APRIL 13
THE ROAD OF BETRAYAL
How do we respond when faced with fear or temptation? What does it mean to return to Jesus after we’ve failed Him? Jesus experiences both emotional anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane and physical betrayal as Judas leads the soldiers to arrest Him. Peter, who swore he would never deny Jesus, does so three times. This week, we will examine the moments of failure and fear on the road to the cross, recognizing our own struggles with weakness and betrayal.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own or get together with your group, spiritual running partners, or family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- From your perspective, what is the difference (if there is one) between someone doing you wrong and someone betraying you?
- Have you personally experienced a relationship gone sideways that you later realized was partly or mostly your fault?
3. Read Read Mark 14:32-52.
Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
- Now read Mark 14:66-72. Is there a difference between Peter’s betrayal of Jesus’ trust in the Garden and his betrayal of relationship in the Courtyard?
Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)
- What do you learn about God?
- How do Mark 14:27-31 and Mark 10:35-40 inform the passage you just read?
- Try to imagine the anguish Jesus felt from his road to the cross, and the betrayal he experienced along the way. What’s a phrase or word that you would use to describe it?
Now make some applications (what’s my response?)
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- If we all fall short of God’s glory, which of the characters in this passage (Peter, James, John, Judas or the unidentified “young man”) would you identify most with?
4. Apart from Jesus, where do you tend to look for purpose and meaning in your life? If you’re being honest, to what extent would you say those things satisfy?
5. Where might Jesus want to bring something new to your life? If you’re not sure, where do you hope Jesus could bring something new to your life? What do you think might get in the way of that?
KEY SCRIPTURE
Mark 14:32-52 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
Mark 14:66-72 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
PRAYER
Lord! Thankful, seems to fall short when we consider what you endured on the way to the cross. The road of betrayal added a weight that was already seemingly unbearable to carry. Your prayers in the garden were filled with anguish, and you asked those closest to you to wait and to be alert. We all fall short of your glory, and forgive us for the many times we are apathetic in our walk with you. Forgive us for the times we are greedy and put ourselves before you. We are guilty of having times that we are following from a distance and not truly your disciples, and even when we are we have moments where our actions betray you. Yet, you endured it all, and you saw the joy set before you, and for that we are filled with hearts of gratitude.
PRACTICE
- In accordance with what we read and discussed this week, how can you step out in partnership with God? Is there someone you can serve this Holy Week to reflect the kingdom of God on earth?
- With Easter Weekend on the horizon, attend one of our Good Friday services, and proactively invite a friend to Easter weekend at a campus near you. Visit gatewaychurch.com/easter for times and locations.