Luke 22:39-71

Introduction

Jesus has told them one would betray Him as they ate the Last Supper. Jesus gave his final teaching about being a Christ like leader and serving to lead. Those were followed by Peter’s overconfidence to follow Jesus to death (and he will end up doing so) as well as Jesus warning the disciples about the danger to come and telling them to buy a sword.

Chapter Luke 22:39-23:56 contain the arrest and trial of Jesus and it begins as we do in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Thursday before the Cross.

Luke 22:37–38 “37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.”

Luke 22

Jesus Prays in the Garden

Luke 22:39–46 KJV

39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Matthew 26:36, 37 and Mark 14:32, 33 give more details. He left most of the disciples at the entrance to Gethsemane, and took Peter, James, and John inside with Him to pray.

Remember, Jesus had warned them and especially Peter: Luke 22:31 “31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”

Prayer is the weapon against the failure: “Pray that ye enter not into temptation”

A stones throw is within earshot. He wanted them to hear Him pray.

The cup? Isaiah 51:22 “22 Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:”

Jesus is taking the cup of God’s wrath that His people will “no more drink it again”

Jesus didn’t want them to only hear His “thees and thows” Jesus wanted them to hear every bit of the terror that was in His humanity as He faced the weight of the judgement and wrath of a Holy God meant for every sin you and I and every other person that may be saved has ever or will ever commit.

But even in the terror, not even a seconds hesitation as Jesus willingly submits to the will of the Father

And God the Father, answers Jesus’ prayer. Not taking away the trial, but strengthening Him in it.

sweated blood? 2017 case published in Canadian Medical Association Journal - 21 year old Italian woman in Florence - experienced spontaneous bleeding from her face and palms for three years (sometimes while asleep or during activity), worsening with stress. Doctors ruled out faking or other disorders and diagnosed hematidrosis; propranolol markedly reduced episodes.

So yes, I fully believe Jesus sweated blood. But even without a documented case, the Bible says it, so I’m going to believe it!

sleeping for sorrow? Jesus had prayed and immediately lowered his shoulder leaning in to Gods will, He’s telling them to do the same. Matthew and Mark tell us He finds them sleeping again.

failure after failure by Peter and the other disciples and every one of us. We HAVE to pray. Spiritually asleep with our eyes open and being unprepared will lead toa fall every time.

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

The Betrayal and Final Healing Miracle

Luke 22:47–53 KJV

47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. 48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? 49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? 50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

a multitude? Because we learn the chief priests and captains of the temple, and the elders had organized this they had to have Rome's permission. So likely the multitude here would have included a cohort of roman soldiers. A cohort was upwards of 600 armed men.

a kiss? We know from Matthew and Mark, this typical greeting was the signal.

right ear? All four gospels record it, only John tells us it was Peter and the soldier was Malchus. Only Luke, the physician, records the healing. The only flesh wound healed by Jesus and the only one he openly did for an enemy. I think, only thinking, and am optimistic that since Malchus is named in John, there’s a good possibility we see him in heaven. It’d make an impact on me if that happened to me. The amazing thing, and Jesus points it out, is everyone else just ignores this, and even everyone being knocked to the ground by just going ahead with the arrest of Jesus. When He says “Suffer ye thus far” we see Him pointing out the divine providence and timing of everything that’s happening.

Specifically “this is your hour, and the power of darkness” - it looks like evil is winning, but it’s ALL in the hands of the Father

Peter’s Betrayal

Luke 22:54–62 KJV

54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. 60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

He was taken first to Annas’ house before the house of Caiphas. This servant girl, mentioned in all four gospels, may have been his doorkeeper.

We are familiar and often think less of Peter for this failure. But what I want to bring our attention to is verse 61.

Luke 22:61 “61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.”

Jesus knew it was coming, Luke 22:31 “31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:” and Jesus had prayed for Peter Luke 22:32 “32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

This look isn’t a look of condemnation and disappointment, you aren’t disappointed when you know something’s happening.

This is a knowing look of grace and love. Many times I’ve felt the eyes of Jesus looking at me after a failure of action, inaction, or attitude. After my sin has broken my heart with the help of Holy Spirit conviction. And Jesus is telling Peter and us with His eyes: “Yes, I knew you would, AND I LOVED YOU ANYWAY!”

“And Peter went out, and wept bitterly”:

We find out later in John 21:15–17 Jesus restores Peter. What happens before that?

John 21:3–7 “3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.”

Judas betrayed Jesus and ran away from God and hanged himself. Peter betrayed Jesus and ran to God. When we fail, when we fall, when we sin what feels like beyond the forgiveness of ourselves; run TO JESUS whose forgiveness and mercy endures forever.

The Beating Continues

Luke 22:63–65 KJV

63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. 64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? 65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

The Trial Begins

The Interrogation

Luke 22:66–71 KJV

66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, 67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: 68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. 69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. 70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. 71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

Now we’re in Good Friday.

They are at the house of Caiphas the high priest. Notice the council is already assembled. This is a kangaroo court with the conspiracy to condemn the only innocent man to ever live on earth; so well planned everyone is already there.

Jesus quotes Psalm 110:1 “1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” and Daniel 7:13 “13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.” together.

The council condemned Jesus for blasphemy for saying he is claiming to be both the Messiah and the Son of God. But the truth is Jesus is sitting as judge against them for the same charge.

Conclusion

They cried blasphemy but what does the Bible say God says about Jesus?

Hebrews 5:5 “5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.” Psalm 2:7 “7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.”

Hebrews 5:7–10 “7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”

"Who do you say that I am?" — is the same question every person has to answer. And the Bible's answer is already on the table: the Father has spoken. The only question is whether we run toward it and receive it or run away from it and deny it.

Addendum

Luke has Jesus getting up and leaving but how do Mark and Matthew start?

Mark 14:26 “26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”

Matthew 26:30 “30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”

Maybe the hymn they sang was Psalm 118 as the last psalm of the traditional Hallel, sung at Passover.

But what was on my mind as I thought about this was this question: There in the upper room, with Jesus leaving to die and the last times the disciples would be with Jesus, did they sound like we do as a congregation when we sing our hymns?

With that question in mind:

There is no place the Father isn’t: Psalm 139:7–10 “7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” Even at Greystone this morning.

Its immediate context is church discipline (two or three witnesses handling sin and reconciliation), but Matthew 18:20 “20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” still affirms Jesus' divine presence whenever believers assemble in His name. That’s us this morning, gathering in His name.

Worship services are where the Spirit empowers teaching, singing, prayer, and the Lord's Supper. 1 Corinthians 3:16 “16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” The Holy Spirit is with us right now as we gather together.

A Holy Triune God is with us this morning the same way Jesus was with them as they sang. Do we sound like it?