The Life of Christ (11)- Arrest

Wednesday Bible Study The Life of Christ (11)- Arrest

March 13, 2024

The persecution of enemies is one thing, the abandonment of friends another. The former we expect. The latter always catches us off guard. Those who are close to us have the power to hurt us in deep, personal ways that others do not.

Group Discussion: What does being loyal to a friend mean to you?

Since we just talked about Biblical friendship, especially in relation to Jesus being our Friend, we have some verses to consider:

Proverbs 17:17 (BBE) A friend is loving at all times, and becomes a brother in times of trouble.

In the Bible, friendship is primarily a relationship of mutual trust and congeniality.

OT Friendship is a reciprocal relationship characterized by intimacy, faithfulness, trust, unmotivated kindness, and service.

The first is the knitting of souls.

… a companion of one’s inmost thoughts and feelings, resulting in an intense emotional attachment.

“The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Sam 18:1 RSV; cf. 20:17).

2 Timothy 2:13-14 Jesus never wavers in his faithfulness to us!

Be committed to telling others this truth.

Tell the kids.

Tell the parents.

Tell the widows.

Tell the single men and women.

Jesus never wavers in his faithfulness to us!

In the OT, covenant faithfulness (loyalty) is the primary way friendship is described.

The central component of Jonathan and David’s relationship is “covenantal loyalty”.

Covenant: The Lexham Bible Dictionary

Contracts and covenants differ in a few areas. In terms of initiation, contracts are made by the exchange of promises, whereas covenants are sworn by solemn oaths. In application, contracts are limited by the terms of the exchange of property (“this is yours, that is mine”), while covenants involve an exchange of life (“I am yours, you are mine”), which covers a virtually unlimited range of human relations and duties. In terms of motivation, contracts are based on profit and self-interest, while covenants call for self-giving loyalty and sacrificial love. Contracts are temporary while covenant bonds are permanent, even intergenerational.

to cut ⇔ Make a covenant to make or enter into a covenant, conceived of as the cutting of a sacrifice associated with making a covenant.

In this study we find Jesus not only betrayed by one of his disciples but abandoned by all the others and denied by one of his closest friends. All this added to the cruel and unlawful treatment by the Sanhedrin. This account reveals how intense pressures can test the quality of our discipleship.

Church of Smryna Revelation 2:10 (LSB) ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

How faithful was Jesus in following the will of the Father?

Philippians 2:5–8 (LSB) Have this way of [others-] thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient [faithful, loyal] to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Every action has consequences. Those reactions ripple through time and space, often having an impact that few people could have predicted. Although many moments in Jesus’ earthly life affected the course of human history, His arrest was among the most pivotal.

READ: Mark 14:43-52

Mark 14:43–52 (LSB) And immediately while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came up, and with him was a crowd with swords and clubs, who were from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now he who was betraying Him had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him and lead Him away under guard.” 45 And after coming, Judas, having immediately gone to Him, said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 46 And they laid hands on Him and seized Him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a robber? 49 “Every day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me; but this has taken place in order that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.” 50 And they all left Him and fled. 51 And a young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him. 52 But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked.

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1. Passover was a feast of celebration. Jesus took that feast and transformed it into His Supper. In what attitude should we observe the Lord’s Supper? Why?

Somber, reverently, in awe. Certainly NOT flippantly.

ME: 1 Corinthians 11:27–28 (MSG) Anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Master irreverently is like part of the crowd that jeered and spit on him at his death. Is that the kind of “remembrance” you want to be part of? 28 Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in holy awe.

And yet, after we somberly reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus we move into a celebratory mood:

We are saved by what Jesus did!

He is coming again!

2. In the Garden of Gethsemane the disciples slept instead of watching due to weariness. Had you considered them sleeping due to being inebriated?

Does that make a difference?

When Jesus asked them to watch, did He ask them to do something they could not do?

Philippians 4:13 (LSB) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Even … Vs.11 “to be a content in whatever circumstances I am...”

2 Corinthians 3:4–5 (LSB) And such confidence we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

3. How does the revelation that Jesus could have easily walked over the hill into the Judean Desert and escaped affect your thoughts about Jesus “giving Himself?”

Again, Jesus was obedient to the Father to the point of being willing to die.

Hebrews 12:2–3 (LSB) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary, fainting in heart.

On what or whom did Jesus “fix” His eyes?

The Father

The joy of what would come after.

The willingness to be a perfect example for us in OUR times of trial.

4. Jesus surrendering to be arrested is the ultimate illustration of John 3:16. What are your thoughts on this surrender being foreshadowed by Isaac in Genesis 22?

John 3:16 (NLT) “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Genesis 22:2 (LSB) Then He said, “Take now your son, your only one, whom you love, Isaac, and go forth to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

Genesis 22:9–10 (LSB) Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood and bound his son Isaac and put him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

Isaac (was about the age of Jesus) – so he willingly gave himself as a sacrifice.

See movie: His Only Son (Prime)

5. What are your thoughts about Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss?

Jesus looked liked any other male.

Jesus could have denied the identity Judas indicated.

6. What are your thoughts about the incident of Peter cutting off the ear of Malchus? (John 18:10-11; Luke 22:50-51)

In verses read.

Also: John 18:10–11 (LSB) Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”

Luke 22:50–51 (LSB) And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.

Luke 22:38 (LSB) And they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

Spirit filled life study Bible: The words It is enough do not mean “they are sufficient.” They are a curt dismissal of the subject, in the sense of “Enough of that!”

7. How does Jesus respond to His betrayal?

He surrendered to ALL of it: the shame, the pain, the blasphemy, the twisting of words,

Hebrews 2:9–11 (LSB) But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels—Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of One; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers,

Hebrews 2:14–18 (LSB) Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brothers in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to help those who are tempted.

WE are tempted to quit when it gets hard. Jesus passed that temptation as an example to us.

Hebrews 5:7–10 (LSB) He [Jesus], in the days of His flesh, offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, 10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

8. The unnamed young man (vv. 51–52) seems symbolic of all Jesus’ followers. How does his predicament reflect Jesus’ earlier warnings about the cost of discipleship (Mark 8:34–38)?

Mark 8:34–38 (LSB) And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 “For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

In the moment of highest danger, this young man (Mark, John?) chose to run away.

We may criticize Peter for his denial, but if it was John when they BOTH went to the tomb, maybe it was thoughts of betrayal that went with them.

Read Mark 14:32–42. In verse 34 and again in verse 38 Jesus encourages the disciples to watch and pray so that they will not fall into temptation.

Mark 14:32–42 (LSB) Then they came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here until I have prayed.” 33 And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. 34 And He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” 35 And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” 37 And He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 “Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. 41 And He came the third time, and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 “Get up, let us go; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”

What particular temptations were they about to face?

To betray, to deny, to run…

Mark 8:34–38 ashamed, etc.

How might prayer have changed the outcome?

Fortification in the Spirit.

How might these same exhortations make the difference in your own life between resisting and falling into temptation?

Prayer, close communion with God can give is the strength we need to resist temptation.

Can give us (point out) the “way of escape.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 (LSB) No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

What can you do to ensure that the next weeks are a time for you to “watch and pray”?

Be intentional.

Personal Reflection: What pressures in your life test your loyalty to Jesus Christ? Tell Him what you are feeling.

Our beliefs and behaviors also cause ripples that impact those around us—either for good or evil. We should do all we can to avoid having a negative influence on people’s spiritual lives like the chief priests and the Sadducees. And we should rejoice in the eternal impact we can have when we are following Jesus.

• What kind of impact are you having on the people in your life?

• How might your choices ripple out even farther, reaching people you will never know?

• What godly choices can you intentionally make now that will echo throughout eternity?

[1]Bunch, C., ed. (2000). Jesus’ Final Week: 8 Studies for Individuals or Groups: With Notes for Leaders (p. 28). IVP Connect: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press.