The Good News According to Luke: Chapter 22
Pastor Rollan Fisher
Focus: We must allow the Holy Spirit to reveal what devotions we hold as of greater worth than Christ that our betrayals might turn into redemption.
Betrayal
Sifting
Redemption
Betrayal
When our desire for earthly gain outweighs our eternal reward, the end result is betraying our first love.
Luke 22:1-6 ESV
“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.”
What was significant about Judas’ betrayal is that he was one of Jesus’ chosen, inner circle.
This should give all of us both pause and a sense of sobriety because if this turning of the heart could happen to one who walked with Jesus, saw his miracles and heard his teaching in the flesh, why would we be exempt from such potential failure?
It said that Satan entered Judas’ heart - playing on Judas’ lack of developed conviction in Christ’s unfolding plan of judgment and redemption - emboldening the compromise which left room for his downfall.
How convinced are you regarding the claims of Jesus?
If you are shaky at any point, it is literally a matter of life and death that you do your homework and sure up your Biblical convictions.
We are here to help.
*Remember, a person turning away from God never happens all at once - it is the result of daily, seemingly inconsequential decisions without immediate consequence that deceive one into thinking that retribution will never come (John 12:6).
“Jesus warns people far more often about greed than about sex, yet almost no one thinks they are guilty of it. Therefore we should all begin with a working hypothesis that “this could easily be a problem for me.” If greed hides itself so deeply, no one should be confident that it is not a problem for them.”
― Timothy J. Keller, Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters
Where is our help?
Luke 22:7-23
Passover and communion are examples of the importance of celebrating the regular rhythms that God has instituted for worship which act as means of grace by which people actively in search of the Holy Spirit’s pruning might not only be refined, but grow, as God works powerfully in their lives.
Notice Biblically that these, as well as other God-ordained remembrances, are meant to be celebrated corporately, in the gathering with other believers during moments of worship.
"I don't have to go to church to be a Christian" and they are right. Salvation is through faith alone in Christ alone. You also don't have to go home to be married-but stay away long enough, and your relationship will be affected."
~ Tony Evans #churchmatters
Well if Judas was participating in all of these things, what could have prevented his destructive end?
TRUE BIBLICAL FELLOWSHIP
The prerequisites for such a productive shared life:
Openness - don’t be a closed book as to what is really going on in your life - seek others out.
Honesty - don’t present people with your IG life.
Humility - be open to the Biblical exhortation and consistent accountability that will produce real change.
Again, coming together for church, not just a social gathering, has benefits for your spiritual development as you proactively engage with other Christ-followers who you can look in the eye, encourage you and pray for you as you strive towards the goal of mutual sanctification and Kingdom mission.
Sifting
We must understand the nature of our spiritual battle if we are to remain devoted to and fulfill the mission of Christ.
Luke 22:24-38 ESV
“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.””
The root of the spiritual battle that we face is the preservation of self, otherwise known as selfish ambition (Galatians 5) or selfishness.
*If self is the focus, you will always find yourself falling.
Jesus says service to others is the pathway to greatness in the Kingdom.
The disciples missed this and thought their glory would be found in the things that the world enjoys, rather than what God esteems.
We have already rightly bemoaned Judas, but now see that Satan turns to Peter in Jesus’ band of merry men to continue an attempt to bring destruction to all that Christ has built over the last three and a half years of ministry.
“Unfortunately, most Christians do not understand the battle they are fighting, the enemy that they face, or the means God has provided to overcome the temptations and deception of this present world system.”
― Chip Ingram, True Spirituality: Becoming a Romans 12 Christian
Satan asked to sift Peter and God allowed it to ensure that Peter would become the man that he needed to be.
Peter needed to learn the limits of self reliance and the utter dependence that he would need to have on being filled with the person and power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s will (Acts 2).
The good news is that God knows our failures - past, present and future - yet still chooses to redeem us through his substitutionary work on the cross.
Redemption
Christ comes to redeem our betrayals as we turn to him in repentance and faith.
Luke 22:39-53 ESV
“And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.””
*Have no doubt about it - the battle is over your relationship with God and your call by which you will or will not advance his Kingdom and glorify Christ with your life.
It was the battle for Jesus in Gethsemane determining whether he would go to the cross to die for the sins of the world that we might be reconciled to God - forgiven through repentance and faith in Christ’s atoning work.
It would be the battle for Peter as he stood warming himself before the fire determining whether he would live in his own comforts or identify with the name, purpose and sufferings of Jesus.
Last Sunday, we just recognized the annual Oscars moment and I could not help but have the Manchurian candidate come to mind.
What is the programming or ticking time-bomb within you that needs to be diffused that you might not detonate your walk with and call in God?
How did Jesus overcome his course-altering struggles?
By continually praying in submission to the Father, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
Luke 22:54-71 ESV
“Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him. When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.””
It seemed like Peter was doing well, in his own strength.
Times of testing his reputation, personal safety and comforts challenged Peter’s devotion to Christ and his cross.
How, where and when has Christ asked you to carry your cross?
How has your devotion to and association with Christ cost you?
There are internal power struggles in each of our hearts that we can feel every day.
Even at Jesus' trial, he is making it clear that at the end of the day, he will have no place in our lives except the one of leadership, authority and power.
We must settle this before the judgment.
The good news is that if you’ve dealt with betrayals in your life, there is a God who understands, can heal your heart and make you whole again.
The good news is that where Peter failed to carry his cross, Jesus in his grace carried it for him and his sins.
*After Christ’s resurrection from the dead, he would return to restore Peter to a place of devotion - meeting Peter where he was but demanding that Peter prove his love for Jesus by living for someone beyond himself (John 21).
““You can’t lose when you turn to God.”
-John Piper
What happens when we do?
We receive not only the forgiveness of our sins, but the power and baptism of the Holy Spirit do God’s will.
Let’s turn in repentance from our daily betrayals today, to be filled with the power of God to walk in his full redemption and mission.
Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher