Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Three simple words.

“Et tu, Brute?”

When say someone is a leader like George Washington, you immediately know what I mean.

These words, penned by William Shakespeare in his play “Julius Caesar”, capture the last moments of the leader Julius Caesar’s life.

Names that ring through history like Lincoln or Churchill - you remember them and what they stood for and their actions.

Caesar was murdered by upwards of 60 senators on March 15, 44 BC, as they grew concerned of his great power and influence.

Names from history that still ring through the years like

But there are other names like Benedict Arnold who’s actions define who they are, but not in a good way.

The famous words, which we don’t know for sure if Caesar said or not, were a response to the fact that Caesar’s friend, Marcus Brutus, was among the conspirators.

Such is the name of one of out main actors in our text today - Judas Iscariot.

History records that when he saw young Brutus he pulled his robe up to cover his face, so as not to look upon this betrayal.

If I call you J

And while I’ll leave it to history to determine if Brutus and the others were right or wrong in their actions, in Caesar’s eyes, the only thing worse than being assassinated in the Senate Chambers is being assassinated in the Senate Chambers by one of your closest friends.

Today, our text takes us to perhaps the only betrayal that is more famous than that of Brutus and Caesar.

The actions of Judas Iscariot are so notorious that elsewhere in Scripture we see that others who share his name are said to be Judas (Not Iscariot).

Jo

In fact, in Judas, we don’t even need a last name, simply one - he was the forerunner to Madonna, Elvis, Cher, and Prince.

So, what can we learn from this monumental and historic betrayal?

Today I want to focus on three people in the text - Judas, Peter and Jesus and see what we can learn from them.

Because there are lessons for each of us to learn through their lives to this point and how we can grow.

And what we see between the two of them is a striking difference on how to deal with others, the act of betrayal and the wonders of Grace.

Lessons from Judas

EX - In the life of Judas, we see several lessons that show us that just because someone says they are a Christian, it does not mean that they actually are followers of Christ.

If you remember a few weeks ago, I pointed out that when in it says that “Satan entered into Judas” it was not a hostile takeover.

Judas saw that he was on the “wrong side of history” so he was preparing his escape route.

And he thought that if he betrayed Jesus, he would be doing his nation a favor and he might make a little money on the side.

So, Judas, this treacherous man, knew where Jesus would be and what he would look like so he said, “I’ll go up and embrace Jesus, then you’ll know who to arrest.”

Judas’ life is tragic in so many ways.

But I want us to focus on perhaps the most tragic way and that is that Judas Rejected Jesus.

And not just here at the end, it was evident early on.

These are just a couple of examples from John’s Gospel that show us that Judas was not truly born again.

He rejected Jesus.

I want you to think about that for just a moment.

Judas was picked by Jesus.

He walked with Jesus, ate with Jesus, listened to the teaching of Jesus.

And it never changed his life or his heart.

IL - Denying Jesus

Even recent history is littered with story after story after story about men and women who have studied the words of God only to reject them.

Names like Dan Barker, Bart Ehrman, Rob Bell … all men who led churches only to reject a Biblical Christianity.

Closer to home, at Iowa State, Dr. Hector Avalos recently wrote a book titled “The Bad Jesus” where he makes the case that Jesus wasn’t such a nice guy after all.

Dr. Avalos, Dr. Ehrman, Mr. Barker … all people who have studied Scripture to a varying degree or another and rejected Jesus.

And we are all familiar with others, maybe a friend or a family member who has rejected Jesus despite what we have told them or taught.

The point is that there are plenty of people who have sat under the teaching of Jesus who have rejected the teaching of Jesus and even then worked to turn others away from him as well.

AP - Don’t Assume

Don’t assume that because you walked into church today that you are made right with God.

Don’t assume because you read your Bible or listen to Christian teaching or do what the Bible says that you are right with God.

Judas did all those things.

And he still betrayed Christ.

We are only made right with God by trusting Jesus and placing our faith in Him.

Coming to church won’t do it.

Listening to good (and not-so-good) preachers won’t do it.

Reading your Bible won’t do it.

Only by trusting in Christ as our savior are we made right with him.

So, have you done that?

I implore you to do that today.

Lessons From Peter

EX - When we are betrayed, will we wait to let God handle it?

In the chaos of the situation, Peter, both betrayed by Judas and seeing Jesus betrayed by Judas, decides to do something about it.

Peter, still thinking that this is the time to go to war for Jesus pulls out the sword and lops off the high priest’s servant’s ear.

We know it’s Peter because while the other three gospel writers are nice to Peter and leave his name out, John isn’t so nice.

This after what we see in verse 49 where they ask, “Lord, shall we now strike with a sword?”

Peter decides that it is up to him to defend Jesus and the Kingdom of God, all by himself if he has to - typical Peter.

But this raises a question - when you or someone you love is betrayed, what do you do about it?

IL - My Grandpa

I love my Grandpa - my dad’s dad.

Poppy is what we called him.

He died when I was 10, but I have heard stories about him.

One of my favorites is when during a discussion with someone over a matter, the other guy called him a liar.

That didn’t go over well and Poppy punched the man in the mouth.

Poppy got a fine for assault or disturbing the peace or something to which he said, “If I’d known I’d have to pay to punch him, I’d have made sure I’d gotten my money’s worth” - although I may have omitted a few words a preacher shouldn’t say on Sunday morning.

Here’s the point - our instinct, our tendency is to get even when someone wrongs us - betrays us.

Lord knows I’ve punched people for calling me a liar in my younger days, too.

We want to settle the score and make things right.

Jesus points us to a different way.

AP - Let Jesus have the vengeance

Notice what Jesus does here.

He heals the man and rebukes Peter.

Jesus is in control of the situation.

From simply asking Judas if he would actually betray him with a kiss, a sign of affection?

To asking the priests and officers why they are coming after him as if he was a thief and robber - since he was in the temple day after day.

And because Jesus is in control of the situation - we can trust that He will take care of it.

We shouldn’t seek to get even.

I want to be clear, we CAN and SHOULD seek Justice.

So, if someone has hurt you, betrayed your trust and in so doing has broken laws, it is ok to turn them in or call the police.

But what we cannot do is take justice into our own hands and seek revenge.

Whether they have broken a law or not, it’s not up to us to right the scales.

That’s God’s job.

I’ve mentioned this before, but we can trust that every wrong done to you and to I will be paid for at some point.

Either the person who has wronged you will pay for their sin in hell.

Or Jesus has paid for it on the cross.

Either way, we shouldn’t try to extract more justice than what God demands.

EX - In the life of Judas, we see several lessons that show us that just because someone says they are a Christian, it does not mean that they actually are followers of Christ.

EX - Peter’s reaction to Judas’ betrayal is an example of now not to behave.

EX - In the life of Judas, we see several lessons that show us that just because someone says they are a Christian, it does not mean that they actually are followers of Christ.

If you remember a few weeks ago, I pointed out that when in it says that “Satan entered into Judas” it was not a hostile takeover.

John

Peter forgot to listen to all the warning signs that Jesus gave to him.

Judas saw that he was on the “wrong side of history” so he was preparing his escape route.

Peter was so quick to assume that this was the time to go to war that he impulsively forgot to wait for the answer from Jesus.