Luke 22:47-62: Jesus Stands

Introduction

Eating Crazy Mason Jar - Cheesecake - Was not going desert Staci… Dessert kept us together.

The night before Jesus’ death - Jesus deserted. Abandoned by those who followed Him for three years to go to the cross alone - to suffer in our place alone. A horrific story: the Son of God - who loves us - abandoned by those He loves.

Why are our hearts prone to wander? To leave the God we claim to love? Lots of reasons why are hearts are prone to wander… However, Jesus is worthy of far more than our wandering hearts. He is worthy of us standing firm in our faith even in a world that is trying to draw us away from Jesus. .

This story focuses on two disciples: Judas and Peter. On the night of Jesus’ arrest, both disciples failed Jesus. Two clear warnings from this text - heed these warnings to help you stand in your faith in Christ in every season of life.

Beware of a faith that does not endure.

vs. 47 - While Jesus was still speaking… Immediately, a mob enters the garden to arrest Jesus. The darkest moments in human history are unfolding and at the middle of it all is Judas.

Judas brings a company of soldiers (John 18:3) along with officials from the chief priests to arrest Jesus. Company of soldiers along with temple police - could have been as many as 600 soldiers - united in one cause - to arrest the Eternal Son of God.

“One of the twelve leading them.” An inside job! This is NOT the way it’s supposed to be. Privileged Judas had been with Jesus from the beginning. He heard the teachings of Jesus. He heard warnings that Jesus gave about hypocritical faith. He saw the miracles of Jesus. He experienced the love and compassion of Jesus. Jesus washed his feet. At the Lord’s table, Jesus warned (Luke 22:21-22), but it was too late. Judas’ fate sealed. Jesus gave Judas every possible warning, but Judas determined in his heart to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Hard heart gave Satan a foothold (Luke 22:3).

Judas externally identified himself with Jesus while inwardly his heart was far from Jesus (John 6:64).

Betrayed Jesus with a kiss - worse than a slap in the face. Used an intimate sign of friendship to betray Jesus. vs. 48 - “Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Or, “Do you see what you’re doing?” Matthew 26:50 Jesus calls Judas “friend.” Extended love and grace to a wretched betrayer. Jesus extending grace to the end, but Judas so hardened that he’s unable to see it. (Jesus will extend grace to you to the end…)

Why does Judas betray Jesus? Why was his heart hard? Don’t know but do know that he’s the kind of person Jesus warned about in Luke 12 - Judas was a hypocrite. It wasn’t just the religious elite who rejected Jesus who were hypocrites - it was one of Jesus’ own - one who was close to Jesus that was a hypocrite.

Judas had heard it all, seen it all, been around it all, and yet he still didn’t believe. He identified himself as a follower of Jesus, but he wasn’t a follower at all.

A clear warning: some of us externally give every indication that we are followers of Jesus. Know the right things to say, attend church regularly, serve in a ministry, etc. yet hearts far from Jesus. When push comes to shove, you have a faith that will not endure, because you have no faith at all. Your heart is eaten up with hypocrisy.

Why did Jesus refuse to believe yet still choose to associate with Jesus? OR, why do you refuse to actually walk by faith yet still associate with Jesus and His church? Don’t know all the reasons, but I can think of a few:

Personal gain - John 12:6 - Judas a thief and the treasurer of the group. He stole. Or, the hope that Jesus was going to be a political Messiah and raise Judas to a place of prominence in His Kingdom. Maybe you associate with Jesus for personal gain - e.g., feel good about myself for serving. Or, wanting pats on the back for your service, or thinking if you associate with Jesus He will answer all your prayers, etc. Or, thinking that a mere association with Jesus will give you eternal life.

Relational appeasement - You associate with Jesus because it’s what’s expected of you. If you don’t show up, your spouse will fuss at you. If you don’t act like Christian, you won’t hear from the end of it from your parents. So, you go along to get along, but your heart is far from Jesus.

External validation - Your heart is far from Jesus, but you like for people to think of you as a good, moral person. Or, you like the accolades you get from serving. For musicians - you like the performing and the accolades you get for leading worship. For a pastor, the feeling you get when you hear “Great sermon.” Perhaps you like the accolades and validation, but aren’t interested in actually surrendering to Jesus.

Hypocritical faith is what some of us want - you get to be a part of something that adds value to your on your terms without actually walking with Jesus. (Cultural Christianity)

Hypocritical faith is not faith - you will not endure. You will not stand in the end. Your hypocrisy will be found out. For some, it’s past time to be honest about where you really stand with Jesus. For some, it’s time to admit that you don’t stand with Jesus at all.

Beware of a faith that does not listen.

Luke on a leash - I didn’t think, I just acted. That’s Peter. He doesn’t think because he doesn’t listen.

In the garden, everything becoming chaotic, but Jesus in complete control. He knows the plan of His Father is unfolding. Jesus is not powerless! He could easily walk away from this mob or call down a legion of angles to protect Him.

Disciples in shock. Perhaps staring at Judas in disbelief. Peter (John 18:10) has to do something - he takes a sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant Malchus.

The disciples wanted war. A Galilean fisherman thought he could do Jesus some good by drawing his sword. Peter told Jesus he would go with Him to the death (Luke 22:33). But, Peter’s like Barney Fife - probably not even aiming for the ear.

vs. 52-53 - Jesus to the priests: “This is your hour - and the dominion of darkness.” A spiritual war taking place - Satan using Judas and the priests to launch an all out assault against Jesus. But, the hour of the dominion of darkness will be short - and the Father will use this hour of darkness to accomplish His will.

Defeating Rome in the garden was not the plan of Jesus. He healed the servant. Jesus extends grace to His enemies in the moments of his arrest. John 18:11: “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Jesus knew His fate and willingly surrendered.

Peter impulsive - He’s quick to speak and act, but ultimately, he wavers in his faith. He’s heard Jesus over and over explain that He would go to a cross, but Peter can’t get his mind around it.

vs. 54-56. The disciples flee, but Peter follows the entourage to the house of Caiaphas. In the courtyard, by a fire, recognized by a servant girl. “Weren’t you with him?” Peter caves and denies. … Doesn’t want to be found out and suffer the same fate as Jesus.

vs. 58 - A second time - Peter denies.

vs. 59 - An hour later - someone insists “You’re a Galilean - from the same place as Jesus, and you’re here in the chief priests courtyard in the middle of the night. It doesn’t add up. You were with him.”

vs. 60 - third time Peter denies and the rooster crows. Chills must have went down the spine of Peter.

vs. 61 - Jesus turned and looked at Peter. What kind of look? A look of compassion, mercy, and pity. Jesus prayed for Peter… (Luke 22:31-32). Peter remembered… He went out and wept bitterly.

I wonder if in that look, Jesus was telling Peter, “It’s going to be ok…” Jesus was going to a cross to die for Peter’s sin, and on the day of Jesus’ resurrection, Judas didn’t run to the tomb. BUT, Peter did, because Peter knew that in spite of his sin, there was hope and forgiveness in his risen Lord.

Peter different than Judas. Peter’s a genuine follower of Jesus. (Luke 9:18-20) Peter genuinely loves Jesus, He just doesn’t listen. He acts impulsively. He doesn’t understand the will of God, and when push comes to shove, He falls. He denies the ONE he loves.

Peter is like many of us - impulsive and hard-headed. He seems strong and like he has his act together, but he doesn’t.

If you have a hard time listening to Jesus, you are going to have a hard time obeying Jesus. If you have a hard time obeying Jesus, you are going to struggle to stand firm in your faith when life is challenging.

Why do you struggle to listen to Jesus? Many reasons, but here are a few:

You are driven by emotion. What do I feel vs. what do I know? How many decisions have you made that were emotion driven rather than Spirit driven? Too often we’re led by our feelings rather than the truth - that gets us in trouble. When life gets hard - instead of responding out of feelings, pray. Ask God to help you to remember what He’s said. Seek the counsel of wise followers of Jesus (Proverbs 11:14). Be slow to respond until you are certain you know how Jesus wants you to respond.

You are driven by pride. People who are driven by emotion don’t think, they just respond. People driven by pride think way too much about how people think of them. Peter likely struggled with pride. We want people to see us as strong, independent, got our act together, etc. So, we make decisions to make us look good instead of listening to Jesus and doing what He says. If you struggle with pride, remember, what God thinks of you is far more important than what others think of you.

You are driven by a need to be in control. You think too much of having life your way. You want to be in control of all your circumstances and make decisions that benefit you and your comfort. In moments when you’re tempted to take control, listen to Jesus. He’s in absolute control, and He knows what He wants to accomplish in you.

Are you driven by emotion? Pride? Need to be in control? If so, you’ll wander from Jesus time and time again. If driven by emotion, pride, or a need to be in control, you may be saved, but you are immature. You need to grow up. Repent. Followers of Jesus listen to His voice and obey.

When everyone flees stands for us! He stands for the hypocrite calling the hypocrite to repent. He stands for the hard-headed, calling us hard-headed people to listen. He stands with His gracious arms open ready to forgiven.

Garden of Eden - Out of Eden came separation from God and death. In the garden, as Adam and Eve sinned, they deserted the God who made them in His own image.

Garden of Gethsemane - it seems like it is happening again. Sin and shame exposed as those closest to Jesus desert Him. But, death and separation do not come out of the Garden of Gethsemane. Instead, HOPE comes out of the Garden of Gethsemane because out of G. of G. Jesus would stand in confidence and victory, go to a cross, die in our place and rise again. Praise God that Jesus went to the garden in agony, but came out in confidence and willingly giving His life over for us! Praise God that Jesus stands for us!

Repent and run to His grace today. Ask for renewal in your walk with Him. Unbeliever, find life in Christ this morning.