No One Can Take It From Me

Welcome

Intro

Before we open our Bibles this morning, we need to stop and light to the darkness that unfolded yesterday.

Some of us were there, but all of us felt it.

The families in those on the sidelines were our families, our neighbors, people from McPherson.

A Saturday afternoon that should have been about kids and soccer and cheering from the sidelines turned into something our whole community will carry for a long time.

We grieve with Adrians’ Family over the loss of their son. We’re praying for Steve and Joleen Werhman in the hospital, and for every family who was on that field or in those stands.

So let’s start with what God’s Word says about a day like this.

We need to remember that God is not distant from our pain.

Isaiah writes about how God related to His people in their darkest seasons:

(Isaiah 63:9)“In all their suffering he also suffered” .

When this town hurts, God is not watching from a distance.

He is grieved by this darkness.

What happened yesterday was wrong, and the heart of God is broken over it.

We need to remember that God draws near to the broken.

(Psalm 34:18) “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” .

If you are crushed this morning, you are not far from Him.

You are exactly where He comes closest.

We need to remember that God gives a comfort no one else can.

Paul calls Him “our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).

Some of us need to receive that comfort this morning.

Others will be called this week to carry it to a neighbor, a coworker, a teenager who doesn’t know how to process this.

The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, and He works through His people.

We need to remember that God promises that mourning will not have the last word.

Jesus said, “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

He doesn’t bless those who don’t mourn.

He makes room for tears, and He makes a promise.

The Bridge

This morning our journey through Matthew takes us to a dark night. On the night Jesus was betrayed, before the torches and swords came into the garden, He sat with His frightened friends in an upper room and made them a promise: “No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you” (John 14:18). He promised them the Comforter on the very night their world was about to fall apart.

So let’s go to that garden together. Because the One who walked into that darkness is the same One who is with us in ours.

Pause and Pray (guideposts)

1. For the grieving. The coach and his family in the loss of their son. The Comforter’s nearness in the hours when the casseroles stop coming and the house gets quiet.

2. For the injured. [Member’s brother] and everyone still in the hospital: healing, wise doctors, strength for the long recovery.

3. For those who saw it. The players on the field, including [member’s son], and the families in the stands. Peace over the images they can’t stop seeing; help to sleep.

4. For our teenagers. Those who knew the coach’s son. That they know it’s okay to grieve and won’t carry this alone.

5. For the helpers. First responders, medical staff, counselors, teachers and coaches walking with kids this week.

6. For McPherson and the host city. That God would knit our community together, and that His church would be His hands and feet.

7. For the woman who drove, and her family. Remind the church: “On the cross, Jesus prayed, ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing’ (Luke 23:34). He prayed for those who wronged Him while they were still doing it. So we follow our Lord and pray for her, too.” Pray for her family, that the truth would come out, that justice would be done, and that she would meet the mercy of God. Optional sentence: “Praying for her doesn’t mean what happened wasn’t wrong. It means we leave her in God’s hands, where justice and mercy both belong.”

8. For us. That we would receive His comfort so we can carry it to others (2 Corinthians 1:4).

9. Close with the promise. “You have not left us as orphans. Come, Holy Spirit, our Comforter.”

Body

Scripture Reading

Matthew 26:47–57 CSB

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. A large mob with swords and clubs was with him from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 His betrayer had given them a sign: “The one I kiss, he’s the one; arrest him.” 49 So immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 “Friend,” Jesus asked him, “why have you come?” Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested him. 51 At that moment one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword. He struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and he will provide me here and now with more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” 55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal, to capture me? Every day I used to sit, teaching in the temple, and you didn’t arrest me. 56 But all this has happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and ran away. 57 Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had convened.

Movement 1: The Darkness Gathers

I want to start our journey through this mornings passage by asking three questions:

Question #1

“Why bring an army for one man?”

Let’s look at all the players here.

Matthew 26:47 CSB

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. A large mob with swords and clubs was with him from the chief priests and elders of the people.

John 18:3, 12 Tells us that he Temple guard, plus a Roman detachment 300 to 600 soldiers and a commander are among that crowd.

We have Malchus the servant to the High Priest

Peter with the a sword, the disciples,

Caiaphas and the teachers of religious law waiting at the Caiaphas’ House.

• Discovery: Every player in the garden is trying to control the night.

The priests with secrecy and money. …..

Rome with force. …..

Judas with a signal. …..

Peter with a sword. …..

The disciples by running. …..

Only Jesus, who has the most power, isn’t grasping for control.

Question 2:

“Why did they need a kiss?”

Discovery question: Everyone knew His face from the Temple. Why did they need a kiss?

The kiss wasn’t really about identification.

In the dark it worked as a signal, and it was a betrayal disguised as affection.

Luke 22:48 CSB

48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Then Jesus say to Judas

Matthew 26:50 CSB

50 “Friend,” Jesus asked him, “why have you come?” Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested him.

• The word Jesus use here for friend is hetairos.

Matthew uses it only three times when speaking to a person:

◦ 20:13: the vineyard owner to the grumbling worker, “Friend, I haven’t been unfair!”

◦ 22:12: the king to the guest without wedding clothes, “Friend, how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?”

◦ 26:50: Jesus to Judas.

Each one is close to the master (in the vineyard, at the feast, among the Twelve), yet each one’s heart is somewhere else.

It’s not philos, the word for real affection

John 15:15 CSB

15 I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.

Hetairos means a companion, someone who is near without being close in heart.

Each “Friend” is followed by a calm word that exposes what is really going on.

Even today you can be a campanion to the church, to the Pastor, to this entire experience and still not Give your Heart to Jesus.

Jesus isn’t fooled by the kiss and isn’t rattled by it, and I believe He leaves the door open for Judas’ redemption.

We will see how he responds in Chapter 27.

Question 3:

“Why at night?”

Discovery question: If what they were doing was right, why not do it in daylight?

• Let Jesus ask it Himself (v.55):

Matthew 26:55 CSB

55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal, to capture me? Every day I used to sit, teaching in the temple, and you didn’t arrest me.

Everything about this event is breaking the Mishnah Law

• It takes place at Night.

Their own law required capital cases to be tried and decided in the daytime (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:1). They came at night because they planned a night proceeding.

• The confession came with a Bribe.

The Torah: “Cursed is anyone who accepts payment to kill an innocent person” (Deuteronomy 27:25). Thirty pieces of silver.

• It happened during a Feast.

No capital trials on the eve of a Sabbath or festival (Sanhedrin 4:1).

Even worse, they broke their own plan: “But not during the Passover celebration” (Matthew 26:5).

Under stand this….

John 3:19 CSB

19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.

Jesus even says in Luke 22:53

Luke 22:53 CSB

53 Every day while I was with you in the temple, you never laid a hand on me. But this is your hour—and the dominion of darkness.”

Everyone in the garden is trying to control the darkness.

I believe we have to look a Johns Gospel to truly understand who was in control that night.

John 18:4–8 CSB

4 Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Who is it that you’re seeking?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “I am he,” Jesus told them. Judas, who betrayed him, was also standing with them. 6 When Jesus told them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. 7 Then he asked them again, “Who is it that you’re seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. 8 “I told you I am he,” Jesus replied. “So if you’re looking for me, let these men go.”

Why would an army fall to the ground in front of one unarmed Man?

“Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them.”

He asks, “Who are you looking for?”

They answer, “Jesus the Nazarene.”

“I am he.” And “they all drew back and fell to the ground!”

Why would an army fall to the ground in front of one unarmed Man?

Nobody pushed them.

No sword has been drawn yet.

Exodus 3:14 CSB

14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.”

At the burning bush, God tells Moses, “I Am Who I Am.”

In the garden, Jesus speaks the same words, egō eimi, “I am,” and the men holding torches and swords hit the ground.

They have just heard the Name.

In Matthew 14:27

Matthew 14:27 NLT

27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

The disciples are on a stormy sea, terrified. Jesus walks toward them on the water: “Don’t be afraid... Take courage. I am here!”

The NLT’s “I am here!” is the same egō eimi in Greek.

The “I am” who spoke into that storm speaks into this darkness, and He is still speaking into ours.

Then He asks the question again

Who are you looking for?

“Jesus of Nazareth”

John 18:8 CSB

8 “I told you I am he,” Jesus replied. “So if you’re looking for me, let these men go.”

His power doesn’t go to escaping. It goes to protecting His friends. The Shepherd steps between the wolves and the sheep.

Notice the power here…Notice who is in control…….

John 10:18 CSB

18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

The crowd didn’t capture Jesus;

He handed Himself over.

And at that moment, Peter draws a sword.

Movement 3: Put the Sword Away

Discovery question: Peter said he’d die for Jesus, and here he is ready to do it. So why does Jesus stop him?

Peter keeps his promise, his way

• Hours earlier: “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” (26:35).

• In the garden, surrounded by Roman soldiers, he draws a sword against an army (26:51; John 18:10 names Peter and Malchus).

That is courage. He is ready to die for Jesus.

He is fighting the wrong battle with the wrong weapon.

Jesus’ answer: a different kind of battle (26:52–54)

• “Put away your sword... Those who use the sword will die by the sword.”

• “Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?” The Greek says twelve legions, over 70,000 angels. Jesus isn’t short on power; He has more than the whole garden put together.

• “But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

Jesus chooses the Father’s plan over His own power.

We don’t fight spiritual battles with swords

“My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight” (John 18:36).

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies” (Ephesians 6:12).

“We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons” (2 Corinthians 10:4).

In a week like this, people may feel angry and want to strike back at someone. The battle against darkness is real, but it is won with prayer, truth, and love, not swords.

Jesus’ weapons are Compassion and Healing

Luke 22:51 CSB

51 But Jesus responded, “No more of this!” And touching his ear, he healed him.

In the middle of His own arrest, He heals a wound on one of the men who came to take Him.

Then He Choses to Drink The Cup

John 18:11 CSB

11 At that, Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword away! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?”

Gethsemane’s prayer becomes action.

This is where He begins to drink.

Control and submission meet: He holds thousands of angels and lays them down.

I want you to understand something here:

Peter was brave enough to face a Roman cohort with a sword.

In a few hours he will crumble in front of a servant girl.

Sometimes the hardest battles aren’t fought with swords at all.

Movement 4: Everyone Fled

Where did everyone go?

They Scatter

Matthew 26:56 CSB

56 But all this has happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and ran away.

Mark adds a young man who leaves his linen cloth in a soldier’s hand and runs off naked (Mark 14:51–52).

Everyone runs.

It was foretold

Zechariah 13:7 CSB

7 Sword, awake against my shepherd, against the man who is my associate— this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies. Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.

Even the abandonment was within the plan.

Jesus knew it was coming and walked into it anyway.

Now He is Alone into the darkness

Matthew 26:57 CSB

57 Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had convened.

They lead Him away to the home of Caiaphas, with no friends, no followers, no one beside Him.

Jesus willingly stepped into the darkness alone so that we would never have to walk through it alone again.

John tells us that earlier that night Jesus made a promise.

John 14:18–20 CSB

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you.

Even today in our grief, anger, fear, and frustration we are not Orphans………….

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