Betrayed and Beaten: The Price of Faithfulness Revised

Jesus Stands Firm

The disciples struggle while Jesus stands firm.

Key Truth: Spiritual weariness makes us vulnerable, but prayer keeps us alert.

Applications

Follow Jesus Example

Make prayer a habit before crisis comes

Be honest with God

He invites us to bring our fears and our struggles

Submit daily

Surrender is not a one-time decision but a continual posture.

Stay spiritually alert

Weariness opens the door to temptation.

Key Truths (Takeaways)

Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s will

Strength to obey often comes after wrestling in prayer

God may not remove the cup, but He will provide the strength to carry it.

Spiritual preparation determines spiritual resilience.

Closing: In Gethsemane, we see Jesus at His most human —and most faithful. He does not avoid suffering, deny fear, or act independently. Instead, He prays, submits, and rises strengthened to obey.

A Kiss of Betrayal

Have you ever been hurt, disappointed by someone you trusted?

Insert personal story here (ex-wife)

Can you think of a time when you have been betrayed or deeply disappointed by someone you trusted? What did it feel like? What made the moment painful? How did you respond? What did you learn about yourself?

In our passage today, Jesus experiences betrayal at the hands of a close companion, violence from a well-meaning disciple, and injustice from religious leaders. Yet, He responds with calm authority and compassion. Luke invites us to see not only what happens to Jesus, but how He responds.

The Betrayal Passage

Luke 22:47–48 NASB95

47 While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Luke 22:49–50 NASB95

49 When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

Luke 22:51–52 NASB95

51 But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber?

Luke 22:53 NASB95

53 “While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.”

Is there anything in particular that stands out to you in this passage?

While Prophesy says the betrayal would be by a trusted person (Ps41:9, 55:12-14; Zec11:12-13) how did Judas do it, and do you think there is any significance to it (vv.47-48)?

Judas betrayed with a kiss, and normally a kiss was a greeting but here it was a betrayal. Jesus knew it was a betrayal not a greeting and knew Judas was the betrayer.

Here, in the Mark account (v.50) do we know who cut off the slaves ear?

No we do not, we can know from the other gospel accounts that it was Peter, but here we do not and we know (v.51) that Jesus touched the ear and healed him.

What did Jesus say to the chief priests, officers of the temple and elders in (v.53), what does it mean?

While I was in the temple with you, you did not lay hands on Me, but this hour, the power of darkness are yours.

What does it mean. It means the time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over, to be beaten, to die, and to rise again 3-days later to fulfill prophesy. It will appear as if the power of darkness wins on Friday but on Sunday everything changes.

Betrayal in the Presence of Love

A sign of affection, a sign of greeting was being used as a sign to deliver the Savior into the hands of sinners. Our human, sinful tendency can be tempted by false appearances or momentary gain at the cost of true loyalty. Consider if you have ever betrayed someone in a relationship, or betrayed God by your choice or action where you needed to repent and again get genuine allegiance to Christ?

Judas approaches Jesus with a kiss — a symbol of friendship, greetings — turned into deception, betrayal, treachery

Jesus confronts Judas with a piercing question, not filled with rage, but with truth: “Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Key Truth: Betrayal is most painful when it comes from those closest to us.

Christ’s Compassionate Response

Christ has not forgotten His commitment to His mission, even amidst the betrayal. Christ still had compassion, healing the servants ear demonstrates His love and mercy and it should set an example for our responses. In our moments of pain or betrayal, seeking to love and show mercy reflects Christ’s heart and it leads to genuine healing.

The disciples ask if they should strike —before waiting for an answer, one acts.

Violence erupts in confusion and fear

Jesus stopes the violence: “Stop! No more of this

Jesus rebukes the action and heals the servant’s ear.

With this healing of the ear this is the final healing miracle before the cross.

Key Truth: Jesus’ kingdom is not advanced through violence or force.

Cowardly Captors in Darkness

The Kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness are contrasted here. Jesus highlights the cowardice of those who come in the darkness, pointing to the power of evil when hidden and unchallenged. Our allegiance to Christ helps illuminate the darkness and offers a call to live in truth and light, thereby thwarting the plans of evil. Even though on the outside here evil seems to be winning, God’s plan, Jesus purpose is being played out perfectly.

Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the arrest: no swords or clubs were used when He taught publicly.

Yet He acknowledges: “This hour and the power of darkness are yours.”

They treated Him like a criminal though He taught openly in the temple.

Key truth: Jesus is not overpowered—He willingly submits to God’s plan

Applications

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When betrayed: respond with integrity, not bitterness or revenge.

When tempted to react: Pause and ask whether your response reflects Christ’s kingdom.

When facing dark seasons: Trust that God’s purposes are still unfolding, even when darkness seems to have the upper hand.

Take away: Jesus is never a victim of circumstance— He is the obedient Son who chooses the cross in submission to the Father’s will.

Drawing a conclusion

In this gospel account we have seen that even in betrayal, injustice and violence, Jesus remains compassionate, authoritative, and faithful. As His disciples, we are called not merely to admire His strength, but to imitate His response —trusting God’s plan, rejecting worldly methods, and choosing faithfulness even in dark hours.

Under Pressure

Have you ever been in a moment where you felt pressured to stay quiet about something you believed was right?

What made it hardest? Fear of rejection? fear of consequences, or being misunderstood?

(transition) Peter faces a pressure moment in our passage this morning, not in a courtroom, but around a fire.

Our passage takes place right after the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. The disciples had scattered, but Peter follows at a distance. Jesus is taken to the house of the High Priest and treated like a criminal before any official trial is commenced at all. Our passage shows two simultaneous realities:

Peter is being tested outside in the courtyard

Jesus is being abused inside by those who hate Him.

While it is a painful section to look at, it is a revealing section too. It brings some spiritual clarity: it exposes fear, weakness, cruelty, and also the steady faithfulness of Jesus.

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Big Idea: In the moments of fear and pressure, we may fail—but Jesus remains faithful, and His gaze calls us back to repentances and courage.

Our Passage

Luke 22:54–55 NASB95

54 Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. 55 After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them.

Luke 22:56–57 NASB95

56 And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”

Luke 22:58–59 NASB95

58 A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.”

Luke 22:60–61 NASB95

60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”

Luke 22:62–63 NASB95

62 And he went out and wept bitterly. 63 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him and beating Him,

Luke 22:64–65 NASB95

64 and they blindfolded Him and were asking Him, saying, “Prophesy, who is the one who hit You?” 65 And they were saying many other things against Him, blaspheming.

What stands out to you in this passage, and why?

We are going to get into the points in the outline and ask questions of the scripture and some discussion points maybe along the way with applications too.

Peter Follows at a Distance

Luke 22:54–55 “54 Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. 55 After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them.”

Key Truth: Spiritual danger increases when we stay close enough to watch Jesus, but too far to stand to stand with Him.

Peter had a desire to stay close, but not too close.

The danger of half-hearted discipleship

We see the setting for the rest of it: A courtyard fire, warmth, shadows, and tension

What does it mean that Peter followed at a distance?

How does physical distance reflect spiritual hesitation?

What situations tempt believers today to keep Jesus at arm’s length?

Application: Evaluate where you may be keeping, following Jesus at a distance— still present, but cautious, guarded, or fearful of consequences?

Three Denials

Luke 22:56–60 “56 And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” 58 A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.”

Key Truth: Fear of people can lead to unfaithfulness—even in sincere disciples.

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First Denial: Fear of a servant girl (other people)

Second denial: Denial of identity (being identified with Him)

Third denial: denial of association and belonging (now even being associated to Jesus, or belonging to, following Jesus at all)

What do you learn from the denials? What do they reveal about the power of fear and self-protection?

Application: Recognize how fear can lead to compromise. Identify the subtle ways we deny Christ— through silence, avoidance, or blending in.

The Roosters crow and Jesus look

Luke 22:61–62 “61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.”

Key Truth: Jesus’ awareness of our failure is not to crush us —but to turn us back.

Peter remembers the Lord’s words about the rooster — God’s word was fulfilled

Jesus turns and looks at Peter

The look is not condemning but piercing truth and remembered grace.

Peter’s grief leads toward repentance, not excuses.

What happens after Peter’s third denial (v.60)?

What does Jesus do (v.61)? And what does Jesus remember?

How does Peter respond (v.62)?

Application: Let Jesus’ gaze — His truth and His grace—call you back when you fail. Failure is not final when you meet with the eyes and heart of Christ.

Jesus stands Firm

Luke 22:63–65 “63 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him and beating Him, 64 and they blindfolded Him and were asking Him, saying, “Prophesy, who is the one who hit You?” 65 And they were saying many other things against Him, blaspheming.”

Key Truth: While Peter collapses in fear, Jesus stands firm under suffering —showing His worthiness and love.

Jesus is mocked, beaten, blindfolded, and blasphemed.

His identity is mocked: Prophesy! Who is the one who hit You?

The contrast: Peter denies Jesus, yet Jesus endures for Peter

How did Jesus’ response to mockery differ from Peter’s response to pressure?

What does this reveal about His mission and about His character?

Does this help you appreciate His sacrifice even more?

Application: Look to Jesus as the model of faithful endurance. When mistreated or misunderstood, respond with integrity rather than retaliation.

Discussion Questions

Where do believers today most commonly “follow at a distance,” and what helps us close the gap?

How does Jesus’ look toward Peter shape your understanding of grace and restoration?

What are some “courtyard fires” today—places where comfort and fear make it easy to blend in and deny Christ subtly?

Conclusion

Our passage gives us a sobering picture of a disciple under pressure. Even strong believers can stumble when fear takes over. But Jesus’ steady presence —and His look toward Peter — shows that failure is not final when we come back to Him.

At the same time, the abuse Jesus endures reminds us that He is not just an example— He is the Suffering Servant of Isa53, who willingly is walking toward the cross for our redemption to lay down His life for ours!

Take-away: Jesus’ faithfulness is greater than our failures. Draw near to Him, trust His grace, and stand courageously with Him —even when the fire is hot and the pressure is real.