John: The Betrayed One

John  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  31:57
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Exegetical Point:
Homiletic Point:

Intro

If you give me the option of watching a wordy drama, or an action flick, 9 times out of 10 I’m going to take the action flick! I enjoy good drama, the wordplay, the intense monologues, but action is what draws my first attention.
For you action lovers, we’re moving into the climactic sequence of events in John. We’ve spent our time over the past few months working our way through the teaching of Jesus. This was an intense discipleship course, getting his disciples ready for His imminent departure.
Then last week, we heard the wonderful prayer of Jesus we call the “High Priestly prayer”. It gave us special insight into how Jesus relates to God the father, and a special insight into Jesus’ desire for us to be with him in glory.
Today's passage picks up where at the end of that prayer. The Passover meal is done, and now the party are on the move!
Broadly speaking, this passage has 2 betrayals and interrogation, lets look at each of those three parts in turn!

The I AM is arrested by Enemies

What would you do if you knew your final hours were upon you? What would you do if you knew you had a few minutes of freedom left?
Jesus spent them praying with his disciples, in a garden.
You see they had their Passover meal in the ancient city of Jerusalem, on Mount Zion, in the upper room of a house. But now they were heading out of the city to this garden:
John 18:1–2 ESV
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.
We know from other records of these events that this garden was called Gethsemane, which means “oil press.” meaning it was probably a grove of Olive trees. It was after all on the “Mount of Olives” opposite Jeruaelm.
Jerusalem on one Side, Mount of olives on the other, kidron brook in between.
We get the impression that Jesus & Disciples had accommodation somewhere on the Mount of Olives by the way they seemed to head over there each night.
Regular pattern for Jesus to go to Gethsemane when they were in town. Judas knew where to find them.
Judas had left the Passover meal some time ago, with disciples unaware of what was happening. Jesus had signaled to a Simon & John that Judas would betray Jesus, but none of the disciples realised that it was all happening. They thought Judas may have been out shopping for supplies or giving charitable donations to the poor.
Judas was called the “Son of Destruction”.
Instead, Judas turns up with a band of soldiers.
John 18:3–4 ESV
So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”
I don’t know if you can tell, but this is an aggressive mob! Soldiers and weapons, and I presume the officers of the pharisees and chief priests are there to oversee proceedings. Jesus has never acted in an aggressive or threatening manner, but i guess they were afraid the disciples might kick up a stink.
Jesus steps forward, why? “Knowing all that would happen to him”. This is part of the plan. Jesus is not being caught unawares, or making the best out of a bad time, he is deliberately and intentionally coming forward to face the challenge.
He asks “Whom do you seek?”
John 18:5–6 ESV
They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Jesus will not shy away from the task ahead of him. He certainly feels the weight of it, yet he plainly says “It’s me!” come get me!
We have these two groups - Judas & the band on one side, Jesus & disciples on the other.
When they ask for him Jesus answers, but interestingly not quite in the way our English bible render it. The greek has been smoothed here for easy reading. Jesus technically answers: “I Am”
Ego - from where we get the word ego - self. If we say someone has a big ego they have an inflated sense of self.
These words are significant, because if we go the the LXX we find something interesting. It was Greek translation of Hebrew & Aramaic OT.
In Exodus this is the words that God uses to describe imself:
Exodus 3:14 ESV
God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
in the LXX - the same two words are used!
Now Jesus probably wasn’t speaking Greek, their everyday language seemed to be Aramaic, but John wrote down the story in Greek because Greek was more widely spoken.
The Fact that John uses this phrase in this way clues us into the fact that he wants us to see a connection here. John is pointing out that Jesus is no mere man - this is God in flesh!
And the crowd there seems to catch this too, because when Jesus steps forward and says “I am”, what do they do? They stepped back and fell to the ground?
They were going toe to toe with God, and Jesus was letting a little of his power and authority shine through!
But Jesus would not unleash on them, instead he calmly asks them again:
John 18:7–9 ESV
So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.”
Jesus once again puts himself forward, willingly submitting not to them, but to the Father.
Jesus intercedes for the disciples, in fulfillment of the prayer he had prayed earlier. Looking out for them as part of his mission.
Peter doesn’t like the way things are going! SO he tries to step in and change the course of events!
John 18:10–12 ESV
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him.
Jesus will have none of it! He asks that rhetorical question.
In Luke we’re told that Jesus healed the ear of Maluchus, don’t know why John omits that here. He wants us to focus on Jesus in his mission.
Arrested.
Jesus had every opportunity to step back
He knew they were coming to get him
He could have tried to hide in the crowd of disciples
He could have tried to deny who he was
He could have used his divine power to drive them away!
He could have inspired the disciples to attack!
Yet in each case Jesus pushes forward on mission to Save his people - to save us. He submitted to the Father, and won our redemption!

The I AM is betrayed by A Friend

In those moments, with those two crowds facing off, it was pretty clear who was with who. Judas had thrown his lot in with the Religious leaders and abandoned his Rabbi. And Peter had even tried to prove it with violence!
But Peter’s resolve would not stand
In contrast to Jesus’ “I am”, Peter says “am not”. Where Jesus deliberately stepped forward in obedience to the Father and was identified, Peter pulled back in fear.
John 18:15–16 NIV
Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
This other disciple was most likely John. John doesn’t like to feature himself in the story.
He has connection with the High Priest, so he and Peter try to get inside to find out what’s going on!
Peter seems to be a bit on edge, maybe the realness of the situation was starting to sink in - their teacher had been arrested, and now he was hanging out at the house of the guys who took him. If they decided they wanted Jesus disciples too, he would be right there for the taking.
So he tries to go undercover, but in so doing, he denies His master.
John 18:17–18 NIV
“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
Jesus is getting interviewed, but peter continues to hang out there...
John 18:25–27 NIV
Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Peter refused to be identified with Jesus.
His courage and confidence failed him.
This fulfilled Jesus prophecy
John 13:37–38 NIV
Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
He couldn’t trust the flesh. It will fail us!
This was a betrayal that could be forgiven.
Your betrayals can be forgiven!
Betrayed Jesus by refusing to acknowledge Him before others
Betrayed Jesus by willfully disobeying him
Theft
Sex outside marriage/Porn
Using your words to cut others down or manipulate
Repent! Peter was restored, you can be too!
You betrayals can be forgiven, but, if like Judas you will not repent and come back to the Lord, you will be cut-off from Life with God.
Matthew 10:32–33 ESV
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

The I AM is Interrogated by mere Men.

So what was happening to Jesus while Peter was betraying Jesus?
John 18:13–14 NIV
and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
The High Priestly family was a bit nepotistic it seemed.
Ironically advised on man should die to save many, a prophetic utterance because Jesus was sent to die so that he could save many!
At Caiaphas house the questioning got underway
John 18:19–21 NIV
Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”
They’re asking stuff they could have already found out other ways.
I think Jesus is implying, did you need to arrest me to find thi stuff out? It’s all a matter of public record! Not like a politician who’s ducking questions - we don;t arrest politicians to question them about policy!
Nothing Jesus has done ministry wise has been in secret. He has not been fomenting a revolt.
He is revealing the issue at hand, that this is not as above-board as it seems - their sinful intentions are being exposed!
That provokes a response!
John 18:22–24 NIV
When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Perceived disrespect, but Jesus was just speaking truth!
The truth is perceived as disrespectful!
“Tone”
The way you said it
Vocab
etc.
You know what is more important than tone, or vocab, or other things? The truth!
Our world would cover up the truth, or at least dilute it into a shadow of it’s former self. That is what many churches are doing even now, for the sake of pandering to people's itching ears.
Ephesians 4:15 ESV
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
Speak TRUTH in Love, including things others don;’t want to hear so that twe may grow!
Jesus shipped off to Ciahpahs house.

So What?

References:
Carson’s Pillar Commentary on John.
Hutcheson’s commentary on John
Hendrickson’s commentary on John
Sermons by Richard D. Philips,
Sproul, R. C., ed. The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version. Orlando, FL; Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2005.
Phillips, Richard D. John. Edited by Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani. 1st ed. Vol. 1 & 2 of Reformed Expository Commentary. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2014.
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