Jesus Stands Alone

Introduction

Throwing football into window - I let my friend stand alone. Who have you deserted?

As Jesus approached His death He was deserted by those who were closest to Him.

We face the real temptation of deserting Jesus. When life get tough, we run from Jesus rather than to Jesus.

Or, when God is not giving us what we want, we run from Him.

What prevents us from standing with Jesus/ What causes unfaithfulness? What causes our hearts to wonder? Three flaws within us that cause us to run away from Jesus rather than running to Jesus.

Hypocrisy prevents us from standing with Jesus.

“Rise, let us be going...” (14:42) “And immediately...” (14:43)

Judas, one of the twelve… Mark wants us to know it’s an inside job. Not someone outside of Jesus’ circle who ultimately had Jesus seized, but a trusted friend. None of the disciples would have expected Judas to do this. But, Judas knew exactly where Jesus would be at this hour of the morning, and He willingly brought a mob of people to arrest Jesus in exchange for 30 pieces of silver.

Size of entourage - Representatives from the Sanhedrin, Judas procured a band of Roman soldiers (maybe 600) (), temple officers - all carrying weapons. Jews and Romans - bitter enemies - united in one cause - to arrest the eternal Son of God. Clearly expecting resistance from Jesus.

BETRAYAL - kisses Jesus on the cheek - a kiss of friendship is ultimately the kiss of death - for Jesus and for Judas - both of their fates sealed.

- Jesus does not resist. “Friend, do what you came to do.” In moment of betrayal, Jesus calls Judas “friend.” Still expressing love to the most unlovable, wretched, and vile person on the planet. In one of the darkest moments of human history, Jesus extending grace, but Judas is so hardened that he is unable to see grace.

What led Judas to this moment of betrayal? How could he? After all, he had been with Jesus every day for three years. He heard the life-changing teachings, saw the miracles. He had all the evidence in the world that Jesus was God in the flesh, but chose to reject Jesus in exchange for silver.

Judas’ problem - hypocrisy - Judas what not who he presented himself to be. On the exterior, he looked the part, but on the inside, his heart was corrupt and hardened to the Good News of the Kingdom.

Already seen hypocritical ways - he was a thief. () He followed Jesus for his personal gain - If Jesus was going to be a King - He was going to benefit - but when Jesus was not the King he envisioned, and He was not going to “gain” from His Kingdom, Judas had to find another way to gain - turn Jesus over.

Hypocrite - someone who pretends, plays a part. Why pretend to be a follower of Jesus?

Personal gain - Respect in community, family, etc.; accolades through service, power if you serve enough, help, etc. Some of us use Jesus and His church for our own personal interests rather than surrendering to Jesus for His gain and glory. - what do you really gain?

- what do you really gain?

Self-love - hypocrisy ultimately stems from a heart that loves self.

Hypocrisy will prevent you from standing with Jesus. Ultimately, hypocrites will not endure in the faith but walk away from the faith.

Impulsiveness prevents us from standing with Jesus.

- Jesus in complete control - knows what’s going to happen. “Whom do you seek?” “Jesus of Nazareth.” “I am he.” John’s Gospel - Jesus says “I am” a lot. Bread of life, way, truth, life, etc. Reminders of deity. Here - “I am” - they drew back and fell to the ground! Jesus is not powerless! He could easily walk away from or destroy this mob of enemies.

Disciples confused and shock - staring at Judas - fallen soldiers - Peter took a sword (unnamed in Mark’s Gospel) and struck ear of high priest’s servant. (Barney fife - surely he wasn’t aiming for the ear.)

- Jesus to Peter: “Put your sword back… All I have to do is say the word and twelve legions of angels.” Legion = 3000 - 6000 soldiers. 72,000 angels in an instant! BUT, that’s not the plan! - Touched Malchus’ ear and healed him. Grace to His enemies in the moment of His arrest.

- “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Jesus could have stopped everything - but He knew His fate. He knew what was coming. Jesus was not taken by force. He willingly gave Himself to the authorities so that He would ultimately go to the cross for us.

While Jesus is in complete control - Peter doesn’t see it, although Peter has been told numerous times how this would play out. Instead of listening to Jesus, and instead of acting on what Jesus said - Peter takes matters into his own hands - just like he said he would.

Peter had said, “I’ll never let you be crucified...” Doesn’t listen. Or, Mt. Transfiguration: “Let’s build tabernacles.” God speaks, “Listen to Him!” When Jesus tried to wash Peter’s feet, “No…” And after, the meal, “Some of you will fall away...” Peter… “Never...”

Peter always quick to speak and always quick to take matters into his own hands. Peter was impulsive.

Impulsiveness prevents us from standing with Jesus. Impulsiveness is acting or speaking without considering God’s plan or God’s way. Is this you?

Impulsive people are driven by pride, arrogance, emotion, and feelings. Impulsive people act before they think.

Are you driven by emotion or by truth?

Are you driven by pride or humility?

Are you seeking to gain control or give up control? Where has taking matters into your own hands gotten you?

If you’re driven by emotion, pride, and a desire for control you’ll often wander away from Jesus rather than simply listening to His voice and obeying Him. You’ll storm forward without prayer, considering His Word, the consequences of your choices, etc. And before you know it, you’ll be opposing God’s will rather than submitting to God’s will - You’re not Judas - you’re not a hypocrite - you’re just not sensitive to His voice and His Spirit. You’re immature.

Grow up. Quit being impulsive. Repent. Ask Him to teach you to trust and obey.

Cowardice prevents us from standing with Jesus.

Young man? Perhaps John Mark - the Gospel writer. Maybe his parents home was where the disciples shared the Passover together.

John Mark, slips away in the night, and follows the disciples to the Garden in his pajamas. When Jesus is arrested, Mark is seized - slips away and his bed linen comes across. He flees naked.

Perhaps Mark’s way of saying to us: “I was there too. I didn’t stand with Jesus either. I fled naked and ashamed.” John Mark was a coward.

Cowardice prevents us from standing with Jesus. What is a cowardly Christian?

Hidden faith - refuse to share your faith with others, refuse to step out in faith when God calls. Always want to play it safe.

Hidden sins - Cowardice is refusing to deal with your own sin - refusing to finally give over that addiction or that secret sin you are holding on to.

As long as you are keeping your faith hidden and your sins hidden you will not stand with Jesus when life gets tough. You will flee.

What is keeping you from standing with Jesus? Hypocrisy? Impulsiveness? Cowardice? Be honest with yourself this morning. Repent and look to Jesus this morning to give you the strength to stand with Him.

Look at Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Everyone flees - but Jesus stands alone. He does not act hypocritically. He follows through with His mission just as He said He would. He doesn’t act impulsively. Instead, He perfectly follows the will of God. He doesn’t act with cowardice. But with resolve and confidence He willingly gives Himself over to the authorities and goes to a cross and dies.

When everyone flees, Jesus stands alone, and He stands for us! He stands for the hypocrite, the impulsive, and the coward. He stands with His gracious arms open ready to receive hypocrites, impulsive people, and cowards who are willing to turn to Him in repentance. Jesus stood for you when you could not stand for yourself, and Jesus suffered and died for you in spite of your inability to stand with Him.

Garden of Eden - Out of Eden came separation from God and death. Like the unnamed young man, our nakedness and shame exposed. In the garden, as Adam and Eve sinned, all of humanity deserted the God who created us in His own image.

Garden of Gethsemane - it happens again. Sin and shame exposed as those closest to Jesus desert Him. But, death and separation do not come out of the Garden of Gethsemane. Instead, HOPE comes out of the Garden of Gethsemane because out of G. of G. Jesus would stand in confidence and victory, go to a cross, die in our place and rise again. Praise God for Gethsemane! Praise God that Jesus went to the garden in agony, but came out in confidence and willingly giving His life over for us! Praise God that Jesus stands for us!

Repent and run to His grace today. Ask for renewal in your walk with Him. Unbeliever, find life in Christ this morning.