Betrayed, Arrested and Abandoned

Betrayed, Arrested and Abandoned

Mark 14:43-52

            Have you ever been rejected by the world? Have you ever been told you’re not good enough and you’re never going to make it no matter how hard you try?

            Did you know Walt Disney, the creator of the magic kingdom was fired from his first job with the Kansas City Tribune because they said he lacked imagination? Elvis Pressley, the King of Rock, and Roll, was told to forget about singing and playing the guitar and go back to driving a truck. Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player of all time was cut from his High School basketball team, because he wasn’t good enough. So, if you have been rejected by the world you are in good company.

            The greatest hero to ever be rejected by the world is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Isaiah said, He was despised and rejected by men a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. And how ironic is it that Jesus was rejected by men so that men could be accepted by God.  And that is what we read in this passage Jesus is being betrayed, arrested, and abandoned and it is all for our sake.

            And as we continue to walk with Jesus through the gospel of Mark we have come to a place where Jesus is no longer an example for us to follow, but He is a substitute for us to behold. He is a Savior who is worthy of worship and honor and praise. And that is what we see in this passage. Jesus was rejected by men that we might be accepted by God.

  43      Immediately while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who were from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

  44      Now he who was betraying Him had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him and lead Him away under guard.”

  45      After coming, Judas immediately went to Him, saying, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

  46      They laid hands on Him and seized Him.

  47      But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.

  48      And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a robber?

  49      “Every day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me; but this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures.”

  50      And they all left Him and fled.

  51      A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him.

  52      But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked. (pray)

In our passage this morning we are studying the greatest story ever told. It was scripted by God the Father in eternity past. Jerusalem is the stage. The hero of the story is none other than the Son of God. The cast of characters includes Jesus and Satan, Peter and Judas, A Roman cohort, and Jewish leaders.

The context of the story is that it is the night before Jesus will be crucified. The place is the garden of Gethsemane. The hour is just past midnight, and the time has come for the Son of Man to be delivered into the hands of Godless sinners. And the delivery man is Judas none other than one of the Lord’s own disciples.

In this story Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and abandoned, in just a few minutes, And what we learn from this story is He was rejected by men that we might be accepted by God.

The first thing I want you to see in this passage is the Betrayal, Vs 43-45. There is nothing more tragic in life than being betrayed. It is one thing when an enemy is coming against you. You can expect that. But it is something completely different when it is someone you trust. When a friend is smiling to your face and stabbing you in the back at the same time.

That is what we see happening in this story. Judas has sold his soul to the devil and now he is taking advantage of Jesus. Notice Vs. 43, it says, “Immediately while He was still speaking.” Immediately is Mark’s favorite word and we have seen it throughout the gospel. He uses it to set the pace of the story.

In the middle of Jesus command to the disciples, “ To rise, let us be going” Vs. 42, He sees Judas coming through the gates of Gethsemane and announces His own betrayal. Judas walks right in and he walks right up to Jesus.

 Remember Judas had left them in the upper room when they were celebrating the Passover. He wasn’t with them when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, but instead he was out under the cover of darkness cutting a deal with the Chief Priests to betray Jesus.

Mark identifies Judas as “one of the twelve.” He does this on purpose. He wants to emphasize the treachery. He wants us to feel the sting of His betrayal. This is an inside hit job by one of their closest friends.

This is easy work for the deceiver because he knows exactly where to find Jesus. He knows Jesus frequently goes to the garden to be alone in prayer with the Father. But notice how Judas comes, it says, “accompanied by a crowd.” Judas isn’t hiding it anymore, he has chosen sides, he has picked his team. He comes after Jesus in full force with an armed mob carrying swords and clubs.

Remember Judas downfall began with stealing from the disciples.  John 12:6 says he used to take whatever he wanted from the money bag.. But just like all sin the more we practice it, the easier it becomes and the farther we fall from God. Now Judas is the leader of the pack against Jesus.

I can’t help but think to myself how many people I know who have turned their back on Christ. I have friends who once stood with Jesus but now stand against Him. It’s heartbreaking but it’s the reality of the world we live in. Not everyone who claims to be a believer is, some are deceivers, some are imposters.

1 John 2:19, “They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they were of us, they would have remained with us.” Judas is one who was counted among them but has become a betrayer.

Notice the signal, Vs 44 says, “Now he who was betraying Him had given them a signal.” Judas has a prearranged plan with the mob to deceive Jesus. Remember this is taking place in the middle of the night and it is going to be difficult for them to see Jesus and Judas doesn’t want Him to escape under the cover of darkness. So, he says I will kiss Him, and you grab Him.

In the ancient culture you would greet someone with a holy kiss. It was standard practice. It was a sign of loyalty and affection. And the devil is going to use this signal, an outward deception of the inward darkness of Judas’ heart.

Vs. 45 says, “After coming, Judas immediately went to Him.” Notice this word “immediately” there is no hesitation by Judas, no second thoughts, no fear of God. He simply goes in for the kill and executes his plan. There are people in this world, who conspire to do evil but when the moment arrives, they’re not willing to cross that line, they don’t have it in them. But that was not the case with Judas. He does it immediately.

He walks right up to Jesus and says, “Rabbi.” And kissed Him.” The word Rabbi means teacher or master. It’s a term of respect and endearment. He is trying to kill Him with kindness and sugar coat his deception.

And the word “kiss” in Vs 44 that was going to be the signal, is different from the word “kiss” in Vs. 45. Judas is caught up in the moment and he greets Jesus with an emotional kiss from a long-lost friend. Judas grabs Him and kisses Him long enough so that Jesus could be identified.

This is the height of hypocrisy. Judas has become the instrument of hell itself. The word hypocrisy means one who puts on a mask, I can’t help but think this is the way so many people approach their relationship with God. They pour it on, they claim to be a disciple of Christ and yet they are living in sin.

What would make us think we are getting away with that. You can fool the world, you can even fool yourself, but you are never going to fool God. No one wants to be a full-fledged card-carrying hypocrite. Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good.” Don’t live this Christian life in vain, give God your very best and get God’s very best for you.

That is the betrayal of Jesus. The next thing I want you to see in this passage is the Arrest, Vs. 46-49. Notice after Judas gives the signal, we have the seizure. Vs. 46 says, “They laid hands on Him and seized Him.”

They were ready to act and as soon as they got the chance, they got a hold of Him. They arrest Him and there are no Maranda rights being read. There are no phone calls being made. He is not even told what He is being charged with.

The gospel of John gives us greater detail about what took place in this moment. John 18:4-6, So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So, when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

It is important to understand that nothing taking place in this scene has caught Jesus off guard. In fact, everyone in this scene is out of control accept the one being arrested. The mob is violent, Judas is excited, and the disciples are afraid, but Jesus is in control.

He says, “I am.” And that takes us back to Exodus 14 when Moses was standing on the mountain of God before the burning bush, and God said He was sending him back to Egypt to deliver His people. Moses said who shall I say is sending me? God said, “I Am is sending you.” Jesus takes that name to Himself, and He owns it throughout the gospels.

He said, “I am the bread of life.” “I am the light of the world.” I am the resurrection and the life.” I am the door.” I am the good shepherd.” I am the way, the truth, and the life.” So, when Jesus says, “I am” it is more than a statement, it is an announcement of authority. And John 18:6 tells us they fell to the ground. They dropped like flies at the breath of God.

I say all of that, so we understand that Jesus was in control here. He was willingly allowing Himself to be arrested. He was not a victim, but the victor and we need to understand that in our own life. No matter what we are going through God is sovereign and in control.

That makes what happens next even more amazing. Notice Vs. 47 says, “But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the slave of the High Priest and cut off his ear.” Now we know who this disciple is. John 18 tells us this is Peter.

But I love the fact that Mark keeps the identity of Peter anonymous.  I think Mark does this out of respect for Peter. Remember Peter was a mentor to Mark. So, Mark out of some sense of devotion to Peter doesn’t mention him by name here.

Peter wants to defend Jesus, He wants to take action, but puts the whole mission in Jeopardy. Jesus doesn’t need to be defended, not by Peter and not by us. Matthew 26 tells us Jesus said, “what are you doing Peter? Put your sword away, don’t you think I could call down legions of angels from my Father.”

Peter was so impulsive. He isn’t going to sit by idol. He was going to do his best to live up to the oath he made, “to go with Jesus even unto death.” He was sincere but He was sincerely wrong, when he cut off the ear of the High Priests servant. I have heard it said, “He was either an expert swordsman or a complete amateur.”

If he was aiming for the ear then he had skill, but my guess is he cut off the mans ear trying to take off his head. In any event Jesus has to stop now and Luke tells us He healed the man’s ear. As usual Peter is just getting in the way and creating problems.

I can’t help but think that many of us are like Peter. We are impulsive and we act out in the flesh. Whenever we are acting out in the flesh, we make mistakes. We get out of control, and we do things we would not ordinarily do. We swing wildly like Peter, and we miss the mark every time.

Notice the peace of Jesus in this moment. He is the picture of serenity. In the midst of all the confusion He is able to calm the whole situation down with a question. Vs 48 “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me, as you would a robber.” He is reminding them that there isn’t going to be any resistance. He was with them everyday in the temple. He is a teacher not a thief, not a common criminal.

Jesus only crime was He told them the truth. And they couldn’t stand it. He preached the gospel, and they hated Him for it. People will hate you today for the same thing. I have never seen a time like today when people are trying so hard to deceive themselves and hide from the truth. You can change somethings definition; you can change its pronouns, but you can’t change its truth.

Then He calls them out for their deceit in Vs 49 He says, “Everyday I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.”  By “everyday” He is speaking of this last week teaching in the temple. The majority of Jesus ministry took place in Galilee. But, what He is saying is “why were you so spineless that you didn’t arrest me then?”

 He was openly teaching, and everyone heard what He had to say. The temple was the most public place in all of Jerusalem so, He is raising this question to expose their conspiracy. They wanted to do it under the cloak of darkness in the middle of the night in the secret confines of Gethsemane.

But notice the purpose of it all at the end of Vs. 49 “This has taken place to fulfill the scriptures.” There are two ways the scripture is being fulfilled here: 1. Jesus had to die. The scriptures said so. There was an appointed time and place this was going to happen, and this was it. The time had come, and Jesus is prepared to go to the cross.

Peter in Acts 2:23 speaking on the day of Pentecost said, “This man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of Godless men and put Him to death.”

2.  Even the deceitful sinful acts of man are according to the divine purpose of God. These men arresting Jesus were just doing what God determined them to do. And we need to understand that because sometimes the will of God includes difficult circumstances and challenges that cause us to grow. James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many different kinds knowing that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

Just as God had a purpose and a plan for Jesus there is something He wants to accomplish in your life. I pray that it doesn’t involve a mob and your arrest. Jesus was determined to do the will of God and we need to be just as determined today. Remember, He was rejected by men so we could be accepted by God.

The next thing I want you to see in this passage is the Abandonment, Vs. 50-52. The temperature in Gethsemane has reached a fever pitch. The violence is escalating, and the disciples are afraid. Vs. 50, “They all left Him and fled.” They abandoned Him.

There problem was not they lacked courage their problem was they lacked faith. They were willing to stand with Him and fight even though they were outnumbered but when they saw Him willingly surrender Himself to the enemy, they were shocked, and they began to question their faith. Is Jesus the Messiah or not? Because the Messiah was supposed to be all powerful. The Messiah was supposed to blast His enemies, or so they thought.

They were disillusioned and they all fled. Peter and John will come back. Peter will fall further away and deny Him three times. John will follow Him all the way to the cross and as Jesus hangs on the cross He will look down at John and His mother Mary and say, “son behold your mother and mother behold your son.”

In Vs. 51-52 we have the very strange mystery of the naked boy. And when you read this, you can’t help but ask why is this here? Who is this young man and what is this all about? This is one of those stories that everyone wants to focus on in a Bible study. Everyone wants to unlock the mystery of the naked boy. But to do so in this story is to major on the minors. We need to keep the important things important.

The truth is we don’t know who this young man is. Most people believe this is Mark himself, because of the details he gives us in this story. If it is not Mark, then there is no reason for it to be here. But if it is Mark and I believe that it is, He is telling us, “I was there, I was an eyewitness to this moment.”

But the point still is a lack of faith and a refusal to stand with Christ. The young man was terrified and fled for his life. He chooses to save himself rather than stand with Jesus. And we do the same thing today. We choose to save ourselves the embarrassment, and rejection that comes from being a witness for Christ. And the only reason for it is because we have weak faith. Our faith is not strong enough to cast out our fear. We would rather fail God than be rejected by the world.

Let me ask you this, is being accepted by the world worth failing God? What do we gain when the world accepts us, temporary success, honor, respect? But at what cost; abandoning faith. Jesus was rejected by the world to reconcile us to God. What will you do with that? Will you reject God to be accepted by men?

Jesus said, “What does it prophet a man to gain the world and lose his soul?” And the answer is nothing. The world doesn’t have anything to offer us but sin and death. This world is just a fleeting moment in eternity. It is here today and gone tomorrow. Jesus came into the world that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He suffered and died that we might be forgiven.

 James Montgomery Boyce said, “He was forsaken by all in order that all who believe in Him will never be forsaken.” That is what we learn from this story. Jesus was betrayed, arrested, and abandoned for our sake that we might be accepted by God.