Luke 48-22:47 NIVUK
[47] While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, [48] but Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’ https://bible.com/bible/113/luk.22.47.NIVUK
Injustice is everywhere.
As I write these lines, the British government is still struggling to deal with one of the biggest, and most wide-spread, injustices on these isles in loving memory: the Post Office Scandal.
The British Post Office brought in a faulty IT system that led to 700 Post Office managers being accused of theft or fraud over a 16 year period. Many were forced to pay back tens of thousands of pounds they did not owe; others were sent to prison; some were incorrectly vilified by their communities; a few committed suicide. Several died before they were exonerated.
Injustice is a terrible evil and it can be tragic.
Here, in these verses, we begin to look at the biggest injustice human beings have ever perpetrated anywhere. We see a man who, not only is innocent of all charges against Him, but is the Son of God, sent to earth to save the very people who are putting Him on trial and finding Him guilty. His trial is riddled with corruption and irregularities. He is found guilty, not because of evidence, but to appease the Jewish leaders and prevent a riot.
In human terms, there has never been a bigger travesty of justice.
Yet how Jesus faces the patent unfairness of this is something to behold, and definitely to learn from.
Our culture today is built on rights. Breaching them is seen as a very serious crime. And I can understand that. I really can.
But our human courts often have to choose between the rights of two people, because there are often situations where they cannot have their rights exercised at the same time.
What we see here is a situation that challenges our rights-based culture to the core. Jesus had rights. He had rights as a Jew. He had the right to a fair trial. Yet His actions here show a thoroughly different approach.
Firstly, we see Jesus’ Submission.
Luke 44-22:39 NIVUK
[39] Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. [40] On reaching the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’ [41] He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, [42] ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ [43] An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. [44] And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. https://bible.com/bible/113/luk.22.39.NIVUK
Luke, the medically-trained Gospel writer, highlights aspects of this event that show how Jesus dealt with His situation. And it was not easy. Far from it.
Jesus’ heartfelt, earnest, anguished prayers caused a condition known as hematohydrosis, when the capillaries carrying blood to the sweat glands rupture under extreme stress, and blood emerges with sweat from those glands. This is rare, which is why Luke highlights it.
But this incontrovertibly points to the deep difficulty of the situation Jesus was in, and how aware He was of what He was facing.
It is extraordinary.
However, the lessons we can draw from this when we face situations of stress and injustice are enormously important.
Note how Jesus deals with this situation. He prays (Luke 22:41) and He asks others to pray with Him (Luke 22:40).
He sets the example. Difficult situations must be faced first and foremost, and above all, in prayer (Matthew 11:28-30). He doesn’t shout and scream. He doesn’t throw things. He doesn’t weep or give up. He prays.
And that prayer wasn’t easy. Prayer when we are in difficulty never is. Often we struggle to articulate how we feel. But it’s then these words become an enormous comfort to us;:
Romans 8:26 NIVUK
[26] In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. https://bible.com/bible/113/rom.8.26.NIVUK
Then note how God deals with it. And this really is important:
Luke 22:43 NIVUK
[43] An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. https://bible.com/bible/113/luk.22.43.NIVUK
There are times in life when we simply have to let our children be exposed to difficult situations so they learn how to face them in our absence. We have to. How will they grow up otherwise?
But this is way beyond that.
Jesus here is experiencing a level of stress none of us will ever experience. And so, as we might expect, God the Father intervenes.
But not, as we might expect, to take it from Him.
No, an angel is sent to comfort Him through it.
Because, as unfathomably shocking as it is for many of our modern theologians:
Isaiah 53:10 NIVUK
[10] Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer. https://bible.com/bible/113/isa.53.10.NIVUK
It was God’s will to put Jesus through this horrible solution because it was the only way for us to be saved from the horror of our own sin. So instead of withdrawing Jesus from the injustice and the pain, He comforts Jesus in it.
And what could be more comforting than this?
Romans 8:28 NIVUK
[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
So even when we are in thoroughly unjust situations, and feeling indescribable pain, which steals our voice in prayer, we have an amazing three-fold comfort:
Jesus has been there before us.
God is there with us to comfort us.
Everything will work out for our future good, even if we just don’t see it now.
What follows from Jesus’ submission is completely the opposite reaction from one of His disciples: Judas’ Deception.
And this, as I have said in previous posts, is utterly appalling:
Luke 48-22:47 NIVUK
[47] While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, [48] but Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’ https://bible.com/bible/113/luk.22.47.NIVUK
One twentieth century songwriter wrote these lyrics about this moment, from the point of view of Judas:
'In the garden I was playing the tart [note: a promiscuous person]
I kissed your lips and broke your heart
And you, you were acting like it was the end of the world'
The man who wrote those words, Bono, would never describe himself as a theologian, but he has captured the moment well.
Judas has ‘played the tart’. He has sold himself and his Master for thirty silver coins – coincidentally the penalty you had to pay if you owned a bull that gored a male or a female servant (Exodus 21:32) and the wage of a foolish shepherd in Zechariah (Zechariah 11:12-13). It was, as Zechariah called it, a ‘handsome price’, and enough to buy a field (Acts 1:18-19).
But not enough. Not nearly enough.
Nothing could ever be enough.
This financial inducement was apparently enough for Judas to betray Jesus, identifying Him for arrest in the gloom of the early morning with a gesture of affection perverted as a symbol of deep betrayal.
But what is actually happening here? Why on earth would anyone do such a thing?
I believe the reason is as stark as it is challenging. Judas was clearly following Jesus with wrong intentions. When he saw his intentions were no longer going to happen with Jesus, he switched sides.
It’s as blatant and as simple as that.
There are other examples in Scripture:
· Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)
· Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:8-24)
· Demas (2 Timothy 4:10)
The deep deception, from being an apparently warm and affectionate follower to someone who sold his leader out to those who hate Him, is stunning.
But the reality is that this betrayal ought to cause us to closely examine our motives. Why are we following Jesus? Why do we go to church? Is it for our own personal gain?
After Jesus’ submission and Judas’ deception, we see Peter’s Subversion.
John 11-18:10 NIVUK
[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?’ https://bible.com/bible/113/jhn.18.10.NIVUK
Earlier, Jesus has asked the disciples if any of them are carrying arms – they tell Him that they have two swords (Luke 22:36-38).
Now Peter uses it. And he uses it to strike back in a futile attempt to prevent His Lord’s arrest.
I don’t think for one second that this is planned. I just don’t know if Peter was the type to plan things. He appears to be more the hot-headed, impetuous, shoot-first-ask-questions-later type. I think he meant well. I think his heart was in the right place.
But this – notably the only violent act carried out by a follower of Jesus Christ in the whole of the Bible – is a subversion of the will of God.
Peter is trying to stop Jesus’ arrest.
And he is trying to stop it by using a thoroughly illegitimate means.
Right here is a problem for many Christians, specifically those with far-right or far-left leanings. Let me say this clearly and unmistakably:
For Christians, violence is not ever an option.
Again.
For Christians, violence is not ever an option.
Again.
For Christians, violence is not ever an option.
One more time, for the people in the back.
For Christians, violence is not ever an option.
Nowhere in the New Testament – absolutely nowhere – do we see violence against anyone permitted, or any circumstances where this could or would be allowed.
Instead, we see this:
Romans 21-12:17 NIVUK
[17] Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. [18] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. [19] Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. [20] On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. https://bible.com/bible/113/rom.12.19.NIVUK
So what Peter did might have been done with the right heart and the right motivation, but it is one hundred percent wrong.
Notice how Jesus reacts. Remember: every person in this mob is coming to Jesus not for a robust exchange of opinions or for a theological debate, but to kill Him. That is their clear and unmistakable intention. No question about that.
So Jesus sees this angry mob, sees Peter strike Malchus with a sword, cutting off his ear, and this is what Jesus does:
Luke 22:51 NIVUK
[51] But Jesus answered, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. https://bible.com/bible/113/luk.22.51.NIVUK
Let this fact sink in: Jesus healed His enemy who had been struck by His friend.
Astounding.
And this is how Jesus teaches us to behave towards our enemies.
Some of us may have the misfortune to tread the forlorn paths of injustice, where others deny us with no little glee the rights that should be ours. When we receive no redress through the courts or the justice system, we may be tempted to take matters into our own hands, to strike out in frustration and fury. To take revenge.
That is not Jesus’ way. That is not the way of the cross.
Look how He scolds Peter:
John 18:11 NIVUK
[11] Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’
There are battles that must be fought and injustices that must be righted.
But not like this, brothers and sisters. Not like this.
Put your swords away.
As well as Jesus’ Submission, Judas’ Deception and Peter’s Subversion, lastly we see The Disciples’ Desertion.
Matthew 56-26:55 NIVUK
[55] In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. [56] But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. https://bible.com/bible/113/mat.26.55.NIVUK
Mark 50-14:48 NIVUK
[48] ‘Am I leading a rebellion,’ said Jesus, ‘that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? [49] Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.’ [50] Then everyone deserted him and fled. https://bible.com/bible/113/mrk.14.48.NIVUK
I cannot imagine the depths of pain and despair and regret Matthew and Mark must have felt when they wrote those painful words. Because they had actually been there. Mark even adds more colour to it:
Mark 52-14:51 NIVUK
[51] A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, [52] he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. https://bible.com/bible/113/mrk.14.51.NIVUK
The disciples, likely sensing their imminent defeat, and the danger they personally found themselves in, get out of there fast. They cover their own backs.
We would all agree: that is not good enough. They failed their Lord.
Luke and John are a little kinder. They at least state that a small band of disciples, having saved their own necks by running away, follow at a distance to see what will happen next.
So those who spent practically their every waking moment with Him, now stay back to save their own skins.
We would all agree: that is not good enough. They have failed their Lord.
Yet Jesus told them they would do it, and they denied it:
Matthew 35-26:31 NIVUK
[31] Then Jesus told them, ‘This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ‘ “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” [32] But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’ [33] Peter replied, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.’ [34] ‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘this very night, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times.’ [35] But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same. https://bible.com/bible/113/mat.26.31.NIVUK
They have not kept their word. When the chips were really down, they ran.
We would all agree: that is not good enough. They have failed their Lord.
Look at these painful words from Jesus:
Luke 9-12:8 NIVUK
[8] ‘I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. [9] But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.
So, tell me this: when the chips are down and the heat is on and hostile people demand to know if you are a follower of Jesus, what do you do? When they are prowling the streets seeking to harm us, or banging on the doors to locate us, or running through the streets with weapons to beat us, what do you do?
When your stress levels are through the roof and injustice is as clear as the nose on your face and following Jesus is far from fashionable among your peers, what do you do?
Do you desert Him? Do you disown Him? Do you deny Him?
Do you fail your Lord?
If you have, there is a way back. Read the life of Peter. See how he repented. The door is open for you to do the same.
But you must repent.
Repent at the sight of the love and grace of Jesus Christ:
The Man you once deserted.
Several years ago, an announcement was made that the office where I was working would close. It was a shock. We were doing a brilliant job. Even the managers that were wielding the axe above our heads admitted it. But we had become too expensive to run.
At the same time, a board member of the multinational where we worked was accused of corruption in business deals overseas. He was paid a bonus that year of twice the amount of money it would take to run our office for a year. Then, once he’d received the bonus, as the legal action against him mounted, he quietly disappeared from the board.
Ironically, one of the departments in our office was set up to ensure business integrity.
Losing jobs while a board member profits.
For many, that is a deep injustice.
And I would agree. It is.
One of my managers decided to campaign against it. She was determined that the office would not close.
I, however, did not. Senior managers do not make announcements to governments and the press and to their employees if there is even the remotest possibility they could change their minds. They may have stated that they were ‘consulting’ about closing the office, but I knew what that really meant.
It was inevitable. It was going to happen.
And I had a choice. I could either invest my emotional energy in a battle I would likely lose, or I could invest it in performing my work to the best of my ability and working towards my next job.
So that’s what I did.
Now, I am not saying for one second that it was easy. Far from it. That year was the hardest I have ever experienced in my career.
But it was the right thing to do.
Through it all, I learned a very important lesson.
There are some things in life that are so blatantly and obviously unjust and wrong that they must be fought.
But we have to choose our battles wisely.
There are too many injustices in the world. We simply do not have the time or the energy to fight them all. That would leave us dissipated and exhausted.
Jesus here, in the Garden of Gethsemane, when He was facing a situation so completely and utterly unjust, shows us what we should do.
You see, Jesus was surrounded by many injustices He did not fight: the brutality of Roman occupation being the main one.
Why?
Because He was laser focused on fighting the biggest injustice that lies at the heart of all others: sin. He would take this injustice on at the cross. Doing what it took to save us from ourselves was His focus. All else was secondary.
Through Jesus’ submission, Judas’ deception, Peter’s subversion and the disciples’ desertion, we see four ways of dealing with a striking and blatantly obvious injustice. Jesus’ way of surrendering to the Father’s will and putting the plan of salvation first and everything else after it is the way we must deal with our injustices.
After all, none of them are as great as this.
And in everything, the Gospel is more important
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I am surrounded by injustice. Help me to know what to fight, hoe to fight, and when to accept Your will and submit, even when it hurts. Amen.
Questions
1. Have you ever thought of Jesus’ arrest as wrongful and unjust? How does the way He dealt with it affect how you will deal with the unjust things in your life?
2. When is it right to fight injustice? When is it not right? Where do we draw the line and how?
3. Have you ever reacted in the way Judas, Peter or the disciples did to an unjust situation? What can you do about it now?
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