SERMON TITLE: False Witnesses
TEXT: Mark 14:43-72 (ESV)
SPEAKER: Josh Hanson
DATE: 4-10-22
Watch the sermon here.
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As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I always want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or are joining us at our North Main campus — the one thing I want you to know is that God loves you and that I love you too.
We’re continuing in the gospel of Mark — today — in a series we’ve titled “This is the End!” And we find ourselves in the final moments leading up to Jesus’ death. And — similar to last week’s text — today’s passage will both humble and comfort each of us. So let’s turn to our passage for today.
If you have your Bible please turn with me to Mark chapter 14. We’ll be looking at verses 43-72. We’re in Mark chapter 14. Beginning in verse 43.
And — while you’re finding Mark chapter 14 — let’s start with some congregational participation. Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt betrayed before. Could’ve been a betrayal by a friend, a family member, a co-worker, a boyfriend or girlfriend — husband or wife — your pastor — who among us has experienced the betrayal of others? Look at all of the hands around the room. You can put your hands down.
Being betrayed is rattling, isn’t it? It shakes us up — destabilizes us — it offends us, doesn’t it? Our society is full of examples of people feeling betrayed by others. Here are some examples — from recent headlines — that reveal the various ways we’re using the word betray these days.
Being betrayed is something we hear and read more about than we probably realize.
Now — for my next question — I won’t ask you to raise your hand — but go ahead and think of your answer. If we were still raising our hands — would yours go up if I asked if you’ve ever been the betrayer — the one who caused the hands of others to go up during my last question?
It was very tempting to have you raise your hands for this question — sort of an honesty test for all of us — to see how the current thinking of our day — that we’re always the victim — has creeped into our thinking. Yet — even though this is how we’re told to view ourselves — always the betrayed — never the betrayer — I wonder how many of the hands that went up earlier — hands indicating that they know betrayal — went up because of others of us sitting in the same room? Meaning, not only victims of betrayal but betrayers are sitting among us.
Being betrayed by others isn’t just something that happens out there — in the world — it’s something that happens right here — in the church. And none of us are impervious of betraying others.
But how about another question — another one where you can raise your hand — because things were starting to get a bit uncomfortable, right? Have you ever felt like God betrayed you — raise your hand if you have? Even if theologically or intellectually you know that God didn’t betray you — have you ever experienced the feeling of being betrayed by God? Raise your hand if you have. Thank you for being brave and honest. I’m sure others were wondering if they’d be the only one to raise their hand if they admitted to feeling betrayed by God — thank you for your honesty.
One last question — and again — no need to raise your hand for this one. But — if we were raising our hands — would your hand go up if I asked if you’ve ever betrayed God? This one takes us back out of the victim thinking of our day and age, doesn’t it? And I know many of us have some great excuses — but can you simply admit — that — whatever it is that you’re thinking of — and maybe wanting to justify — can you admit that at the root of it was betrayal — your betrayal — you betraying God?
Here’s why I ask. The truth is that we’ve all betrayed God. As one person has said, “It’s so easy to betray Jesus in the ordinary course of life. If you choose to believe the lie that Jesus isn’t enough, or if you believe that he isn’t living up to your expectations, it’s a subtle but real form of betrayal.” (Mike McKinley, “What to Do When You Betray Jesus,” March 14, 2013. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-to-do-when-you-betray-jesus/.) Yet — the hope of the Christian faith — hope you won’t find in any other philosophy or religion — a hope that the current cultural thinking of our day can’t offer — the hope of the Christian faith is that though we’ve all betrayed God — in love — he sent his Son — Jesus — to give his life in our place for our sins. Thus even our betrayal — both our betrayals towards God and each other — even the betrayals we’ve experienced by others — are eternally forgiven for those who turn to Christ in faith. And this should floor all of us because this demonstrates what it means to be loved by Christ and — oh — what love he has for us! But— in order to experience Christ’s love — we must admit that we’ve betrayed him, repent of what we’ve done — repent means to turn away from the things that we’ve looked to instead of Christ for our hope, joy, satisfaction, and identity — we turn away from those things and turn to Christ to receive forgiveness.
For if we downplay what we’ve done — or rewrite the rules of what it means to be a betrayer — if we play the victim and don’t recognize how we’ve also been the betrayer — do you know what we end up inevitably doing? When we waterdown our betrayal — our sin — we waterdown Christ’s love. For the remedy to puny sin is puny love and forgiveness. And puny love and forgiveness isn’t amazing. For love to be amazing — as Christ’s love for us is — requires not watering down our sin and betrayal. And my hope — for all of us — is that we’d be a people who want to know — really know — what it means to be loved by God.
Now our verses — I think — will be best approached in an observation kind of way as we proceed through the narrative of the events taking place. So — instead of having a few points in this sermon — we’re going to let the flow of Mark’s words take us back nearly 2,000 years on this evening of Jesus’ betrayal. Let’s put ourselves in Jerusalem and see if we can spot ourselves in the narrative — for we all are here. And — where we find ourselves — is quite humbling. Let’s go back to verse 43.
“And immediately, while he was still speaking,
While Jesus is telling the other disciples that his betrayer has arrived…
Judas came, one of the twelve,
Mark wants us all to remember that Judas was “one of the twelve” — one of Jesus’ disciples. The betrayer is someone from Jesus’ closest circle of friends. And Judas brought…
and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
Most likely this crowd would’ve included temple police — they would be the people carrying the clubs — and Roman soldiers — they would’ve had the swords. And do you know why someone brings people with clubs and swords along with them? You bring them when you’re expecting a fight — which goes to show how far off Judas is from understanding who Jesus is and what he came to do.
44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.”
It was a common practice for a disciple to greet his teacher — his Rabbi — with a kiss. So common of a greeting that it’s the best signal for Judas to use because no one will expect it to be anything other than the common greeting of a disciple to his teacher.
45 And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him.
But Judas’ kiss is scandalous — here’s why — in the words of one Bible scholar. “According to contemporary usage, no disciple was permitted to greet his teacher first, since this would have implied equality. Judas’ sign, therefore, was not only a final repudiation of Jesus’ authority — and a signal to the mob — but also a calculated insult.” (Christopher Mann, Mark (New York: Doubleday, 1986), 596.) And — though rightly appalled by what Judas has done — what should amaze us is Jesus’ response. He knows what Judas is about to do as Judas approaches him. Yet he doesn’t stop Judas from greeting him with a kiss — even though Jesus knows that it’s an act of betrayal. Nor does Jesus stop the people — that Judas has brought along with him — from arresting him.
46 And they laid hands on him and seized him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.
Though Jesus did not resist — one of his disciples draws a sword and strikes out against the crowd. Mark doesn’t tell us who it is that does this — but John tells us the disciple’s name. Do you know which disciple does this? Peter. Peter — the one who earlier rebuked Jesus for saying that he was going to be killed. Peter — the one who said that he would never betray Jesus. Peter has brought a sword with him which tells us that he planned on resisting if things happened as Jesus said they would. But not only is he resisting against the crowd — he’s resisting God’s will. And — who knows — maybe he’s trying to avoid finding himself in a situation where he won’t live up to his word — “Jesus, they may all abandon you, but I won’t — I’ll die for you!” Maybe if he gets Jesus out of being arrested he’ll get himself out of denying Jesus.
48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me?
Jesus questions the show of force by his opponents. “Have you come out against a robber?” Or — as another Bible translation puts it. “Am I leading a rebellion?” (NIV) Another says, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me?” (NLT) Another says, “What is this, coming after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal?” (MSG) Jesus goes on to say…
49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.”
As I said, Jesus doesn’t resist arrest. But he does point out that what the crowd is doing — on behalf of the religious leaders — is unjustified. And — though their actions are unjustified — Jesus also knows that what they’re doing is in accordance with Scripture. What Scripture is Jesus referring to?
Perhaps he’s thinking of Isaiah chapter 53 — a passage we looked at last week — which states, “He was despised and rejected — a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care…He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. 8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. 9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.” (Isaiah 53:3, 7-9 NLT)
And what’s the result of Jesus’ arrest?
50 And they all left him and fled. 51 And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.
The disciples all panic and abandon him — including Peter — “Mr. ‘They all may leave you, but I won’t’” — even Peter abandons Jesus. And — that young man who runs away naked — most believe is the author of our gospel — Mark himself. Talk about wanting to run away from the situation, right? He literally drops everything — including his clothes — to get away.
53 And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.
So they take Jesus to the high priest’s house — his name is Caiaphas — and Jesus is now before all the different religious leaders. We know — from John’s gospel — that before bringing him to Caiaphas — they first take Jesus to Caiaphas’ father-in-law’s house — his name is Annas — and he was the previous high priest. But here — in Mark — Jesus is standing before a large group of people. And apparently this is all happening near the temple because Peter is standing just outside of the house — in the courtyard of the temple.
54 And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. 56 For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even about this their testimony did not agree.
Another Bible translation describes the scene with these words. “Plenty of people were willing to bring in false charges, but nothing added up and they ended up canceling each other out.” (MSG)
We’re not done with our verses yet — but look at what’s happening — here — in the behavior of everyone from Judas and Peter, the other disciples and the religious leaders, and these so-called witnesses who are just making up stuff about Jesus. Do you see what’s happening? If you’re someone who believes that people are “basically good at their core” — look at all that’s going on. Surely this is a reason to reconsider the idea of people being naturally good. These people are from different groups of society, they have different ideas about who Jesus is, they have different ethnicities, and socio-economic statuses — they’re from as different of groups as can be — and yet — they all betray Jesus. There’s nothing good going on in anyone’s behavior — well — except for one person — Jesus.
60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”
Remember that it’s late at night. Peter’s warming himself by a fire. Judas came and betrayed Jesus after Jesus had spent quite a bit of time in prayer while his disciples all fell asleep. But — something I found interesting — about all that’s going on — especially with all of the false accusations being thrown at Jesus — is that Jewish law required that official Sanhedrin meetings — the Sanhedrin is the name of the group that’s gathered together officiating this trial against Jesus — Jewish law required that official Sanhedrin meetings take place only during daylight hours. Yet these religious leaders throw aside their own laws — just like they’ve thrown aside justice in presenting false witnesses to accuse Jesus — they throw aside their laws so they can deliver Jesus over to the Roman authorities who had their legal trials scheduled for first thing in the morning. The Sanhedrin doesn’t have the authority to execute a criminal — they can only make the suggestion to the Roman authorities. But this was their goal and plan from the beginning — so they justify breaking their religious laws in order to have Jesus killed. So they bring these false charges up against Jesus and ask him to give a defense.
61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
If you’ve been with us — as we’ve traveled through Mark’s gospel — you know that Jesus has been asked many times about who he is and — until now — he’s kept his true identity secret from all but his closest disciples. But now he confesses — he testifies — to his true identity. He knows the time has come — the moment has arrived — “I am,” Jesus says. “the Christ, the Son of God, the Son of Man.” Jesus could not be more clear to his accusers. He has just declared, “I am God.”
63 And the high priest tore his garments
A seemingly insignificant detail. The tearing of garments throughout Scripture is usually a sign of deep remorse, grief, or repentance. But here — Mark is letting us know that — again — Jesus’ opponents are ignoring the very laws they’re accusing him of breaking. For a high priest to tear his clothes — in response to blasphemy — was against Jewish law. If they were following the law — they would’ve stoned Jesus — as Leviticus tells them to. But they had a different plan in mind for Jesus’ death. And after he tore his garments, the high priest…
and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. 65 And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.
The attacks go from verbal to physical. Jesus’ suffering is increasing as he fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy of God’s Suffering Servant. Peter — who we’ll return to in a moment — years later — after repenting and being forgiven of his denial and betrayal of Jesus — would write to Christians who were facing the threat of suffering. And I’m confident that he was thinking of this moment in Jesus’ life when he wrote these words. “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:21-25 NLT)
But that’s the Peter to come — let’s return to the Peter who’s in the courtyard watching all of this happen to Jesus. We’re in verse 66.
66 And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. 69 And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.”
One Bible scholar notes, “In stark contrast to Jesus, who is inside before the high priest, the most powerful Jew in Israel, Peter stands outside [and loses courage] before a…person of no power” (Craig Evans, Mark 8:27-16:20 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2000), 467.) And I’m sure you see what his lack of courage causes him to do? Peter “began to call down curses and he swore to them…” (NIV) Another Bible translation says, “Peter swore, ‘A curse on me if I’m lying — I don’t know the man you’re talking about!” (NLT) Another says, “Now Peter got really nervous and swore, ‘I never laid eyes on this man you’re talking about.” (MSG) His lack of courage — his giving into fear — causes him to do what he promised Jesus he’d never do — betray him — abandon him — deny him.
72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.” (Mark 14:43-72 ESV)
And — in a way — Jesus isn’t the only one who was on trial — he’s just the only one who passes the test of his trial. Peter was also on trial — and he failed when it mattered most. Yet — it’s been said — “Peter’s biggest problem isn’t that he denied Jesus three times. He will be restored from that…[just as] our biggest problem isn’t our failing or denying Jesus. Peter’s biggest problem is that he wept alone and turned away…rather than running to Jesus’ loving face.” (Thabiti Anyabwile, “The Look of Love,” February 21, 2010. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabiti-anyabwile/the-look-of-love/)
Peter’s hope — just like our hope — isn’t in our success — our hope isn’t in what we do — our hope is in Christ’s triumph — in what he accomplished in not betraying his Heavenly Father nor us when he was put on trial and betrayed by all.
You see — we’ve all betrayed Christ. As you think back over our verses — who are you most like? The disciples who ran away when things got hard — is that how you’ve betrayed Christ? Are you like Peter who denied even knowing Jesus? Are you like the false witnesses — someone who makes up stuff about who Jesus is instead of allowing him to speak for himself? There’s the religious leaders — those who simply wanted Jesus dead. And — finally — there’s Judas — who betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Who are you most like in these verses?
Well — one thing I know — there’s one person you’re not — and this is fantastic news. The one person you’re not — in the verses — is Christ. He’s the one betrayed. He’s the victim of injustice. And he gave his life so that you might find life — eternal life — with him as your Savior. And would you like to hear more Good News? Do you know why Peter survived his betrayal of Jesus — why did he survive and become a man who would preach the gospel and write words found in our Bible and become one of the key leaders in the early church? I mean — he betrayed Jesus when it mattered most — he did something he said he would never do — so how in the world is Peter not crushed and defeated by this glorious failure as he abandoned Jesus? We must remember what Jesus told Peter on that night when Peter was full of himself and said that he’d never betray Jesus and abandon him. Do you remember what Jesus told Peter? Mark doesn’t tell us — but Luke does.
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32 NLT)
Jesus told Peter that he had prayed for him. And it’s Jesus’ prayer that led to Peter being restored and released from the burden of his betrayal. And it’s Jesus’ prayers for you that ensure that you will persevere — that you will be restored when you turn to him — no matter how you’ve betrayed him. This is the kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and love that Jesus has for you.
What great news — that no matter who you find yourself to be most like — in our verses — no matter how you’ve betrayed him — Jesus will forgive you if you turn to him in faith — receive his love for you — and respond to his love by living for him. And — he will continue to pray for you — intervene for you — intercede on your behalf so you persevere — enduring all that you face in this life — until you see him face to face in the life to come.
What good news for all of us! For this is the non-watered down love that Christ has for you. Non-watered down love that will bring healing to your soul — and give you hope and joy — and free you from being crushed by your failures. Non-watered down love that Christ has for you. Have you received his love? Have you responded to it? Let’s pray that we all respond to Christ’s glorious love for us.
Heavenly Father, what love you have for us! Love displayed in your plan to redeem and rescue us from our enslavement to this world of betrayal. May we — as we’re reminded of your love — be amazed again and again by it.
Spirit of God, thank you for preserving us in your eternal love for us. Without your power — we’d all fall away. But with and in your power — assisted by your power — we persevere in your love. Help us to love one another as we’ve first been loved by you. Not using love as a bargaining chip — but loving you’ve first loved us. And you’ve loved us unconditionally — help us to love each other the same way.
And — Jesus — what faithful, persevering, love you have for us. In love you passed the test of your trial. Forgive us for so often failing the tests we face — wavering in our love and commitment to you and each other. Help us to look to you and — in seeing your love for us — in being enveloped by your love for us — help us to love one another. May all who hear my voice know your love for them. We pray for all of these things in your name. Amen.
May you going knowing Christ’s love for you — responding to his love — and living with confidence knowing that he will never betray you. Amen.
God loves you. I love you. You are sent.
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