The Betrayal Of The King

Our text: Matthew chapter 26: 47-75

To betray is to deliver into the hands of an enemy by treachery or fraud, in violation of trust.

The religious leaders of that time had tried to discredit the Lord Jesus Christ in every way that they could and failed. We see so much of this in our world today. You can mention the word god or allah or khoda or other words having the same meaning and the world will accept that you are talking about the same person or persons.

The word that we use for the Supreme Being, God, comes from a very pagan origin. Thus the word god is used generically by many different religions to refer to their deity. There are many in the world today that would try to place all religions under one roof because of this. The fact that there is a difference in Christianity will not allow the Christian to go along with this. The acceptance of Christ Jesus as the Messiah who has come and will return must be means of salvation according to the Word of God.

1Jn 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jn 2:23  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

1Jn 3:10  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
1Jn 3:11  For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

Interestingly, not many Muslim want to accept that Allah was already being worshipped at the Ka’ba in Mecca by Arab pagans before Muhammad came. Some Muslim become angry when they are confronted with this fact."But history establishes beyond the shadow of doubt that even the pagan Arabs, before Muhammad’s time, knew their chief god by the name of Allah and even, in a sense, proclaimed his unity…Among the pagan Arabs this term denoted the chief god of their pantheon, the Kaaba, with its three hundred and sixty idols."

There is absolutely no question that Allah was worshipped by the pagan Arabs as one of many polytheistic gods. Allah was worshipped in the Kabah at Mecca before Muhammad was born. Muhammad merely proclaimed a god the Meccans were already familiar with. The pagan Arabs never accused Muhammad of preaching a different Allah than the one they already worshipped.

To love one another is not just for those of a religion to love those that belive the same way but to love one another is to love all your brothers and sisters everywhere in this world no matter their background or their beliefs.

The example God gives us is this:

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

After saying all this if you just mention the name Jesus or Jesus Christ ot Christ Jesus then most of this world will immediately stand up in arms with hate and ridicule.

Jesus’s last name was not "Christ"! Christ means "Messiah"! Jesus was the Messiah that came to this earth to save His people.

Messiah means "God in the flesh"!

The religious leaders of all religions simply do not accept this "FACT". Not then and not now!

The difference in a Christian and a religious person is simply the belief on Jesus Christ as the Supreme God, Jehovah God, the God who creates and the God who saves and redeems.

This the truth!

1Jn 5:5  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1Jn 5:9  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

1Jn 5:1  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

The world is still looking for the Messiah that is King but the world will have missed the Messiah who saves if they wait that long and ignore Christ Jesus Our Lord who is both.

*****Our text:

Mat 26:47  And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Mat 26:48  Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
Mat 26:49  And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
Mat 26:50  And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Mat 26:51  And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
Mat 26:52  Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mat 26:53  Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54  But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Mat 26:55  In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
Mat 26:56  But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Mat 26:57  And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
Mat 26:58  But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
Mat 26:59  Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
Mat 26:60  But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
Mat 26:61  And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
Mat 26:62  And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
Mat 26:63  But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Mat 26:64  Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Mat 26:65  Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
Mat 26:66  What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
Mat 26:67  Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
Mat 26:68  Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

These disciples had not felt the great need for these things to take place just as they were written. They had not saw the need for Jesus to die, especially on a cross. These disciples had failed in their love for Christ and we do the same.

There are many in our day that just do not see the need for Jesus and the work that He did to get us saved.

I am sure glad that Jesus Christ was in the will of the Father, even though for many years I did not see the need of such a loving Saviour.

Let’s see how Our Saviour was treated.

The facts:

1.) The Sanhedrin had determined to kill Jesus:

Mat 26:3  Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Mat 26:4  And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. Mat 26:3  Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Mat 26:4  And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

2.) Judas Iscariot had entered into an agreement with these people:

Mat 26:14  Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
Mat 26:15  And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

3.) Judas was watching for the right opportunity:

Mat 26:16  And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

4.) Christ had revealed to Judas that He knew of his plan:

Mat 26:25  Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

5.) Judas rejected the offer of forgiveness:

Joh 13:30  He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
Joh 13:31  Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

6.) The Sanhedrin had not wanted to kill Jesus on the Passover but there would not be a better chance than this with Jesus only surrounded by eleven disciples rather than the large Passover crowds:

Joh 18:2  And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
Joh 18:3  Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

The fact that this band of men came armed shows that Judas did not really understand Our Lord.

There would be no fight or attempt to escape. Jesus calmly surrendered to the "cup" He was about to drink.

You know the legacy of Judas lives on in the fact that the name Judas is not a name used very much anymore.

Not only was he a betrayer, he also used a "kiss" as a weapon.

Judas cheapened everything he touched!

The disciples wanted to fight but they must be preserved at this time to carry forward the New Testament, The New Covenant of the Lord.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

These men were being trained to begin the Church, the Bride of Christ.

Jesus had been preparing them for a different life. They would need the means to protect themselves but not on this night. You know if one looks at the results of the ministry of Jesus there were only 120 saved in His three years of preaching.

When we do not realize that Jesus was training disciples we have missed the importance of Christ time on this earth.

He paid the price of our salvation but as disciples it is our job to train other disciples. Jesus started with twelve. Only eleven accepted the training and at His death there were 120.

This is the work we have to do Train other disciples. This is our vision left by our Saviour.

Pro 29:18  [Where there is no vision, the people perish]: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Have we lost the vision Christ gave us?

Peter was loosing the vision on this day:

Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Luk 22:33  And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
Luk 22:34  And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
Luk 22:35  And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Luk 22:36  Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Luk 22:37  For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
Luk 22:38  And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

They would be left in a hostile world after the cross.

The proof of this is the fact that a portion of the Roman army had come with Judas. The Sanhedrin and the Temple had an armed guard and Jesus bs not being arrested for breaking any Roman law.

It is easy to see that all parties were expecting some sort of insurrection to occur. If Jesus had broken Roman law He would have been delivered to Pilate yet we know that He was delivered to Annas, who was not the High Priest first, and then on to the Hight priest Caiaphas.

When Jesus still called Judas His "Friend" the, Temple guard and those with them fell back and down on their knees:

Joh 18:6  As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Jesus then ask for the release of the eleven disciples.

Joh 18:8  Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
Joh 18:9  That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

It is at this time that Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus.

Jesus told Peter to put up his sword and He healed the ear of Malchus. If not for this peter could also have been taken.

It is at this time that the Roman soldiers probably around 600, took control of Jesus.

Joh 18:11  Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Joh 18:12  Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
Joh 18:13  And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

We know what would have happened to Paul if not for the Roman guard:

Act 21:30  And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
Act 21:31  And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

There could very well such an attempt on Jesus if not for the Romans.

These Romans had remained silent until they saw that the Temple guards were unable to face the dignity of Jesus.

They took control of the situation!

No doubt that Jesus Christ had been made out to be some dangerous character.

It is at this time that all the disciples fled.

Mat 26:56  But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

After His arrest Christ Jesus was first brought before Annas. Annas had been the key person of Jewish religion for many years. Though he only served as High Priest for 6 to 8 years, he had five sons that had been High Priest and Caiaphas was his son-n-law.

We also know that these were all Sadducees, the enemy of the Pharisees, so they all had joined forces in this false and illegal trial.

"But Peter followed afar off"

These things were not happening  by accident but as appointed by God Himself. This was all part of God’s plan:

Act 2:22  Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Act 2:23  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Act 2:24  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Jesus was treated as a thief but we know it was Judas a disciple of Satan who was the thief.

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

And Jesus was amongst even more of Satan’s disciples.

Jesus own disciples had deserted Him:

Joh 16:32  Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

According to Old Testament Law the High Priest were to serve until their death. The Romans made the office of High Priest an appointed position. This was done so they could be certain that the Jewish religion would be cooperative with the Roman government.

It was this family that was in charge of the Temple business that Jesus had overthrown twice in a short time.

Jesus was their enemy in many ways. Caiaphas had already made it clear hits intent to destroy Jesus.

Joh 11:48  If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
Joh 11:49  And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
Joh 11:50  Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

But it was Annas who still had the power:

Luk 3:2  Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

Jesus was already to be guilty before any trial was called together. The problem was to find witnesses to match this false guilt.

The Sanhedrin court was illegally and hastily brought together:

Mar 14:53  And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

This opportunity could not be missed and this trial would be over before any of the Passover crowds began to gather.

No honest witnesses could be found simply because Christ Jesus was innocent of any charge. These leaders arranged for some false witnesses.

This also was not legal by their own Laws:

Deu 19:15  One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
Deu 19:16  If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
Deu 19:17  Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
Deu 19:18  And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
Deu 19:19  Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.

We can see that twisting the Word of God to suit their own purpose was something they had no problem doing.

It was a serious matter to speak against the Temple so a statement Jesus made was taken out of context:

Joh 2:19  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Joh 2:20  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
Joh 2:21  But he spake of the temple of his body.

This same group of men used this same argument against Philip a short while later:

Act 6:14  For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

It is Christ Jesus that set the example for all Christians to follow:

1Pe 2:17  Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
1Pe 2:18  Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
1Pe 2:19  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1Pe 2:20  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Pe 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Caiaphas saw how futile it was to find any witness against Jesus so he attacked Jesus knowing He would not deny being the Son of God:

Jesus applied the Word of God to Himself:

Psa 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Dan 7:13  I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

This would mean "salvation" to anyone that would trust on Him but Caiaphas would be condemned.

Caiaphas without council immediately passed sentence!

Prophecy was again fulfilled:

Isa 50:6  I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
Isa 50:7  For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

Caiaphas found Jesus guilty of this one charge but watch as this trial moves to Pilate.

In front of Pilate other charges are added:

1.) Pilate is told that Jesus has claimed to be King of the Jews.

2.) Pilate is told that Jesus taught that the Jews should not pay tribute to Caesar.

3.) Pilate is told that Jesus stirred up the people.

*****Our text:

Mat 26:69  Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
Mat 26:70  But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
Mat 26:71  And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
Mat 26:72  And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
Mat 26:73  And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
Mat 26:74  Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
Mat 26:75  And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

What we know is that Peter had boasted with self confidence that he would lay his life down for the Lord. The Lord knows all our weaknesses and He knew what Peter would do.

Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

The weakness of Peter was uncovered and it was painful. This is far different than that of Judas. Judas only;y professed to know the Lord!

Peter was a true believer:

Luk 9:20  He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

The Bible says:

1Jn 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1Jn 5:11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1Jn 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

There was no willingness in Peter to sin. Peter was ignorant of his own weakness! Step by step he approached this moment:

1.) Peter was over confident in himself:

Luk 22:33  And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

2.) Peter separated himself from Christ Jesus:

Mar 14:54  And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

Jesus had told him to watch and pray:

Mat 26:41  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

3.) Peter sat down with the enemies of God:

Luk 22:54  Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.
Luk 22:55  And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

Peter had slept and neglected prayer because he was ignorant of the real character of the flesh.

How guilty of this are we all when we think we can rely on our own strength in our battles with the devil.

We all have on many occasions seen how totally unworthy our flesh truly is!

What is our only hope?

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

We have an intercessor!

1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Where would Peter have been without this prayer. Just as we all, Satan would ruin our testimony so much that we would be useless in the work of the Lord.

1.) First Christ will show us our sin:

Luk 22:61  And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
 
2.) Christ will then restore us to Himself:

Mar 16:7  But go your way, tell his disciples [and Peter} that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

Joh 21:15  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

Peter wept in bitterness because of what he had allowed himself to do. These were tears of repentence. His heart was broken and his spirit. That tender look from the Lord had brought a burning to his soul.

We all should learn from the mistakes of Peter. It is always best just to obey the Word of God.

Let’s Pray!