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THE SAYINGS OF THE CRUCIFIXION (6)

 

The Arrest of Jesus (2)

Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:3-11

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    In our last lesson, we saw the Garden of Gethsemane had been “set on fire.”

1.      This was not a literal fire.

2.      It was a fire of

a.      Lanterns and torches of the mob

b.      Passions and emotions of all in the garden

c.       Divine power that was demonstrated by the Christ

 

B.      Jesus had identified Himself to the large crowd that had come to take Him into custody.

 

C.     In this lesson, His identification will be confirmed by another man, one of the twelve, in fact, a disciple named Judas.

 

I.                   THE BETRAYAL KISS (Matt. 26:48-49; Mark 14:44-45; Luke 22:47-48).

 

A.    Important points:

1.      Luke reveals that it was Judas who was heading this particular detail (Luke 22:47).

 

…and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them.

 

2.      Judas had been in discussion with the Jewish leaders in order to betray Jesus into their hands.

a.      He knew where Jesus would be and how He could be arrested without difficulty from the masses.

b.      He was paid thirty pieces of silver for his betrayal (Matt. 26:15).

c.       He gave them a sign so they would arrest the right man (Matt. 26:48).

 

Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, the same is he:  hold him fast.

 

B.      The greeting and kiss (Matt. 26:49; Mark 14:45)

 

And forthwith came he to Jesus, and said, Hail Master, and kissed him.

 

1.      Judas boldly refers to Jesus as “Master.”

a.      The Greek word is “rabbi.”

1)      It means “my great one,” or, “my honorable sir.”

2)      It was a title used to address one’s teacher.

b.      Our hearts cringe to think that Judas had been a disciple of this great rabbi for over three years, and this is where he finds himself.

2.      Both Matthew and Mark tell us that he kissed his Master.

a.      Kisses are supposed to be displays of affection.  They are given to those we love and adore.

b.      Judas’ kiss was a kiss of betrayal.

1.      It was not loving, but despicable.

2.      It was not honorable, but shameful.

3.      It was not caring, but careless.

4.      It was not truthful, but deceitful.

c.       Proverbs 27:6

 

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

 

d.      This kiss was not soft and warm.  It was an arrow that pierced into the heart of the Son of God.

 

II.                THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FRIENDSHIP (Matt. 26:50)

 

And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?

 

A.    We are immediately reminded of an OT prophecy (Ps. 41:9).

 

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

 

B.      Jesus looked upon Judas as His friend.

1.      He had lived with him for over three years.

2.      He had chosen him to be one of His ambassadors.

3.      He was trusted enough to be put in charge of the disciples’ treasury.

 

C.     Jesus is reminding Judas of the relationship that his actions were betraying.

 

III.             REMINDING JUDAS OF HIS MISSION (Matt. 26:50)

 

Friend, wherefore at thou come?

 

A.    Jesus is not ignorant of why Judas is there.

1.      He already said:  “Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me” (Matt. 26:21).

2.      When He woke His disciples from sleep, He said:  “…behold, he is at hand that betrayeth me” (Matt. 26:46).

 

B.      Jesus is reminding Judas of his true purpose.

1.      Judas, why are you here?

2.      If Judas were honest, he would say:

a.      To betray you into the hands of Jewish rulers.

b.      To have you arrested.

c.       To earn myself a quick thirty pieces of silver.

 

C.     The lesson is bold and powerful:  “Friends do not betray friends.”

1.      Proverbs 17:17

 

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

 

2.      Proverbs 18:24b

 

…and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

 

3.      Proverbs 27:17

 

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

 

D.    That day, Judas would have to admit:  “Master, I am not here to be your friend.”

 

IV.             QUESTIONING THE KISS OF JUDAS (Luke 22:48)

 

A.    After Judas kissed Jesus, the multitude started toward Him to apprehend Him (Mark 14:46).

 

And they laid their hands on him, and take him.

 

B.      Luke is the only gospel writer who tells of this question by Jesus to Judas.

 

But Jesus said unto him, Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss.

 

C.     Jesus reminds Judas of three things.

1.      He is engaged in the act of betrayal.

2.      He is betraying “the Son of Man,” a special title given to Jesus as the divine redeemer of mankind.

3.      He is betraying Jesus with a kiss, an act of affection.

 

D.    LESSON:  We are quick to judge Judas, but we should not be.  Let’s consider how we are treating others.

1.      We will call them friends, and speak evil of them.

2.      We will call them brethren, and ignore them and little to do with them.

3.      We will call them followers of Christ, and will rejoice, and sometimes, plot their demise.

4.      We will call them love ones, but hope they will just go away.

5.      POINT:  Friendship is displayed through positive actions toward another person.

 

V.                THE DEFENSE BY THE APOSTLES (Luke 22:49)

 

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

 

A.    The apostles had to be both confused and troubled by these events. 

1.      They had told the Lord that they would stand for Him (Matt. 26:35).

 

Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.  Likewise also said all the disciples.

 

B.      Several interesting thoughts:

1.      The Lord’s disciples had swords among them.

a.      According to Luke 22:38, they had two swords among them.

b.      Swords were both offensive and defensive weapons of the day.

2.      Jesus had been teaching His disciples about the coming kingdom.

a.      Often it took force for kingdoms to be established.

b.      Perhaps the disciples thought now was the time to fight.

3.      It is not uncommon for men to desire to protect themselves with force, especially when they are innocent.

CONCLUSION

 

A.    The events in the garden have intensified.

1.      The mob has their hands on Jesus.

2.      The disciples are posed to fight if the Lord gives them the command.

 

B.      Before Jesus is led away to the high priest, there will be further discussion between Jesus and His disciples and between Jesus and the crowd.