Dato’ Dr Kim Tan, 23/07/2011
This is the 14th installment of the Study in John’s Gospel series. The sermon tomorrow is on the second betrayal but it will still be considered as #14.
Joh 18:1-27 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it. (2) Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. (3) So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. (4) Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" (5) Jesus of Nazareth, they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) (6) When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. (7) Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." (8) I told you that I am he, Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." (9) This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me." (10) Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) (11) Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" (12) Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him (13) and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. (14) Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people. (15) Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, (16) but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. (17) You are not one of his disciples, are you? the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." (18) It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. (19) Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. (20) I have spoken openly to the world, Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. (21) Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." (22) When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. (23) If I said something wrong, Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" (24) Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. (25) As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not." (26) One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?" (27) Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
The book of John is a great witness of the life of Jesus. The first 7 chapters recorded his 3 ½ years of ministry and the other 2/3 of the book is about the last 6 months of his life. Half of the book deals with the last 7 days of Jesus’ life. Mark set the scene of Jesus’ last days with the anointing in Bethany. The authority wanted to arrest Jesus without causing a riot. It was Passover, Jesuralem was full of Jews.
They planned to do it at night and they needed an insider to identify him. Judas Iscariot was the one. A group of soldiers believed to be 600 went to arrest this peaceful and non-violent man.
Jesus had his last meal, a Pat assover meal in somebody’s house. He then led his disciples to the Kidron Valley. John’s Gospel is a book about 7 witnesses, 7 miracles and 7 sayings (“I am” sayings.) When Moses asked God his name at the burning bush, God told him “I am.” When Jesus told the soldiers “I am”, the solders fell down. The majesty of Jesus was demonstrated even during the time the soldiers came to arrest him.
Peter has a hidden sword. Jesus seems to like people who worked with their hands and not their brain. Peter drew his sword and cut off the right ear of a servant. It is interesting that John mentioned his name. He probably became a Christian later. Having his ear cut off and restored had a great impact on him.
Jesus told Peter to put his sword away. Justice and righteousness will not come by the sword or through violence. Jesus said that the Kingdom of God will come through peace.
Judas’ betrayal should send a shiver down our spine. We should examine what kind of a Christian we are. Dr. Kim said he is a failed again Christian. A Christian is not someone who is perfect and know-it-all. A Christian is someone who realizes he is not perfect and needs Christ to make him better. Dr. Kim acknowledges that he is a failed Christian, a traitor and a hypocrite. He recognizes he needed Jesus to help him change day by day.
Judas followed Jesus, knew his teachings and was made the treasurer. Nothing is more painful that to be betrayed by a friend. To be betrayed by someone by the Jesus’ inner circles is particularly hurtful.
What led Jesus to fail and to betray Jesus? Dr. Kim offered 3 reasons.
Greed
We read that Judas accepted the price of 30 silver pieces for a big betrayal. 30 silver pieces was the price of a slave. It was not a lot. That’s the price Judas asked to identify Jesus. The love of money is a dangerous thing, it can blind us from loyalty, honesty and integrity. We don’t have to look very far. How can a person who is elected by the people leave the party for money? Judas was a treasurer but he was also a thief. He used to help himself to the money in the purse.
“Never lend a book to a Christian, you will never get it back.” ~ Dato Dr. Kim Tan
Ambition
While Judas was made a disciple, he was not a part of the inner circle. Beware of those within the organization / church that are over ambitious. We see this between Tony Blair and his finance ministry Gordon Brown. Brown was too eager to backstab Blair. He didn’t last very long as a PM himself. The original Greek word for ambition means canvassing for votes and vying for popularity. Beware those who are using the organization for his own interest.
Disillusioned
Judas is a Zealot. The zealots were the Taliban of that day. They were the violent revolutionary. They were the true patriots who wanted to get rid of the Roman soldiers to they can be freed of foreign control. The zealots wanted to bring on change via violence. Jesus wanted to bring changes (via a new kingdom) in a peaceful manner. Towards the end, Judas might have become disillusioned. Jesus began talking about his own death 6 months before he was crucified. Judas must have found that it didn’t make sense. He didn’t want his leader to be caught and put to death. Perhaps this was Judas’ attempt to force Jesus to use his power to defend himself.
30 silver pieces was a very small price to pay to betray Jesus. Perhaps it has more to do with Jesus’ way being different from Judas’ way.
When Jesus was arrested, he threw the solver prices back to the high priests and hang himself. 300 years ago, Zechariah prophesied that 30 silver pieces would be used to betray Jesus. The high priests did not want to use the blood money and they bought a piece of land to be used as a burial ground for foreigners. Does this foreshadow that Jesus paid the price for the gentiles?
Judas wanted to use Jesus for his own end and purposes. He became a disciple of Jesus not to follow him. A sinner does what he wanted and not what Jesus wants. When we do what we want in our heart, we are a sinner.
We may not be like Judas but we may betray Jesus in our words and deeds. We betray Jesus by the things we say or the things we don’t say. We betray Jesus by the sins of commission and the since of omission.
As Dr. Kim went through this passage in preparation for the sermon, he recalled an incident. He was in a conversation about abortion a few weeks ago. Dr. Kim did not speak up. A Catholic colleague named Pete spoke up about the right of a baby to be born, in front of 2 professors. That is one way we can betray our Lord.
5 months ago, Dr. Kim was having lunch in the Goldman Sachs office. The former UBS president was there and asked about his motives to spend so much time and effort in Africa. Dr. Kim said he had 2 motivations. One is his background. His father was a migrant from China at the age of 18. The 2nd is that he is a Christian. His colleague, Steven also said the same thing about being a Christian. Another one said it was the right thing to do. A day later he got a call from the UBS president and made a lunch appointment. He said he was impressed about how Dr. Kim shared his Christian faith. He admitted he was a Christian but he didn’t have the courage to share his faith but Dr. Kim’s sharing encouraged him.
When we fail Jesus in the things we do or things we don’t do, we are no different from Judas. If we think we are different from Judas, we are wrong.
Sadly, for Judas, there was no way back. There was no restoration for him.
Conclusion:
We are fail again Christians. We are not perfect. There is a God of mercy who longs to reach out to us and restore us.
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