Would You Betray Jesus? - Mark 14:27-31
Would You Betray Jesus? - Mark 14:27-31
By Pastor Lee Hemen
February 27, 2011 AM
She took an autistic friend to a high school football game. While there her friend began to speak with anyone she came in contact with, which wasn’t so bad because most could tell she was autistic. Things changed however when the girl began to talk with some of the more “popular” kids. They began to make fun of her. The scene soon deteriorated, but she stood back embarrassed and did nothing. Have you ever been embarrassed enough of someone to leave them to fend for themselves?
Jesus told his disciples, during the Passover meal before his death that “a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.” (John 16:32) The courage of his closest friends would fail him when they fled Jesus during his greatest trials. Peter one of Jesus’ closest friends denies him three times. Judas would betray him. At the cross only John and a few of the women were there during Jesus’ final moments. One of the greatest pains you can experience in life is rejection and being abandoned by those you love or those you call “friend.” Here in Mark’s gospel we find Jesus bluntly telling his disciples that they would indeed desert him. Let me ask you, “Would you betray Jesus?” Before you answer let’s consider a few things we can learn from Mark…
READ: Mark 14:27-31
Ambrose Bierce, the writer and satirist, wrote, “Friendship is a ship big enough to carry two in fair weather, but only one in foul.” Many have learned to their great disappointment that a person needs to be selective about their friends. Trust me there can be various wolves disguised in sheep's clothing if you are not particular enough to peer under the outfit. How disconcerting to discover that those you would depend upon most might desert your side at the first sign of opposition. The question remains: Would you betray Jesus? The wonderful truth is that…
I. Disloyalty cannot outdo God’s determination! (Vv. 27-28)
1. You may depend upon the Lord, but can he depend upon you? One of the greatest pains you can experience in life is that of rejection and being abandoned by those you love and those who had been close to you. Yet even in the time of greatest pain there is always one who sticks closer than a brother. He stays by your side come rain or come shine. It is said that a person will come to know their true friends in adversity. God is a friend who never leaves us nor deserts us. (Hebrews 13:5) A time of adversity is a time of testing for friendship. Some will pass this test and some will fail. Jesus tells his friends, “You will all fall away, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’” Interestingly, the word translated “fall away” means to take offense at someone. We get our word “scandalized” from it. Here it meant to be so self-conscious or offended at knowing Jesus the disciples would turn away and fall into sin. In fact, Jesus predicted that all the disciples would take offense at His sufferings and death. To avoid the same treatment he suffered, they would be scandalized, “fall away,” denying any association with Him and jump ship. Their loyalty would temporarily collapse. Yet in the midst of disappointment and desertion Jesus reminds them and us that disloyalty cannot outdo God’s determination. Why would I say that? Notice that Jesus quickly tells them, “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” What wonderful hope these words contain! While his friends would desert him, he has already provided a place whereby they can meet again and be renewed in their friendship! And in fact we find this to be true, especially with Peter who would need the extra encouragement after his denial of Jesus. Jesus would rise again and he would “go ahead” of them to Galilee! After all didn’t Jesus tell them, “You are my friends if you do what I command”? (John 15:14 NIV) Jesus always goes ahead of us, even after we desert him, he is willing to prepare a place where we can meet him and restore our relationship! Our disloyalty cannot outdo God’s determination!
EXAMPLE: Her mascara was smeared as her tears streamed down her face. She put her head in her hands and sobbed, “How could God still love me after all I have done?” Yet we assured her that Jesus did indeed love her. We shared with her Paul’s encouraging words: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Ephesians 1:4-6 NIV) Just as God had a plan for each of the disciples, he has a plan for us as well even when we sin! Does that mean it does not matter if we sin? God forbid! As Paul would also write, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13 NIV) It just proves that our disloyalty cannot outdo God’s determination!
Polonius is a rather self-righteous character in William Shakespeare's Hamlet. He is the King's counselor, and the father of Ophelia and Laertes. “To thine own self be true” is Polonius's last piece of advice to his son Laertes, who is in a hurry to get away from his long-winded father! Polonius was not concerned about “self-awareness.” Borrowing or loaning money, carousing with shady women and other excessive pursuits were “false” to Polonius’ interests. He had perfected the art of protecting them by pontificating his pretentious virtue to others! Polonius had done it so much, he even fooled himself! We can do the very same thing where sin is concerned. This is why I ask, “Would you betray Jesus?” Be careful before you answer, because I have discovered in life that…
II. Denial is more than a river in Egypt! (v. 29)
1. We are exposed not just by who we think we are, but by what actually we do! Sometimes because we know who we truly are and how we might really respond, we will fervently deny our betrayal of Jesus just as Peter does. Denying our sin does not mean it does not exist. The more we brazenly assert we do not have a problem, we will contentiously stick to our lie rather than confess it! We then try to deflect our sin problem by not focusing on the real mess. Notice in his denial, Peter focuses on the first part of Jesus’ prediction rather than on the second part. He vociferously asserts, “Even if all fall away, I will not!” Peter’s bold statement sounds very familiar. It closely echoes Judas’ when he vehemently tried to clear himself of any wrongdoing by asking, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” (Matthew 26:25 NIV) Matthew relates that Peter responds, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will!” (Matthew 26:33 NIV) “On account of you,” Peter states. Wow! In his wording Peter reveals the root of his problem. Peter knew he was quite capable of denying Jesus and tries to deflect his sin by saying it is “on account of” Jesus! Luke writes that Peter proudly declares, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” (Luke 22:33) How quick are Peter’s words. Before he can even think them through, impulsive Peter has already brashly made his own prideful appraisal. Like a gorilla beating his chest to feign prowess, Peter wanted the other disciples to hear that he would “never” betray Jesus and he would even face “death” for him. The others might flee, but not “the Man” Peter! My father used to say, “The more you beat your chest and deny something, the guiltier you probably are!” He was correct! If only Peter had remembered Jesus’ words when he said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”! (Mark 8:34 NIV) Peter would eventually learn the lesson, but it would take a few days of bitter disappointment and introspection. John said it best when he wrote that, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8 NIV) At that moment the truth was not in Peter. Denial is more than a river in Egypt!
EXAMPLE: Marvin Williams wrote for RBC Ministries that, “For many years, Lake Okeechobee hid its secrets in thick waters and layers of muck. But in 2007, drought shrank the Florida lake to its lowest level since officials began keeping records in 1932, unveiling hundreds of years of history. Raking through the bottom of the lake, archaeologists found artifacts, pottery, human bone fragments, and even boats.” After Peter boldly said he would never deny Jesus, he does. He has 40 days to think on his betrayal, but when he is finally confronted by Jesus, he readily confesses his sin and returns to Jesus. (John 21:14-22) Let’s be careful not to hide our sin. When we uncover our sins by confessing them to God, we are covered with His forgiveness. Peter would learn that denial is more than a river in Egypt.
The Irish used to declare: You may choke on another man’s blarney but the longer you chew your own cud, the easier it gets to swallow yourself! There is also an old limerick that relates, “At lying, the gentleman’s quite deft, Of honor, he's completely bereft. If he undergoes surgery, To excise his perjury, There just won't be anything left!” However, as we look into Mark’s gospel this morning, the question remains: Would you betray Jesus? The simple truth is…
III. Duplicity gets easier the more you do it! (Vv. 30-31)
1. A little lie gets heavier the farther it travels! There is an old saying, perhaps you know it, that states, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” Some attribute this bit of acerbic wisdom to either President Abraham Lincoln and his wit or P. T. Barnum and his cynicism of the human condition. President George W. Bush put a new twist on it by quipping, “You can fool some of the people all the time, and those are the ones you want to concentrate on.” Peter may have agreed with his assessment. We all have tried to fool ourselves or others into thinking that what we say loud or long enough just might be true. However, Jesus brings Peter up short by bluntly telling him, “I tell you the truth, today--yes, tonight--before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” Peter may have fooled himself and he may have fooled the rest of the disciples but he could not fool Jesus. Mark relates, “Peter insisted emphatically, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’” Not to be left out or to have Jesus think they are any less steadfast, “all the others said the same”! In the heat of the moment Peter, joined by the rest of the disciples, had forgotten the wisdom of the Proverbist when he wrote that “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15 NIV) Lying to others and yourself gets easier the more vocally you do it! Peter felt justified in his vehemence and the others join in their own justification. It just proves that duplicity gets easier the more you do it!
EXAMPLE: In writing about duping ourselves about the love of another, the poet Ambrose Redmoon wrote that, “To be kissed by a fool is stupid; to be fooled by a kiss is worse.” We can be foolish about relationships, thinking that we can either change the other person or they will change on their own after being with us -- as if this would make any difference in the life of a liar. But then again, people usually attract those of like character. Does this make you shudder? It should. Mart Dehaan writes that “Lying seems to be a way of life for many people. Several years ago a survey found that 91 percent of those queried lie routinely about matters they consider trivial; 36 percent lie about important matters; 86 percent lie regularly to their parents; 75 percent lie to their friends; 73 percent lie to their siblings; 69 percent lie to their spouses. Speaking the truth should be one of the outstanding characteristics of a follower of Christ. According to Colossians 3:9, a believer should not lie, since he has 'put off the old man with his deeds.' Whenever we are deceitful, we are following Satan’s example and 'he is a liar and the father of lies'! (John 8:44) Lies are based on the false assumption that we can hide a wrong and protect ourselves from the truth by simply denying the facts. But lying merely compounds a problem. Honest confession, on the other hand, is the quickest way to forgiveness, and it puts us back under the wise counsel and care of God.” We have learned that duplicity gets easier the more you do it!
Conclusion:
We learned today that: Disloyalty cannot outdo God’s determination! Denial is more than a river in Egypt! Duplicity gets easier the more you do it!
----
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2011 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.
By Pastor Lee Hemen
February 27, 2011 AM
She took an autistic friend to a high school football game. While there her friend began to speak with anyone she came in contact with, which wasn’t so bad because most could tell she was autistic. Things changed however when the girl began to talk with some of the more “popular” kids. They began to make fun of her. The scene soon deteriorated, but she stood back embarrassed and did nothing. Have you ever been embarrassed enough of someone to leave them to fend for themselves?
Jesus told his disciples, during the Passover meal before his death that “a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.” (John 16:32) The courage of his closest friends would fail him when they fled Jesus during his greatest trials. Peter one of Jesus’ closest friends denies him three times. Judas would betray him. At the cross only John and a few of the women were there during Jesus’ final moments. One of the greatest pains you can experience in life is rejection and being abandoned by those you love or those you call “friend.” Here in Mark’s gospel we find Jesus bluntly telling his disciples that they would indeed desert him. Let me ask you, “Would you betray Jesus?” Before you answer let’s consider a few things we can learn from Mark…
READ: Mark 14:27-31
Ambrose Bierce, the writer and satirist, wrote, “Friendship is a ship big enough to carry two in fair weather, but only one in foul.” Many have learned to their great disappointment that a person needs to be selective about their friends. Trust me there can be various wolves disguised in sheep's clothing if you are not particular enough to peer under the outfit. How disconcerting to discover that those you would depend upon most might desert your side at the first sign of opposition. The question remains: Would you betray Jesus? The wonderful truth is that…
I. Disloyalty cannot outdo God’s determination! (Vv. 27-28)
1. You may depend upon the Lord, but can he depend upon you? One of the greatest pains you can experience in life is that of rejection and being abandoned by those you love and those who had been close to you. Yet even in the time of greatest pain there is always one who sticks closer than a brother. He stays by your side come rain or come shine. It is said that a person will come to know their true friends in adversity. God is a friend who never leaves us nor deserts us. (Hebrews 13:5) A time of adversity is a time of testing for friendship. Some will pass this test and some will fail. Jesus tells his friends, “You will all fall away, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’” Interestingly, the word translated “fall away” means to take offense at someone. We get our word “scandalized” from it. Here it meant to be so self-conscious or offended at knowing Jesus the disciples would turn away and fall into sin. In fact, Jesus predicted that all the disciples would take offense at His sufferings and death. To avoid the same treatment he suffered, they would be scandalized, “fall away,” denying any association with Him and jump ship. Their loyalty would temporarily collapse. Yet in the midst of disappointment and desertion Jesus reminds them and us that disloyalty cannot outdo God’s determination. Why would I say that? Notice that Jesus quickly tells them, “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” What wonderful hope these words contain! While his friends would desert him, he has already provided a place whereby they can meet again and be renewed in their friendship! And in fact we find this to be true, especially with Peter who would need the extra encouragement after his denial of Jesus. Jesus would rise again and he would “go ahead” of them to Galilee! After all didn’t Jesus tell them, “You are my friends if you do what I command”? (John 15:14 NIV) Jesus always goes ahead of us, even after we desert him, he is willing to prepare a place where we can meet him and restore our relationship! Our disloyalty cannot outdo God’s determination!
EXAMPLE: Her mascara was smeared as her tears streamed down her face. She put her head in her hands and sobbed, “How could God still love me after all I have done?” Yet we assured her that Jesus did indeed love her. We shared with her Paul’s encouraging words: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Ephesians 1:4-6 NIV) Just as God had a plan for each of the disciples, he has a plan for us as well even when we sin! Does that mean it does not matter if we sin? God forbid! As Paul would also write, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13 NIV) It just proves that our disloyalty cannot outdo God’s determination!
Polonius is a rather self-righteous character in William Shakespeare's Hamlet. He is the King's counselor, and the father of Ophelia and Laertes. “To thine own self be true” is Polonius's last piece of advice to his son Laertes, who is in a hurry to get away from his long-winded father! Polonius was not concerned about “self-awareness.” Borrowing or loaning money, carousing with shady women and other excessive pursuits were “false” to Polonius’ interests. He had perfected the art of protecting them by pontificating his pretentious virtue to others! Polonius had done it so much, he even fooled himself! We can do the very same thing where sin is concerned. This is why I ask, “Would you betray Jesus?” Be careful before you answer, because I have discovered in life that…
II. Denial is more than a river in Egypt! (v. 29)
1. We are exposed not just by who we think we are, but by what actually we do! Sometimes because we know who we truly are and how we might really respond, we will fervently deny our betrayal of Jesus just as Peter does. Denying our sin does not mean it does not exist. The more we brazenly assert we do not have a problem, we will contentiously stick to our lie rather than confess it! We then try to deflect our sin problem by not focusing on the real mess. Notice in his denial, Peter focuses on the first part of Jesus’ prediction rather than on the second part. He vociferously asserts, “Even if all fall away, I will not!” Peter’s bold statement sounds very familiar. It closely echoes Judas’ when he vehemently tried to clear himself of any wrongdoing by asking, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” (Matthew 26:25 NIV) Matthew relates that Peter responds, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will!” (Matthew 26:33 NIV) “On account of you,” Peter states. Wow! In his wording Peter reveals the root of his problem. Peter knew he was quite capable of denying Jesus and tries to deflect his sin by saying it is “on account of” Jesus! Luke writes that Peter proudly declares, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” (Luke 22:33) How quick are Peter’s words. Before he can even think them through, impulsive Peter has already brashly made his own prideful appraisal. Like a gorilla beating his chest to feign prowess, Peter wanted the other disciples to hear that he would “never” betray Jesus and he would even face “death” for him. The others might flee, but not “the Man” Peter! My father used to say, “The more you beat your chest and deny something, the guiltier you probably are!” He was correct! If only Peter had remembered Jesus’ words when he said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”! (Mark 8:34 NIV) Peter would eventually learn the lesson, but it would take a few days of bitter disappointment and introspection. John said it best when he wrote that, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8 NIV) At that moment the truth was not in Peter. Denial is more than a river in Egypt!
EXAMPLE: Marvin Williams wrote for RBC Ministries that, “For many years, Lake Okeechobee hid its secrets in thick waters and layers of muck. But in 2007, drought shrank the Florida lake to its lowest level since officials began keeping records in 1932, unveiling hundreds of years of history. Raking through the bottom of the lake, archaeologists found artifacts, pottery, human bone fragments, and even boats.” After Peter boldly said he would never deny Jesus, he does. He has 40 days to think on his betrayal, but when he is finally confronted by Jesus, he readily confesses his sin and returns to Jesus. (John 21:14-22) Let’s be careful not to hide our sin. When we uncover our sins by confessing them to God, we are covered with His forgiveness. Peter would learn that denial is more than a river in Egypt.
The Irish used to declare: You may choke on another man’s blarney but the longer you chew your own cud, the easier it gets to swallow yourself! There is also an old limerick that relates, “At lying, the gentleman’s quite deft, Of honor, he's completely bereft. If he undergoes surgery, To excise his perjury, There just won't be anything left!” However, as we look into Mark’s gospel this morning, the question remains: Would you betray Jesus? The simple truth is…
III. Duplicity gets easier the more you do it! (Vv. 30-31)
1. A little lie gets heavier the farther it travels! There is an old saying, perhaps you know it, that states, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” Some attribute this bit of acerbic wisdom to either President Abraham Lincoln and his wit or P. T. Barnum and his cynicism of the human condition. President George W. Bush put a new twist on it by quipping, “You can fool some of the people all the time, and those are the ones you want to concentrate on.” Peter may have agreed with his assessment. We all have tried to fool ourselves or others into thinking that what we say loud or long enough just might be true. However, Jesus brings Peter up short by bluntly telling him, “I tell you the truth, today--yes, tonight--before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” Peter may have fooled himself and he may have fooled the rest of the disciples but he could not fool Jesus. Mark relates, “Peter insisted emphatically, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’” Not to be left out or to have Jesus think they are any less steadfast, “all the others said the same”! In the heat of the moment Peter, joined by the rest of the disciples, had forgotten the wisdom of the Proverbist when he wrote that “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15 NIV) Lying to others and yourself gets easier the more vocally you do it! Peter felt justified in his vehemence and the others join in their own justification. It just proves that duplicity gets easier the more you do it!
EXAMPLE: In writing about duping ourselves about the love of another, the poet Ambrose Redmoon wrote that, “To be kissed by a fool is stupid; to be fooled by a kiss is worse.” We can be foolish about relationships, thinking that we can either change the other person or they will change on their own after being with us -- as if this would make any difference in the life of a liar. But then again, people usually attract those of like character. Does this make you shudder? It should. Mart Dehaan writes that “Lying seems to be a way of life for many people. Several years ago a survey found that 91 percent of those queried lie routinely about matters they consider trivial; 36 percent lie about important matters; 86 percent lie regularly to their parents; 75 percent lie to their friends; 73 percent lie to their siblings; 69 percent lie to their spouses. Speaking the truth should be one of the outstanding characteristics of a follower of Christ. According to Colossians 3:9, a believer should not lie, since he has 'put off the old man with his deeds.' Whenever we are deceitful, we are following Satan’s example and 'he is a liar and the father of lies'! (John 8:44) Lies are based on the false assumption that we can hide a wrong and protect ourselves from the truth by simply denying the facts. But lying merely compounds a problem. Honest confession, on the other hand, is the quickest way to forgiveness, and it puts us back under the wise counsel and care of God.” We have learned that duplicity gets easier the more you do it!
Conclusion:
We learned today that: Disloyalty cannot outdo God’s determination! Denial is more than a river in Egypt! Duplicity gets easier the more you do it!
----
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2011 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.
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