Gethsemane

Betrayal

Matthew 26:14-25 TPT
[14] One of the twelve apostles, Judas the locksmith, went to the leading priests [15] and said, “How much are you willing to pay me to betray Jesus into your hands?” They agreed to pay him thirty silver coins. [16] Immediately Judas began to scheme and look for an opportunity to betray him. [17] On the first day of Passover, the day when any bread made with yeast was removed from every Jewish home, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where should we prepare the Passover meal for you?” [18] He answered them, “My heart longs with great desire to eat this Passover meal with you. Go into Jerusalem and you will encounter a man. Tell him that the teacher says, ‘My appointed time is near. I am coming to your home to eat the Passover meal with my disciples.'” [19] The disciples did as Jesus had instructed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. [20] When evening came he took his place at the table and dined with the Twelve. [21] While they were eating, Jesus spoke up and said, “One of you is about to betray me.” [22] Feeling deeply hurt by these words, one after another asked him, “You don’t mean me, do you?” [23] He answered, “It is one who has shared meals with me as an intimate friend. [24] All that was prophesied of me will take place, but how miserable it will be for the one who betrays the Son of Man. It would be far better for him if he had never been born!” [25] Then finally, Judas the traitor spoke up and asked him, “Teacher, perhaps it is I?” Jesus answered, “You said it.”

Seven lessons learned from Judas

1.  Judas refused to change. Judas saw absolute miracles, over and over and over, and yet it was not enough to achieve Judas’ complete devotion and loyalty. He started out a devil and he finished a devil. Even after everything he saw and experienced, he was not convinced. He still was not transformed. Christianity is not about a better you; it’s about complete transformation. It is about change. It’s not enough to go to church and hear the word. It’s about allowing the Lord to change you.
2. Judas wanted to give Jesus something but not everything.

   Judas got upset with the woman with the alabaster box because she gave her everything. Too many want enough of Jesus to go to heaven but not give their whole life. Do you give your whole heart in worship? Do you give your whole heart in helping others? Do you read your Bible or simply have a Bible? Judas called worship a waste. When she began to pour out that expensive perfume, she gave her most precious possession, but Judas saw it as wasteful. What Mary called worship Judas called waste. Too many do not worship in spirit OR truth—they just endure the worship time rather than giving their all in worship. We get loud at a sporting event but not at church. Give your all in worship.

3. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, but He loved Judas equally anyway. Jesus could have thrown Judas under the bus but He didn’t. He just kept giving grace, over and over and over.
4. Judas knew about Jesus but He didn’t KNOW Jesus. When is the last time you spent intimate time with Jesus? Judas said “Master is it I?” but He didn’t say, “Lord is it I?” There is a difference.
5. Judas was impatient with God’s timing. He had incorrect timing. We cannot give God deadlines and insist on our will and in our timing. God does things in His timing and not yours.

   When we get impatient, we can miss the Lord’s perfect will.
   It’s not about YOUR timing, it’s about HIS timing.

6. If you ever get your hands on Jesus, don’t let go. Hold Him fast. Don’t loosen your grip on Jesus, EVER! Once you take hold of Jesus, don’t let go. Don’t let go of your joy, your freedom, your purity, your hope.
7. If you don’t finish your assignment, somebody else will. God can raise someone else up to take your place if you give up or walk away from what God has told you to do. Not long after Judas committed suicide, the disciples cast lots and selected another whose name was Mathias. God doesn’t have to have you. He can replace you in a moment. God doesn’t have to have me; I have to have Him. Let no man take your crown.

Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36-46 TPT
[36] Then Jesus led his disciples to an orchard called “The Oil Press.” He told them, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” [37] He took Peter, Jacob, and John with him. However, an intense feeling of great sorrow plunged his soul into deep sorrow and agony. [38] And he said to them, “My heart is overwhelmed and crushed with grief. It feels as though I’m dying. Stay here and keep watch with me.” [39] Then he walked a short distance away, and overcome with grief, he threw himself facedown on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if there is any way you can deliver me from this suffering, please take it from me. Yet what I want is not important, for I only desire to fulfill your plan for me.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to strengthen him. [40] Later, he came back to his three disciples and found them all sound asleep. He awakened Peter and said to him, “Do you lack the strength to stay awake with me for even just an hour? [41] Keep alert and pray that you’ll be spared from this time of testing. You should have learned by now that your spirit is eager enough, but your humanity is weak.” [42] Then he left them for a second time to pray in solitude. He said to God, “My Father, if there is not a way that you can deliver me from this suffering, then your will must be done.” [43] He came back to the disciples and found them sound asleep, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. [44] So he left them and went away to pray the same prayer for the third time. [45] When he returned again to his disciples, he awoke them, saying, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Don’t you know the hour has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to the authority of sinful men? [46] Get up and let’s go, for the betrayer has arrived.”