LifeWay Bible Studies for Life Series for October 18: The hero betrayed

The disciples had just experienced with Jesus the momentous event of the establishment of the Lord’s Supper. They had heard his promise to give his body and his blood for them. They had assured him of their sincerity. They sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. These events and experiences should have been a high moment. Yet it was at this time that the Lord predicted they would all fall away or turn away from him.

Through the next few hours, the disciples would show by their actions the accuracy of the Master’s predictions. Jesus would be abandoned by denial (Peter), indifference (Peter, James and John), betrayal (Judas) and flight (the Twelve and the young man). The disciples’ failures indicate that Christians in every time and place should beware of spiritual overconfidence, remain alert at all times and stand firm in dangerous situations.

Beware of spiritual overconfidence (Mark 14:27-31)

Jesus’ statement of the coming betrayal by the disciples sounds abrupt. “You will all fall away.” The word, scandalizõ, probably carried the idea of temporary loss of courage. Jesus reinforced his prediction by quoting Zechariah 13:7, indicating the scattering of the followers. He also may have called attention to the entire passage in Zechariah that promised a cleansing from sin and reform of religious institutions. Jesus in his death would accomplish all this. The Lord promised to “go ahead” of them to Galilee. He probably meant he would lead them rather than simply precede them.

Ever the outspoken, Peter revealed his overconfidence. Even if all the others should fall away, he would not. With great emphasis, Peter insisted that even if he had to die with Jesus he would never deny him. Interestingly, all the others chimed in with the same overconfident assertion.

The Lord stated to Peter that before the rooster crowed twice, he would deny the Lord three times. Jesus was probably speaking of an actual fowl. He could have simply used an oft-repeated phrase to mean early in the morning. He also might have meant the bugle call that signaled the changing of the Roman guard between the third and fourth watch.

The teaching warns against spiritual overconfidence. Believers should recognize the possibility of falling into sin. The falling of the inner circle of Jesus’ followers is a warning to all believers to recognize the dangers of falling away if only for a short time. Christians should not willingly place themselves in the face of temptations. This lesson teaches believers to beware of spiritual overconfidence.

Remain alert at all times (Mark 14:32-34, 37-38)

Jesus led the disciples toward Gethsemane, which is a translation of two Hebrew words that meant “oil press.” Obviously this was a place, probably on the Mount of Olives, where either there was an oil press or had been one. The place would be across the Kidron Valley and opposite the temple.  

Leaving the group with instructions to sit and pray, Jesus took Peter, James and John into the garden. The Master revealed his deep distress and trouble. He was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. These feelings of Jesus stemmed not from a fear of death but from his realization that the cross would take him to the place of being forsaken by the Father. He would feel the full weight of the sins of the world.

To the three disciples, the Master left a further instruction: “Stay here, and keep watch.” This instruction did not mean to watch for the betrayer or the soldiers. The word meant be spiritually alert.

Jesus taught and teaches the necessity of remaining spiritually alert at all times. Satan’s efforts are never ending; threats come with terrifying regularity; temptations arise without warning and continue without lessening. The disciples failed because they fell asleep. Believers today must realize that discipleship demands remaining spiritually alert at all times.

Stand firm in dangerous situations (Mark 14:43, 48-50)

The sleeping disciples were resting during the momentous events of Jesus’ arrest and subsequent crucifixion. Finding them asleep for a third time, Jesus pointed out the coming betrayal. Judas led the contingent, sent by the Jewish leaders, who had come with swords and clubs. Judas pointed out the Master with the arranged signal.

The text literally has Jesus asking if they had come against him as a “thief.” The meaning is captured well by the NIV as the idea was not a common criminal but a revolutionary. Jesus reminded the arresting group that he had been teaching publicly every day in Jerusalem and they had not arrested him. He indicated he would be arrested as taught in Scriptures. Jesus might have been alluding to Isaiah 53:12 or Zechariah 13:7 but more likely meant the general teaching of Scriptures.

Verse 50 speaks of one of the great failures of history. Everyone, including the Twelve and the crowds that had protected him, left Jesus alone. Everyone deserted him and fled. The young man mentioned in verse 51 might well have been Mark himself. Jesus stood alone.

The event was perilous with the cross waiting. The disciples failed and fled. Believers today must recognize the need for true followers of Jesus to stand firm in the face of dangerous and perilous situations. No danger is so great that believers should betray the Master and his cause. We should stand firm for Jesus, his cause, and his teaching regardless of what danger such stands might involve.