02-27-2022 - Crossing the Kidron

OPENING

No matter how hard we try, our relationships do not always turn out the way we desire. Relationships are not always nice, neat, and tidy. Let’s face it, relationships can be downright messy. There are many ways relationships can go south, but one of the most devastating things that we can experience in our relationships is betrayal. When we are betrayed by someone we love, it is like an arrow shot to the heart. It hurts. It can cause severe and long-lasting effects to us emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and even physically. But God’s Word encourages us that, even if we face betrayal, we can and we will survive! And we can and we will overcome! And we can and we will come through it! And we can and we will be better on the other side! I want to speak to you this morning on the subject of overcoming betrayal. The title of this message is “Crossing the Kidron.”

SCRIPTURE

2 Samuel 15:13–23 NKJV

13 Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” 14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 15 And the king’s servants said to the king, “We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands.” 16 Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house. 17 And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts. 18 Then all his servants passed before him; and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king. 19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place. 20 In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you.” 21 But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.” 22 So David said to Ittai, “Go, and cross over.” Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over. 23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness.

MESSAGE

Absalom’s Betrayal of David

King David’s heart was broken as a result of His son Absalom’s betrayal.

David had been estranged from his son Absalom for several years.

Absalom had fled from David and left Jerusalem after he killed his half-brother Amnon for defiling his sister Tamar.

When Absalom returned to Jerusalem, he began to turn the hearts of the people away from his father David and toward himself.

When Absalom had finally amassed a sizeable following, he launched a plan to overthrow his father David and declare himself king of Israel.

King David was betrayed by his own son.

David was obviously heart-broken.

He wrote about this betrayal in Psalm 41.

Psalm 41:9 NKJV

9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

David was also betrayed by his close friend and chief counselor, Ahithophel, who left him and joined up with Absalom.

In order to avoid bloodshed, David fled from Jerusalem.

As he fled Jerusalem, David crossed over the Kidron Valley with a small group of loyal followers and made his way up to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went.

Have You Ever Experienced Betrayal?

Betrayal can come from the hands of family, friends, or co-workers.

Typically it is when it comes from those that are the closest to us, that it hurts us the worst.

That is because you love that person.

You have placed trust in that person.

You have opened up your heart to that person.

And it feels like they’ve stabbed you in the back.

If you have ever experienced betrayal, you know how devastating it can be.

Betrayal is a violation of the relationship.

It is disloyalty.

It is deception.

Betrayal destroys the foundation of trust.

Betrayal hurts!

Betrayal wounds the soul!

Judas’ Betrayal of Jesus

Jesus also faced betrayal.

John 18:1–2 NKJV

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.

Judas was one of Jesus’ close disciples.

Judas walked with Jesus for over 3 years.

Yet Judas joined with the enemy and their evil plot to humiliate and crucify Jesus.

Judas ate bread with Jesus, but betrayed Him with a kiss.

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (a couple hundred bucks today)!

But Jesus turned His betrayal into a victory!

Judas’ betrayal was not the end of the story.

Jesus took what the enemy meant for evil, and turned it for good!

The Kidron Valley

The accounts of Jesus’ and David’s betrayals have something interesting in common.

The Kidron Valley or the Brook Kidron were mentioned in both accounts.

They both had to cross the Kidron.

The Kidron Valley was a valley between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.

The Levites used to dump unclean things in the Kidron Valley

2 Chronicles 29:16 NKJV

16 Then the priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it, and brought out all the debris that they found in the temple of the Lord to the court of the house of the Lord. And the Levites took it out and carried it to the Brook Kidron.

The word “Kidron” literally means “darkness.”

It represents a place of darkness and despair.

It represents a place of weeping and sorrow.

It is the valley that Jesus passed through on His way to the Garden of Gethsemane where He prayed so earnestly before His betrayal, His sweat became as great drops of blood.

Figuratively, it also represented a temporary end to David’s reign as king of Israel.

Are You Passing Through Your Own Kidron Valley?

Have you been betrayed by someone you love?

If you are crossing your own Kidron and facing your own betrayal, take comfort in knowing that, Jesus has also crossed His own Kidron, and He can sympathize with what you’re going through right now.

Jesus has faced betrayal, and He can help you through yours.

Jesus is near to the brokenhearted.

Betrayal doesn’t mean it’s over.

David regained the throne!

Jesus conquered over all the powers of darkness through His death, burial, and resurrection!

You might be Crossing the Kidron right now, but God is with you!

You will overcome your betrayal as well, because Jesus will not let you fall!

You might be crossing the Kidron, but remember, you are just passing through!

You are not staying in the Kidron, in the place of darkness!

The Kidron Valley is not your final destination!

You are going to come through it and emerge on the other side victorious!

Weeping may endure for the night, but joy is coming in the morning!

Don’t get bitter, get better!

Don’t return evil for evil, but overcome evil with good!

Don’t stop weary traveler, keep moving forward!

Don’t let the present darkness discourage you, the sun has come up this morning!

And the light of God’s love is shining on you right now!

And the darkness of evil cannot stop the light of God’s love from penetrating your heart this morning.

And when the light of God’s love penetrates your heart, it can bring healing, and strength, and encouragement to you weary soul!

CLOSING

When we give into the darkness and allow the betrayal to overcome us, we let the enemy win.

But when we Cross the Kidron by relying on the strength, peace, and joy of God’s love for us, we defeat the enemy.

Don’t let the enemy win in your situation, be the bigger and the better person.

You can not do it on your own.

You can only do it through your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Forgiveness = freedom.

Don’t be bound by the betrayal.

Let it go!

Don’t hang out in the Kidron Valley.

Keep pressing through!

Victory is on the way!

Remember the darkness of the crucifixion made the light of the resurrection that much brighter!

ALTAR CALL