Jesus knew the Glory of being Betrayed by his Own
Intro: Well morning friends and visitors. My name is Matt Johnson and today we continue our study of Johns gospel. The second half of Johns gospel is often called the book of glory because in it we are meant to see the glory of Jesus. So lets pray as we begin…
Prayer: Well perhaps the most NOTORIOUS TRAITOR in history is Judas Iscariot. To be A JUDAS means to be a traitor. After 3 years as a disciple, Judas agreed to betray Jesus – for just 30 silver coins. Now there are some hints – that Judas may have loved money more than Jesus. Judas Iscariot was like the church treasurer. He was responsible for managing the money for Jesus and the disciples. But the Bible tells us that Judas occasionally dipped his hand in the offertory bag and helped himself. He was a thief.
Sadly, in every church there are some people who aren’t really putting Jesus first. But the reality of Judas raises the question – what really comes first in our lives Jesus or money? Many would be followers of Jesus – have come a cropper on the issue of money – including the rich young ruler. Does Jesus really come first? Or are there some things we love more than Jesus – perhaps even our own lives?
When Judas Iscariot came to Jerusalem with Jesus – he knew the Jewish Sanhedrin were desperate to get Jesus. They were threatened by Jesus popularity. So Judas Iscariot went to the priests and asked them what they would give him in exchange for Jesus. The Jewish authorities agreed to give Judas Iscariot thirty silver drachma’s. Judas agreed and in the process became one of the most notorious traitors of all time. Now 30 silver drachmas is significant. In Exodus 21 (written 1400 years before Jesus) – 30 silver drachmas was the redemption price of a Gentile slave. The redemption price for a true Jew was far higher. But if a Gentile slave was accidentally killed (in manslaughter) the redemption price the wrongdoer had to pay was 30 silver drachma’s.
So the Jewish authorities are only offering Judas the value of a Gentile slave. Even though Jesus is a true Jew and the promised Messiah – the price they are putting on his life is that of a Gentile slave.
What’s more, in Zechariah 11 (written 500 years before Jesus) – the Jewish authorities paid the prophet Zechariah 30 silver drachma’s for his work as a prophet. God is disgusted and says (Slide 2; Zech.11) “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord. So the last supper is not the only time God has been rejected for just 30 silver shekels
THE QUESTION is what is the value of God? What is the value of Jesus? Is it simply 30 silver drachma’s? (PAUSE). 30 silver drachma’s is equal to about 3 months salary. And ever since – Judas betrayal; 30 silver coins has appeared in English literature – as the official price of a traitor. 30 silver coins appear in Doestovesky’s famous Crime and Punishment as the price Sonia is willing to sell her soul. 30 silver coins appear in Shakespeare’s play Henry IV as the price that has to be paid to make a mistress disappear. The poet WILLIAM BLAINE composed a famous poem called “THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER” in which he writes (Slide 3).
Point 1: Jesus Knew he was being Betrayed by Judas
Show: Jn.13:18-21 (Slide 4)
Explain: Well Jesus begins by saying that he is NOT speaking about all of disciples. Last week, Jesus explained that the disciples were clean – because Jesus washed them. But at the same time – Jesus made it clear that not all of them were clean. If you have your Bibles open, you’ll see not clean in verse 11 – Jesus says that one of them is not clean. One of them is going to betray Jesus. So the story we are now reading is Jesus expanding on what he said in verse 11. The one who is not really clean will betray Jesus…
Now Jesus says this betrayal is in accordance with Scripture. When Jesus says “He who shared my bread has turned against me”, he is quoting Psalm 41. Psalm 41 was written by King David. As he was rising through the ranks to become King of Israel – he also experienced betrayal by a close friend. We know it was a close friend because the idea of “sharing bread” in Jewish thinking had to do with hospitality and table fellowship. So KING DAVID experienced betrayal by a friend and KING JESUS is going to experience betrayal by a friend.
Now I think most of us know the pain of betrayal. Some of us have experienced betrayal from PARENTS who failed to love us properly. Some of us have experienced betrayal from a SPOUSE who has cheated on us and committed adultery. Still others of us have experienced betrayal by friends who have failed to keep a secret AND have stabbed us in the back. I would say most of us have experienced betrayal at some point in our life. And the closer the friend or lover who betrays us the greater the pain. One of the things we all long for in life is people we can trust. Sadly, when people betray our trust it usually leaves deep and lasting scars.
The good thing about Jesus’ betrayal is that he understands our pain. He knows what it is like to be betrayed and he can help us process and recover from the betrayals we have experienced in life.
If you think Jesus doesn’t understand your pain, he does! Jesus really is a great high priest who is like us in every way, except he is without sin. So the good news is that with Jesus’ help we can recover from the pain of betrayal. We can learn to trust again. But as followers of Jesus we should also expect betrayal.
If you look at verse 19, you’ll see Jesus announces in advance who is going to betray him – so that when it happens the other disciples know Jesus’ true identity. Look at verse 19 again (READ). You’ll recall from last week that Gods name Yahweh is kind of translated “I am who I am.” This was Gods special name revealed to Moses at the burning bush. And throughout Johns gospel – Jesus has been attributing Gods special name to himself with 7 “I am” statements. Let me show you again (Slide 6). So Jesus is again taking to himself Gods divine name. He is saying I know all things and I can even tell the future because I am God in the same way that “I am who I am” is God. Jesus clearly tells the disciples about his betrayal in advance, purely for the purpose that they might now he is truly God when it happens. Jesus wants the disciples to see he has the SAME GLORY AS GOD – because he is God. Jesus is God in human flesh.
Now immediately Jesus goes on in verse 20 to EXPLAIN that those who accept the disciples accept Jesus, and those who accept Jesus are accepting the one who sent him – ie God. But this also has tragic implications for JUDAS because it means those who betray Jesus’ disciples and/or betray Jesus are actually, betraying and rejecting God Himself. There is A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP between the disciples, Jesus and God. Those who reject Jesus’ disciples are rejecting Jesus and they are rejecting God too. So knowing that Judas betrayal of him is nothing less than a betrayal of God Himself – we read that Jesus was troubled in spirit. He is sad for Judas.
For just a few bucks Judas is damning himself for eternity. But the disciples are CONFUSED and muttering immediately begins. Who is Jesus speaking about? Eventually PETER quietly turns to JOHN who is seated next to Jesus and gets him to ask Jesus; “Lord who is it?” Jesus then quietly responds it’s the one to whom I will pass this piece of bread. Then, Jesus hands the bread to Judas Iscariot.
Apply: Now we had A BIG DISCUSSION in our staff meeting this week about whether Judas really had a choice. I mean Jesus had to die to save the world. There are questions here that we can perhaps not answer. But I think Judas’ love of money and his failing to address his sin of stealing – opened a door in his life for Satan to use him. I would suggest we shouldn’t leave sin in our lives UNADDRESSED. It simply opens us up to more temptation. But the point is Jesus has full knowledge of what Judas is planning. Jesus knows the Sanhedrin are after him. So Jesus could get up and run. Head for the hills. But Jesus has a job to do. He has come to die for the sins of the world. So knowing (Jn.13:1) that his hour has come to leave this world and knowing Judas Iscariot is ready to betray him – Jesus says; “what you are about to do, do quickly.” So under the cover of darkness – Judas leaves the table to commit his dastardly deed. BUT THIS IS ALL NECESSARY for Jesus’ true glory to be revealed…
Point 2: Jesus’ Betrayal was Necessary for his True Glory to be Revealed
Show: Jn.13:31-32 (READ)
Explain: Well as I explained previously the second half of Johns gospel is often called THE BOOK OF GLORY because it speaks regularly of Jesus’ glory. You can see in (verse 31); “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.” The irony is that Jesus glory is coming through betrayal. Jesus’ glory is going to be revealed in the betrayal of a close friend.
Now Jesus’ glory is that he is MORE concerned about our lives than his own life. Think about it. Jesus knows all things. Jesus knows that right now JUDAS is running to the Jewish authorities. Jesus knows those JEWISH AUTHORITIES are conspiring to kill him. He even knows that it is going to be CRUCIFIXION. If any of us – were in Jesus’ shoes right now – fight, flight or freeze would be setting in. The adrenaline would be pumping. The survival instincts would be saying RUN!. Yet, Jesus’ very purpose in this Passover meal is to explain that its ok because he is willing to lay down his life to save the world.
What we are witnessing is true, masculine COURAGE. Jesus really does put others before himself. Not just in foot-washing. He is also willing to sacrifice his own life so that others may live. This is true COURAGE.
What we are witnessing is also an unwavering faithfulness to God. God is calling Jesus to become our Passover Lamb. God is calling Jesus to die in our place for our sins (GOSPEL). THE PENALTY for rejecting God and breaking his commandments is death. Now we’ve all done that. We have rejected the creator God and chosen to sin. Some of us have blatantly broken God’s commands in Scripture. Others of us have gone against Gods commands written in our conscience. But in doing so – we have brought ourselves under the judgment of God. That means THE ANGEL OF DEATH will soon be knocking on our door – demanding our blood. But Jesus’ purpose is to die in our place for our sin, so that we don’t have to. He is offering his life for ours….
Like the Passover Lamb in Egypt, Jesus is going to die in our place and if we take his blood and spread it over the door of our house before the angel of death comes knocking – we will be spared. If Jesus’ blood covers our lives and all our sins – the angel of death will pass over us on judgment day.
Now you may think – HOW do I spread Jesus blood over my life? Well, its by responding to his death on the cross properly. If Jesus really took the punishment for your sin – you owe him a sincere THANK YOU. Then, in gratitude for him saving you, you start turning away from everything Jesus says is displeasing to God. This is true faith and repentance. Jesus says that if we do this (even imperfectly) – we will be forgiven. So have you truly accepted Jesus as your Saviour and Lord.
Apply: But this brings us to THIRD THING we are witnessing about Jesus’ glory. Not only do we see amazing courage AND faithfulness – Jesus is also revealing a new kind of love. The Jews knew that God called them to love their neighbour as themselves. But Jesus says – his disciples need to love each other, even as he is loving them. Jesus is actually putting his disciples (and us), before himself. This is sacrificial love. Jesus love for us – is so high, and wide and deep – that he is willing A) to go through the worst death man has ever despised, so that B) we can be saved from hell. This is the glory of Jesus’ love. This is the glory of Gods love for you. God loves you more than God even loves Himself.
Point 3: Jesus’ glory is Revealed in a Love (that is greater than Self).
Show: Jn.13:33-37 (READ)
Explain: Well these are HARD WORDS to truly obey. Jesus is saying – it is not enough to simply do to others what we would like them to do to us. Of course, it is a good principle to do to others as we would have them do to us. But Jesus is going further. He is going way further. He is saying that we should love our husbands, wives, children, friends, neighbours so much that we are even willing to sacrifice ourselves in serving their needs. This is true love. True love is sacrificial…
Now in his arrogance Peter thinks he’s ready. Given what Jesus has been teaching – Peter kind of grasps the sort of love Jesus is talking about. So he says; “Lord why can’t I follow you now. I am willing to lay down my life for you.” If true God like love equals laying down our lives for others – Peter thinks he’s ready. So Jesus says to him; REALLY?. Jesus tells Peter before the rooster crows – you will deny me three times. Before the sun comes up – Peter is going to learn that he is not really ready for Jesus like, sacrificial, lay down your life, love.
Illustrate: The reason Australia celebrates ANZAC day is that people laying down their lives for others really does have a glory to it – that is rare. Now I’m not saying that every soldier who dies in war has sacrificial love. Some soldiers are simply doing a job. Some soldiers just get unlucky. But every now and then you hear of soldiers with a glory similar to Jesus. The famous story of JOHN SIMPSON KIRKPATRICK and his DONKEY at Gallipolli comes to mind. Every day at Gallipoli John Simpson would take out his donkey into no mans land with A) bullets whizzing past and B) mortars exploding simply to carry wounded soldiers back to the medics. He carried no weapon. He knew he was going to die. But every day he would go into no-mans land to save wounded soldiers. He didn’t last long. Within a month he was shot through the heart by a stray bullet AND died at just 22 years of age. But Simpson and his donkey are kind of immortalised today in the War Memorial in Canberra – because this sort of sacrificial, other person centered love is truly glorious.
Apply: Now I know that LIKE PETER we all like to think that we have this sort of love. But the truth is most of us are far more selfish, narcissistic and self-serving than we like to admit. Despite Peter’s great pledge of sacrificial love for Jesus, he ended up denying Jesus three times just as Jesus foretold. That’s us – with Gods help. Each time Peter is backed into a corner – he shows himself a COWARD. He is not FAITHFUL. He does not have SACRIFICIAL LOVE. So I want to give some applications;
FIRST, I want you to remember that THREE TIMES in Johns gospel it talks about Messianic Jewish Christians being put out of synagogue. (I showed you this two weeks ago). Many Jews who truly accepted Jesus as their MESSIAH experienced betrayal from their families and excommunication from the synagogue. Not because they were evil or immoral. But simply because of their love of Jesus. It would have really hurt. THE TEMPTATION would have been to do a Judas Iscariot or do a Peter. Deny Jesus, betray Jesus and save your own comfort; save your own skin.
Of course many JEWS AND MUSLIMS today who accept Jesus as their Saviour and Lord face similar betrayal from family and friends. BUT JESUS’ EXAMPLE is calling us to have Jesus’ sort of courage; his sort of faithfulness to God and real sacrificial love for Jesus (for saving us). Following Jesus will mean sacrifice like Jesus. So we need to have these things resolved in our heart – otherwise BETRAYAL will come knocking at some point. It may be money. It may be comfort. It may actually become saving our own skin.
I think easy, comfortable Christianity is now GONE. It is becoming harder and harder to follow Jesus in a secular world. So many Church leaders and Christians are beginning to compromise on what it means to follow Jesus. They are trying to stay friends with the world. So when faithful Christians call luke-warm Christians to repent and be true to Jesus – many are experiencing betrayal from the institutional church.
Often this betrayal is being JUSTIFIED under all sorts of false pretences – like we must obey the law. 1) You were not vaccinated. 2)You engaged in hate speech. 3) You’re being homophobic. But when you’re simply trying to be faithful to Jesus, the Bible and common sense – this really hurts. It really hurts when other “CHRISTIANS” betray you simply to preserve their own comfort and place in the world. But we need to remember that Jesus has been there himself and through the Spirit he is able to minister to us and comfort us in this betrayal. It is not God that is betraying us. It is often religiosity betraying us. But in betraying us, such people are also betraying Jesus and betraying God. We also need to remember that sometimes our own courage, faithfulness and love is most clearly revealed in this betrayal as we continue to stand firm…
SECOND, I want to say that while Jesus like courage, faithfulness and love is truly hard, I also want to say it is possible with Jesus’ help. When we truly accept Jesus’ sacrificial love for us, the HOLY SPIRIT begins to help us sacrificially love others even as Jesus loved us. This is good for marriages. Good for children and good for healthy friendships. It is possible with Jesus’ help.
So as we finish today – I want to read the end of Peter’s story. In the end (and with Jesus’ help) Peter did learn true courage, faithfulness and love. In the end he died a glorious sacrificial death like Jesus. Please look with me at John 21. (Slide 11; Jn.21:15-19). This story is a story of grace, mercy and true redemption. Not only does Jesus reinstate Peter, he also helps Peter to attain the sort of courage, faithfulness and love that is willing to lay down ones life in the service of others. For those who don’t know – Peters life ended in martyrdom and he didn’t deny Jesus at all. Instead he courageously, faithfully and in sacrificial love became not only like Jesus in his death, but also a great example for the Christian church that was being persecuted and martyred by Nero around 60AD. But do you see Jesus’ glory. Is this the sort of glory you really aspire to before you die?
