Comfortable Betrayal

Most betrayal begins with compromise, not hatred

Comfortable Betrayal

Mark 14:53–54 NIV

They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

The scene is set:

Jesus is taken to the house of the High Priest

Peter warms himself next to Jesus’ captors

A trial in the middle of the night at a house

In a few hours, Peter went from courageous ally to mingling with the enemy

Discipleship requires courage, not talk

Jesus’ Silence in Innocence

Mark 14:55–65 NIV

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’ ” Yet even then their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

Tearing down the Temple is an impossibility

Confessing to be the Messiah is not a crime nor blasphemy

Notice when Christ is silent

Notice when He decides to speak

Notice when the High Priest decides to skip testimony

Matthew 11:18–19 NIV

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Peter’s Noise in Guilt

Mark 14:66–72 NIV

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Mark 14:30 NIV

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”

Peter’s denial and allegiance to Jesus:

same mouth

same intensity

same heart

Peter was silent for:

comfort

reputation

safety

Are you warming yourself at the enemy’s fire?

comfort in the warmth of compromise

reputation in the warmth of acceptance

safety in the warmth of self preservation

Do we value Jesus over comfort, reputation, and safety