Jesus - Hero Betrayed - Mark 14 - October 18, 2009

Bible Study – Knowing Jesus – Hero Betrayed – October 18, 2009

This is study seven (7) in our series “Knowing Jesus – Discipleship.”

Our scripture is Mark 14:27-34, 37-38, 43, 48-50.

Being a Christian is not easy. It is impossible in our own strength and that is why we must build a relationship with GOD through CHRIST. It is a matter of building confidence and trust in HIM. Our study this week continues with the events leading to the death of JESUS upon the cross for the sins of mankind and HIS resurrection from the dead. The resurrection of JESUS is proof that JESUS paid the penalty for sin and that HE conquered death. HE willingly did this for each person who will come to HIM and ask HIM to forgive his/her sins, believe that HE gave HIS life for him/her and ask HIM to come into his/her life.

This is the miracle of rebirth in the spirit. Our earth suit or body will die but our born-again Spirit will exit our body when we die and immediately be with our SAVIOR and LORD, JESUS. At HIS second coming our born-again Spirit will come back with HIM and all born-again believers will receive their New Glorified Bodies. Our Glorified Bodies will be just like JESUS’ resurrected body. The indwelling HOLY SPIRIT confirms with our Spirit that we are HIS children. Just as you cannot become unborn, once conceived, you cannot become unborn once asking JESUS to forgive you and to come into your life. Once conceived by GOD, you are always GOD'S child.

Our Spiritual journey begins the moment we accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR and the HOLY SPIRIT begins to enlighten us to all truth. As we study these lessons we can see the struggle the disciples had with understanding and really knowing JESUS. They had to be exposed to circumstances which led them to fully know and understand HIM. Our journey is no different. The beauty with us today is that we know the rest of the story as we study GOD’S Word and obediently serve HIM. It is an awesome journey.

The disciples of JESUS, with the exception of Judas, were confident that when the going got tough, they would fight to the end for HIM. However, they didn’t hang tough but neither did they terminate their relationship with HIM. Once they understood the truth, they all obediently served HIM. When believers fail HIM, HE does not give up on us and sever our relationship with HIM. If the relationship is severed believers do it. A believer may block the relationship but the fact that a believer belongs to GOD, through the miracle of the rebirth, is never severed. But JESUS always stands ready to forgive and restore when we realize the error of our way and repent. Repent means to stop doing whatever is not pleasing to GOD. GOD never overrides our will.

Let’s read Mark 14:27-31:

Peter’s Denial Predicted
27 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will run away,[6] Other mss add because of Me this night [7] Or • stumble because it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.[8] Zch 13:7 28 But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 29 Peter told Him, “Even if everyone runs away, I will certainly not!” 30 “I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times!” 31 But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with You, I will never deny You!” And they all said the same thing.

JESUS had just completed the Passover Meal where HE had instituted the LORD’S Supper. HE told HIS disciples that they would desert HIM and quoted from part of Zechariah 13:7 - Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered;[9] Mt 26:31; Mk 14:27

Notice that JESUS stated “I” strike the shepherd. HE was referring to GOD. This was GOD’S plan that was being carried out for the redemption of mankind. JESUS quickly added that HE would be resurrected and would meet them in Galilee.

Peter was very confident that he would stick with JESUS to the bitter end. Peter told JESUS that HE would even die for HIM. Peter was sure of his faith and confident in himself. JESUS told him that before the rooster crowed twice this very night, Peter would deny HIM three (3) times. (A piece of trivia – The Romans referred to the end of the 3:00 AM watch as the “cock-crow” by blowing a bugle. Does this tie to what JESUS was referring to or was HE referring to an actual rooster crowing? I do not know. It gives us something to ponder.)

Peter could not in his wildest imagination conceive of denying JESUS. Often, many well meaning Christians believe they will never do anything to compromise their witness to CHRIST. But the flesh can take over and we find ourselves in a compromised situation. When we come to our senses it breaks our hearts when we realize that we have disappointed JESUS and often many loved ones and friends who know the walk and witness we had with JESUS. The Good News is that HE forgives and restores when we confess and repent.

When Peter realized what he had done, he wept tears of repentance. We know that he was forgiven and went on to be a mighty servant for our LORD. Just as GOD forgave Peter, HE will forgive us when we confess our wrong doing. CHRIST never abandons us no matter what we may do. Our part is to repent and confess. HIS part is to forgive, cleanse and restore. When we confess and repent, Satan will bring back the memories but our response is, “I have confessed this and GOD has forgiven me, cleansed me and restored me, now bug off!” Then focus on the joy of your salvation in CHRIST because you have been washed in the blood of the Lamb that takes away all of your sins.

Let’s read Mark 14: 32-34, 37-38:

The Prayer in the Garden
32 Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and horrified. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow[9] Or I am deeply grieved —to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.”

JESUS went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. Gethsemane was part of a grove of olive trees and means “oil press.” Some Bible scholars believe that Mary, the mother of Mark, owned the garden.

JESUS instructed eight (8) of HIS disciples to stay in a certain place while HE took Peter, James and John, HIS inner circle, with HIM deeper into the garden. We discussed this in our August 30 study. Mark captured the deep distress and agony of JESUS. Mark used the words “deeply distressed and horrified.” Doctor Luke in Luke 22:44 captured this moment by stating - 44 Being in anguish, He prayed more fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.[12] Other mss omit bracketed text

I believe JESUS was checking with the FATHER to ensure that all the events were in place for HIS final hours upon earth and to take this cup from HIM. JESUS knew that Judas would betray HIM, that HIS disciples would be scattered and that Peter would deny HIM. I believe it was likely that a battle raged between HIS flesh and HIS divinity. We need to keep in mind that JESUS was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin. It is vital that we focus on the fact that HE remained faithful to HIS calling – “Not MY will but YOUR will be done.”

Let’s read Mark 14:37-38:

37 Then He came and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you sleeping?” He asked Peter. “Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

JESUS found HIS inner circle sleeping and focused HIS remarks upon Peter. HE urged Peter to stay awake and pray. JESUS knew what was about to take place and HE knew that Peter needed to be prayed up in order to prepare him for these events.
I think when JESUS told Peter that the “spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” HE knew the remarks Peter had made earlier, about being willing to die for HIM, were coming from his heart. The mention of “spirit” here refers to his “human spirit”, his own resolve to bring about a certain result. But JESUS knew that the flesh can trump the human spirit unless you remained focused upon the will of GOD through prayer. JESUS went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray and HE knew how critical it was to pray and maintain your focus on GOD during trying times.

JESUS asked Peter specifically to pray. GOD often leads believers to pray when HE knows they will be facing difficult times in their lives.

JESUS approached the inner circle and told them that HIS betrayer was at hand and while HE was speaking, Judas and the mob arrive.

Let’s read Mark 14:43, 48-50:

The Judas Kiss
43 While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 His betrayer had given them a signal. “The One I kiss,” he said, “He’s the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, he went right up to Him and said, “• Rabbi!”—and kissed Him. 46 Then they took hold of Him and arrested Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s • slave, and cut off his ear. 48 But Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as though I were a criminal,[11] Lit as against a criminal to capture Me? 49 Every day I was among you, teaching in the • temple complex, and you didn’t arrest Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then they all deserted Him and ran away. 51 Now a certain young man,[12] Perhaps John Mark who later wrote this Gospel having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.

Judas approached JESUS and identified HIM with a kiss. It was night and since there were no street lights it was dark. The only light came from torches and it would be hard to identify a certain person unless you got close to them. But Judas solved their problem. Judas agreed to identify JESUS by kissing HIM. The mob accompanying Judas was sent by the chief priests, the scribes and the elders who were prepared for a fight. The Romans soldiers had swords and the temple police had clubs. JESUS rebuked them for coming after HIM like a common criminal. HE did not attempt to hide or evade them. They saw HIM in the temple every day.

One disciple drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s slave. The Apostle John identified this disciple in John 18:10-11 - 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. (The slave’s name was Malchus.) 11 At that, Jesus said to Peter, “Sheathe your sword! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given Me?”

In Luke 22:51, we learn that JESUS healed the slave’s ear - 51 But Jesus responded, “No more of this!”[14] Lit Permit as far as this And touching his ear, He healed him.
Peter was ready to fight, just as he had told JESUS earlier but when JESUS told him in stern words to put up his sword and HE healed the slave’s ear, it must have given Peter a jolt. The disciples were likely still thinking that JESUS, the promised Messiah, would be an earthly ruler. I believe the eleven (11) were ready to fight but when JESUS rebuked Peter, who HE had called the rock, they backed down and they all scattered.

When we build up an image of our hero in our minds and he/she does not measure up to our expectations, we become disillusioned. I think this happened to Peter and likely to the other disciples as we see the events of Passion Week continue to unfold.
In Peter’s case, restraint was more difficult than reacting by drawing his sword and taking matters into his own hands. GOD is in control. Did Peter’s reaction when they came to arrest JESUS and his later denial make him a stronger apostle than he would have been otherwise? It was the plan and purpose of GOD that HIS ONLY SON suffer and die for the sins of all who will believe in HIM. This became clear to Peter at Pentecost, when he was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT.

It is vital that we focus on the fact that Peter remained faithful. Peter had some hang-ups that GOD had to deal with along his Spiritual growth and maturity. Even though Peter denied CHRIST, GOD never gave up on him and HE will never give up on us. Keep in mind that all believers have an enemy, Satan, and his job is to discourage and defeat believers. Our hope is in CHRIST, which is confirmed by the HOLY SPIRIT in our hearts.

JESUS told Peter that the scriptures must be fulfilled. The eleven disciples scatter when JESUS was arrested. Even Judas went back to those who gave him thirty pieces of silver to betray JESUS to return their money. They rejected the money because it was blood money.

When the disciples scattered, some in the mob tried to grab a certain young man who escaped leaving his garment behind leaving him naked. Most Bible scholars believe this naked young man was Mark the writer of this Gospel.

JESUS knew what HE had to do. HE could have called legions of angels to come to HIS aid and deliver HIM. If I had this power, I would have used it. Again, I think this was part of JESUS’ struggle. HE had to restrain Himself from using the power HE had at HIS command. HE restrained Himself for you and for me. JESUS had to trust HIS FATHER and not HIS power.

JESUS is the hero of all believers and the hope for all non-believers. HE remained faithful to the end and HE gave HIS life that believers will be set free from the bondage of sin and death. Forgiveness of your sins is available. The only person who can forgive you is JESUS. Ask HIM to forgive you, accept the fact that HE died for your sins and ask HIM to come into your life right now.