Betrayal of Jesus

Introduction

Some times it is hard to see the plan from our position or our place,

Especially when evil is moving against us.

BUT God always protect and provides, so that His Plans will Progress.

Today we look at the Betrayal of Jesus

Our scene is that Jesus just finished openly praying the Lords Prayer

the Prayer of the High Priest -

-- and the Prayer of GOD for US.

Recorded for us.

The God-man of Jesus prays for God’s Glory

- and prays for US on the night or morning

that He will pay the price for our Salvation.

John 18:1–11 (ESV)

1 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.

2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.

3 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.

4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”

5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.

6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.”

9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.”

10 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.)

11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Jesus has crossed the Brook of Kidron

Interesting like King David crossed the same Brook

in 2 Samuel carrying the Ark of the Covenant

there is so much connection to the Old Testament.

in 2 samuel King David crosses the Brook of Kidron “with all the people”

and with the High Priest ZADOK and carrying the ark of the covenant

---- to find favor in the LORD

Let that sink in a moment

Jesus repeating here on Friday morning before the Cross

the crossing of the Kidron

as

The High Priest — As The Ark of the Covenant

So to follow God’s Purpose to Find Favor for His People alone in HIM

Let me blow your mind a little further:

Jesus is traveling with his closest friends

to the mount of olives into the garden of Gethsemane

A place where He and the disciples met often for rest, meditate and pray.

i suppose that Judas was well aware of this

and also likely that Jesus did this every Thursday night

because the Sabbath Day was coming next evening.

Judas knew where to find Him

and Jesus knew that He Knew.

let me offer some more insight----

Gethsemane means “oil press”

Kidron means “dark, gloomy”

So Jesus was walking the walk of the KING

being the Ark which contained the answer to our sin problem — our curse.

He was walking through the Dark and gloomy water

--- called so likely because the waters were often stained by the blood of the Temple Sacrifices

To be pressed out like the olives in the press --- a picture of His suffering to come.

King David crossed that Brook because of being rejected by his nation

and betrayed by his son — Absalom

Jesus is crossing this brook — rejected by His nation and about to be betrayed by His son --- Judas who was once one of His

To be fully pressed out after crossing the dark and gloom of the curse.

Crossing through the blood of man for the last time to

fully shed His blood for US.

Place - Position

We have just discussed the context of the scene and heard the verses read

I would like you take the position of the Disciples for a few moments

We tend to read this and see the actions and Words of Jesus

--- WHICH IS AWESOME

Yet the Bible is much deeper than the OBVIOUS

We focus on Judas ---- But Jesus know what Judas was planning and doing

Lets approach this from the 11 others with him

and consequently our likely view today

The disciples are confused --- the last supper — the calling out of Judas — Jesus speaking of His Body and Blood shed for them.

I believe their walk this night was more solemn

no joking --- all in thought seeking to process it all

--- that is the scene i have in my mind

They don’t know what is going to happen — but Jesus does

I keep mentioning “Jesus Knows” because it is too easy to read and process all of this as a human sequence of events and not God’s plan

It is easy to miss the EXTREME obedience of CHRIST TO THE FATHER

Proclamation - Protection

They are walking and enter the Garden

I would assume the Disciples are preparing for more insight, teaching and depth from Jesus.

BUT out of the night approaches JUDAS with his evil minions ---

They see lanterns

They hear the clang of weapons

They were likely scared and even more confused

Then as they get close enough

Jesus makes the first move

and ask WHO DO YOU SEEK?

it seems odd at first doesn’t it ----- Jesus knows but asks a question like He doesn’t

let me give you a little exposition of the Bible

Jesus asks WHOM DO YOU SEEK?

THEY respond JESUS OF NAZARETH

and He answers “I AM HE” in our English translations

but in the original Greek

What He said actually was I AM

hold that a moment

process it.

I AM

Jesus trained up Disciples for SUCH A TIME AS THIS

Jesus taught them the Body and BLOOD of communion

Jesus prayed for them

Jesus crosses the river

as the King - as the High Priest - as the Ark of God

And PROCLAIMS --- I AM

the promised Messiah

the promised Savior

the promised salvation to those who believe.

I AM GOD

Plan - Progression

Some times it is hard to see the plan from our position or our place,

Especially when evil is moving against us.

BUT God always protect and provides, so that His Plans will Progress.

Friends.

Jesus is not deaf — He heard them

He answers them in the VOICE OF GOD

the same voice that spoke Creation into existence

I believe that VOICE pushed them to the ground. Humbled them

Changed their attitude

Lowered them so that would fully understand that

not by their might or their will

But BECAUSE OF HIS POWER

Jesus asks again --- WHOM DO YOU SEEK?

now lowered

--- they more quietly answer Jesus of Nazareth

and Jesus in control

Jesus in command

answers

I Have told you I AM

--- I have told you I AM GOD

so Let my people go free.

God sent Moses to Pharoah to save His People

gave them the commandments to life

Now God is Sending His Son to Save ALL forever

to give them the Way to Eternal Life --- to the Promised Land

We shall wander in the desert — but the Promised Land of Heaven is our destination fulfilled.

Jesus fulfils another promise

to protect those that are His

to NOT LOSE ONE that was given to Him

__________________________

Peter, oh, Peter

steps forward

strikes one of the servants

removing his ear.

Luke tells us that Jesus healed that servant

Luke 22:51 ESV

51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.

Luke tells us that Jesus says NO MORE

Jesus KNOWS the Plan

and the Progression of WHAT MUST HAPPEN

Jesus rebukes Peter

Reminding Him that God’s WILL must BE DONE.

Some times it is hard to see the plan from our position or our place,

Especially when evil is moving against us.

BUT God always protect and provides, so that His Plans will Progress.

Jesus is taken

God’s will is being done

lets pray