In the Shadows of Betrayal

 

Strength in the Shadows of Betrayal

John 18:2-11

In the shadows of betrayal, Jesus stood sovereign and unshakeable. Jesus made his final "I AM” declaration, revealing power over all in the Father’s redemptive and foreseen plan.

Have you ever felt betrayed, double-crossed, hurt, lied about. We are living in an age of growing toxicity, isolated by social media, with access to more communication than ever before in history, but in many ways, we are entrapped in silos of echo-chambers and polarization not seen since maybe the civil war era, and in some ways even beyond that.

Routinely, one side demonizes the other side with hyperboles, exaggerations,  dehumanizing others so much that violence, explosive emotionalism, and overreactions result.

Where is God in all of this? Right where He has always been, on the throne, overseeing with His godly omnipresence every breakdown and sin. God is sovereign ruling with His holy omniscience every thought and action. With Christ at His right-hand side, the Heavenly Father is in control of all thing with His powerful omnipotence.

Scottish author, American pastor, and radio speaker Allistair Begg cites this passage as one of the most dramatic scenes of the New Testament. Would you stand as we read John 18:2–11.

·        A powerful betrayal, fulfilling a thousand year prophecy.

·        A tremendous amount of self-control and courage as the sovereign Son of God boldy confronts the soldiers.

·        A supernatural falling down of the soldiers that could have allowed for an escape.

·        A foolhardy attack by Simon Peter

·        A stern rebuke and reminder that this was why Jesus came.

Let’s first look at Judas and the Scriptural fulfillment

1. The Scriptural Fulfillment of Judas (18: 2–4)

² And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. ³ Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. ⁴ Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

Let’s first look at Judas and the Scriptural fulfillment. It is likely between verses 3 and 4 that Judas came forward and betrayed him with a kiss, in the other gospels. Matthew records Judas calling Jesus Rabbi in Matthew 26:51. Jesus replied and called Judas friend, which brings to mind Psalm 41:9, Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

Jesus knew Judas would betray Him from the beginning and chose him anyway. Jesus knows the problems you are facing right now, this week, later this month or year.

What’s more, Jesus knows the problems our world is facing and He is getting ready for His return.

#1 The Bible predicts all the nations of the world will come against the Jews in Jerusalem. Zech 12:3

All nations of the earth have never come against Israel and Jerusalem. But if and when America collapses or falls to Communists, Islamic radicals, or Democratic socialists, all nations of the earth will come against it, bringing about the fulfillment of Rev. 16:14, For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Rev. 17 says, ¹² “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. ¹³ These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. ¹⁴ These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

This may sound like I am chasing a rabbit, but this is no rabbit. If Jesus could trust the Scriptural prophecy about Judas’ betrayal, then we can trust what the Bible says about the end times.  

#2 The Bible predicts that in the end times there will be a strong delusion. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

Well that’s not very nice is it? Why would God send a strong delusion? Verse 11 tells us “for this reason” which is found in verse. 9 and 10. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ¹¹ And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, ¹² that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

It is theologically called “Judicial hardening”, meaning God will give you up and give you over to sinful mind-set (“debased mind”, (1:28), sinful emotions (“vile passions,1:26), and sinful will actions (unclean desires of the heart”, 1:24). Romans 1:24-32.

Okay, that was not a rabbit and it wasn’t a squirrel. GracePointe #1 If Jesus could trust God in the Scriptural fulfillment of the betrayal of Judas, then we can trust God to fulfill Scriptural promises even as  _the end times_ come to pass.

2. The Sovereign Final I AM (5–9)

⁵ They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. ⁶ Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. ⁷ Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” ⁸ Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” ⁹ that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

I AM Personal in Relations. (John 4:26)

I AM Perfect in Love. (John 6:20)

I AM Preeminent in Judgment. (John 8:24)

I AM Provider of Salvation. (John 8:28)

I AM Perpetual in Existence. (John 8:58)

I AM Prophecy Fulfilled. (John 13:19)

I AM Power over All. (John 18:5)

The final “I AM” declarative statement shows that Jesus is more powerful than man’s armies or soldiers, more powerful than betrayal and that through it all, the great “I AM” can cast any opposition onto their backs. God is sovereign, and no one can oppose Him.

You can picture the scene. Soldiers approaching, bearing torches, lanterns, and clubs. The disciples huddle around Jesus, instinctively protecting the one who needed no protection. Judas emerges, shocking them all, only now dawning on them that he was the betrayer whom Jesus predicted.

Judas weaves through his once friends, finding Jesus.

Psalm 109:8 says, “May his days be few; may another take his office.” A verse which Peter explicitly applies this verse to Judas in Acts 1:20.

He could have called more than twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53). At the mere utterance of His statement “I AM”, the soldiers fell backwards.

GracePointe #2 One day, just as Judas and the soldiers fell, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess He is Let’s say it all together) Lord.

3. The Sword of the Foolish (18:10)

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

Now isn’t it interesting that John gives the servant’s name, but not that Jesus healed him? I know you may be asking for some profound theological reason why that would be included, but to be honest with you I got nothing.

Well, I have something but I guess you thought that. Later on, twice we will see that John was personally known to the High Priest (18:15-16). What’s more, John is the only one who notices it was his right ear. Again, I think if nothing else, this is a tell-tale sign of the gospel’s authenticity and that John was truly there.

Secondly, why does only one gospel explain that Jesus healed the servant’s ear? Well, since Luke was a physician, he likely thought it was relevant, for sure. And while it is interesting, John’s point is Jesus’s protection of the disciples, not the restoration of a servant.

But the main reason that every gospel includes this event is that it shows that while we may have the best of intentions, it is foolish to fight the spiritual battle with fleshly weapons. Peter didn’t think. He acted rashly. What’s more, Simon could have been killed.

2 Cor. 10:4 says, ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

In Eph. 6,  Paul said, ¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

In other words, don’t bring a sword to a spiritual fight. I love the song Nobody by Casting Crowns where Moses had stage fright; When David brought a rock to a sword fight; You picked twelve outsiders nobody would have chosen; And You changed the world

GracePointe #3: Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight. Don’t bring a sword to a spiritual fight. The armor of God is not optional, so get on your knees and fight like a godly man and a godly woman.

4. The Strength of the Foreseen Plan (18:11)

¹¹ So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

Jesus had just been praying about the cup, although this is the as much as John mentions his Gethsemane prayer. Not only was Peter’s action foolish, impulsive and was not thought through

Matthew adds a detail missed by the others but implied by John. He asks Peter did not he think that Jesus could call 12 legions of angels to rescue him.

GracePointe summation – “Who delivered up Jesus to die? Not Judas, for money; not Pilate, for fear; not the Jews, for envy; but the Father, for love!” and but Christ, for submission.
                                                                 --Octavius Winslow, Baptist minister (1808-1878)