Real Betrayal

Observation #1 - No One Still Understood Still Who Jesus Was

Judas did not understand

The guards did not understand

Peter did not understand

Observation #2 - Jesus’ Focus Never Changed

When Judas appeared

When the soldiers said they had come for him He acknowledged His identity by using the phrase, “I Am”

When Peter cut the high priests servant’s ear off

Observation #3 - At the End, Jesus was All Alone

The Greek word that Jesus used when calling Judas “friend” is an interesting choice. Phileo versus Hetairos - brotherly love versus not necessarily companions for the sake of helping the chief, but for getting whatever advantage they could.

not necessarily companions for the sake of helping the chief, but for getting whatever advantage they could.

Not only did Judas betray Jesus, everyone else abandoned him

Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

Takeaway #1 - The most critical thing is a firm grasp of who Jesus is and why He came.

Takeaway #2 - Sometimes standing with God means standing alone.

Takeaway #3 - Nothing catches God off guard.