Full Transcript

Welcome to Share the Word. We’re on chapter 14 of the Gospel of Mark, and this is one of those chapters that I think the best introduction is simply to say thanks for being here. I pray that your heart is open as you listen to this powerful lesson we all need to hear and think about. Mark chapter 14, The Sad Story of a False Disciple. Chapter 14 of Mark’s Gospel begins like this. Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, putting us at Wednesday evening of Passion Week, the evening of the day Jesus had spent at the temple teaching, answering questions, and in one way or another making his opponents there furious.

Mark goes on, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him, but not during the festival, they said, or the people may riot. Keep in mind the chief priests and the other Sanhedrin members only kept their prized positions because they were useful to the Romans, and what the Romans cared about more than anything else was keeping the peace in Judea, law and order. This is why these enemies of Jesus could not just grab him while he was teaching publicly at the temple. Jesus was very popular with many of the common people, and they feared a riot would ensue. Then Mark continues, while he is in Bethany, reclining at table in the home of Simon, before he got healed by Jesus the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head.

We know from John chapter 12 that this was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, very close friends of Jesus. If you want to understand the backstory of this, you have to listen to episode 12 of our podcast. Mark continues, Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of that expensive perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly. John specifies that this objection was raised aloud by Judas Iscariot.

Leave her alone, said Jesus. Why are you bothering her? She’s done a beautiful thing for me. The poor you are always going to have with you. You can help them any time you want, but you will not always have me. She did what she can.

She poured perfume on my body beforehand in preparation for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her. Listen to the very next verse, verse 10. Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. And they were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

We’ll pay you well if you can facilitate that, my good man. We need to back up and start at the beginning. I want you to understand Judas’ story as well as we can piece it together. Unlike the rest of Jesus’ disciples who came from Galilee, Judas was from the south. People didn’t have last names then, but were often identified by their connection to something or someone else. In this case, the town he came from, Kerioth, a place south of Jerusalem.

He was a Judean, not a Galilean, which kind of made him an outsider to the disciple band. We can only conjecture how he came to be a follower of Jesus in the first place. My best guess is that he was first a follower of the prophet John the Baptist, who had preached in Judea that the kingdom of God was at hand and that people should repent and be baptized and get ready for the coming of the Messiah. And John then, if you remember, pointed his followers to Jesus once Jesus’ public ministry began. But with the inner circle of disciples, make no mistake, Jesus chose those men, including Judas. By the way, I’ve never heard anyone name their kid Judas, but at the time, that was a very good name.

It was a form of Judah, a proud historical name in Israel, one of the tribes. Although it took three years for Judas’ character to be completely revealed, Jesus knew from the outset what he was capable of and what he would ultimately do. Jesus knew what was in people’s hearts. John remembers Jesus saying in the aftermath of the feeding of the five thousand, There are some people here who still do not believe. And John adds, For Jesus knew from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. Does that surprise you?

I think it’s fair to say that Judas, from the outset, followed Jesus imagining he was hitching his wagon to a star. You familiar with that idiom? Judas believed, based on John the Baptist’s words and was convinced, based on Jesus’ obvious supernatural gifts, that he was the promised Messiah. So he wanted to be on the ground floor of what he imagined was the coming golden age of Israel. For three long years he followed and waited, waited for Jesus to make the moves necessary to become Israel’s Messiah and King. For the first couple years, this must have seemed inevitable.

Jesus had a massive following in Galilee. People there even tried to put a crown on his head once, if you remember. I’m sure Judas believed it was only a matter of time. And don’t imagine the others were thinking anything different. Remember when Jesus’ aunt and her sons, James and John, came to him requesting, When you come into your kingdom, Lord, can we sit on your left hand, on your right? It seems hard for us to believe that this man was right there when Jesus did the things Jesus did, and taught the things he taught, and never, to use John’s terminology, believed into him.

I’ve heard it described in terms of wax and clay. The same sun which melts the wax hardens the clay. Over time, James and John and Peter and the others formed a heart relationship with Jesus that Judas just never did. As they listened to him and his claims, their hearts were warmed and they became pliable to God’s will and God’s plans, while Judas only became frustrated and hardened. You know, there were many times when Judas was right there, standing feet away from Jesus, as he warned people about greed and saying things like, You can’t love God and money at the same time. You can’t serve two masters.

What was Judas thinking at times like that? Who did he think Jesus was talking to? I bring that up because the insights we do get about what was going on in Judas’ heart and mind get back to greed. He was following Jesus for what he imagined was in it for him. Remember the situation I told about at Simon’s house, where Jesus rebuked him in front of others for objecting to Mary anointing him with that precious perfume, for saying, We could have sold this for a large sum of money and given it to the poor. How altruistic.

But John comments it wasn’t that he cared anything for the poor. Judas carried the money bag and used to help himself to what was in it. Judas was the group’s treasurer. How convenient. When Jesus established his kingdom and there is peace and prosperity over the land, secretary of the treasury would be a good position for me, Judas must have mused. But as we have seen in Mark’s Gospel, as time went on, Jesus spoke more and more about going up to Jerusalem, where his enemies would arrest him and that he would be killed.

In fact, even when the time came and they did head to Jerusalem and Jesus received that big welcome by so many of the common people, the Palm Sunday entrance to Jerusalem, there were messianic chants erupting all around them, a multitude of people waving palm branches, calling for Jesus to fulfill their messianic expectations. Yet Jesus didn’t do anything. Nothing that looked at all like he had any intention of capitalizing on that and making his move. Instead, he taught at the temple in parables about the builders rejecting the cornerstone and hung out with his close friends in Bethany, making more gloomy talk about death.

In fact, did you notice from the scripture I began with, the first part of Mark 14, it was that night at Bethany in Simon’s house with close friends, after Mary did what she did with the precious ointment, after Jesus rebuked Judas for protesting, that apparently was what triggered him. That was the final straw. When Jesus sharply said to him, Leave her alone. She’s anointed me for my burial, the next lines say that Judas went out from there to meet with Jesus’ enemies and offer to betray him. What do you make of that? To me, it’s as if he was thinking, If you’re so consumed with death and dying, why in the world have I spent the last three years following you around?

If you’re so set on death and dying, it looks like it’s high time for me to get out and cash out. Securing a meeting with the high priest himself that evening, he asked, So what will you give me if I deliver him up to you? They assured Judas, If you can deliver Jesus up to us in a setting that will be quiet, you’ll be paid. Judas agreed to look for such an opportunity, and the chief priests were delighted. Delighted. They didn’t have to wait long either.

The very next day, Jesus sent two of the disciples, Peter and John, into the city to get the things necessary to celebrate the Passover together. They would do so at a place Jesus knew was safe and quiet, where they could be unhindered for what he knew would be their last night together before his crucifixion. Peter, who we believe was Mark’s immediate source, told him how they found the location. It was a large upstairs room, already furnished and ready for them. Jesus told them, Make preparations for us there, and they did. Incidentally, this was Mark’s own parents’ house.

Jesus, along with the rest of the disciples, including Judas, arrived there at that house early Thursday evening. One of the first things that happened that evening was the disagreement among the disciples over the traditional washing of guests’ feet. Hosts at such a gathering would do this or arrange for it to happen. Peter and John were technically the hosts, but neither of them offered to take care of this humble courtesy. As you may know, if you’ve listened to us through the Gospel of John or read the Gospel of John, Jesus ended up doing it for them, which was even to Judas. I’ve often thought what in the world was going through each of their minds when Jesus knelt before Judas, removed his sandals, and washed his dusty feet.

He did this while teaching them all about the need for spiritual cleansing. Imagine, no one else in that room had any real clue what was going on. I don’t think the other disciples distrusted Judas at all, but Jesus certainly knew what was happening, and Judas was about to find out that Jesus knew. Later, during the Passover meal itself, Judas was actually reclining next to Jesus in what would be considered one of the places of honor. They ate from a low table, reclining against pillows on the ground. Between the traditional cups and dishes served, quiet conversation went on.

Jesus once again somberly reiterated to them, this is verse 18 in our chapter, Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me at the table. They were saddened, Mark says, and one by one they said to him, Surely you don’t mean me? To one of the twelve he replied, One who dips bread with me in the bowl. The Son of Man will go just as it’s been written about him, but woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man. It would be better for him if he had never been born. Each of the gospel writers record fascinating details of what happened that important night.

John, who was reclining on the other side of Jesus from Judas, so close his head was practically against Jesus’ chest, heard words pass between them. As the startled disciples each were assuring each other and Jesus, Surely not me, and Peter, as usual, most dogmatically insisting, I’d rather die than betray you, Lord. Judas also said, You don’t mean me, Lord. And John overheard Jesus say to him as he took a piece of bread, dipped it in the bowl, and handed it to Judas, You have said it yourself. What you’re going to do, do it quickly. Judas got up and went out into the night.

The others assumed, since he held the purse, Jesus must have sent him to buy something. You’d think Judas would be wondering at this point, Jesus knows what I’m up to, but he didn’t try and stop me? How strange. But you know, I don’t think he was thinking at all at that point. I bet his mind was just racing. The gospels say when he took that piece of bread from Jesus and Jesus said to him what he said to him, Satan entered into his heart.

For Judas, the die was cast. Once he was on his way to alert the religious authorities to where they were, Jesus spent the next hour or two giving his inner circle very important teachings and instructions, and he prayed for them. And after they sang a hymn together, Jesus told them, We have to be going now. They left the quiet, darkened city through the eastern gate, made the familiar walk back toward the Mount of Olives, up the very same road, actually, where the crowds had only a few days before hailed Jesus as Messiah. They proceeded to a park called the Garden of Gethsemane, a secluded space among the olive trees on that hill. And Jesus asked his disciples to stay up and pray with him.

Of course they didn’t. It was late, probably eleven or perhaps midnight. They were emotionally and physically exhausted. As Jesus wrestled in agonizing prayer, they all fell asleep. He tried to awaken them a couple times. Can’t you stay up with me for one hour?

He needed their support, but no, no they couldn’t. When he came to them a third time, he said, Never mind now. The betrayer is already here. The disciples were awakened then by a commotion. The garden was lit up with torches. They saw a large group of temple police and others sent from the chief priests to arrest Jesus.

In one of the most poignant acts I can imagine, Judas Iscariot identified Jesus to the arresting party by taking him by the shoulders and kissing him on the cheek. It was a prearranged sign. Jesus said, Are you really betraying me with a kiss, Judas? Yes, he was. Verses 48 to 51 are unique to the Gospel of Mark. As Jesus was arrested and either put in shackles or tied up, he asked, Every day I was with you teaching in the temple courts and you didn’t arrest me.

Am I leading a rebellion here that you’ve come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Then more to himself, I think, than to them, he said with resignation in his voice, But the scriptures have to be fulfilled. All the disciples then fled into the trees, Mark says, and then adds this odd anecdote. A young man wearing nothing but a linen garment had been following them. When they seized Jesus, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. That, my friends, was the young John Mark, I think.

We can safely surmise that Judas led the arresting party first to the upper room at Mark’s parents’ house, and finding Jesus and the others were no longer there, he then led them out to Gethsemane, a place where they sometimes camped when they were in Jerusalem. Young Mark, awakened by them and wearing only his linen nightshirt, followed them out of the city out of curiosity, followed them to Gethsemane. So he saw firsthand what he’s writing about here. Interesting and embarrassing way to reveal how he fit into that night’s events. It’s time to consider this. What do you think?

Was Judas responsible for what he did? You know, there’s a second-century Gnostic writing that’s been discovered which exonerates Judas, claiming that he was only doing what Jesus secretly asked him to do, that only he, along with Jesus, were really in on the secret plan. But in the New Testament, it’s quite clear that there was a big difference between Jesus knowing Judas would betray him and Jesus causing or excusing him for that betrayal. Judas had so many opportunities to have his faith put in Jesus. He demonstrated over and over that he was Lord and that he had the words of life. But Judas had signed on for only selfish reasons.

In the New Testament, Judas is always painted as a willful sinner, always painted as one who chose his own path of unbelief because of greed. He’s never painted as Jesus’ secret accomplice, nor as an innocent victim of God’s plan over which he had no control. He was fully culpable for his choices and actions. What he did was brazenly cash out when it became apparent that the earthly kingdom of Jesus was not happening as he hoped that it would. He betrayed Jesus for only thirty pieces of silver, shekels used at the temple, worth in our terms today at most four hundred bucks. David wrote once similarly about a sad situation that befell him.

This is Psalm 55. If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it. If a foe were rising up against me, I could hide myself. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship. Yeah, as Jesus said, it would have been better for that man if he had never been born. This is just a very sad story, isn’t it?

I don’t know. I had to think for a while, what can we even learn from this? As I reflected on Judas’ story for some time this week, hours really, I think there are a few things that we can take away, and I’ll keep them very brief. First of all, on a very human level, nothing is worse than a disloyal backstabber. Don’t be one, no matter what you think justifies it. It’s disgusting and inexcusable.

Number two, it’s very possible to be with other Christians and seem like a follower of Christ, you know, be a good church member, sit under sound teaching, even experience God’s power, and yet remain lost. Judas did exactly that. He never really believed into Jesus. As the other disciples saw and learned more from Jesus, they believed into him. But Judas remained in unbelief for years, actually being hardened by seeing and hearing so much from his privileged position, but never accepting Jesus for who he really was and why he really came. No one’s a Christian because they hang around with Christians.

It’s personal. What do you really believe? And finally, it troubles me that so much preaching I hear today presents Christianity as a what’s-in-it-for-me-now religion. Follow Jesus and he will bless you financially. Follow Jesus and he will keep you well. Follow Jesus and you’ll be blessed and highly favored.

He’ll shower you with earthly benefits and divine favor. But tell me, isn’t that what Judas imagined he’d get by following Jesus? Isn’t that exactly the kind of follower he was? When it didn’t work out that way, he became disillusioned and ultimately he turned against Christ. He was a false disciple. I’m concerned that so many people today are being fed a false, it’s really about you gospel, told that if they follow Jesus, they can expect a very prosperous life in return, trouble-free life in return.

That’s not the gospel message, and buying into that is not saving faith. We follow Jesus because he died for us to bring us to God. We follow Jesus because he’s the only one who can. We follow Jesus because he rose again and because he is Lord. We follow Jesus because he’s the only one worth following. True disciples pick up their crosses and follow him wherever that takes them.

I’m concerned that if folks are following, or rather think they are following Jesus and are Christians, and if it doesn’t pan out, what exactly are they going to think then? What exactly are they going to do then? Like Judas, what will they do? Ask yourself, what then? At one point, when things were starting to go south, Jesus was not doing what the multitudes hoped he would, and they were turning away in droves. He turned to the twelve and asked, So are you going to leave me also?

And a real disciple answered, To whom would we go, Lord? You alone have the words of eternal life. Accept Jesus as your personal Savior. Follow him as your rightful Lord. Be a real disciple. This is Paul for Share the Word.

Where would we go indeed? Thanks, Paul, for tackling the important issues that aren’t always easy. Here’s my question: Is Christ your Lord and Savior, or does the coin purse of this world hold all of your focus? Do your actions and your heart reflect Jesus, or are you just giving the appearance because you’re deriving a benefit on this earth? None of us are perfect, not even close. And remember, after Peter told Jesus he would die for him, he denied him three times.

But the difference was he demonstrated remorse and repentance for his actions and asked for forgiveness. Where are you in your faith, and do you truly believe in Christ? You can fool everyone here, but remember you answer to God, and you can’t fool Him. Don’t be lukewarm and on the fence. We’re available to answer your questions and help you off of that fence and to start your life knowing that you will spend eternity with God rather than apart from Him. Email us at info at sharetheword.org, and let’s talk.