There are several key Jewish leaders and religious groups that we need to pause and identify as the Passion of the Christ continues to unfold. It is impossible to understand the people of the cross without clearly identifying the role of these Jewish religious leaders. While their role was pivotal, it cannot be isolated from the immediate wider context of people – which included both Romans, Gentiles and Greeks.

Most importantly, Christ’s passion cannot be separated from the entire human race. No single people group can be exclusively blamed for the death of Christ. The Scripture is very clear in assigning guilt for the death of Christ to the entire human family because “…all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Therefore, since there is universal sin there is also universal culpability.  As we will continue to see throughout this study, all people are responsible for the death of Christ – not just the Jews or Romans. So to isolate them from the wider context of humanity is to be guilty of a myopic Biblical perspective and truncated theological reasoning.

Sadly, it has been a misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the Bible – with a corresponding misplaced emphasis on the role of the Jews, that have sometimes led to anti-Semitism. Through the centuries, some overly zealous and under informed people have accused the Jews of deicide, or of “God-killing.”  As a result of this false label of “God Killers” and “Christ Haters,” many Jews have been vilified, persecuted and murdered across the centuries – oftentimes in the name of Christ!  This has only further alienated the Jews from the Passion of the Christ, and widened the chasm of suspicion and hostility between the Jews and Gentiles.

So while it is historically inaccurate to separate the Jews from the events of the passion, it is theologically inaccurate to make them the sole culpable agents of Christ’s crucifixion. If one approaches the Gospel narratives with that kind of anti-Jewish racial bigotry and bias, then the conclusions of deicide is inevitable – along with its corollary of anti-Semitism. But if one reads the Gospels within the wider context of the Bible – along with even an ounce of personal spiritual honesty, then he will know objectively and subjectively that every member of Adam’s race has the blood of Christ on his hands!

Most importantly, we have already seen that the Bible clearly assigns ultimate responsibility for the death of Christ to God Himself. As we saw in an earlier section, this is a clear revelation of both the Old and New Testament. Isaiah the prophet said this about the Messiah: “…it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer” (Isaiah 53:10). That’s why Peter preached to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost: “This man (Jesus) was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge…” (Acts 2:23). So who was responsible for the death of Christ? God Himself!  This is part of the mystery of the Passion of the Christ.

Having carefully laid that historical and theological foundation, let’s examine briefly the primary Jewish actors in this drama.

As individuals or theological groups, the Jewish leaders are variously referred to in the passion narratives as follows:

• “Chief Priests”: Matthew 26:14, 47, 59; 27:1, 6; Mk. 14:43, 53; 15:31, etc.

• “Elders”: Matthew 26:48, 57; 27:1; Mk. 14:43, 53; Luke 22:66, etc.

• “Teachers of the Law” (NIV) or “Scribes” (KJV & NASV): Matthew 8:19; 13:52; 26:57; Mk. 12:32; 14:43, 53; 15:31; Luke 22:66, etc.

• “Sanhedrin”:  Collectively, the above group of Jewish religious leaders are referred to as the Sanhedrin, or “The Council,” which is what the Greek word sunedion means. Even though their precise formation is lost in antiquity, the Jews generally trace the origin of this governing body to Numbers 11:16-17, where God instructed Moses:

“Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.”

In the Third Gospel, Luke refers to them as “…the Council of the elders of the people” (Luke 22:66). Most probably, they came into being during the Hellenist, or Greek period, when Palestine was almost given complete autonomy. So it was during this period that this council of aristocratic Jewish elders emerged as powerful and authoritative. However, under the Roman rule, their power was restricted – and limited primarily to theological issues rather than legal matters. But as we saw from the Book of Numbers, we do know that the Sanhedrin was specifically composed of seventy-one members—and they were presided over and dominated by the “High Priest.”

Like all religious bodies, the Sanhedrin was divided ideologically between conservatives and liberals. So there were two primary “theological parties” within the Sanhedrin. Let’s look at them briefly.

• Sadducees:  This group of Jewish leaders primarily adhered to the Pentateuch, or 5 books of Moses. Therefore, they largely rejected the “…tradition of the elders” that were so emphasized by the Pharisees (Matt. 15:1). They were the more theological liberals of the Sanhedrin. As a result of their theological liberalism, they were basically anti-supernaturalists, and did not believe in miracles or the resurrection of the dead (which is why Paul would later clash with them!). They were largely from the higher socio-economic priestly class of Jewish aristocracy – and had the power and influence that usually goes along with that position in society. During the Hellenist period, they had increasingly become influenced by Greek philosophy. As a result, they wanted to broaden Judaism to accommodate Greek thought and culture. So they were more pluralistic and tolerant. Therefore, the Sadducees would have felt comfortable in much of American liberal and leftist society today! So in spite of their theological liberalism, their education and wealth made them a powerful part of the Sanhedrin. However, Jesus warned His disciples about the dangers of the “…leaven of the Sadducees” (Matthew 3:7; 16:1-6; 11-34; Mk. 12:18; Luke 20:27-39; Acts 4:1; 5:17; 23:6-8)

• Pharisees: By contrast to the Sadducees, this group comprised the theological conservatives of the Sanhedrin. They were the Jewish Fundamentalists who took the Mosaic Law literally – as well as enforced a strict obedience to the Jewish Traditions of the elders. By the time of Christ they had increasingly become a powerful party within the Sanhedrin – and Jesus often found Himself in conflict with them over their strict interpretation of the Law. Paul was a Pharisee before his conversion to Christ. Nicodemus also was a member of the party of the Pharisees. But just as He had done with the Sadducees, Jesus also warned His disciples of the “…leaven of the Pharisees.”  And because He had more encounters and conflicts with this Jewish Party of legalists, there are some 79 references to them in the New Testament – too many to list (Matthew 5:20; 9:11-14; 16:1-12; 19:3; 22:15-41; 23:2-13; Luke 6:7; 11:39-44; John 3:1; 12:19 Acts 23:6; Phil. 3:5). Virtually all of the “Seven Woes” spoken by Christ were aimed at the Pharisees – which only deepened their hatred of Jesus! In this bold encounter Jesus variously refers to them as the “Pharisees and teachers of the law” followed by these very scathing descriptions: “…hypocrite…blind guides…blind fools…whitewashed tombs…snakes… brood of vipers” (Matthew 23:1-36). Not very complimentary descriptions in anyone’s book! However, we do know from Acts that some of them later became believers and followers of Christ after His resurrection (Acts 15:5).

Collectively then, the Sanhedrin was the highest authority in Judaism. It was what we might call the “Supreme Court of Israel.”  The pronouncements they made were final when it came to the Mosaic Law. There was no higher authority than them. Once they had rendered a judgment, there were no higher appeals one could turn to. Theirs was the “last word” in matters concerning the Law of Moses. They literally had the power of “life and death” in their hands. And, they exercised this authority against Jesus.

But until about 40 years prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, the Sanhedrin clearly had the power of capital punishment. However, by the time of Christ things had changed. The rule of Rome greatly limited their judicial power, but left their theological power in place as a means to appease them. So while they could decree a sentence of death –  they could not carry it out. That could only be done by the Romans as the final judicial authority in the land. That is precisely why the Sanhedrin had to refer Jesus to Pilate for execution (John 18:31-32).

Finally, we know that Jesus did have some personal friends and “secret followers” on this Council – like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38-39). We will see them again later after the events of the crucifixion.

Now that we have made a general overview of the Judaism and the Sanhedrin during Christ’s day, our next Lenten Study will take a closer look at the powerful “High Priest” who ruled this Council of Elders.

As we read this narrative, we see how most of the people who came to help arrest Jesus were armed with “…swords and clubs” (Luke 22:52).  Since they were “armed to the teeth,” they obviously came prepared to fight!  Their intent was anything but peaceful.  So in the face of this hatred and hostility, all four Gospels record how Peter drew his sword and “…cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest” (Matthew 26:51; Mark 14:47). 

However, only Luke and John specifically tell us that it was the man’s “right ear” that Peter cut off (Luke 22:50; John 18:10).  In addition, it is only John’s Gospel that gives the man’s name as “Malchus.”  And only Doctor Luke records this significant fact: “Jesus…touched the man’s ear and healed him” (Luke 22:51) – a detail that an observant doctor would certainly take note of!

So by weaving these four Gospel accounts together, we see a more complete tapestry of this “Malchus…servant of the high priest.”  And through this little side-bar story, he steps out of anonymity. He becomes the only other person in Gethsemane that night who is specifically named – other than Jesus, Judas, Peter, James and John.  So through this little historical vignette we also see the incredible detail and preciseness of God’s Word.

The few lines that describe this momentary three-way encounter would forever mark the spirit and psyche of Malchus. From that moment on he would either have to dwell on what Peter did do Him – or on what Jesus did for him.  That fateful night, one hand lashed out against him with a sword. The other hand reached out to him in compassion. One hand resulted in harm, the other hand resulted in healing. I wonder which man impacted him most?  Peter or Jesus?  Which one left the most lasting marked on his memory?  Was it the sword of Peter – or the touch of Jesus?  Was it the hurt inflicted by Peter’s anger or the healing imparted by Jesus’ compassion?

Perhaps we can better understand Malchus’ response by honestly looking at our own responses to those who hurt us. How do we respond when people lash out against us in anger or rage?  Which do you remember?  Do you dwell on the cutting, piercing words that people have said against you?  Do you constantly brood over the way people have intentionally hurt you and abused you – whether physically, emotionally or sexually?  Are there scars on your spiritual ears that cause you to constantly distort what others say?

What we usually do is this concerning the pain that others have caused us:  We nurse it…rehearse it…and curse it.  And all the while it is only the healing touch of the Lord Jesus that will allow us to reverse it!  We can’t undo the things that have been said and done against us. But through God’s unconditional forgiveness we can reverse – rather than curse, the pain that others have inflicted upon us.  We can be healed and released from the psychological scars and negative impact these events have had upon our lives.

Perhaps like Malchus, you too need to reflect on Jesus’ words to Peter at that moment: “Put your sword away!”  Peter’s response is the cursing response to the hurts against us. In our fallenness, we all want revenge against our enemies. We want to “lash out!”  We want to hurt those who hurt us.  We want to repay pain with pain.  And so we rehearse in our minds a thousand scenarios in which we inflict pain back on those who have hurt us!  Jesus then, reminded Peter of this principle: “Those who live by the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).  Anger is always a double-edged sword!

This desire for revenge is very human. It’s in all of us. It is our natural response to hurt and harm. But it is also very destructive. That’s because it begins a lifestyle that is very deadly.  It is always true that hurt people – hurt people. Damaged people – damage people.  Wounded people – wound people!  It’s a destructive cycle that goes on and on.  And sadly, it often passes from one generation to the next.

So when we have been hurt, this drive to “get even” increasingly poisons our mind and emotions. And over time it destroys all of our relationships. It causes us to have a “cutting edge” to our lives… to our tone of voice… to our behavior.  We live with an “attack mode!”  We are always ready to fight.  And since we cannot always get even with the person who hurt and harmed us, we lash out at everyone else who gets in our path.  As Jesus warned Peter, we too “…live by the sword!”

So my loving exhortation to you this Lenten Season is what Jesus commanded Peter: “Put your sword away!”  That night both Peter and Malchus were armed.  Both men had swords they were more than ready to use.  But because of Jesus, both men put their swords away that night.  So while you may not be able to make other people put their swords away – you can resolve to put yours away!  You can make a commitment to quit “…living by the sword.”

The story of Joseph in the book of Genesis is a wonderful example of this principle of forgiveness and healing in the face of hurt and harm. It is the greatest foreshadow of Christ’s words of forgiveness from the cross that is found in the entire Old Testament. As you recall, because of jealousy and hatred, Joseph’s brothers sold him as a slave in Egypt. This resulted in separation from his home, his aged father, his beloved younger brother – and it caused years of loss in his life.

From a human perspective then, Joseph was an “innocent sufferer.”  His brother’s hostile actions cost him everything that was near and dear to him.  Their sins against him radically altered his entire life. Their antagonism caused him to go through what must have seemed like endless “wasted years.”  None of it seemed to make sense.  “Where was God in all of this?” – Joseph must have often cried out as he nursed and rehearsed these unjust events in his mind!  But it was only many years later that Joseph could say to his brothers:

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).

This story reminds us that we live in a world that is totally under the control of a sovereign God.  Even though the world is filled with sin and rebellion, God still accomplishes everything according to the good purposes of His own foreordained will.  So we must never forget that we live in a moral universe that reflects God’s justice and mercy – although the timing of its application is often a mystery beyond our human comprehension.  But only a sovereign and loving God can take everything that happens to us – even evil, and work it for our good and for His glory. That’s the great message of Romans 8:28 - 29 that has brought comfort and healing to millions across the centuries:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son…”

You know, the ear is a marvelous part of the human body. It catches all of the sounds around us and funnels them into our brain for recording, decoding and proper response. Deftness is such a debilitating problem because it audibly cuts us off from the world around us. But there is something worse than physical deftness – and that is spiritual deftness. It is bad enough when we cannot hear and discern the sounds around us. It is even worse when we cannot hear and discern the voice of God within us!

Since we are all sinners, we are born with deaf ears and damaged ears. Because our ears are deaf to God, we cannot hear or discern his “…still small voice” (I Kings 19:12). And because our ears are damaged, we often filter the messages spoken to us by others. We hear and interpret their voices through the earlier voices of those who hurt us. Because of damaged ears, we so often interpret what other people say through what was earlier said to us and about us.  We go through life with a great tendency to deflect all compliments and indelibly record all criticisms!  As a result, our minds have a natural tendency to retain the negative and reject the positive.

That’s probably how Malchus went into Gethsemane that night.  But then he met Jesus!  And like so many others, Malchus had believed lies about Jesus. So he went into the Garden with an ear problem!  He went there with a terminal case of spiritual deftness. But I think he left the Garden that night with both his physical ears and spiritual ears healed!  I don’t think he ever heard the same way again. The compassionate voice of Jesus opened his ears to the voice of God.  As a result, he could never dwell on what Peter did to him. From that moment on he would forever dwell on what Jesus did for him!

What about you? Do you need Jesus to heal your spiritual ears this Lenten Season?  Do you need him to heal and silence those hurtful voices that are forever speaking pain and lies into the inner ears of your heart?  If so, let Him do for you what He did for Malchus.  If you do, I promise you that you will never hear the same way again.  As a result of His healing touch, the Passion of the Christ will forever resonate in your ears!

We also turn our attention from the friends of Christ to the foes of Christ.  At this point in the passion narrative, Jesus has now been betrayed by a false friend, and abandoned by His true friends. All have fled in fear to “save their own necks.”

Let’s follow Jesus then, as He is forcefully “…led away…to the house of the high priest” by this mixed mob of Romans and Jews (Luke 22:54).  John specifically tells us that this vigilante action was carried out by a “…detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials.”  Together they had “…arrested Jesus…bound Him and brought him first to Annas…” (John 18:12).

How ironical it is that the first place Jesus was taken to was the official residence of the high priest – who that year was Annas.  We will look more at him in a future chapter – along with his father-in-law and cohort in religious intrigue, Caiaphas.  But for now we need to pause and ponder how often it is that the religious establishment turns out to be the greatest enemy and antagonist of the Lord Jesus. 

For three years much of popular opinion was supportive of Jesus.  But during that same period of time the authorities and power brokers of the Jewish religious establishment were increasingly hostile to Him.  He was upsetting their theological apple cart!  He was threatening their religious control over the people.  His popularity was eroding theirs.  The “new wine” of His teaching just could not be contained in the old rigid wineskins of their Jewish theology and “tradition of the elders.”

Not much has changed in Judaism to this day.  Nor in liberal leftist Christianity.  Both are increasingly hostile to the authentic Christ of the Bible.  They too have arrested the historical Jesus and replaced Him with one of their own making.  Just like Jesus was stripped of His robes at His trial, this “politically correct Jesus” has also been stripped of His deity.  In trial after trial through the “research and scholarship” of liberal theologians, this Jesus has been “de-mythologized.”  Both His perfect deity and perfect humanity have been crucified on the cross of rationalism.  As a result, He has been stripped of His virgin birth…His miracles…His healings…His resurrection…His Ascension…His Second Coming.  All that is left is the empty shell of a vague Jesus who cannot save and empower because His body is still lying in some unknown grave in Palestine!

And yet this Lenten Season, many of the very denominations who have stripped and denuded Jesus of His deity and uniqueness – will still go through the charade of Lenten Services.  Just like the Jewish leaders in the First Century, they will continue the “pomp and circumstance” of their religious traditions – replete with all of the “hails, smells and bells” of religiosity! 

Just as surely as the Jewish leaders went through the motions of Passover before they arrested Jesus, many of the religious leaders in our day will observe Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  Dressed in the proper robes and vestments they will pompously lead congregations in liturgies, hymns, prayers and creedal confessions.  Some will even fast as a manifestation of their piety.  But because the Christ they believe in is no longer worthy of belief, their worship will be little more than a hollow religious shell – devoid of the power of salvation, healing, deliverance and transformation! 

Sadly, God would once again say of them what He said of this “vain worship” by many in the Jewish establishment during the days of Isaiah – that Jesus quoted of those in His own day: 

“These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.  Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men” (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8). 

As sincere and well-intentioned as it might be, this is not the kind of authentic worship that the true and living God seeks.  Virtually all people in every culture “worship.”  But the vast majority is “vain worship” because it is not based upon the inspiration of God’s Word and God’s Spirit (Matthew 6:5-6). 

When Jesus was talking to a woman of Samaria – who were zealous worshipers of God, He made it clear that their worship was in vain.  They were focused on the place of worship rather than the Person of worship.  Just like the ancient Samaritans, many churches and denominations today are still more focused on the place of worship…the procedure of worship…the pomp of worship – than they are the Person of worship. 

Because of all of our propensity to “vain worship,” we need to ponder afresh this Lenten Season the words of Jesus to the confused Samaritan woman about the only kind of worship that is acceptable to God:

“A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  For God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).

So whether corporately or privately, I pray that your Lenten worship will be that total dedication of your life to the Lord Jesus as a “living sacrifice” which is the “spiritual act of worship” that is pleasing to God (Romans 12:1-2)!

Now, before we completely let Gethsemane fade from our minds, we must pause to consider one final act of mercy performed by Jesus. It was directed toward one of His enemies. Even though no mercy was extended to Him, Jesus extended it to others. At first we only know this person as “…the servant of the high priest.”  Let’s briefly look at this last healing miracle of Jesus before He is led off of the stage of Gethsemane.  That will be the focus of our Lenten meditation tomorrow.  And I assure you that every one of you will be able to identify with this “servant of the high priest.”  His story is your story.  And his story can forever change the outcome of your story!

That’s a graphic description of real terror on two feet!  This young disciple literally “ran out of his clothes” because of fear!  At times of acute danger there are two conflicting emotions – fight or flight!  For this young man it was flight with all his might!  And many Biblical scholars believe that this is a veiled reference to Mark himself, the writer of the First Gospel.

Three things we quickly notice about this anonymous person:  He was a “young man.”  He was wearing a “linen garment.”  And he was “following Jesus.”  The very fact that the narrator mentions that this young man was “…wearing nothing but a linen garment,” would strongly suggest that he was from a wealthy prominent family in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12).  Linen garments were a fashion statement for the well-to-do men in that day.  They were not the clothing materials of the peasants and “blue color workers.”  Certainly none of the other disciples of Christ wore linen robes!  It was not the clothing of fishermen, farmers and common workers.

The very fact that some in the arresting crowd “seized him” clearly indicates that this young man was a follower of Christ.  In their minds he was clearly identified with Jesus, along with the other disciples.  Since he was not with them – he was definitely with Him.  This crowd had only two sides that night.  Therefore, he was a viable target for arrest. 

As we have already seen, Jesus and His disciples had just concluded the Passover meal by singing a hymn together.  Then they left the “large upper room” where they had spent the last few hours together eating and sharing.  They then took the short walk from the City proper through the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives – no doubt with Jesus in the lead (Mark 14:26).  After spending time with His disciples, He now sensed a great need to spend time with His Heavenly Father in one of His favorite places of solitude and prayer.  There His passion would intensify beyond human comprehension.

Because this young man followed Jesus and His disciples from that upper room, he may have been an attendant at that Passover Meal.  He could have even been the son of the “owner of the house” that the disciples had contacted earlier about having the Passover there with the Lord Jesus.  This home owner was obviously someone known to the Lord.  The disciples had asked Jesus: “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”  In response Jesus said:

“Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you.  Follow him.  Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: ‘Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’  He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready.  Make preparations for us there” (Mark 14:12-15).

If you “read between the lines,” it is quite clear that this was something that Jesus had previously arranged.  These were no whimsical or magical meetings.  They had been carefully planned by the Master.  He specifically told His disciples where to go and what to look for.  They were to find and follow “a man carrying a jar of water” – which was not the normal thing for a man to do.  Carrying water was the normal duty of women.  So a man carrying a clay jar of water would have been easy to spot.

Upon seeing this man, they followed him to a very specific house that was clearly known to the Lord.  The “owner of the house” obviously knew who Jesus was as “the Teacher.”  No doubt he was also a follower of Christ because you do not open you home to strangers – especially on the high and holy night of Passover. 

And upon finding the owner of the house, they were to say to him what Jesus had told them: “Where is My guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”  No doubt Jesus had been to this house before and used the “guest room” for His personal use.  In response to these clear questions, the owner took the disciples to “a large upper room, furnished and ready.”  Perhaps this young man in our story had helped to “make things ready” for Christ’s last Passover meal with His disciples.  And after the meal and evening was concluded, he followed Jesus and his disciples from the house to the Garden of Gethsemane.   

That young man could never have imagined what was awaiting Christ and the disciples that night in the Garden.  Nor could he ever have anticipated what would happen to him!  It would be a defining time in his life he would never forget.  It would mark him for life.

Probably because he was younger and smaller, he was an easy prey for the soldiers of the high priest that night.  For this vigilante mob, a smartly dressed young man was an obvious “mark” that would stand out from the other followers of Christ.  So they “seized him” in an attempt to take him to trial along with Jesus.  But in his youthful zeal he struggled loose and literally “sprinted out of his linen robe” as he fled!

There is every possibility that this was indeed the same young man who would later become the temporary traveling companion of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 12:25). This incident in the Garden of Gethsemane may also be an early insight into the life-long struggle that John Mark had with the problem of “fear and flight.” Just as he fled from Jesus in the Garden that night, he would later flee from Barnabas and Paul in the midst of the difficulties of missionary service (Acts 13:13; 15:36-39).

But since I have spent much of my life working with teenagers, I am encouraged to know that there was definitely at least one young person in the Garden that night who was a known follower and disciple of the Lord Jesus.  This reminds us that Jesus not only attracted men, women and children – but also teenagers!  So whether you are young or old…male or female…rich or poor – Jesus will accept you as His disciple.  It matters not to him whether you are wearing linen like this young man – or faded jeans and a cotton T-shirt, there is a place for you as a follower of Christ!

So after this fleeting appearance on the stage of the Passion of the Christ – presumably by a young John Mark, Jesus is now left totally alone.  It is a lonely place to be – even for the Son of God!  It is incomprehensible to us to even begin to fathom how the Second Member of the Triune Godhead could be alone during these hours of His passion.  He who had eternally known nothing but the absolute love and unity of the Trinity is now increasingly being cut off from fellowship with His Father and the Holy Spirit.  The hours are rapidly approaching when God would make “…Him who had no sin to be sin fur us” (II Corinthians 5:21).  Humanly speaking, He is now at the mercy of the club-yielding-blood-thirsty mob – and mercy is definitely not on their minds!  They are not interested in justice or mercy – only revenge and murder. 

And day after day, the newspapers and nightly news reveal that man’s nature has not changed from that night in Gethsemane.  Whether the First Century or the Twenty-First Century, the evil in man’s heart knows no bounds.  That’s why our world continues to be filled with warfare, terrorism, tribalism and genocide.  Hatred, murder and bloodshed abound on every hand and in every country and culture.  And the angry mobs that are hostile to Jesus continue to roam and rule from our streets to our classrooms to our courtrooms – arresting any and every manifestation of the Passionate Christ!

However, from a careful reading of the passion events, it is clear that some of the disciples were also armed with swords. It was not like they were soldiers ready for battle – it is just what most men normally carried on their belts during that time. Much like many men carry pocket knives today.  It was an every day practical tool that most men carried on their belts.  Therefore, note what they said when the arresting crowd approached: “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”  And with his usual impulsiveness, Peter did not wait for an answer!  “And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting of his right ear” (Luke 22:49-50).

It is only from John’s account that we know for certain that it was Simon Peter who was the first disciple to unsheathe his sword to defend Christ. And no doubt when he pulled out his sword, he was seeking to split the man’s head wide open!  But for whatever reason, Peter got only a glancing swipe that cut off his ear instead of his head!  Jesus stayed Peter’s hand with these words: “Put your sword back in its place…for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).  Jesus further said: “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:10-11).  And with those words Jesus submitted to their hatred and arrest.

Now, contrary to all of their previous confident boasts that they would die for Him rather than ever deny Him, we read: “Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled…But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest” (Matthew 26:56-58).

We really have to hand it to Peter at this point. He is the only disciple that followed Christ after He was arrested in the Garden – even though he did so “…at a distance.”  In spite of his gripping fear and growing cowardice, he still followed Jesus – even if at a safe distance.

We are all painfully aware of Peter’s story from this point on. They are some of the most familiar parts of the passion story. While we cringe in horror at the betrayal of Judas, we squirm in conviction as we watch Peter’s three denials of Christ! That’s because we’ve all been there. We’ve all stood by the fire of compromise with him. We’ve all found ourselves trying to get warm at the world’s fires. We’ve all cursed out loud or under our breath at the accusation that we are a believer.  We’ve all broken an oath or vow we’ve made to God. We’ve all felt deeply ashamed of our deceit and cowardice. We’ve all felt our face flush with the furtive fear of being “found out.”  We’ve all felt our pulse race in anxiety as group pressure grows against us.  We’ve all felt our fearful heart pound so hard that we were afraid that everyone around could hear it!  We’ve all felt the uneasiness of looking people in the eyes for fear of being seen through. We’ve all feared discovery and exposure after some secret sin. We’ve all experienced the desire to run away and hide – forever!

So as we watch Peter’s painful drama on the stage of life – we all see ourselves. His fear is our fear. His weakness is our weakness. His failure is our failure. His denials are our denials!  His shame is our shame.  And his tears fill our eyes. The crowing of his rooster also heralds our own sin of denial!

All it took was the accusations of a couple of small servant girls to cause big tough Peter to have an emotional “melt-down!”  As a result, this verse summarizes it all: “He went outside and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75). I’ve been there!  Haven’t you?

As we have often seen from the Bible, name represents nature. So while the name “Judas” has become synonymous with betrayal, that’s not what the name originally meant. You see, the name “Judas” is the Greek form of the Hebrew proper name “Judah” – which literally means “praised.”  It was the name of the fourth son of Jacob – and from him we have the “Tribe of Judah” – which produced many Biblical heroes. It would be this tribe that the Messiah would come from as “…the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5).  So “Judas” and “Jesus” were from the very same tribe!

There was a time then, when the name “Judas” denoted “praise and privilege.”  It was an honor to be called by that name.  And even after the events of the Passion of the Christ, that name was still popular and respected among the Jews. Look at a few examples:

• It is the name of one of the ancestors of Jesus (Luke 3:30).
• It is the name of one of the earthly brothers of Christ (Matthew 33:55).
• It was the name of a leading citizen of Damascus (Acts 9:11).
• It was the name of one of the leaders in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:23).

So the name “Judas” was not always a name of disgust and distain.  And for the “Judas” of our study, it was a name that meant “chosen by Christ… a follower of Jesus… a disciple… a trusted leader.”  How could the meaning of a name change so radically? How could that name become so inverted and perverted?!

Tragically, every great drama has a villain – and in the Passion of the Christ, Judas is it.  As the drama unfolds, we see him gradually become the very personification of the evil one. His inward and selfish devolution is almost imperceptible at first.  And while Jesus knew his true inner nature all along, the rest of the disciples did not have a clue!

No doubt Judas learned to play the role of disciple well. He was a “quick study.”  He was just like many of us in America today who learn how to be good “cultural Christians” – rather than a true disciple of the Lord Jesus. Therefore, as we watch the saga of the “rise and fall of Judas” on the stage of the passion, it should be a very sobering story for all of us! His name has come to symbolize his nature as the ultimate betrayer – who fell from praise to perversion.

The name “Iscariot” probably originates from ish Kerioth, or “a man of Kerioth,” which was a town in south Judah (remember his tribe?). So just like Christ was often referred to as “Jesus of Nazareth,” in the same way the betrayer is known as “Judas of Kerioth.”

Obviously then, Judas is the arch-villain in the Passion of the Christ. As we already noted, every good drama has a “good guy” and a “bad guy” – and this divine-human drama is the same. Jesus is not just a generic “good guy” – He is the incarnate “God-Guy!” And Judas is the arch “bad guy.”

Therefore, since Judas did not start out that way in this drama, let’s briefly bullet the things we know about him for sure from Scripture.

• He was chosen by Jesus:  Often when his name is listed, there is the accompanying phrase “…Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve.”  And usually he is always listed at the end of the naming of the disciples – followed by this defining epithet: “…and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him” (Matthew 10:4; Mark 4:19; Luke 6:16).

• He was the group treasurer: “Judas had charge of the money…” (John 13:29). “As keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it” (John 12:6). This fact reveals a lot about the confidence that the other disciples must have had in him. You just do not entrust your money to someone you do not trust. You do not let a known thief hold your money, or carry the key to your safety deposit box.

• He pretended to love the poor. When Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, we read this: “But…Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?  It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief…” (John 12:3-7).

• He increasingly became offended by the claims of Christ and his abrasiveness to the Jewish leaders: “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it? Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, ‘Does this offend you?…There are some of you who do not believe.’  For Jesus had know from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him….Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!’  (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray Him” (John 6:60-71).

• In disillusionment, he sought an opportunity to sell Jesus out: “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand Him over” (Mk. 14:10-11).

• He ultimately sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver:  “Then one of the Twelve – the one called Judas Iscariot – went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?’  So they counted out for him 30 silver coins…” (Matthew 26:14-16).

• Judas left the Passover celebration early in the evening to betray Jesus: “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray Me.’  His disciples stared at one another, at a loss…One of them asked: ‘Lord who is it?’  Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’  Then dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. ‘What you are about to do, do quickly,’ Jesus told him. But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out.  And it was night” (John 13:21-30).

• Jesus made a final reference to Judas in His high priestly prayer before His passion in the Garden: “I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled” (John 17:12).

• After Jesus is arrested and beaten, Judas tries to reverse his betrayal:  When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’  ‘What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.’  So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:1-5). We further read from Doctor Luke that when he hanged himself “…he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out” (Acts 1:18).

• After Christ’s resurrection and before Pentecost, Peter said this about Judas: “He was one of our number, and shared in this ministry” (Acts 1:17).

• Before Pentecost, Matthias was chosen to take Judas’ place: “Peter said, ‘For it is written in the book of Psalms: ‘May his place be deserted, let there be no one to dwell in it.’ And, ‘May another take his place of leadership’  Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection… Then they cast lost, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:20-26).

The “rise and fall of Judas” is a sad saga in the Passion of the Christ. As we watch his various brief stage appearances, we see him gradually move from discipleship to denial… from belief to betrayal… from opportunity to offense… from thanksgiving to theft… from devotion to disillusionment… from serving to suicide.  And like all falls from position and privilege, it did not happen all at once. It happened gradually over a three year period. The story of Judas reminds us of the cardinal spiritual principle: “No person falls suddenly.”  Every “fall from grace” is slow, gradual and almost imperceptible. It does not happen all of a sudden. It is the result of a thousand small compromises and concessions to the “world, the flesh and the devil.”  And in the process, we too “sell out” the Lord Jesus for a pitiful handful of the world’s silver and gold!

Truly, the story of Judas is a somber reminder of the deceit and deception that lurks in each of our hearts!  There but for the grace of God go each of us!  Each Lenten Season it is indeed a sobering experience to honestly contemplate where you have compromised your commitment to Christ and “sold out” for a little financial advancement.  Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver.  It was blood money.  We all have some sell-out point.  What’s yours?  How much of the world’s “silver and gold” have you gained this past year at the expense of your relationship with the Lord Jesus?  How have you advanced at someone else’s expense?  Whose blood is on your profit?  It is a sobering though!