Betrayal Matthew21:1-11
1. Betrayal has been a part of our History
• While the Continental Congress were gathered in Philadelphia, July 4, 1776. In Independence Hall. The Declaration of Independence is adopted, and in so doing, the 13 American colonies sever their political connections to Great Britain, an act that Britain considers the ultimate betrayal. To put it bluntly, it is treason.
• Benedict Arnold betrayed America he betrayed his fellow Americans giving up the city West Point fortress in NY for 10000 pounds
• Benjamin Franklin realized the enormity of the possibility of treason he Putt aside his quill, he said to the assembly, “We must all hang together or, assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”
• He didn’t hang, but very soon thereafter, a 21-year-old kid did. His name was Nathan Hale, and his last words reportedly were: “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” He was hanged by the British in New York City
• George Washington also executed officers of the Continental Army for being traitors — David Farnsworth, who was caught producing counterfeit money, creating a threat to the economy. Or Moses Dunbar, a loyalist executed for attempting to recruit for the British Army.
2. This crowd today will be the crowd that will betray Jesus
• Not this crowd surely, Disciples 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road,
• while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "HosannaB to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!""HosannaD in the highest!"
3. During Holy Week will be a week of Betrayals let’s begin with Judas Munday Thursday
• His very name is forever associated with treachery and betrayal.
• We know how he betrayed Jesus with a kiss
• There are even names associated with this name the Judas kiss is
• There is the Judas tree is the name given to the alder tree from which he hung himself
• A Judas hole is a small opening in a door through which a person can spy without be see
• Jesus once said, “‘Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.’ He spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him” (John 6:70-71). Judus betrays Jesus with a kiss
4. Remember Peter he to betrayed Jesus the one in the inner circle.
• Yet while Judas committed suicide, Peter would recover from his betrayal, and become a passionate preacher in the early days of the church.
• WE may call Peter Pentecost Peter because of his powerful influence on the day of Pentecost
• Peter’s betrayal took place on the dark night while Jesus was standing before Annas the High Priest, and Caiaphas, also a high priest.
• Peter was watching from a distance the interrogation He remembered what the Lord had said to him only hours earlier: “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” Peter had vehemently protested: “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you” (26:34-35). Peters faith was now being tested
• One lady said to him said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” Peter said, “I don’t know what you are talking about” (26:69-70). He got up from the fire and moved out to the “porch.”
5. Then Pilate Betrayed Jesus to
• Pilate’s could have put an end to the proceedings
• He loved his job, and he betrayed Jesus to keep his career and professional opportunities viable.
• The Bible says that “when Pilate saw that he could do nothing,” he literally washed his hands. Pilate said “I am innocent of this man’s blood” (27:24).
6. Do we betray Jesus today
• We betray Jesus by not standing every virtue, value, teaching and truth Jesus stood for.
• We betray Jesus by keep our faith in a closet?
• We betray by hide our light under a basket? Have we reached out to our neighbors about Jesus
• We may betray Jesus by the language we use at home and at work reflect a relationship with Jesus?
• We betray Jesus degrading and belittling of others? Do we bicker and gossip?
• Recall the words said by the girl talking to Peter “You also were with Jesus the Galilean” … so why are you here by the fire pretending you don’t know him? (26:69).
• Is betrayal in our blood? As we begin our observance of Holy Week, let us pray that in our daily lives, we will remain faithful and true witnesses of our resurrected Lord.
