The betrayal, the denial & the victory

March 12, 2023

Preacher: Andrew Love

Series: Luke's Gospel

Passage: Luke 22:47-62

Service Type: Sunday Morning

Introduction

Last week looked at 'A Battle of Wills':
- A battle among men
- A spiritual battle
- A losing battle
- The ultimate battle
Jesus said "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"
- Did they reflect on the words after the Garden of Gethsemane
- You cannot overcome unless looking and praying to Jesus
Twice they are advised to pray lest they enter into temptation
- Have we fallen - standing in our own strength
We come to the arrest of Jesus
Overview:
- The betrayal - Judas
- The denial - Peter
- The victory - Jesus

To betray someone is a cowardly act
- It is to say that friendship does not matter
- It is to say you are against them and want to harm them
His betrayal was against the Son of God
- Jesus had always cared for him
Judas was one of the twelve - v47
- He was one of the discples
- He had all the same privilege as the other disciples
- He was chosen to be part of the inner circle
- He was hear Jesus' public and private teaching
- He would see many miracles
- He had charge of the finances
- He could closely observe Jesus' perfect life
Judas was a fraud
- His heart was set upon the world
- He did not want to endure a life of hardship following Jesus
- He would not see a physical kingdom that would overthrow Rome
- He did not see a position of authority for himself
No-one suspected Judas
- He was a master of deception
- The other disciples did not know Judas would betray Jesus (v21)
- Jesus knew it
He was possessed by Satan
- He was obsessed with material gain
- He loved money
- He led the temple police, soldiers, scribes, pharisees, saducees
  - They came with clubs and swords
- He had the shameless audacity to kiss Jesus
  - He broke all the Ten Commandments in this moment
  - Jesus accepts this with great sorrow
What do we learn?
- Satan sows tears amongst the wheat - false people amongst the church
  - Let there be none like within Tabor
  - Consider the end of Judas and come to Christ

He is in the power and hour of darkness - he is not ready for it
The other gospel accounts provide more information
- John - Jesus steps forward and says "I am He"
  - He uses the covenant name of Yahweh "I am"
    - A sign of great power
  - He willing offers Himself
- Simon peter takes up the sword and cuts of the servant's ear
  - Jesus had said there would need to be a time to use a sword (v36-37)
  - The cause of Christ is not advanced with the use of weapons
  - Jesus' heals the servant
Peter is standing in his own strength
- Not praying - full of himself
  - He is rebuked by Jesus
- He goes into the courtyard
  - He denies Jesus three times
  - The rooster crowed and Peter remembered Jesus' words that he would deny Him (v61)
A betrayal and denial are not the same
- A betrayal is calculated and planned
- A denial is spontaneous and occurs in a time of weakness
Have there been occasions when you have acted like Peter?
- We need to suffer with Christ
- How foolish we often are?
Jesus looked at Peter with compassion and pity (v61)
- It broke Peter's heart and led him to repentance
- Jesus does not turn His face away from us
- He loves us
- Confess you sin to Him

Where is the victory - is He not a victim?
He is triumphant
- He is fulfilling Scripture - being treated as a transgressor (like Barrabas)
- Jesus was willing to take this role
- He had come to become our substitute and take our sin upon Himself
This was God's plan
- He would die upon the cross and rise triumphant
- John 12:27
- Psalm 2
Jesus was not a victim but a victor fulfilling the plan of God
- The lamb of God died as a substitute for our sins
- His death was not in vain
- All who trust in Jesus find full forgiveness
- The cross is a demonstration of the love of God for you
  - Peter knew this - he was restored and was loved
  - Judas - never repented and went to hell
Do you identify with Peter?
- Do not be a Judas
- Be a servant of the living God
- Love the victorious Jesus