COME THOU FOUNT // MATT 26 PT 4

LAST WEEK

We saw Jesus make His way into the Garden of Gethsemane

We heard Jesus predict Peter’s denial

We saw how the Disciples failed to pray when that was all that Jesus asked for

THIS WEEK

We will look at the fulfillment of Jesus’ Betrayal

We will look at the conversation between the High Priest and Jesus

We will look at the fulfillment of Peter’s Denial

ASK YOURSELF

What would cause you to deny that you are a Jesus Follower?

What would cause you to betray the God who you have been following for more than 3 years?

More than ever, the temptation to depart from associating with the evangelical title is real.

More than ever, people are misrepresenting the Gospel.

The question we must ask ourselves is this:

Are we going to wander from the Gospel because of how others have mishandled its power?

If I had one wish, it is that we would be the church that didn’t fall into the status quo.

That we would be the church that would prohibit people from saying:

ALL CHURCHES MISHANDLE MONEY

ALL CHURCHES MISHANDLE POWER

ALL CHURCHES MISHANDLE DISCIPLINE

If we are that church, then we have contributed to the Change that I believe the Church needs in this age.

SO HOW?

TURN TO

Matthew 26:47–75 NKJV

47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” 55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. 56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. 57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, 60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” 62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” 64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! 66 What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” 67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?” 69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” 71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” 73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.

Matthew 26:47-

PRAY THAT GOD WOULD STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH IN HIM

PRAY THAT WE WOULD RESPOND WITHOUT FEAR TO WHAT HE WANTS TO DO

Matthew 26:47–50 NKJV

47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.

JESUS HAD BEEN DOING MINISTRY FOR OVER 3 YEARS NOW

MATTHEW 26:47

He had been discipling

He had been investing in

He had been building a new community of Faith

Out of 12 guys, 1 of them chose to walk away

Out of 12 guys, 1 of them chose to betray him

HOW?

WHILE HE WAS STILL SPEAKING, JUDAS COMES ON THE SCENE

He comes with a great multitude

He comes as if He is going to a fight

He comes in the name of the Elders and the High Priests of the Jewish Religion

Judas who had walked with Jesus

Judas who had seen Him do miracles

Judas who was the treasurer of the Ministry of Jesus Christ

Who saw the Peace that he embodied

Who saw how gentle He was with people

Led a group of religious nationalists to Jesus as if they were going to a Royal Rumble.

Judas prepped the army with specific instructions

“Whomever I kiss, He is the one, Seize him”

It’s almost as if the army didn’t know who Jesus was

Immediately he goes up to Jesus

Greets Him

And gives Him a kiss

This was a customary greeting

It is how Jewish people greeted one another.

JESUS, UNTHREATENED BY THE CROWD, ASKS A SIMPLE QUESTION

“Friend, why have you come?”

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 26

In Matthew, the word hetairos (meaning “friend,” “comrade,” or “companion”) always appears in direct addresses, and always in a response from a righteous figure to a wicked person

Notice how there was no time for Judas to answer

The guards knew what to do

And they acted quickly

But not without Jesus’ followers doing something about it

Matthew 26:51-

Matthew 26:51–56 NKJV

51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” 55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. 56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

THE BOOK OF JOHN TELLS US WHO THE ONE WAS

It was Simon Peter who drew the Sword and cut off Malchus’ Ear

Instead of cheering on the fight and the push back

Jesus asks Peter to put his sword away

Then he says:

If you live by the sword you will perish by the sword

Peter did not understand that this battle wasn’t against flesh and blood

Peter did not understand that Jesus didn’t come to start a war, but to Save people from a Spiritual War

Peter did not understand what Jesus meant

WHAT DO I MEAN?

“I did not come to bring peace, but a sword”

If Peter knew that Jesus was true

If Peter remembered everything He said

We respond to physical threats with physical action

IM CONFUSED

He wouldn’t have responded the way he did

Jesus didn’t bring a literal sword

He brought a Spiritual Sword

Remember when Jesus informed Peter that He was going the way of the Cross?

A sword that divided the crowds

What did Peter do?

He said no way

A sword that pierced through bone and marrow, soul and spirit

Absolutely not

A sword that knew the thoughts and intents of the heart

What did Jesus say?

A sword that convicts us and gives us hope at the same time.

Get behind me Satan

WHEN WE FORGET WHAT CHRIST HAS SAID, WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO ACT IN WAYS THAT CONTRADICT HIS WILL

THE SWORD KNOWN AS THE WORD

PETER HUNG OUT WITH JESUS, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHO JESUS WAS ENTIRELY

SOMETIMES WE ARE LIKE PETER

Jesus says,

IF WE KNEW WHO HE WAS, WE WOULD LIVE A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY

If this was really about fighting physically

Don’t you think that Jesus could ask of the Father

And the Father would send 12 legion of Angels?

Literally 60K Angels

The reality was that those closest to Jesus didn’t get Jesus

Judas didn’t get Jesus

Peter didn’t get Jesus

James and John didn’t get Jesus

How?

We must remember that Jesus had already foretold what was going to happen

We must remember the details of the conversation at the Last Supper

We must remember that Jesus’ Word is Faithful and True

THE REASON HE CAME WAS TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PROPHECY

But not the way man sees fulfillment

See humanity see’s fulfillment in self gratification

“You are most fulfilled when you are most satisfied”

Jesus fulfilled Prophecy even when it cost Him his life

Jesus went to the cross knowing it would benefit everyone else but Him

Jesus lived His life knowing that his death would bring Life in others

“How then could the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”

JESUS, THEN TURNS TO THE GUARDS

He questions their motives

SIDENOTE:

Doesn’t this conversation reflect

Have you come out against a robber?

Don’t you remember who I am

How I daily taught in the temple

How I taught from the scriptures and fulfilled them right before your eyes

How come you didn’t seize me then?

This was all done to fulfill all the Scriptures.

NOTICE WHAT HAPPENS?

All the disciples forsook Him and fled

If there is one reason that proclaims the necessity of Christ it is this:

THAT HE IS FAITHFUL AND WE ARE NOT

THAT WHEN WE ARE AT ODDS WITH HIM, HE LOVES US

THAT WHEN WE FLEE THE HARDSHIPS OF LIFE, HE CHASES AFTER US

MATTHEW 26:57

SO WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE WHO JESUS CAME TO?

WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS PEOPLE?

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE JEWS AND THE LEADERS OF CHURCH 1.0?

Matthew 26:57–68 NKJV

57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, 60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” 62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” 64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! 66 What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” 67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”

THEY LED JESUS TO CAIPHAS THE HIGH PRIEST

THERE HE WAS GREETED BY THE SCRIBES AND ELDERS

PEOPLE WHO KNEW GOD’S WORD BUT DIDN’T KNOW JESUS

We also know that Peter followed from a distance

He went into the High Priests courtyard and sat amongst the servants to see what would happen

IT WAS THERE THAT PETER WOULD BE AN EYE WITNESS TO SOMETHING

He would notice that the Chief Priests, The Elders, and all the council sought to bear false witness

Something condemnable by the very Word they studied.

Finally they found two witnesses that presented a claim that would for sure stir up the audience

“This man said ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and built it in three days”

We must remember that this temple was fought for

This temple was the pride and joy of the Jews

It is where they facilitated God’s Business

So this was not only a threat to the Religious but to the People of Israel

The High Priest then asks Jesus why He is silent:

Why isn’t Jesus defending himself

It isn’t until Caiphas asks a very specific question that Jesus responds:

“Tell us are you the Christ, the Son of God?”

“It is as you said, nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the son of man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of Heaven”

This infuriated the High Priest

So much so that He tore off his clothes as a sign of protest against what had been said

Again, what more evidence did the people need?

Jesus has stepped into and fulfilled hundreds of prophecies

He has lived a sinless life

He has done miracles after miracles

Yet He was seen as a blasphemer

One deserving of Death

Here began the fulfillment of the prophecy that Jesus would be beaten beyond recognition

Isaiah 53:1–7 NKJV

1 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.

SO WHERE IS PETER DURING THIS TIME?

Matthew 26:69–75 NKJV

69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” 71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” 73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.

THE ONE THING THAT IS EASY TO DO IS THIS:

TO SHAKE OUR FINGERS AT PETER AND SAY “HOW COULD YOU”

IF WE KNEW WHAT JESUS WAS SAYING, IT WOULD EFFECT OUR EVERY DAY LIFE

WHEN THE THING THAT WE SHOULD DO IS THIS:

WE SHOULD REALIZE OUR OWN CAPACITY TO FALL INTO THE SAME SIN THAT PETER DID.

WE NEED TO REALIZE OUR OWN CAPACITY TO DENY JESUS BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE OF THIS WORLD

WE NEED TO REALIZE HOW EASY IT IS TO WALK AWAY

IF WE KNEW WHAT JESUS WAS SAYING, IT WOULD EFFECT OUR EVERY DAY LIFE

Jesus said:

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent me”

My nourishment is to fulfill all that the Father has for me

How I feed my flesh is by doing what God has called me to do

This means that at his worst, He was doing the Father’s Will

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. - Martin Luther King Jr.

The best thing we can do as Jesus Followers is to walk in the Light of the Gospel that speaks of Creative Altruism

To walk in the unselfish masterpiece that God is creating in us, that others may be blessed.

The same dude that made a big deal about not using money to impact the poor

Sold Jesus out for 30 pieces of Silver