Sermon Notes,
April 7, 2019 AM
Judas or Jesus
Steve W. Reeves
stevewreevessermons.blogspot.com
INTRODUCTION:
A.
C.S. Lewis wrote that there are two types of people in this world.1. There are those who say to God, “Not my will, but thy will be done.”
2. There are those who say to God, “Not thy will, but mine be done.”
B. Luke 22 provides a dramatic description of two men who personify these two
perspectives.
1. One man is known for His selfish spirit. The other for his sinister scheme.
2. One man is known for His care and compassion. The other for his cruelty and
corruption.
3. One man is known for His faithfulness. The other is known for his foolishness.
4. One man is remembered for His love and loyalty. The other is remembered
for his brutality and betrayal.
5. One man is revered for His sacrifice. The other is reviled for his selfishness.
C. The two men featured in the first half of Luke 22 are Jesus and Judas. It is important
to notice the contrasts between the Lord and the man who betrayed Him.
I. THE SELFISHNESS OFJUDAS
A. How many men or boys have you known named “Judas?” You have known “John,”
“Matthew,” “Luke,” “Paul,” or “Stephen,” but you have never known anyone named
“Judas” because of the scandal associated with this name.
B. Luke’s account of Judas is found in Luke 22:3-6, “And Satan entered into Judas
who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. 4 And he went
away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to
them. 5 They were glad and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented, and
began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd.”
1. The Jewish religion of Jesus’ day was comprised of several different groups.
a. The Sadducee’s were the religious liberals of their day. They denied any type
of resurrection and did not believe in angels.
b. The Pharisees were more conservative group. They insisted on strict
adherence to the law and traditions.
c. These two groups (and others) did not agree on everything. However,
on this occasion there was almost unanimous agreement that they wanted
to kill Jesus because they were jealous of His power and popularity.
2. On this particular week when Jesus had come into Jerusalem with great crowds
bowing before Him, laying palm branches before Him and shouting, “Hosanna,”
the jealousy of these men increased. On Tuesday Jesus had gone into the
temple and chased out the money changers telling them that they had made His
house a “den of thieves.” With each day Jesus gained greater notoriety and
these religious leaders grew in their scorn of Him.
3. The problem for the religious leaders was that any attempt to arrest Jesus
publicly would have incited a riot among the people.
a. There was already tension between the Jews and the Romans (See Luke
13:1-2).
b. There had recently been an insurrection against the Romans led by a man
named Barabbas.
c. For a riot to break out prior to Passover would have certainly brought swift
retribution from the Roman guard.
4. Luke wrote, “Satan entered Judas.” Satan was looking for the right time, the
right place and the right man. He found all three in Judas. Satan did not usurp
Judas’ free will. When Judas, cracked open the door Satan ran right in.
5. Matthew records (Matthew 26:14-15) that Judas went to the chief priests and
asked them how much they would give him if he handed Jesus over to them The
price they agreed on was thirty pieces of silver, the common price for a slave.
C. For a greater perspective of Judas notice John 6:63-71, “It is the Spirit who gives
life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are
life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the
beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray
Him. 65 And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can
come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” 66 As a result of this
many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67 So
Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” 68 Simon
Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.
69 We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”
70 Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of
you is a devil?” 71 Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of
the twelve, was going to betray Him.”
1. Pay close attention to verse 70. Jesus said, “Did I Myself not choose you, the
twelve, and yet one of you is a devil (demon).”
2. Why did Jesus choose Judas? Did He make a mistake? Was He a bad judge of
character?
D. Think about the dark betrayal night when Jesus went into the garden of
Gethsemane to pray. In anguish He prayed, “Let this cup pass from me. Not my
will but your will be done.” His sweat was like great drops of blood on the ground.
Suddenly the quiet of the evening was interrupted by the sounds of rattling chains,
clanking armor and subdued voices. A group of soldiers appeared along with a
group of the chief priests and elders. A man stepped out of the crowd toward
Jesus. Who was it? He said, “Greetings Rabbi,” and then kissed Jesus on the
cheek. It was a kiss of treachery, It was Judas.
E. Do you know what scares me about Judas? None of the other disciples
knew what he was really like. At the last supper when Jesus said, “One of you will
betray me,” none of them pointed a finger at Judas. They said, “Is it I?” Consider
these facts about Judas.
1. Judas had the right association. For three years he had been traveling with
Jesus and the other disciples.
2. Judas had the right reputation. What was his role among the disciples? He had
been appointed the treasurer. Who do you trust to take care of the money?
You want someone who has a reputation for integrity.
3. Judas had the right participation. He was participating with the other disciples
when Jesus fed the 5000. He was working among the crowds as Jesus healed
people. From his participation you would never have known there was anything
different about Judas.
4. Look at what Jesus said in John 6:64, “There are some here who do not believe.”
Jesus knew what Judas was like. He knows you. You may have your name on
the church role, sit in a pew on Sunday morning, partake of the Lord’s Supper,
give of your means and go through all of the motions of religion but Jesus
knows those who truly trust in Him.
F. Judas was the vilest, most evil man who ever lived. He was the most selfish and
self-serving person to walk under the sun. He had the most calloused
heart and corrupt mind.
II. THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS
A. In stark contrast to Judas we see Jesus as He prepared to lay down His life for
sinful humanity.
B. Notice Luke’s account of the Passover.
1. Jesus sent Peter and John into Jerusalem to find a man carrying a pitcher of
water (verse7). A man carrying a pitcher would have been unusual. This was
usually done by women. Luke is the only Gospel writer to identify the two
disciples sent by Jesus. Peter and John followed the man to a house and asked
see the upper room, where they prepared for the Passover meal.
2. Luke’s account of the supper is also unique in that he records Jesus beginning
the supper with the cup, then partaking of bread followed by another cup.
(Note: Though it is not our purpose in this message to explore this difference it
should be noted that Luke’s gospel was written much later than Matthew or
Mark and his source material included details not found in the earlier Gospels of
Matthew and Mark).
C. The vivid contrast between Judas and Jesus can be seen in verse 19 where
Jesus said, “This is My body which is given for you.”
1. The pure, sinless, selfless Son of God, clothed in human flesh, was willing to
give His body for you.
2. He was willing for His body to be beaten and brutalized by the temple guards
and Roman soldiers. He was willing to give His body to be scourged by the
Roman whip. He was willing for His body to be exchanged for a convicted
criminal and to be shamefully hung on the cross.
3. Judas, on the other hand was unwilling to give anything. He was only interested
in what he could receive.
D. In verses 20-21 Jesus said, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new
covenant in My blood. 21 But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine
on the table.”
1. Think of the two hands on that table. One was the hand of the sinless Son of
God. The other was the hand of a selfish, sinister, snake.
2. One was the hand that would soon be nailed to a cross. The other was a hand
that would take its own life out of guilt and remorse.
3. One was the hand of hope. The other was a hand of despair.
III. THE SENTENCE OF JUDGMENT
A. The story of Judas and Jesus did not end on that dark betrayal night. Let’s “fast-
forward” to Acts 1 to compare their eternal outcome.
B, The book of Acts was also written by Luke. Here is what he wrote about Jesus
following the crucifixion, resurrection and appearance to the disciples. “He was
lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two
men in white clothing stood beside them.11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do
you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into
heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven”
(Acts 1:9-11).
C. What happened to Judas?
1. After he betrayed Jesus and handed him over for trial Judas became remorseful.
He tried to give the money back but the priests would not take it. Finally, the
hands that had dined with Jesus tied a rope into a hangman’s noose and slipped
it around his neck. Judas hung himself.
2. His dead body hung from that tree and became prey for the buzzards. Finally,
according to Acts1:18, “and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all
his intestines gushed out.”
CONCLUSION:
A. My precious friend, you have a decision to make. Will you be like Judas of Jesus?
1. Will you serve your selfish desires or will you serve God?
2. Will you lay up treasure in this life or in eternity?
3. Will you betray God or trust Him?
B. What will your answer be? We invite you to come to Christ today.
