Note for 20241221 - The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 22 - John 18 - Betrayal

 





The Gospel of Jesus Christ

According to John


Read Through The Bible

“As it Happened” Bible Reading Plan


Day 035

Exodus 16 to 18


Part 22 - John 18 - Betrayal

The Audio Version of today’s note


John 18:1-27 KJV

[1] When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. [2] And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. [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. [4] Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? [5] They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. [6] As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. [7] Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. [8] Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: [9] that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. [10] Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. [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? [12] Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, [13] and led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. [14] Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. [15] And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. [16] But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. [17] Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. [18] And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. [19] The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. [20] Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. [21] Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. [22] And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? [23] Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? [24] Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. [25] And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. [26] One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? [27] Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. 


https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.18.1-27.KJV


Note for 20241221


There is a difference between the betrayal of Judas and the denial of Peter; for one, Peter did not give up his Lord to His enemies. Peter did not work with the enemy, but hid himself from identifying himself as a disciple of Christ before the enemy. Besides that, Jesus said that he would deny him three times before the cock crowed, and he did. Of Judas, did the Lord not say unto him "what thou must do, do quickly?" From other accounts, we know that Peter wept bitterly after denying the LORD, and the cock crew. Judas however, took the coins of silver he was given and threw it on the floor before those whom he betrayed Jesus to, and hung himself. Such different outcomes. Of Judas, Christ said that one of his disciples is a devil, and to Peter the Lord said, "get behind me Satan" when he attempted to stop Christ from going up to Jerusalem to die. From the carnal mind did Peter speak, because of his love for the Lord, but Judas, he loved money and was a thief. It is for money that he betrayed the Lord, just as he showed upset when the nard oil was poured out on Jesus. The Lord said, that you cannot serve two masters, you cannot serve Christ and Mammon, for you will love one and hate the other.


If we look at the happenings here at the High Priest's house, without remembering what else we have read, these happenings may seem somewhat random. You see, Peter had zeal for the LORD, is it not written that he even walked to Christ on the water? Is it not to Peter that Christ said, "upon this rock will I build my church," when Peter confessed that Christ was the Son of GOD? Yet, to Judas Iscariot, he said to haste with what he had to do.


Now, we cannot know in full, for we were not there to witness what happened, we have only the accounts of the disciples that were written for us. Neither can we be in the mind of any. But, we can test ourselves against what we have, which is the Word that was kept for us to read. Where in our lives might it be that we have denied or betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ? Will we weep and repent, or shall we give ourselves over to death? Are we seeking to profit from the Lord, or are we willing to be humble servants? Is it not wise to consider why you are following anything or anyone? Shall motives not be tried and tested? Is it not written, to try every spirit if it be of GOD? Even when we are to draw the sword or to keep it in the sheath. Acting from the carnal mind or heart may leave us open to act in error. Is it possible for man to live in prayer? To remain in the Spirit, and test all things by the Spirit?


I was just led to read a message from Phillip, my brother in Christ. Friends, the Holy Spirit is ministering unto the Children of GOD in Unison. The topic of today is betrayal. Now, do you remember Matthew 25:40 yet? What you have done to the least of these my brethren, ye have done unto me. Should we then betray one another, or love one another as Christ loved us. Paul speaks on this, that a man may die for a good man or a friend, but Christ died for us while we were sinners. Sure enough, we read in the book of Revelation, that the Book of Life was written before the foundations of the earth was set. Yes, we look at the Kingdom viewpoint of eternity, and now we know that time was given to man, but GOD stands in eternity. A Higher Dimension, even the Highest. So, Christ Who Came from His Father in Heaven, knew all things; of what has been, what is and what is to come. He says of Himself that He is the Beginning and the End. He is the Word of GOD and the Light of men.


Judas knew Christ and yet he betrayed Him, just as Satan knew GOD and sought to make himself equal to GOD. Peter had zeal for Christ, He loved Christ, but lacked knowledge and understanding. Peter's heart was for Christ, while Judas had his eye on the money bag.


By their fruit shall you know them, those that live for profit only, and will sell their mother if the price is right. The seed of the woman (as per Genesis 3:15) has the capacity to feel ashamed and repent before the LORD, while the seed of the serpent stands in open rebellion. They refrain from repentance, they hold onto their evil acts and seek to justify themselves. Making all kinds of excuses, why what they have done is not sin. But the believer admits his sin, repents and asks God's forgiveness, that was availed to us in Christ upon that cross.


On self investigation, looking at the self within; ask then this question: Am I for Christ, or for myself?


Shalom

The House of Bread


Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App


Today I bring the verse to you from another version of the Bible, which includes the meaning of the Name


Matthew 1:21 NMV

[21] “She will bear a son and you will call his name Yeshua [God is Salvation] because he will save My people from their sins”.


https://bible.com/bible/2135/mat.1.21.NMV

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