The Traitor’s Kiss Matthew 26: 47 - 56 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man, arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.” (26:48-50a)

Overview Topic Verses The crowd attacks Jesus v. 47 Judas betrayed Him with a kiss vv. 48 – 50a Peter presumptuously tried to defend Him with a sword vv. 50b - 53 The fulfillment of prophecy v. 54 The defection of the disciples vv. 55 – 56

The Attach of the Crowd (v. 47) While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. (Matt. 26:47) “While Jesus was still speaking” Admonishing the sleeping disciples to stay spiritually vigilant “Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived” “One of the Twelve” All four gospels speak of Judas as one of the Twelve No overt hatred or disdain “One of the Twelve” heightens the nature of his crime “With him was a large crowd” – the crowd included Officers of the Temple (Luke 22:52) – armed with clubs Roman soldiers (John 18:3) – armed with swords Some of the chief priests and elders (Luke 22:52)

The Kiss of the Traitor (vv. 48-50a) Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man, arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.” (Matt. 26:48-50a) Judas was looking for a good opportunity to betray Him apart from the multitude (Luke 22:6) Garden of Gethsemane was ideal - late at night and remote “The one I kiss is the man, arrest him” Embrace and kiss on the cheek was the sign of close affection and love Reserved for close, intimate relationships Judas’ signal perverted the “kiss” hypocritically and treacherously “Friend, do what you came for” Not the usual word for friend – phileo Used the word hetairos – means “fellow”, “comrade”, or “companion”

The Kiss of the Traitor (vv. 48-50a) Judas’ attitude toward Jesus is characteristic of every false believer A false Christian is first of all motivated by self-interest A false Christian is marked by deceit and hypocrisy Masquerades in the guise of devotion to Christ, His word, and His church Pays homage to Christ on the outside Hates Christ on the inside Like Judas, outward signs of affection for the Lord cover a heart that despises Him

The Presumption of Peter (vv. 50b-53) Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matt. 26:50b-53) Peter acted in his normal impulsive and volatile manner “Reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.” Jesus made it clear His kingdom is not advanced by physical warfare His kingdom is not of this world Jesus gave Peter two reasons why the use of physical weapons cannot be used to defend or extent His kingdom “All who draw the sword will die by the sword” Jesus doesn’t need the puny help of one sword 12 legions of angels = 72,000 angels

The Fulfillment of Prophecy (v.54) “But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matt. 26:54) For Peter to violently oppose Jesus’ arrest was to also oppose God’s prophesied plan for redemption Jesus reminded Peter “it must happen in this way” On at least three occasions Jesus told the disciples that He must suffer, die, and be raised from the dead Peter missed the point of what Jesus was saying and doing, because Peter: Boasted too loudly Prayed too little Slept too much Acted too fast

The Defection of the Disciples (vv. 55-56) At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. (Matt. 26:55-56) With an overtone of sarcasm, Jesus asked why the crowd needed swords and clubs to arrest Him Reminded the crowd what he had just reminded Peter – “This has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Disciples were afraid they would be arrested as accomplices, so all the disciples deserted him and fled When the shepherd was struck the sheep scattered (Matt. 26:31)

Conclusion Common characteristics of defective disciples They were unprepared They were impulsive They were impatient They were carnal All His disciples deserted Him, and one betrayed Him, yet the divine work of redemption continued to be fulfilled on schedule according to God’s plan Jesus demonstrated His perfect faithfulness in face of their utter faithlessness They demonstrated absence of trust in the Son The Son demonstrated absolute trust in His Father