Betrayed, Denied and Condemned

Mark 14:10, 11, 53, 54, 66-72; 15:12-15

GOLDEN TEXT: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”—Isaiah 53:3

THE story of Jesus’ betrayal, denial, and condemnation is one that is filled with significance to every Christian and one from which also springs hope for a sin-cursed and dying world. To many it is viewed merely as an example of courage under trial, of strength in the face of fierce opposition, of kindness in return for hate. It is all of this, but even more important is the relationship between the sufferings of Jesus and the hope of life for the church and the world which centers in Him.

Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures. It was His actual death that provided redemption from the curse, nevertheless, His suffering—of which the last few hours of His earthly ministry were so filled—helped to prepare Him to be a merciful High Priest for both the church and the world. It was a part of His training as the “Captain” of our salvation. (Heb. 2:10) In His faithfulness and obedience under trial He became an example to us who are endeavoring to follow in His steps.

First in the series of special trials incident to the closing hours of the Master’s life was His betrayal by Judas. The fact that He knew Judas was plotting against Him did not soften the blow of realizing that one of His own trusted apostles should thus stoop so low. However, with His usual self-control and kindness Jesus addressed His betrayer as “friend.” One less filled by the Spirit of God than was Jesus would hardly have been so courteous.

The Old Testament axiom that “the way of transgressors is hard” (Prov. 13:15) was well exemplified in Judas. That paltry thirty pieces of silver was poor compensation for the agony of heart and mind through which he passed during the few remaining hours of his life after committing his dastardly deed. We are thankful, though, that at death he was not ushered into an eternity of torture in a fiery hell, as the discredited creeds of Christendom would have us believe. Justice is the basis of God’s dealings with all of His creatures, and even Judas could not have committed a sin black enough to merit being tormented in the flames and fumes of brimstone forever. Thank God that the superstitions of the past are now being recognized for what they are, and that the truth of the Bible is revealing more and more that God is love.

Jesus stated concerning Judas that it would have been better for him had he never been born. This would seem to indicate that he will not have an opportunity for salvation during the coming times of restitution. No matter how severe one’s experiences may be, if he finally gains life they would all be very worthwhile. But from what Jesus said Judas’ life was a total failure.

Peter’s denial of the Master falls into a different category. Like the meaningful adage that the sins of the cold-hearted and the sins of the warm-hearted are weighed on different scales; so Peter’s denial of His Lord, while regrettable and a great trial to both Jesus and himself, nevertheless was not a callous act of avarice and selfishness, but a temporary succumbing to the weakness of the flesh.

And this weakness, even then, may have been one of judgment rather than of fear. Certainly Peter was less fearful than the remaining apostles, for he alone had the courage to follow His Master into the judgment hall and thus expose himself to the threatening dangers that are inherent in a prejudiced and excited mob. Some claim that Peter’s motive in following the Master when He was arrested was the hope that an opportunity would arise to help deliver Him from His captors. This theory suggests that Peter’s denial of the Lord was merely in order to conceal his identity while he was seeking an opportunity to save his beloved Master—that it was not because of fear.

In any event, when Peter heard the cock crow and Jesus turned and looked upon him, he remembered what His Lord had said, and he wept bitterly. He realized that there was nothing he could do for his Master—nothing, indeed, that Jesus would permit him to do. Not understanding why, but realizing his denial had only added to the trials of the One he loved so dearly, he was truly penitent.

Under the inciting pressure of their leaders, the Israelites clamored for the life of the One who had come to be their King. Nothing is more blinding and heart hardening than religious prejudice. Under this baneful influence, and overwhelmed by the mob spirit of fanaticism Jesus’ own people cried, “Crucify Him, crucify Him.”

QUESTIONS:

What did Jesus mean by saying that it would have been better for Judas had he never been born?

Was Peter’s denial of the Lord a willful sin?

Will those who cried “Crucify Him,” ever have an opportunity for salvation?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |