At an airport baggage claim area, a womans box rose to the top of the belt and then turn over sideways as it slide down to the circular beltway. To everyone's horror, the contents spilled out -- jars, combs, some money, clothes, just a variety of things. The woman tried to get to the box but there were too many people in the way. Just a short distance from the lady, a man saw what had happened and said, "Oh that's my box" and reached down for the money. He then quickly walked off into the crowd. Another person saw the mess and cried, "It's not my box!" and turned away. There was another gentleman who had seen the whole thing. He tried to follow the box along, putting things back in one at a time -- but the crowd kept him from getting more than a few items. "Oh well," he said with a sigh, "I did what I could." Finally, a little old lady who had seen the whole thing jumped up on the beltway and rode along, putting everything back in the box. Circling back to the owner, she received a standing ovation as she handed the box to the owner. "Thank you so much -- it looks like I've only lost my cash," said the woman. "Oh, we'll get your money back also," snapped the old lady, "the man was my nephew and he will be driving BOTH OF US home!" Were You There? Are You There?
In this situation, we see how different people respond to someone in need -- one who betrays the owner of the box, one who denies the box is his problem, and one who tries to help but gives in to peer pressure. Yet there was one who did the right thing. In our Scripture passage today, we see some very similar actions on the part of the disciples as Jesus was arrested, tried, and convicted.
Main Thought: Little has changed in 2,000 years -- Because there are many ways to betray your trust or deny your belief in Jesus Christ, you need to seriously examine yourself to see whether you are living in an honest relationship with Jesus or, like those at the time of His arrest, living in denial.
Scripture Passage: Mark 14:42-15:15
(use the BACK button in your browser to return to this lesson)Outline:
Lesson Points:Judas betrays Jesus. (Mark 14:42-46) Jesus' friends all abandon Him. (Mark 14:47-52) False witnesses cannot agree in condemning Jesus. (Mark 14:53-59) The Sanhedrin condemns Jesus. (Mark 14:60-65) Peter denies knowing Jesus. (Mark 14:66-72) Pilate confronts Jesus. (Mark 5:1-5) Pilate tries to release Jesus but gives in to the crowd. (Mark 5:6-15)
- Are you betraying Jesus' friendship with lip service? (Mark 14:42-46)
- Are you refuting the slander against Jesus Christ? (Mark 14:53-59)
- Are you denying you know Him when confronted? (Mark 14:66-72)
- Are you standing with Him or giving in to the crowd? (Mark 15:6-15)
1. Are you betraying Jesus' friendship with lip service? (Mark 14:42-46)
42 "Rise up, let us go. See, My betrayer is at hand." 43 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; take Him and lead Him away safely." 45 And as soon as He had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. 46 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. (Mark 14:42-46, NKJV)A kiss was intended to bestow respect on one that you honored. It is a greeting that goes beyond what a stranger or an acquaintance would expect. A kiss denoted a connection between the two people, a special relationship. Judas gave Jesus a kiss which was intended to convey these things. Is this what Judas meant by this gesture? Quite the opposite of honor, Judas made it a kiss of death.
The approach of Judas was to convey a sincerity and respect for Jesus that was lacking inside. He "put on a good show" but actually harbored ill will towards Jesus. He went through the motions of honoring Jesus but didn't mean any of it. What are some ways that you and I approach our LORD Jesus with this same kind of hypocrisy?
The question comes up: are you living like you believe the things you say you believe? Or are you playing along with the likes of Judas who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver? Here's what Jesus had to say about such hypocrisy:Use church involvement as a means to promote your business. Pray about something you don't really mean -- or you pray a rote prayer and forget what you said. Made God a promise you never intended to keep. Attend and participate in the worship service but fail to worship Him. Read His word and forget what it says or fail to put it into practice. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (Matt 23:25-28, NKJV)Are you really growing closer to the LORD Jesus or are you keeping Him at arm's length? Jesus really does love you and desires your friendship. This requires your commitment to Him. It's time to be honest with Him. It's time to end the hypocrisy and betrayal of His friendship to you. To His disciples, Jesus said, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you" (John 15:15-16, NKJV). Chosen by Him to be His friend -- does that describe your true relationship with Him? If not, turn to Him today and He will certainly make it so.
2. Are you refuting the slander against Jesus Christ? (Mark 14:53-59)
53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. 54 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. 56 For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. 57 Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, 58 "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.'" 59 But not even then did their testimony agree. (Mark 14:53-59, NKJV)
How do you react when someone criticizes your close friend? It makes you angry inside. What is the first thing that comes out of your mouth about your friend but something like, "It's not true! My friend wouldn't do that; even if he did, there must be a logical explanation for it." You have a passionate desire to defend your friend.How do you react when people denigrate the LORD -- do you show this same degree of indignation? The Bible says, "Be angry, and do not sin" (Eph. 4:26, NKJV). One form of anger which Jesus, the Sinless One, exhibited was righteous indignation. We just read about His denouncement of the Pharisees who were the religious leaders of the people. Of all people, they should have known about and welcomed His coming. Yet they actively worked to kill Jesus. When the moneychangers set up shop inside the Temple, Jesus stormed through and drove them out saying, "'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves'" (Matt 21:13, NKJV). This is anger which at its root the denial of God's holiness. When others deny the holiness of God -- by using His name profanely, speaking things about Him that are lies, doing wicked things "in the name of God" -- it should make you blood boil. You should be angry. Even if the source is yourself. There is a time to be angry.
The other side to this command is that you "do not sin." What was Peter's response to the treatment of the LORD of glory by the Sanhedrin? He tried to be a secret agent/spy but did not open his mouth to refute their outrageous charges. Obviously he was terribly scared and confused. But if you live for Jesus, there will be times where you will be in situations that are scary and confusing -- don't do nothing! (this is not proper English but it makes the point) Does being scared and confused mean that you stop following Him? By no means. As the Psalmist pointed out, "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?" (Psalm 56:3-4, NKJV) The Psalmist did not say, "Don't be afraid" but "when I am afraid." Learn to respond by faith to the fears that are silencing you.
3. Are you denying you know Him when confronted? (Mark 14:66-72)
66 Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth." 68 But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying." And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. 69 And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them." 70 But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it." 71 Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!" 72 And a second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And when he thought about it, he wept. (Mark 14:66-72, NKJV)
Don't do nothing! But then, don't do just anything either -- do the right thing! Stand up for Jesus Christ! He stood alone before the mockery and slander of the Sanhedrin, and later the Roman guard. Peter denied not once, not twice, but three times that he did not even know the man -- and Jesus had already warned him about this! Peter wasn't really taken by surprise at the servant's questions. For three years he HAD been by the side of Jesus. Why did Peter deny that he knew Jesus? The whole situation was terrifying for him, he was confused, and he did not want a confrontation.When you are confronted by situations that are new or uncomfortable -- say you have to give a presentation before a group of people and it terrifies you -- how do you handle it? The best way to deal with this kind of fear and anxiety is to be prepared ahead of time. Learn the presentation and go over it several times until it is very familiar to you. You still have to deal with standing before a group and speaking but at least the big fear of not knowing what to say will be a non-issue.
The same is true of your witness about Jesus Christ. The thought of witnessing terrifies many Christians. The thought of being publicly confronted, even accused, about your faith is a fearful thing to many. Certainly it was to Peter. But the same principle holds true -- be prepared to witness. Be prepared to share what you know in your heart is true. Will you still be anxious or afraid when someone confronts you about your faith? Sure, but you will not do nothing, and you will not do just anything, but by faith you will share the good news of the gospel. Interestingly, it was through Peter that the Holy Spirit later inspired these words:
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Pet 3:15-16, NIV)
4. Are you standing with Him or giving in to the crowd? (Mark 15:6-15)
6 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" 10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. 12 Pilate answered and said to them again, "What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?" 13 So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!" 14 Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!" 15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. (Mark 15:6-15, NKJV)Peer pressure is the leading cause of teen stupidity -- is this true? Peers have a high degree of influence. Why do some give in to their peers and others stand firm? I cannot say in all cases but I know that the great majority of those who do not give in:
The potential thrill -- keyword potential -- is completely offset by the certain pain it will cause in the one you love more. You have to take time to examine your faith as Paul exhortsKnow what they believe Know why they believe Fee it's important to them -- something they live out each day.
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-- unless indeed you are disqualified." (2 Cor 13:5, NKJV)
Consider prayerfully, do you love Jesus more than you love things? wife or husband? children? comfort? prestige and power? convenience? The Bible says:Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (I John 2:15-17, NIV)Reflect on YOUR life: As we approach the Easter season, it is appropriate that we examine whether we are living in an honest relationship with the One who suffered and died for us. Are you betraying the Son of God with a kiss? Are you denying you know Him? Are you standing up for His honor? Are you giving in to the crowd? Let each of us ask the LORD:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps 139:23-24, NKJV)
Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you would like to contact this ministry for further information or questions, please send your e-mail to:
Email: ministryrequest1@WordTruth.Com
Web Site: WordTruth.ComCopyright 1999, Randy Lariscy.
