Betrayal and Arrest John 18:1-11

Introduction I imagine most of us have never been arrested on false charges –But perhaps some have been falsely accused You know how that hurts deep down inside –How it damages your reputation, relationships, and even your sense of self-worth And it hurts worse when it comes from someone you trusted and felt close to –You feel betrayed »And betrayal awakens all kinds of reactions and emotions This lesson is about the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, and the lessons we can learn from it

Its place in God’s plan God knew the betrayal would take place –Ps 41:9 (1,000 years earlier) –Zech 11:12-13 (500 years earlier) Jesus knew He would be betrayed –Jn 6:64, (more than 1 year earlier) Perhaps because of Judas’ character and/or actions He knew he would be the one Says He knew “from the beginning” –Beginning of...time, His ministry, their calling –Mt 26:20-25 (earlier that evening) Let Judas know that He knew Jn 13:27-30

Its place in God’s plan His betrayal was part of the plan of God –Acts 2:22-24 –Not that the betrayer did not have a choice Judas made a sinful choice (Jms 4:7) –A choice God knew he would make »God has often used sinful people to further His plans (Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, etc) »God didn’t make them sinful, but used their sinful choices (which He foreknew) to further His plans –The plan required Jesus to die as an atoning sacrifice The betrayal accomplished this, but it also showed something more...

What it revealed about man Man tries to hide his sinfulness –Lk 22:52-53 They could have arrested Jesus any day during the week as He was in the temple each day –Lk 22:2 – they didn’t because they knew the people would disapprove “this is your hour and the power of darkness” –Shameful, sinful activity happens frequently at night; why? »Because people think they can hide in the darkness (1Ths 5:4-8)

What it revealed about man The utter sinfulness of man –Betrayed by a friend 7 times in the gospels, the writers point out that Judas Iscariot was “one of the twelve” –Almost as if they too could hardly believe that one of their own had betrayed Jesus Jesus even remarks on their friendship (Mt 26:50) –Though He knew it would be a friend (Ps 41:9) –And the action of betrayal was a symbol of friendship and brotherly love, a kiss Jesus remarks on the hypocrisy of using a kiss as a sign of betrayal (Lk 22:47-48)

What it revealed about man The utter sinfulness of man –Betrayed for a mere 30 pieces of silver (Mt 26:14-16) The value of a slave killed by an animal (Ex 21:32) The redemption value of a free adult female (Lev 27:4; a free male valued at 50 silver, Lev 27:3) Zech 11:13 calls it “a princely sum”, but the sarcasm should be obvious The insult of the price shows the greed and sinfulness of both Judas and the chief priests

What it revealed about man The utter sinfulness of man –Arrested like a dangerous criminal Jn 18:3 sent an armed detachment (band, cohort) –A unit typically of 600 Roman soldiers –Plus officers, probably from the temple guard –All to arrest ONE man at night known to have only a few lightly armed disciples Even then, they seemed to be afraid (Jn 18:4-7) –Was it His words, “I am”? –Was it knowledge of His power? –Was it guilt?

What it revealed about Jesus His love –For His disciples (Jn 18:8-9) Wanted them to be free to depart without being harmed –For all mankind (Jn 18:10-11) He knew that the betrayal and arrest was part of the plan for salvation Otherwise He could have had 12+ legions (72,000+) angels to defend Him (Mt 26:53) –For even those who were arresting Him (Lk 22:49-51)

Conclusion What can we learn from the betrayal and arrest of Jesus? –God’s foreknowledge and wisdom in bringing the plan of salvation to its fulfillment –The utter sinfulness of man –The love of Christ By allowing Himself to be taken, He was giving us the opportunity to be saved