Dear Christian friends:

I have just read to you some history that happened two-thousand years ago. We may think that this event has no connection with us or meaning for us because it happened very long ago. But we are connected with this important event and it does have meaning for us today.

During these Sundays in Lent let us try to understand better our connection with the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. We shall do this by asking a very important question: Were you there? Were you there when He suffered, died and rose again. This morning I wish to ask:


Let us see who was there! Judas was there. Judas, the man from Kerioth, was one of the twelve disciples. Jesus loved him as much as He loved the other disciples. Judas was even treasurer of the group. But the Bible tells us Judas was a thief. His heart was full of greed and covetousness and that is why he finally betrayed his Lord to his enemies for thirty pieces of silver. That's not much money, about $12.50 in US currency.

Judas knew that the chief priests and elders wanted to catch Jesus, so He went to them and said, "What will you give me if I show you where to find Him? Then they agreed for that money. Judas knew that Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane praying, because Jesus often went to that place with His twelve disciples. It was a little way outside of Jerusalem. Jesus had finished praying and had come again to the disciples telling them to wake up because the betrayer was near.

Our text takes up the story there: "And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him. (Matthew 26:47-50)

How could Judas do such a terrible thing? He had a certain weakness and sometimes he let that weakness control his actions. At last, we read, Satan came into his heart and led him to do this terrible thing against his Lord. Later Judas was sorry, but he had no hope of getting forgiveness, so he went out and hanged himself. Judas did not realize that if you sometimes let a weakness rule, later it will happen more often and at last destroy you. That happens often with men.

So we see that Judas was there and there were others with him, the chief priests and elders of the people were there. These people gladly paid Judas to betray Jesus. Why did they hate Jesus? Was Jesus bad? Had He hurt them? No! They were jealous of Him. Displeased because many people followed Him. They said, "The world has gone after Him." (John 12:19) Jesus was more popular than they were.

Also the temple police and a mob from the streets came along with swords and sticks. Many of them didn't know what was happening. They blindly followed the crowd because they wanted some excitement. Without thinking they helped add to Jesus' suffering.

The disciples were there. True, they did not help betray Jesus but they didn't help him either. Peter started to fight with his sword. Jesus told him to stop that. Peter was eager, but fanatical. Jesus rebuked Peter and then healed the enemy. After that the disciples were afraid and left Jesus and fled.

Now the question is: Were you there? Greedy Judas was there; the zealous priests and elders were there, the ignorant crowd was there and the confused, fanatical disciples were there. Were you there, too?

Have you been greedy for money like Judas? Do you sometimes give up Jesus and Jesus' work because you prefer money, pleasure and worldly fun? Think about school, work friends. Have you ever betrayed Jesus at work or school or with friends? Can you say that you have never agreed with the sinful world and hurt Christ? No? Then you were there in in the garden.

Have you been jealous? The jealous priests betrayed Christ. Who here can say that they have never been jealous? None, then all you were there in the garden.

The blind, thoughtless followers helped betray Jesus. Have you ever thoughtlessly followed the crowd in doing something that displeased Jesus and hurt Him? If so, they you were there in the garden.

Also there was hate and fighting against Christ's enemies by Peter. Have you ever become angry at Christ's enemies and argued hot and mean? If so, you were there in the garden.

Because of fear the disciples forsook Jesus and fled. Have you been afraid and shut up about Jesus and your faith? You have? Then, you were there when he was betrayed.

Yes, in one way or another we disciples can see ourselves like Judas, the chief priests, the mob or the scared disciples. We cannot blame them and act like we are better than they are. You were there. I was there. We betrayed Jesus, too.

This is what the hymn writer means when he says:

My burden, in Thy passion,
Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression
Which brought this woe on Thee.
(Hymn:To the Countenance of the Lord Jesus)

This leads us to Jesus. He was there, too, the One who was betrayed. Why is He there? Our text tells us: "But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." (Matthew 26:56) The Holy writings prophesied that Jesus, God's Son must suffer such shame and hurt and finally die: "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:4-6)

In these words the prophet connects the whole human race with the suffering of Jesus, because He is the sinners Substitute. God let Jesus get punished instead of sinners like you and I. So we were there in Jesus, our Substitute. A substitute is a person who takes another's place, does for another what he cannot do himself.

God's holy law demands perfect obedience. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." (Genesis 17:1) We are not perfect. Jesus lived a perfect life for us, as our sub.

The Law says if a man sins He must pay and suffer punishment. We deserve to go to hell, but Jesus volunteered to suffer that punishment for us, as our Sub. He paid for the sins of those who betrayed Him. Healing the soldiers ear is a good example.

So in Jesus we find power to conquer our sinful thoughts and motives. Covetousness, jealousy and fear still appear in our minds. But Jesus who has suffered for these sins will help us to fight against them. He knows our weaknesses and knows how to help conquer those weaknesses, so let us come to Him and find help in time of need.

Because of His great mercy our sins against Him in the Garden are forgiven. God because of Jesus remembers them no more. We are His own forever. We eagerly wait and hope to see Him again in glory and share His friendship there. Believe His precious promise: "Where I am, there shall also my servant be." (John 12:26)

Amen.