John 13:31-38). Jesus institutes the Lord s Supper (Matt. 26:26-29). They sing a hymn and leave the Upper Room. Jesus comforts His disciples and gives the promise of the Holy Spirit (John 14:1-31). Jesus speaks of the vine and branches (John 15:1-17). Jesus prays what is known as His High Priestly Prayer (John 17: 1-26). Predicts Peter s betrayal a second time (John 18:1a). Jesus prays in Gethsemane (John 18:1b). We shall see revealed again today that Christ was in control of His own arrest. It was no surprise nor unanticipated tragedy that overtook Jesus of Nazareth at the close of His otherwise promising ministry that unexpectedly and abruptly ended it. Rather, it was that ordering of events set forth by God and willingly fulfilled by Christ. (John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20; 12:27; 13:1; 17:1). The wretchedness, injustice and hellishness of Satan's plot to kill Jesus begins to unfold in Chapter 18. But instead of Christ being degraded and defeated we see Him instead being exalted. II. His Plan (vv. 1-2) After they have sung a hymn after partaking of what we refer to as the Last Supper in the Upper Room on Wednesday, they walk through the streets of the city in the stillness of the night, and in the soft light of the moon cross the Kidron Valley, begin to climb the Mount of Olives, and turn off into an olive orchard, as its name Gethsemane (oil press) suggests. As Jesus was leaving Jerusalem on this night, it was Passover season. So Jerusalem was bulging with people. And they were all there to offer sacrifices in the Temple.

4 The Cross/Lesson Three page 4 It had been Jesus' custom throughout the years of His ministry to spend His evenings on the Mount of Olives in this Garden. The word, entered implies that it is a walled-in garden with a gate. So, He retired frequently to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. See John 8:1; Matthew 26: And so we ask, Why did He go there? Judas has already left to make arrangements for His betrayal. We might think that this is not too smart a move for a man who is seeking to avoid arrest. What do Christ's actions indicate? That Christ went to the Garden, as was His custom, precisely for the purpose of making it easy for Judas and the soldiers to find him and arrest Him. Christ was not seeking to avoid the Cross. Our Lord spoke of this hour no less than 18 times in the four gospels. See John 12:27; 17:1. The Word of God clearly tells us that Jesus Christ was never trapped, tricked or surprised. He was not a victim, but a victor. He went to the cross of His own design because He was born for that express purpose. III. His Protagonists (v. 3) In verse three enters the protagonist, the betrayer - Judas. Judas has been sent out of the Upper Room because he didn't belong with the disciples. And the Bible tells us that when Judas left, Satan entered into him (John 13:27). A. The character of Judas What one word do you think most often comes to mind when people hear the name Judas? Betrayer Our view of Judas is not the view the disciples and others had of Judas. As we shall see, Judas was chosen to administrate the disciples money because he was viewed as the most careful, capable man among them. In the upper room, Judas was not distant and aloof from Christ, but seated next to Him! He had gained so much respect that no disciple rebuked him after he rebuked Mary for her costly gift of ointment to the Lord.

5 The Cross/Lesson Three page 5 In the upper room, a scene we will look at in a moment, when Jesus announced that one of them would betray Him, all eyes did not turn to Judas. Let s view several scenes from the biblical account of Judas as we try to uncover how someone so close to the Savior could betray Him. And, more importantly, to uncover what this may reveal about humanity at large. And, most importantly, what this might reveal about us. In hindsight, there were several things about Judas that created the background for his ultimate defection and treason. Judas had an attraction to money (John 12:4-6) And, of course, recall that Judas betrayed our Lord for thirty pieces of silver - the price of a crippled slave Judas had a secret life - he had an attraction to money that drove him deeper and deeper into pious masquerading. Judas had an affection for Jerusalem. Judas volunteered to leave everything to follow the One who claimed to be Messiah; the One whom the prophets announced would restore Jerusalem and the throne of David and the Jewish people. Judas was passionate about Jerusalem. He was a man who loved his country and his people. He would follow Jesus for three and a half years, which means that Judas preached about the kingdom; taught about the Messiah. Judas had an avid hatred for Rome. He is identified by the gospel writers as Judas Iscariot. Iscariot related to the Latin term "sicarius," which was the designation of a radical Jewish group during the time of Christ. The group was called the "Sicarii," in honor of the "sica," which was a dagger that they concealed in their robes and used to take the life of Romans and disloyal Jews alike.

6 The Cross/Lesson Three page 6 In Acts 21:38, they were called " Assassins " See also John 6:71. For now, Judas had put away his dagger and decided to follow the One he thought would bring about the destruction of the Roman Empire. Judas was an accomplished fraud (Matt. 26:20-25) The gospel of Matthew records the upper room scene which followed Judas's secret meeting with the religious leaders. This upper room scene is one filled with unbelievable grace. Can you fathom it? Here is Jesus washing the feet of Judas; Jesus seating Judas near Him as an act of honor; throughout this scene Jesus is giving Judas ample time to repent. Judas acted hypocritically (Matt. 26:49) The verb tense indicates that Judas repeatedly kissed Jesus as he continued to feign affection. B. The Co-Conspirators Judas had an abundance of support of co-conspirators. Perhaps a working definition of conspiracy will be helpful. Essentially, a person is guilty of conspiracy with another person or persons to commit a crime if, with the intent of promoting or facilitating its commission, he agrees with such other person or persons that they or one or more of them will engage in conduct which constitutes such crime. The betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus was the result of a conspiracy. Judas had several groups of co-conspirators. See Matthew 26:3-5 and Mark 14:35. The Sanhedrin consisted of 71 members so there could never be a tie vote. The 71 members consisted of: 23 scribes or lawyers, 23 elders or political leaders, 24 priests and the High Priest. Thus, the council, or Sanhedrin was composed of elements representing the people, the legal profession and religion. The proceedings of the Sanhedrin that will lead to the death of the Lord Jesus Christ commenced following the restoration of Lazarus from the dead. See

7 The Cross/Lesson Three page 7 John 11:47-53 and 12:9-11. Then, two days before the Passover, the Sanhedrin meets again in secret session at the home of the high priest (Matt. 26: 3-5). But the law required that the Sanhedrin were to meet only at their place of meeting. Instead, they were illegally meeting in the courtyard of Caiaphas' house. Then another event occurs. As the chief priests and scribes were seeking the means by which they might take Jesus and kill Him, an event occurred in their favor while they were in the Upper Room: Satan entered into Judas (Luke 22:3-6). He rushes out into the night (John 13:30) and tells the Sanhedrin he has been discovered. If they want him to betray Christ, it will have to be at once or never. This forces the Sanhedrin to act even though they had previously said, "Not on the feast day...." The Lord is showing in this that He is master of ceremonies, and He is controlling everything that is occurring. Why did they do it? What was it about Jesus who really was the long-awaited Messiah that they hated so much that they conspired to murder Him. There are many reasons, let me just point out three quickly. Jesus called them hypocrites (Mt. 21:45). Jesus was bad for business Jesus claimed to be the Messiah But, there is another surprising conspirator - God (Acts 2:23-24, 36). There is yet another conspirator - Jesus (Matt. 26:2). The crucifixion was part of God s_ plan for saving sinners, and Jesus was in on the plan.

8 The Cross/Lesson Three page 8 III. Part One Conclusion Next week s lesson will conclude the betrayal and arrest. But, before closing part one, let s make an application. Judas had become a consummate thief; a skilled pretender; an angry, disillusioned radical, and now a selfish man who will sell out his Teacher for having failed him. At least he will get thirty pieces of silver for his trouble! It is supremely significant to note that Judas experiences remorse, but not repentance (Matt. 27:3) People go to heaven, not because they know they have sinned, but because they are saved. People go to heaven, not because they have become aware of their guilt and sin, but because they have gone to Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness of their sin. Judas is overwhelmed by his sin, but refuses to repent. Let me close by making several other observations from the life of this betrayer and, in the process, learn truths about ourselves. It is possible to associate with Christ without ever accepting Christ. It is possible to hear the truth and see the truth exemplified in others without ever applying the truth to your own life. It is possible to associate with the church without being a child of God It is possible for a believer to behave in a Judas-like manner.

9 The Cross/Lesson Three page 9 Can we, as believers, learn anything from Judas? If we believe there are no lessons for us to learn from Judas, we are quite deceived. Let none of us say, "I am thankful I am not like this man." There is a Judas living in every one of us in the person of the old sin nature. All that Judas was and did is what we have in germ in our breasts. God has no program of removing, nor of improving the old nature until we see the Lord face to face. Perhaps everyone listening or reading right now claims Christ. And yet is it not true that we often fail to live for Him? We don't bear witness for Him; we don't study His Word; we don't refrain our lips from speaking evil; we don't forgive others; we don't love others; we absent ourselves from God's house and the Lord's table. Is that not a Judas kiss? Is that not betraying our claims to be Christ's disciple? Judas betrayed Christ for the cost of a slave. For what do we betray Him today? Popularity, career advancement, cowardice? As we continue to work our way through these monumentally important passages, may each of us examine our own hearts under the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit to discern and apply the truths that God intends for us. And may we discover some truths about the cross which God will so impress upon our hearts in a fresh and unforgettable way that it will serve to equip us to better love, praise and worship Him. And who of us does not need a fresh and renewed appreciation of the cross of Christ. Lesson Four The Betrayal and Arrest, Part Two