The Night of His Betrayel

Introduction

Tell the Pizza story from your father in law

Betrayal is one of the most difficult things we deal with, and today we are lookinh at the 4 ways Jesus was betrayed.

Text

Mark 14:43–52 ESV

43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he 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 servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” 50 And they all left him and fled. 51 And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.

I. The Kiss of Betrayal (vv. 43-45) - The first Betrayal

Mark 14:43–45 ESV

43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him.

Scripture: Judas arrives with a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the religious leaders. He betrays Jesus with a kiss—a sign of affection twisted into treachery.

Exposition:

The irony: A kiss, meant for love, becomes the signal of death. Judas, one of the Twelve, turns against the Master he followed.

This is a fuffilment of what David had spoken about in

Psalm 41:9 ESV

9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

This Whole Psalm is a commentary about Jesus

Psalm 41 ESV

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 1 Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; 2 the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. 3 The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health. 4 As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!” 5 My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die, and his name perish?” 6 And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad. 7 All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. 8 They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies.” 9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. 10 But you, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them! 11 By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. 12 But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. 13 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.

(add a note that that David can sin, not the Lord)

This betrayal though while awful is not outside od the Lords will.

The religious leaders’ cowardice: They strike at night, avoiding the crowds, revealing their fear of man over fear of God.

Applications:

This kind of Betrayal is the most painful. I knew a man who would say “a partnership is a sicking ship.” Being betrayed by the people closest to you is some of if not the most painful kind of hurt.

(Mnetion pizza story)

When dealing with personal betrayal some thing to remember

Jesus has been their and you can overcome it through him.

We are Called to forgive one another.

I heard one pastor explain unaccepted forgiveness as wrapping a Christmas Presnet that you lay aside until its time for them to open it. You are serving your God by forgiving even if relationship is not or cannot be restored.

Acting Holyier than though has long been a thing, the question for us is are we betraying others with a kiss? Our God?

II. The Pharisees Betrayal

Mark 14:43 ESV

43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

Point: Sin’s subtlety can cloak itself in piety. We must guard our hearts against hypocrisy.

You see this today, people just like the pharisees act holy, performative righteousness. I’ve been watching the Doge stuff and people have been acting that keeping them accountable on how they spend money is wrong and they are noble for not putting up with it.

Be aware of your possible actions of virtue signalling

III. The Clash of Swords (vv. 46-49) - The third Betrayal: of the Crowds

Mark 14:46–49 ESV

46 And they laid hands on him and seized him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.”

Scripture: The crowd seizes Jesus. A disciple (Peter, per John 18:10) strikes the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear. Jesus rebukes the mob, noting He taught openly yet they come as if He’s a robber.

Exposition:

This crowd is like how many treat Jesus - like he is the enemy, the rober the on worthy of killing, they treat his bride the church the same way. Treat Christians like they are the ones that are wrong.

This crowd of Soilders are really symbolic of us.

Puritan Insight (e.g., John Owen): The Puritans saw Christ’s submission as communion with the Father’s will—a model for us. Owen wrote of Christ’s obedience as the ground of our redemption. Do we fight God’s will or yield to it?

Application:

Point: Christ’s sovereignty shines in suffering. Our rash resistance often delays His purpose—trust Him instead.

Spurgeon Insight: "The sword of Peter was out of place, but the patience of Jesus was divine. He could have called legions of angels, yet He chose the cross for us."

When we suffer we should rely on the Lord and not trust in our own understanding.

IV. The Flight of the Faithful (vv. 50-52) The Fourth Betrayal

Scripture: All the disciples forsake Jesus and flee. A young man, possibly Mark himself, escapes, leaving his linen cloth behind, running naked into the night.

Exposition:

The disciples’ failure: Despite bold promises (Mark 14:31), fear overcomes faith. They scatter, fulfilling Jesus’ prediction (v. 27).

Spurgeon Insight: "They all forsook Him and fled—what a commentary on human courage! Yet He stood alone, that we might never be forsaken."

Applications:

Puritan Application (e.g., Richard Sibbes): The Puritans emphasized human frailty apart from grace. Sibbes might say, "Our strength is borrowed from Christ—without Him, we are naked and undone."

DealinG with Crisis

Puritan Application (e.g., Thomas Manton): The Puritans often warned of the deceitful heart (Jer. 17:9). Judas shows how close one can be to Christ yet far from salvation. Examine your motives—do they honor Christ or betray Him?

Point: Our weakness is exposed in crisis, but Christ’s steadfastness covers us. Flee to Him, not from Him.

Start with your mind

Proverbs 3:4–6 ESV

4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lordth all yo wiur heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

He is the best source to secure yourself in

Proverbs 18:10 ESV

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Reflect: Where are you tempted to betray, resist, or flee from Christ?

When the moment when the hardship comes try to think about how you act. Do you flee?, do you fight?, do you trust Christ?

Fleeing looks like putting your head in the sand, like dropping it,

Betray blame others, betray God by doubting or worrying, yes worry is a sin I did it last night worrying about the water that got into the building. I had to repent. This helped me sleep btw.

Rejoice: His obedience in Gethsemane secures your redemption.

When all feel insecure remember that his obedience to his death secures you. He is the one that is what you need.

Respond: Cling to Him who never flees from you.

John 10:29–30 ESV

29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

Conclusion

On Christ the Solide Rock I stand

Application:

Spurgeon Closing: "Come, let us bury our pride, for Christ was buried. Let us rise to newness of life, for Christ has risen. His shame is our glory—His cross our crown."

Notes for Preaching

Tone: Blend awe at Christ’s resolve with tenderness toward human weakness, urging reliance on His grace.

Illustrations: Use Spurgeon’s vivid imagery (e.g., Christ as Captain) or a Puritan analogy (e.g., the soul as a pilgrim needing Christ’s armor).

Length: Aim for 25-30 minutes, balancing exposition and application.

Audience: Speak to both the struggling believer (needing encouragement) and the complacent (needing a wake-up call).