Betraying the Son of Man
Luke 22:47-62
No treachery is worse than betrayal by a family member or friend. Julius Caesar knew such treachery. Among the conspirators who assassinated him was Marcus Junius Brutus. Caesar not only trusted Brutus, but he had also actually favored him as a son. Roman historians tell us that, at first, Caesar resisted the onslaught of the assassins. But when he saw Brutus among them with a dagger in his hand, Caesar stopped struggling and, pulling the top part of his robe over his face, he asked the famous question, “Even you, Brutus?”
Shakespeare’s well-known line is still used today to express shock at the betrayal by a friend. If you’ve ever experienced that kind of betrayal, it is heartbreaking. The one you thought loved and supported you, turns on you in your time of greatest need. Sometimes we’re deceived into thinking we’re the only ones who’ve ever experienced this kind of trauma. But it’s not true.
In Luke chapter 22, we come to the scenes of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest. He has just concluded His agonized wrestling with drinking the cup of God’s wrath against our sin. It has been a physically, spiritually, and emotionally draining experience, but He is committed to doing His Father’s will. What happens next, though not unexpected must have hurt very deeply.
Let’s read about those events in Luke 22, verses 47 to 62.
This text reveals to us several VARIATIONS on the theme of “Betraying the Son of Man.” Sadly, we will see ourselves in these variations.
The First VARIATION (on betraying the Son of Man) is
Insincere Affection
Our text tells us that Judas enters the garden and draws near to where Jesus and the eleven disciples are gathered. He is at the head of a large group of people. Jesus is still urging the disciples to pray against temptation even as Judas arrives. Notice, the text specifically mentions Judas as one of the Twelve. Luke also points this out in verse 3 of this chapter. The double reference emphasizes the horror of this act; first, it marks Judas’ intention to betray Jesus, and now it marks the act being carried out.
Judas had a prearranged signal between him and the authorities. He began to kiss Jesus; not just once on each cheek like the typical eastern greeting, but to kiss Him profusely. Most likely, Judas wanted no mistakes about who was the target of this arrest.
But Jesus confronts Judas; “…with a kiss do you betray?” The very act of love, friendship, and mutual trust is turned into treachery by Judas. It seems Jesus is making one last appeal to Judas’ conscience; but sadly, his conscience is seared beyond feeling. His disillusionment and greed have turned his heart to stone.
Judas’ betrayal of Jesus was a very open act. It signified a conscious choice he made at some point; at least by the time he agreed with the religious leaders and received the payment for his services. Although we don’t know all the events that brought Judas to this point of action, he was certainly conscious of the insincere affection he now lavished on Jesus.
But what about you and me; are we ever guilty of betraying Jesus through insincere affection? Most of us would quickly deny betraying Him. I know – He’s not here physically, but what about those who are part of His body, the church? If you injure my body, you injure me, right? Have we ever offered someone a handshake and a smile while inside we detested them, and couldn’t wait to share their failures with someone?
What about First John 4:20 and 21? “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can...
