The year was 1779. He was a loyal patriot, a prosperous businessman, a natural leader and an obvious choice to be captain of the Connecticut State Militia.

He proved to be a good military leader. He received much praise and acclaim, but when Congress created five new generalships he was passed over for political reasons. It was only the urging of his good friend, General George Washington that kept him from resigning his commission. And though he stayed on in his role, he was never able to recover from this slight against him.

In time he would become commander of West Point. But still resentful and seeing an opportunity he made a deal with the British. He would deliver West Point into their hands. The price for his betrayal was 20,000 pounds sterling (1 million today). Half if he failed. And fail, he did. His British contact was captured by the Americans, who then discovered the plot. He however, escaped aboard a British ship named the Vulture.

His name was Benedict Arnold. When Benedict Arnold made his betrayal, it not only struck at the heart of the American forces, but it struck even deeper at the heart of his close friend, George Washington, whom he betrayed. Taking only his confidant Lafayette with him, he left the room, and out of sight and earshot of others he wept.

I’m sure that Arnold felt justified in selling out his country. People always feel justified and have an excuse for their betrayal.

And while we can’t control what people do, what they say, how they betray us. We can control our response, and our emotions, and our anger and our willingness to forgive and restore.

Let’s look at Christ’s example.

John 181 When Jesus finished praying, He began a brief journey with His disciples to the other side of the Kidron Valley, a deep ravine that floods in the winter rains, then farther on to a garden where He gathered His disciples.

It had been Jesus' custom throughout the years of His ministry to spend His evenings on the Mount of Olives in this Garden. These gardens belonged to the rich people of the city because the dwellings in the city were situated very close together -- there wasn't any room for gardens. Evidently, Jesus had known an individual who perhaps had given Him the key to the gate of this garden, where He could be alone With the Father.

It was Passover season, so Jerusalem was bulging with people, and they were all there to offer sacrifices in the Temple. Lambs were being slain continuously during those days. In fact, thirty years after Christ, historians tell us that there were 256 thousand lambs slain at the Passover in Jerusalem. You can imagine the mess that slaughtering that manylambs on one altar in the Temple would create – blood running everywhere.

Well, the Jews had provided for this problem. They had built a channel which ran from the Temple ground, which ran down into the brook Kidron. Undoubtedly, as Jesus was leaving the city of Jerusalem on that last night, He stepped across the brook that ran red with the blood of all the lambs that were being slain for the sins of the people. His own coming sacrifice must have become very vivid in His mind.

John 182-3 Judas Iscariot (who had already set his betrayal in motion and knew that Jesus often met with the disciples in this olive grove) entered the garden with an entourage of Roman soldiers and officials sent by the chief priests and Pharisees. They brandished their weapons under the light of torches and lamps.

Jesus continued up the other side of the valley and came to the little Garden called Gethsemane. Jesus and His disciples gathered in this place many times before, and Judas was well aware of this gathering place.

The main reason Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane was to make it easy for Judas and the soldiers to arrest Him. The leaders of Israel had wanted to get Jesus many times, but they feared the people. If Jesus had allowed Himself to be arrested in the middle of Jerusalem, there would have been an insurrection and a revolution that would have torn apart the city and may have ended in the killing of the disciples. Jesus also took His eleven along so they could witness His voluntary surrender.

Judas had been sent out of the upper room because he didn't belong with the disciples. And the Bible tells us that when Judas left, Satan entered into him (John 13:27). So Judas went to the chief priests and elders and contracted his betrayal for what amounted to about twenty dollars.

Tell a little lie today, and tomorrow it will be easier to tell two lies. Cheat a few pennies today, and tomorrow it will be easier to lift a couple of dollars. The day after that it will be just the ordinary thing to walk off with anything that strikes your fancy. Sin gets to us by compromising in small things and then letting them grow and grow. Who knows how small the sin of Judas was when it began? But it was so ordinary, so common, and he just let it grow and grow.

The Romans soldiers (600) and the Jewish Temple police (100-200) had been gathered with the elders to be the diabolical force which went to the Garden. Matthew 26:47 says that they were "a great multitude with swords and clubs." They were ready for action. As best we can tell, the Temple police used the clubs and the soldiers of Rome used the swords.

As Judas approaches Jesus leading this huge mob, he feels secure. After all, he didn't believe that Jesus was God. And when Judas arrives in the Garden, the Bible tells us in the other Gospels that Judas went up to Jesus and kissed Him repeatedly (Mt. 26:49; Mk. 14:45; Lk. 22:47-48).

The saddest part of Jesus' betrayal is not that He endured only one Judas kiss, but He has endured a million since then. People who exalt Him to the skies won't live for Him. People who talk about all of His greatness never receive Him as their Savior. What is that but a Judas kiss.

Judas played his part so well that no one but Jesus Himself knew that Judas was a fraud. Judas didn’t stand out. He was a false follower and no one ever noticed! Judas was numbered with the other disciples. He had traveled with them… talked with them … lived with them! People recognized him as one of Christ’s followers.

Today there are men and women who: Are members of churches Have made professions of faithHave been baptizedTeach classes Serve on committees Stand in pulpits Have multi-million dollar ministries

There are many who walk and SERVE alongside true Disciples. They are numbered with the followers of Christ, but they do not truly know Him!

What’s a betrayal worth these days?

If somebody offered you a ten million dollars to never come to church again. Would you do it?

Application:

Jesus did not send Judas away even though He realized that Judas was going to betray Him. He knew that he had to forgive him and love him to the end.

Should we do less?

A Sunday School teacher was teaching a group of teenagers one Sunday about Christ’s disciples; about their abilities, their attributes, and why Jesus might have chosen them. At one point in the lesson a teen-aged boy asked, “Why did Jesus choose Judas?” The Sunday school teacher replied, “Son, I don’t know. But I have a harder question: Why did Jesus choose me?” We are just as guilty of rebellion and hardness as Judas, yet God through Christ has chosen us.

Think of a time when a friend betrayed your trust, how did you respond? How can Jesus’ response to betrayal help you cope with future experiences of betrayal?

John 18

15-16 Simon Peter and another disciple followed behind Jesus. When they arrived, Peter waited in the doorway while the other disciple was granted access because of his relationship with the high priest. That disciple spoke to the woman at the door, and Peter was allowed inside.Servant Girl (to Peter): 17 You are one of this man’s disciples, aren’t you?Peter: I am not.18 All the servants and officers gathered around a charcoal fire to keep warm. It was a cold day, and Peter made his way into the circle to warm himself…25 As this was happening, Peter was still warming himself by the fire.Servants and Officers: You, too, are one of His disciples, aren’t you?26 One of the high priest’s servants who was related to Malchus—the person Peter attacked and cut off his ear—recognized Peter.High Priest’s Servant: Didn’t I see you in the garden with Him?27 Peter denied it again, and instantly a rooster crowed.

Peter denied Jesus, not once but three times.

Peter would never have believed that he could come to such a place in his life. What happened to bring him to this place?

Let’s look at sixthings that mayhave causedPeter’s downfall.

Self-confidence –Pride

Mark 14:Peter (protesting): 29 It doesn’t matter who else turns his back on You. I will never desert You.

Peter believed that he had reached a place in his spiritual life where failure was an impossibility!

There is a story of three guys that were hiking in the woods. They came to a raging river. Not sure what to do next the first guy looked to the heavens and said, “God please make me strong enough to get across this river.” Poof he had big strong arms and legs and he jumped in and began swimming. Two hourslater after a fierce struggle he made it to the other shore.

The second guy seeing that looked to the heavens and said, “Dear God give me enough tools to cross this river.” Poof he was given a rowboat. An hour later after nearly capsizing he made it to the other shore. The third guy said, “Dear God please make me smart enough to cross this river.” Poof God made him a woman…..and then he looked at the map, walked five minutes upstream and crossed the bridge.”

Well men have been accused of letting their pride keep them from looking at directions, but really all of us have pride that keeps us from admitting our faults or failures.

Defiance

Mark 14Jesus: 30 Peter, mark My words. This very night before the cock crows twice, you will have denied Me three times.Peter (insisting): 31 No, Teacher. Even if it means that I have to die with You, I’ll never deny You.

Even though Peter was told very clearly by the Lord what would happen, Peter rejected the Word of the Lord. He was defiant in that he stood in open opposition to the clear Word of God. It was like picking up a Bible and saying, “I don’t care what this book says, it will never happen to me!”

During the Battle of the Wilderness in the Civil War, Union general John Sedgwick was inspecting his troops. At one point he came to a parapet, over which he gazed out in the direction of the enemy. His officers suggested that this was unwise and perhaps he ought to duck while passing the parapet. "Nonsense," snapped the general. "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist--." A moment later Sedgwick fell to the ground, fatally wounded.

Another sign that a believer is headed for trouble is when they refuse to listen to the Word of God.

Following, but “afar off” (Mark 14:54)

John 18:15“Simon Peter and another disciple followed behind Jesus.”

Mark 14:54“Peter followed, at a safe distance,”

When Peter was near Jesus, he was filled with confidence and faith. When he was separated from Jesus, he was filled with fear and doubt.

There is a species of ant in Africa that builds its colonies and nests in deep underground tunnels. It is here that their young and their queen live. Even though these ants may be a great distance from the nest foraging for food, they can sense when their queen in being attacked and they all become extremely nervous and uncoordinated. If she is killed, they become frantic and rush around aimlessly until they die.What a perfect illustration of the person who has allowed distance to come between himself and God.

Years ago a family was moving across the state from one small town to another, and it was necessary to travel through a large city on the way. The mother drove a separate car following behind the father, who carried the only map. She worked hard to keep up, but she lost sight of him in the city’s congested traffic and the two got separated. Not accustomed to driving on streets with lines painted on them, the mother found herself driving aimlessly through an unfamiliar city looking for the right direction.

When traveling through unfamiliar territory, it is wise to follow closely behind the one who leads us. If too much distance is permitted between ourselves and the one who knows the way, we may wind up drifting off course.

We claim to be followers of Jesus. Like Peter, we may be following the right Person at the wrong distance. Distance makes us vulnerable. It can leave room for sin and disrupt ourfellowship with God.

Here are some common factors that create distance between us and God:

Sin constructs a natural barrier between us and God, and the weight of unconfessed sin prevents us from keeping pace with Jesus.

Disappointment – We may have wanted God to do something for us or give us something and we didn’t get what we wanted.

Discouragement – Some circumstance has come upon us and we feel God should have protected us from (death in the family, sickness, etc…) 

Busyness and distractions in everyday life can cause us to lose our focus and drift far behind Him, robbing us of intimacy.

Time. The initial excitement in any relationship can foster nearness, but as the journey turns into a lifelong marathon it is easy to drift apart. Remaining close over time requires diligent work from both parties.

During a recent trip to the grocery store a five-year-old was distracted by every item on every eye-level shelf. The father felt it was a good time for a lesson and allowed her to fall a little behind without her noticing. Then came the moment when she suddenly realized the dangerous distance that had grown between she and her father. She quickly ran to join him.

Likewise, when we become aware of distance between us and our Lord, we should hurry to join Him. Following closely after Him will enable us to navigate this difficult world and prevent us from drifting off course. He is, after all, the One who knows the way.

Bad Company

18 All the servants and officers gathered around a charcoal fire to keep warm. It was a cold day, and Peter made his way into the circle to warm himself…

While Jesus was being tried, spit upon, and beaten, the chief of His disciples was warming himself at the enemies fire. Peter’s downfall was accelerated because he found himself in the company of people who had no love for Jesus.

When we surround ourselves with people who do not honor the Lord, we are headed for trouble. When you find yourself spending more time with lost people than you do with the Lord’s people, you are headed for a fall. The company you keep reveals where your heart is.

Wrong company will result in wrong living, wrong loving and brutal falls. 1 Cor. 15:33, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Cor. 5:6, “...Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” Pro. 13:2, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

Far too often, we underestimate the importance and influence of our associations, peer pressure.

Without a doubt God warns us to be careful about those with whom we associate. Those who are around us will and are influencing us.

The whole point in recognizing the influence that our associations will have upon us and our children is not that we never get around lost people. The point is that we understand how they might affect us and our children and we decidedly resolve not to allow them to influence us in ways that would cause us to sin or deny our Lord.

Fear

Peter denied because he was fearful for his own life and lied to give himself an escape from danger.

Do we abandon Jesus and try to save our own necks out of fear? When it comes time to take a stand for our faith, do we turn and run? How many times do we neglect to voice our Christian commitment because we are afraid we might offend someone or turn them off? Someone swears or gossips or puts someone else down, and we don’t say anything because we are afraid of what others may think of us.

If you were told to renounce the name of Christ or face certain death, would you turn on him? If God tested you by taking everything from you, would you still remain faithful?

We really don’t know until we’re there. Peter had all the confidence in the world before the situation arose. But when he was in it, the preservation of self became most important.

Chuck Swindoll tells about a church in the Soviet Union a few years ago that was forced to meet secretly because the holding of house church services was illegal.

They tried to be as inconspicuous as possible as they gathered on Sunday to worship the Lord, so they came at different times & casually walked into the house until they had all arrived. Then they would close the doors, pull the curtains, & quietly worship the Lord.

But one Lord’s Day, right in the midst of their worship service, two soldiers broke into the room, & at gunpoint lined the Christians up against the wall. One shouted, "If you wish to renounce your faith in Jesus Christ, leave now!"

Two or three quickly left, then another, & then two more. Again the soldier spoke, "This is your last chance. Either leave now & renounce your faith in Christ, or stay & suffer the consequences." Another left, & then another, almost hiding their faces in shame as they went out.

But the rest stood their ground, children standing beside their parents, trembling, some even crying as their parents stood with their hands in the air, fully expecting to be gunned down or imprisoned.

After all had left who chose to flee, the other soldier closed the doors, looked back at those who stood against the wall & said, "Keep your hands up - but this time in praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. We, too, are Christians."

The two soldiers explained that some time earlier they had been sent to another house church to arrest the Christians there. But in the process, they had heard the gospel & had accepted Jesus as their Lord & Savior, too. But they explained, "We have learned that unless people are willing to die for their faith, they cannot be fully trusted."

Application:We are one thought, one act, one word from being right where Peter was. It is the grace of God alone that we haven’t failed like Peter and others.

Therefore, we need to be very careful about how we judge the things other do. We need to learn to extend love, grace and forgiveness instead of judgment.

Have you denied being Jesus’ follower through your attitudes, actions, and/or words? How have your reflections on those instances helped you grow in faithful discipleship?

John 18

Annas (to Jesus): 19 Who are Your disciples, and what do You teach?Jesus: 20 I have spoken in public where the world can hear, always teaching in the synagogue and in the temple where the Jewish people gather. I have never spoken in secret. 21 So why would you need to interrogate Me? Many have heard Me teach. Why don’t you question them? They know what I have taught.22 While Jesus offered His response, an officer standing nearby struck Jesus with his hand.Officer: Is that how You speak to the high priest?Jesus: 23 If I have spoken incorrectly, why don’t you point out the untruths that I speak? Why do you hit Me if what I have said is correct?24 Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas bound as a prisoner.

Annas was the head of a large, bold, unscrupulous, and degenerate family who served as Priests in Israel. The people of that day knew this Annas was like “the godfather” of a religious kind of mafia.

Annas had been appointed High Priest back around the time of Jesus’ birth. In that position, he had the same kind of power as a King might have. He held the position for about 10 years. After Annas was removed from the position of High Priest, he continued to wield power through five of his sons, and through his son-in-law, Caiaphas,who were named to that position.

When Caiaphas and the “godfather” Annas gave the order to have Jesus arrested, they paid Judas 30 pieces of silver, it was the same thing as hiring a hit-man --- because they had already sentenced Jesus to death.

Because they wanted to Maintain the appearance of dignity, they held court and pretended to go through the motions of a trial--a “Kangaroo Court.”

A document called the Mishnah records some of the rules and guidelines the Jews had for their court system. Annas and Caiaphas wasted little time in breaking their own rules.

No trials were to be held at night – but this trial started in the midnight hours

No trials were to be held on Sabbath Eve or during Feast Days but this trial started at Passover … and on Sabbath Eve

All trials were to be open to the public – but this trial was held in secret

All trials were to be held in the Hall of Judgment in the temple area – but Jesus was taken to Annas’ chambers, then to Caiaphas before being taken before the Sanhedrin

Any Capital Case (which this was) had to follow a strict order –beginning with arguments by the defense – but no one was allowed to speak in defense of Jesus.

According to Jewish law, no one could be sentenced in a Capital Case until the following day … butJesus was condemned by unanimous mob action thatsame day

An accused person could not be required to testify against himself – but Jesus was asked over and over to incriminate himself

The High Priest could not participate in the questioning – but both Annas and Caiaphas interrogated Jesus directly

No accusation could be given unless it was brought by two or more witnesses – but not a single witness was present when Jesus was brought to trial.

Jesus’s trial was the scheming of corrupt men jealously guarding their power.

During that time he built up a corrupt sort of empire. Annas and his family grew incredibly rich off of the proceeds from the market they set up in the Temple on Feast days. Twice Jesus had come into that Temple and driven the money-changers out.

When Jesus did that, he was hitting Annas where it hurt the most … in his bank account.

I Timothy 2:2 instructs us to, "Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God."

When our leaders have no respect for God, we are in danger of losing the freedom to worship God.

Application:We all hold positions of some sort of power --- whether we’re a politician, a boss, a policeman, a military commander --- or a manager, a husband, a teacher, a mom, or an older sibling. We all need to remember that our power comes from God and we are expected to use it in ways that will please God and help others.

Through all of His trials, Jesus gave us a perfect example to follow when unfair things happen.

He responded with perfect Truth and unshakable Trust. Jesus remained calm. He answered questions honestly. He spoke the truth with dignity.

Most important, Jesus left his destiny in God’s hands, and to allowed the Father to vindicate Him at the proper time.

Have you been falsely accused or treated unfairly? How did you respond? How can you follow Jesus’ example of keeping steadfast in His saving mission despite being abused?

The famous Praying Hands picture was created by Albert Durer, who was born in Germany in 1471, the son of a Hungarian goldsmith. While Albert was studying art, he and a friend roomed together. The meager income that they earned on the side as they studied did not meet their living expenses. Albert suggested that he would go to work to earn the necessary income for both of them while his friend pursued his studies. When finished, the friend would then go to work to provide support while Albert continued his studies. The friend like the plan, but insisted that he be the first to work so Albert could continue his studies.

Albert became s killed artist and engraver. After selling a wood engraving one day, Albert announced that he was ready to begin supporting his friend as he studied. But because of all the hard menial labor, his friend’s hands were so swollen that he was no longer able to hold a brush, yet alone use it with skill. His career as an artist was ended.

Albert was deeply saddened by his friend’s suffering. One day when he returned to their room he heard his friend praying and saw his hands held in a reverent attitude of prayer. At that moment, Albert was inspired to create the picture of those praying hands. His friend’s lost skill could never be restored, but through this picture, Albert Durer felt that he could express his love and appreciation for his friend’s self-sacrifice. He hoped that such a picture could inspire others to appreciate similar acts of self-sacrifice that they had received.

Jesus Christ’s self sacrifice—His willingness to suffer through betrayal, denial, and abuse on our behalf, for our benefit, deserves our utmost gratitude.

What will be your response?

Ken Kersten--Betrayal, Forgiveness & Restoration - Peter Denies the Christ

Jerry Hoek—Do We Betray Jesus

Kevin L. Jones—False Disciples of Christ

Jeff Strite—The Moment of Truth (Whose Line Is It)

Alan Carr—The Fall and Forgiveness of a Sinning Saint

K. Edward Skidmore--An Innocent Man