2017-07-16 Luke 22: 21-23 Belief or Betrayal

BELIEF OR BETRAYAL (Luke 22:21-23) July 16, 2017 Read Luke 22:21-23 – A man appeared in court one day seeking divorce. The judge asked him what irreconcilable differences he had. He replied, “Well, your honor. She likes her boyfriend, and I don’t!” Betrayal harms everyone. Now, the order of events at the Last Supper is unclear. But here’s a reasonable guess. In Luke, Jesus mentions His betrayer right after the Lord’s Supper, but that was probably earlier. In vv. 24-29 he tells of the disciples’ “greatest” argument. That probably occurred as they entered the room – and explains why no one washed feet until Jesus did (John 13:3-11). This probably happened just before the Passover meal, or possibly during it at the time of a ceremonial hand-washing. Jn 13:4 Jesus “rose from supper” to wash their feet, symbolizing the need for humility which was hardly their strong suit! Then came the startling disclosure that one of them would betray Him which both Mt and Mrk place before initiation of the Lord’s Supper. So does John in the most detailed account. Jn 13:21: “After saying these things [footwashing] Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.” Passover was a long meal. After the washing they ate bitter herbs, by dipping bread into a paste made from fruit and nuts – symbolizing bitter slavery in Egypt. That’s when Jesus gives the morsel to Judas, seated on the Lord’s left. Thus John on his right, and Peter, across the table, saw this action which was not so obvious to the others. Jn 13:27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out.” This almost certainly means that while Judas was present for the Passover meal, he was gone by the time Jesus turned Passover into Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper would mean nothing to Judas. He’s not worshiping the Savior; he’s selling Him down the river. 1 So Lu 22:21-23 is all about betrayal. And v. 23 is particularly challenging. Jesus’ prediction creates a startled reaction: 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.” This shows a humility seldom seen in the 12 up to now. And it shows a clarity of thought. Jesus tells them repeatedly He is going to die and they don’t get it. But He tells them once that one of them will betray him, and immediately each wonders if it will be himself! Amazing. Why did it hit them like that? Here’s why. Days earlier they’d seen Jesus enter Jerusalem claiming publicly for the first time to be Messiah. They were convinced the time had come, the kingdom was imminent, and they were jockeying for position. But then, rather than clean out the Romans, He cleaned out their temple. Rather than start a revolution, He kept preaching and teaching. Further, His public display caused hatred by the leaders. Something had to give, and they were wondering how it would all end. If Jesus actually were arrested and killed, how would they fare? It was a very real and legitimate concern that by each that he might fold. Have you ever thought how you’d do under such pressure? When Jesus does not do as we think He should; when He seems unresponsive, does faith fail? We are all vulnerable. But this passage is teaching, hang in there. Don’t follow Judas! Unbelievers might affirm you now, but think ahead. How will it be in the end? Betraying Jesus is deadly. Appearances to the contrary, Jesus knew everything that was going on and was in complete control. Appearances to the contrary, placing faith in Him is always the right answer. Note how Jesus is in complete control of His own destiny – and yours! I. Jesus Comprehended 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.” Jesus knew exactly what was going on. He could have stopped the whole thing on a dime. Control was His. Many people see Judas as the anti-hero who brought Jesus down! They think Jesus’ life was about taking on a corrupt political system, but He wasn’t moving fast enough for Judas, so Judas sold Him out. They believe the resurrection was a product of the apostles’ imagination – that Jesus’ death ended everything. They believe the betrayal caught Him by surprise. Death crushed His dreams. Jesus is like Julius Caesar, who, at the heights of his powers was cut down by the betrayal of one of his best friends – thus, his surprised cry – “Ettu, Brutei” – “You, too, Brutus” – even as he was being stabbed to death. Surprised by the betrayal of a close friend. 2 But let me assure you Jesus was neither surprised nor overwhelmed. He knew exactly what was going on. “the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.” He knew. He had known it from the very beginning. He’d often predicted His betrayal. Mt 20:18: “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death.” Jesus was not surprised like Caesar. He knew all along. Jn 6:64b, “For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.” Jesus knew. In fact, Jesus knew when He chose Judas. Jn 6:70-71: “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him.” Jesus knew from Day 1. Judas thought he could fool Jesus. But he only fooled himself. He suffered the fate of anyone who thinks they are pulling the wool of God’s eyes. God knows every action, word and thought. Nothing escapes His notice. He has never known surprise, and you will not be the one to introduce it to Him. He knew Judas and He knows you and I make. We can hide nothing from Him. Sin can only be covered by Jesus’ blood, never by our devices! A new army Air National Guard enlistee was en route to basic training when he accidentally opened a parachute in the rear of the C-47 he was riding in. He confessed what he had done to the pilot, expecting to be severely chastised. Instead, the captain calmly replied, “Well, son, if this plane goes down, that chute is yours.” The point is our record of rebellion and betrayal follows us to the bitter end. Judas didn’t bring Jesus down, Jesus brought Judas down. He could have been saved the same way we can – by placing his sin under the blood. But never by covering up on our own. He couldn’t and we can’t. II. Jesus Cared Not only did Jesus know; Jesus cared. Jn 13:21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit.” Troubled why? At the thought of His own coming death? No. He was troubled for a friend who was about to selfdestruct. And He did all He could to pull Him back from the brink. When John asked who would betray Him, Jn 13:26: “Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas.” The other disciples didn’t hear this – only John and Judas who were nearest Jesus. But what’s He doing? He’s giving one last chance. He’s saying, “Judas – I know it all. I know what you have done; I know what you are about to do. The only person you are fooling is yourself, Judas. Turn back while you still have time.” That’s what 3 this was about. Jesus cared that His friend, thinking he was betraying Jesus, was in fact about to blow himself up. Jesus cared enough to try one last time. But what happed? Jn 13:27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Judas made his final decision. He ceded complete access to Satan and went to his destruction. In fact, Jesus sent him on his way. He had trampled the love of Christ underfoot and would pay an eternal price – the price of betrayal. A few years ago National Geographic reported that after a forest fire in Yellowstone some forest rangers surveyed the damage. One ranger found a bird – a carbonized, petrified shell, covered in ashes. He turned the bird over with a stick – and 3 tiny chicks scurried out from under the dead mother’s wings. Mom covered the chicks rather than run – dying so the babies could live. Like Jesus in Lu 13:34: “ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” That’s the love Judas trampled when he left that night. And it is that kind of love you betray if you will not repent and submit to His Lordship. How you can do that I do not know. But I know this, Jesus cares! III. Jesus Complied 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined.” This is love in action. Knowing the whole plot; knowing exactly what was coming; knowing that if He simply asked the Father “will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels” (Mt 26:53); knowing the horror of the break with His Father that awaited Him – Jesus went anyway. Why? Why in the world, when escape was well within His grasp, would He comply? Because He knew the price of eternal separation from God all of us would pay if He did not go. And He knew it to be the Father’s will. And so He walked into the eye of the storm to absorb the wrath of God that rightfully belonged to you and me. Never in history has there been an act of love like that. Jesus knew a friend would betray Him: Psa 41:9: “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” But this was the whole reason He came. So He went “as it has been determined.” Determined when? I Pet 1: 19 we were ransomed “with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.” Jesus’ death was not a Jewish plan, a Roman plan or a Judas 4 plan. It was a God plan set in motion before time began. Prophesied: Isa 53:6: “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.” And so Jesus went “as it has been determined” – not by Judas, but by God. Jesus knew: Jn 10:17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” Jesus was no Caesar, surprised at the betrayal of a friend; Jesus was God in the flesh dying for every repentant sinner. Think of that! Rather than kill Judas for treachery, Jesus went to the cross to at give him the chance of salvation, which he refused. We must be crystal clear: No one took His life; He gave His life so that we could have life. A few years ago an 8-year-old named Stevie had a brother who had leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. Stevie was the only perfect match. Asked if he’d be willing to donate the marrow, he paused briefly then said, , “Yes.” On the day of the procedure, just before they took him to the operating room Stevie looked up and asked, “Mommy, how long will it take me to die?” Stevie literally thought in giving the bone marrow he would die instead of his brother. But he was willing anyway. That’s love. That’s Jesus. He went “as it has been determined” because as He says in Jn 15:13, “ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” How dare we trample that love by refusing to go with Him to the cross He went to for us. IV. Jesus Condemned Judas turned Jesus down – and Jesus leaves no doubt as to his fate. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined [there’s the good news], but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” Mt 26:24b adds, “It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Oh, Judas, why did you not turn away? Given a last chance, how could you betray the Son of God? But the same question applies to us, for every act of rejection is another act of treachery. It is a denial of the Person and Work of Christ and thus a betrayal in its own right. And just as Judas could not escape, neither will we? Heb 2: 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” There is no escape. Jesus told it like it is. “It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” That’s how serious it is to betray God’s own Son. 5 Remember the betrayal in Sound of Music? The young Austrian, Rolf, courts the oldest von Trapp daughter, Liesl. But he is seduced by Nazi propoganda. Late in the movie, against his better instincts, he betrays the family who are fleeing the Nazis. They’ve taken refuge in a convent when soldiers, including Rolf, come searching. All goes well until Liesl gasps upon seeing Rolf, thus exposing them. Capt von Trapp tries to talk sense to Rolf. He is clearly conflicted, but ultimately he summons the guards and betrays the family. But, of course, the one he ultimately betrayed is himself. He chose the wrong side and would eventually be condemned along with the rest of Hitler’s gang. So with those who reject Christ. They betray Him by their rejection, but in the end, they betray themselves. John 3:36: “36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” As one old Scottish preacher said, “Unbelievers cannot go to hell but over the bowels of God’s great mercies. They must wade to it through the blood of Christ.” Rejection = betrayal = condemnation. Conc – So here’s the deal. This sermon brings all of us to a crossroad. One way is labeled Betrayal; the other Belief. There is no other road. We must all choose. Believe or betray. Judas or Jesus. No one fools God. He knows hearts. Australia was originally populated as a penal colony for Great Britain. Only convicts were sent there. Not long ago a Briton flew to Australia and was asked by immigration, “Do you have any felony convictions?” The man replied, “Sorry. I didn’t realize that was a still a requirement for entry!” That’s like God’s kingdom. It’s for sinners only. The entry requirement is admission of guilt and acceptance of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness based on Jesus’ death in your place. How good is that!? That’s grace. That’s the gospel. Betrayal or belief. Judas’ way or Jesus’ way? Let’s pray. 6