Mark 14:43–52

Betrayed With a Kiss

There is no more fitting a way for Jesus to have been betrayed than with a show of affection

Betraying the Lord with a kiss is such a perfect picture of how God is daily treated!

Kindness to God with our lips alone is worse than none at all (Ezek. 33:30-32)

It is betrayal with mockery and extra pain -> it was betrayal by one who was dearly loved

This is the kind of “praise” the Lord has been receiving for centuries, and its no substitute for pure religion!

A heart of covetousness disguised as a heart of selflessness is the heart Judas (a picture of evil personified) had

God is not mocked by this, and He will not be made a fool of (Lk. 22:48)

A Flame of Passion

Peter acted out of a quick burst of passion that was both short lived and unhelpful

While we cannot ALWAYS be slow to act (nor can we ever be indecisive), going with our first response is usually wrong (James 1:19-20)

Had Peter done what Jesus told Him (thus filling his heart with Spiritual things), his immediate reaction may have been different

Furthermore, his initial passion died out quickly, as relying on our passion always results in

Notice the measured approach of the Lord compared to the frantic response of the disciples

Forsaken by All

Jesus was betrayed by one, but He was forsaken by all -> they did (temporarily) also go away

We cannot miss the impact this had on Jesus -> He too was human and discouraged by this (Jn. 6:66-71)

It was a shame to forsake Him, and this is seen in the picture of nakedness from one fleeing

It would later be revealed that even the Father had forsaken Him (not shamefully, however)

Jesus endured every consequence of sin, down to the isolation it will bring in eternal condemnation

He had no help and fully subjected Himself as a perfectly righteous man into our place

Jesus suffered and died alone so that we never have to be alone!