Sermon on the Betrayal of Jesus | Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesSermon on the Betrayal of Jesus
INTRODUCTION: John 18:1-11
A. Think how it would hurt to be betrayed by a friend and arrested on false charges.
1. I’ve never been arrested, but I’ve been betrayed by people I care about.
2. It is painful and discouraging.
3. It has been said that those who hurt us the most are those closest to us.
B. My experience doesn’t even compare, however, to the betrayal and arrest of Jesus.
1. We often concentrate on His death, burial, and resurrection – and rightly so
2. But from His betrayal and arrest there is a wealth of information about the knowledge and wisdom of God, the utter sinfulness of man, and the sacrificial love of Jesus.
DISCUSSION:
A. HOW JESUS’ BETRAYAL AND ARREST SHOW GOD’S KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM
1. The betrayal had been prophesied:
a. Psalm 41:9
b. Zechariah 11:12-13
2. Jesus knew He would be betrayed, and by whom
a. John 6:64
b. John 6:70-71 – this was approximately 1 year before the event
c. Matthew 26:25
1) Jesus even told Judas plainly that He knew
2) Although, The other disciples seem not to have understood this
3. This was all within God’s foreknowledge as He planned for our redemption
a. Acts 2:23 – The word “delivered” is from the same general family as “betrayed”
b. NOT that God “decreed” that Judas would be a traitor (as per Calvinism)
c. Judas sinned, and was personally responsible for it
1) Satan entered Judas-Luke 22:3 … but notice the words of James…
2) James 4:7 – he cannot control us without our cooperation
3) God has often used sinful people in the accomplishing of His purposes (e.g. Pharaoh)
4) Foreknowledge is not the same as a divine decree – Judas exercised his free will in doing what he did (else God would be unjust)
c. God wisely arranged that His purpose (i.e. to give Jesus as the atonement sacrifice for our sins) would be furthered by Judas’ sinful behavior.
B. HOW JESUS’ BETRAYAL AND ARREST DEMONSTRATES THE UTTER SINFULNESS OF MAN
1. Notice when it took place – at NIGHT
a. Luke 22:53
1) “this is your hour” – they wouldn’t touch Him during the day in public – for they feared the people
2) Luke 22:2
b. 1 Thessalonians 5:7
1) Shameful activity tends to be concentrated at night
2) The reason? They are trying to hide their activity
2. Judas the betrayer was a disciple and friend!
a. Seven times the Gospels emphasize that he was “one of the twelve” e.g. – Matthew 26:14-15
b. Psalm 41:9
c. Jesus confronted him-Matthew 26:50
d. That anyone would deliver Jesus to His enemies is bad enough – that a disciple and friend would do so boggles the imagination!
3. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss!
a. The “kiss” was the common greeting of friendship and brotherly love – Luke 7:44-45
b. Jesus confronted Judas with the hypocrisy of his action – Luke 22:48
4. Judas betrayed Jesus for a mere 30 pieces of silver
a. Exodus 21:32 -price of a slave
b. Zechariah 11:13 – sarcastically calls it “a princely price they set on me”
c. That anyone would “sell out” the Lord for any price is shameful – but such a low price adds insult to injury!
d. Illustration: we would despise any traitor to our country – but to betray America for a few hundred dollars would be that much more difficult to comprehend
5. Those who came to arrest Jesus treated Him like a vile, dangerous criminal
a. The mob included officers from the Sanhedrin as well as a detachment of Roman soldiers (John 18:3).
b. Jesus confronted them with the irony of their actions – Matthew 26:55
C. HOW THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST OF JESUS DEMONSTRATES HIS SACRIFICIAL LOVE
1. He allowed this to happen to Himself – did nothing to strike back or even defend Himself
a. Refused to allow Peter to defend Him by force
b. Could have called 12 legions of angels to deliver Him, but did not (Matt. 26:53)
2. Even as His own life was in jeopardy, He was looking out for the well-being of His disciples -John 18:8
CONCLUSION:
A. The betrayal and arrest of Jesus demonstrates:
1. The knowledge and wisdom of God
2. The utter sinfulness of man
3. The sacrificial love of Jesus
B. God knew all the while that it would happen, so He incorporated these events into the over-all plan to save sinful people by giving Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.
C. Jesus, in His infinite love, permitted Himself to be betrayed and arrested, though it was well within His power to escape it.
D. He could not save Himself and save us at the same time. He chose to save us.