The Passion of the Christ II

In this part, we shall be looking at the events that happened during the betrayal and exploring the spiritual implications and lessons.

The Betrayal

Mathew 26:47-58, John 18:3-12, Luke 22:47-54, Mark 14:43-54

What are the key happenings at this event?

1. Judas one of His closest associate led the arrest (betraying Christ)

Jesus suffers betrayal from a man that keeps his finance. Judas as the treasurer knows Jesus inside out. He knows who give him money, he knows what he buys, his offering, his goodwill to people, what he gives his family etc. Who could be closer to Jesus more than Judas? Why Judas?

Mathew 10:26 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

Jesus was a victim of a household enemy. Who will not be?

Application: As Christian's, we must be wary of household enemies. They know so much about you that when the adversary the devil wants to come for you, they are the first point of call. They know where to get you, they know when you relax, how you eat, when you play, when you sleep etc.

2. Jesus was only arrested because he submitted himself to be arrested

According to the account of the epistle of John, those that came to arrest Jesus fell as they tried to get close to him. This shows us that the power of Jesus remains potent he only allows them to arrest him to align with God's will.

Application: It is not every time you fight or demonstrate your power or potential. There is a time to allow things to be only to submit to the will of God.

3. Jesus healed Malchus whose ear was cut off by Peter. John 18:10-11, Luke 22:49-51

Malchus was the servant of the high priest that came with soldiers to arrest Jesus. His encounter with Jesus was such that he would never forget it. A man who lead men to arrest Jesus and yet Jesus still showed him love by healing his ear. Imagine what will happen if Malchus ear was not healed and he left that scene without an ear, what will be his conclusion about the followers of Jesus? With what Jesus did to him what do you think will be his conclusion about Jesus? Am sure he would have surrendered to Jesus after that encounter. Every time he touches the ear he would always recall the encounter.

Application: Malchus symbolizes the many unbelievers who, in their attempt to either come to Christ or ridicule Him, get hurt by careless Christians who don't know the love of God yet. Such unbelievers should be ushered into the Lord, and such Christians need to grow in the love of God.

4. Peter followed him from afar.

Peter was among the inner circle of Jesus. He was a man of strong passion but he failed Jesus after His arrest since he was following from afar Luke 22:55, Mathew 26:58. Following from afar means not identifying with Jesus. If he had followed him closely they would have identified him with Jesus and probably won't have done anything to him. This was confirmed in the book of John 18:15-16 "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. 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"

From this scripture, we saw that there was another disciple who identified with Jesus and was known of the servant of the high priest and nothing was done to him.

Application: Peter exposed himself to sin- denial, by following from afar. When you follow God from afar you expose yourself to SIN. When you identify with Jesus some temptation will automatically not come to you. Some people will normally not come to you either because they know what you stand for. Identify with Jesus today!