THERE IS AN AUTOMATIC EVIL IN THE HEART OF MAN THAT CAUSES HIM TO BETRAY AND ATTACK GOD'S ONLY SON!

1. Jesus had been praying, Disciples sleeping; and He woke them up to face the greater betrayal!
2. Harmonies of the Gospels disagree in Sequence of Events- so follow with me in your Bible-
3. Many Pastors are preaching on Fulfilled Prophecy today- But what a time to study the matter of betrayal - as our nation might well be getting the kiss of death mid Our Lord's Agony

I.- A GREAT MULTITUDE WITH SWORDS AND STAVES 43

Gethsemane was won- after a brief rest- the next step of agony of betrayal, then Calvary -for me

A.- THE BIBLE RECORDS THAT A VERY GREAT MULTITUDE CAME OUT AGAINST JESUS-Matt 26:47 - WHO WERE THEY?

1. John 18:3 describes Soldiers, Officers of the High Priest, and of course the curious followers
2. They had been searching for Jesus- The Upper Room-(Mark followed) -then to Gethsemane-
3. They came with Torches and lanterns- Could be seen and heard for long time Events cast shadows

B.- SOME CARRIED SWORDS - THESE WERE THE SOLDIERS BELONGING TO PILATE'S ANTONIO FORTRESS BY TEMPLE

1. The Priests had no police authority- they had to turn to the near fortress for armed men
2. The Sword represented the organized World Empire- Almost always against Jesus; like Armageddon
3. Roman Law placed Military under authority of the Civil Government- sometimes very corrupt

C.- SOME CARRIED STAVES - THESE WERE THE CIVILIANS, AND FOLLOWERS WHO CAME AS PART OF A MOB

1. There is always a mob following every excitement- & so today, they chase fire engines- fickle
2. Some of same group may have cried Hosanna a week earlier- but now they grabbed sticks and came
3. Normally a Jewish Mob would have been against the Soldiers- but allies against God's Son

And so today- Jesus is being betrayed by Civil authority, curious citizens, who know not God

II. BUT ONE BETRAYED WITH A KISS v. 44

Jesus went out to meet the mob,- with his disciples trailing, later scattered- he faced the world

A.- JUDAS HAS ARRANGED A SIGNAL - v.44 - HE WOULD BETRAY JESUS TO THE AUTHORITIES WITH A KISS

1. The Orientals were more demonstrative than we - a Holy Kiss upon the cheek a common greeting
2. But to use a kiss as betrayal- earned the title of the most hideous deed perpetrated by man
3. Many today are betrayed in public and private- by the symbol of love and affection- Weigh value

B.- JUDAS GREETED JESUS BY CRYING "HAIL, RABBI - MASTER" see Matt 26:49 & Mark 14:45-

1. The greeting is in itself hypocritical- Scofield points out Judas never called Jesus- Lord!
2. Some today want the acclaim of the organized church- but do anything to keep from calling Him Lord
3. Some blame the Judas' of today for their lack of faith in Jesus- don't reject the Lord!

C.- JUDAS GREETED JESUS & JESUS ASKED HIM, "JUDAS, BETRAYEST THOU THE SON OF MAN WITH A KISS?" -Luke 22:48

1. The sharpest words of Jesus- reaching into the heart of the matter- if Judah had a heart
2. It is in the very act of pretended love that real evil condemns itself- & God knows hearts
3. We need a kiss for the Lord- "Kiss the Son lest He be angry" Psa 2 but with sincerity

As the foolish disciples of yore- we still let the hypocrite show more love than we do! 

III. JESUS SAID "I AM HE!" John 18:5

Robertson places John's part before Judas' kiss- but I think it came later! - after rebuke of Judas

A.- I BELIEVE JESUS TURNED FROM THE REBUKED JUDAS, AND ASKED THE MOB, "WHOM SEEK YE"? John 18:5

1. The mob knew who they sought- and answered- Jesus of Galilee- hot knowing Him as Lord! World-
2. When Jesus answered them "I am He"- v.6- they fell to ground!  There is a reason for that -
3. Mankind will fall prostrate before His feet again- Today we have choice- later, every knee-

B.- JESUS GAVE HIMSELF TO THEM, ASKING ONLY THAT HIS FRIENDS WITH HIM BE NOT ARRESTED! v.8

1. God has his divine plan, and He is working it out! - Man's wrath even is made to fit into it
2. God is allowing men to play the part of the fool today- drawing this age into focus for Armageddon
3. The World still grabs at Christians- Matt 14:50-52 - and we still run away

C.- JESUS WILL AGAIN COME TO THE EARTH AND SAY "I AM HE" AND MEN WILL LISTEN- Exo 3:14- I AM

1. If you are tired of this world's betrayal, and need a Savior, Listen- Jesus says- "I Am He"
2. Soon such anguish- that Christians will cry out- Who will save us from agony?  Jesus- "I am He"
3. At Armageddon both foolish sides against God- cry who will win- "Jesus will cry - "I am He"

Unless your heart is tender and close to Jesus- you will betray Him as they did long ago.-

WILL YOU JOIN THE WORLD WITH SWORDS AND STAVES, OR WITH JUDAS WITH HYPOCRITCAL KISSES?-

1. Quit trusting the Political world, or the Mob World- trust Jesus Christ as your Savior
2. Quit running like the early apostles- take your stand with Jesus Christ - Savior & Lord
3. The practical obedience of Baptism, Church Membership, spiritual service - yours to decide