- The Betrayal
- Prophesied – In the O.T. (Psa. 41:9; Zech. 11:12-13) and by Jesus (John 13:18-30)
- Plotted – Judas initiated the idea of his own free will (Matt. 26:14-16)
- Paltry – Judas gave up his soul for the price of a dead, gored slave (Matt. 26:15)
- Profitable – Judas and the chief priests agreed to a good deal for both (Luke 22:4-6)
- Private – Judas sought a convenient time away from the multitude (Luke 22:6)
- Prearranged – Judas gave the officers a signal of the kiss (Mark 14:44)
- Pointed – Judas was the “guide” who “went before” them (Acts 1:16; Luke 22:47)
- Personal – He was a “friend” and “one of the twelve” (Matt. 26:47, 50)
- He “knew the place” where Jesus would be—he had been there (John 18:2)
- He “drew near” to Jesus and kissed Him—affection of a friend (Luke 22:47-48)
- Prelude – It was the first domino that led to all the subsequent evil (Matt. 26:45)
- Perdition – It would have better if Judas “had never been born” (Mark 14:21)
- Prompted – Judas had yielded himself to the devil’s influence (Lk. 22:3; Jn. 13:2, 27)
- The Arrest
- Prophesied – Jesus knew it was coming (Mt. 26:54; Mk. 14:49; Zech. 13:7; Isa. 53:7)
- People – a large crowd sent from Jewish leaders, plus chief priests, Jewish elders, temple police, plus a band of Roman soldiers and their commander (Matt. 26:47; Luke 22:52; John 18:3, 12)
- Predatory – They sought Jesus at night away from the crowds (Matt. 21:46; 26:55)
- Prepared – Armed with swords, clubs, lanterns and torches (John 18:3; Matt. 26:47)
- Perverse – They treated Jesus like an insurrectionist (Matt. 26:55)
- Procedure – grabbed Jesus, arrested Him and bound Him (Matt. 26:50; John 18:12)
- Preventive – Peter attempted to thwart it with his sword (Jn. 18:11; Mt. 26:51-52)
- Permitted – Jesus cooperated and willingly submitted (John 18:2-11; Luke 22:51)
- Preventable – Jesus could have called 12+ legions of angels (Matt. 26:52-54)
- Protective – Jesus healed Malchus and interceded for His apostles (Lk. 22:51; Jn. 18:8-9)
- Power of darkness – They are operating under the power of the devil (Luke 22:53)
- The Desertion
- Prophesied – Zechariah foretold that the Shepherd’s sheep would be scattered (Zech. 13:7)
- Predicted – Jesus Himself foretold that all of them would stumble (Matt. 26:31)
- Parting – Every disciple separated himself from Jesus (Matt. 26:56)
- Panic – They did not merely leave—they ran away and fled (Mark 14:50)
- The Application
- Protect your heart from the progressive influence of the devil
- Ponder the voluntary surrender of Jesus
- Prioritize Christ’s purpose over your own plans, preferences and pursuits
- Prize the faithfulness of Jesus when people fail you
- Personalize the question:
What will I do with Jesus when following Him becomes costly?- Judas chose profit. Enemies chose power.
- Peter chose his own plan. Disciples chose personal preservation.
- Jesus chose the Father’s purpose.
- What will I choose?
- Will You Follow Jesus?
- Believe Jesus is the Son of God – John 3:16
- Repent of your sins and turn toward God – 2 Peter 3:9
- Confess your faith in Jesus Christ – Romans 10:9
- Be baptized into Christ – 1 Peter 3:21
- God will forgive all of your sins – Acts 2:38
- God will add you to His church – Acts 2:47
- God will enroll you in heaven – Hebrews 12:23
- Live faithfully to the Lord – Revelation 2:10
