Why Judas? How About the Fear? What About the Timing? Who Killed Jesus?
Why Judas? Why was Judas and his betrayal necessary for the chief priests? Some would say that Judas was necessary to lead the arresting party to Jesus hiding place. Others would say that Judas was necessary to assure a secret arrest for fear of the people s reaction.
Why Judas? The idea that Judas was necessary to lead the arresting party to Jesus hiding place Jesus was never in hiding in this time frame. We see Jesus removing Himself from danger in John 11:54.
John 11:47-54 (NASB) 47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. 48 If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.
51 Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they planned together to kill Him. 54 Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples.
Why Judas? The idea that Judas was necessary to lead the arresting party to Jesus hiding place Jesus was never in hiding in this time frame. We see Jesus removing Himself from danger in John 11:54. But from the Friday before crucifixion, we see Jesus in Bethany, with Lazarus, His triumphal entry on Palm Sunday, going back and forth from Jerusalem to Bethany, cleansing the temple, and more.
Why Judas? The idea that Judas was necessary to assure a secret arrest There was fear on the priests part of the people s reaction. There was fear of Roman intervention from a disturbance. There was fear that the multitudes would believe Jesus John 11:47-48. There were other opportunities to arrest Him.
How About the Fear? The Jewish leaders feared the appeal that Jesus had to the masses. People traveled great distances to hear Jesus. Jesus fed large numbers of followers on at least two occasions. The people wanted to make Jesus king, a political Messiah. What if Jesus accepts this opportunity?
How About the Fear? What about Jesus undeniable supernatural power? Early in Jesus ministry, they denied His power. But now they were openly acknowledging His power and were afraid of it. There were also many attempts to kill Jesus John 7:32, 45-49; 8:59; 10:39.
John 7:32 (NASB) 32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about Him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to seize Him.
John 7:45-49 (NASB) 45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, Why did you not bring Him? 46 The officers answered, Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks. 47 The Pharisees then answered them, You have not also been led astray, have you? 48 No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? 49 But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed.
John 8:59 (NASB) 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. John 10:39 (NASB) 39 Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.
How About the Fear? What about Jesus undeniable supernatural power? Early in Jesus ministry, they denied His power. But now they were openly acknowledging His power and were afraid of it. There were also many attempts to kill Jesus John 7:32, 45-49; 8:59; 10:39. Jesus power and their failures had made Jesus un-arrestable in their minds.
What About the Timing? If you read the Gospel accounts, you get this very rushed feeling about these last hours of Jesus. First, the trial (hearing) was held at midnight. Pilate was asked to come early the next morning on a non-trial day. Judicially, the case was unprepared. Had Caiaphas not illegally interrogated Jesus, the case would have failed Mark 14:60-64.
Mark 14:60-64 (NASB) 60 The high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You? 61 But He kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One? 62 And Jesus said, I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN. 63 Tearing his clothes, the high priest *said, What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you? And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.
What About the Timing? There was a real problem arresting Jesus so close to Passover. The Jewish leaders would have to hold two trials (their own and a Roman), have Jesus condemned and executed all before the Passover. You may make a case for them doing this so quickly to get it out of the way, but why then were they so unprepared?
What About the Timing? The only reasonable explanation is that they were not planning on making an arrest before the Passover. So why now? Judas brings a message to the Jewish leaders that Jesus is thinking and talking about His own death. In other words, the time is now for all this to happen with least resistance. But God is in control of all that is happening!
Who Killed Jesus? Jesus was in control of all of these events. Jesus timed His return to Lazarus and his resurrection to precipitate His death. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Lamb Selection Day. Jesus cleansed the temple to provoke action. Jesus dispatched Judas on an errand of betrayal. Jesus waited for His arrest in the garden. Jesus died as the lamb was slain in the temple.
Who Killed Jesus? So, who really killed Jesus? Some blame the Jews! (Jewish leaders) Some blame the Gentiles! (Romans) The Father Willed It! Jesus Ordered Every Step! This Event Was Ordained From The Foundation Of Time!
Who Killed Jesus? Judas was so close to Jesus and yet so far away! It is not enough to know Jesus! You must have a personal relationship with Him, believing that He is the Son of God and that He has died in your place for your sins!
Application Do you just know Jesus or do you have a personal relationship with Him in belief? Do you see God s sovereignty in your personal life in the same way you see it in these final events of Jesus earthly ministry? God is in control all the time, in all things!