Betrayal:

Context:

• While Jesus was still speaking, Judas came, with a crowd with swords and clubs.
• He greeted Jesus and gave Him a kiss.
• The “kiss of death” was later used by Mafia Dons to signal someone’s upcoming death.

Matthew 26:50 “...Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him...”

Luke 22:48 “...but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?...”

John 18:4-9 “...Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one...”

What response did Jesus have to the kiss of death?

• He called Judas friend.
• He knew what was happened.
• He questioned, or at least made a comment, about betraying with a kiss.
• He asked the crowd “Whom do you seek?” and then said “I am He”.

What was the crowds response “I Am He”?

• They drew back and fell to the ground.

What happens to people who come face to face with Jesus?

• They are facing the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
• Is it mandatory to bow down in His presence?
• Those belong to Him are taken care of.

Matthew 26:51-54 “...And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?...”

Mark 14:47 “...But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear...”

Luke 22:50-51 “...And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him...”

John 18:10-11 “...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.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?...”

Who cut of the servant’s ear?

• Peter.

What was Jesus response?

• Jesus healed the servant.
• Jesus said He could defend Himself with twelve legions of angels.
• Jesus said He was prepared to do His Father’s will (drink the cup).

Who was the servant?

• Malchus, the servant of the High Priest.

What story do you think was later relayed to the home of the High Priest?

• The servant had his ear cut off, then healed.
• He likely had quite a testimony about his encounter with Jesus.

What type of story do people who mean you harm have about you?

Matthew 26:55-56 “...At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled...”

Mark 14:48-50 “...And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled...”

Why did this event take place?

• To fulfill scripture.

How did the disciples respond?

• They all fled.