“Battling the Bite of Betrayal”
Luke 22:39-46
Good morning, First Family. It’s been a good month so far in Luke 22, and I hope God is using His Word to bring the right kind of growth and exposure to your walk. As we think about battling sins and conquering the secret strongholds of our life, let me review briefly.
In week one, we saw where betrayal is birthed – in the chambers of secrecy. Like it or not, most public falls occur long before they are public. It’s in the secret places and the hidden corners that the seeds of “turning away” are usually planted. Always remember that secrecy is the seedbed for apostasy.
Then last week we looked at the sign of secret sins. And we saw how boastful, proud words usually indicate a heart “captive to sin” (Acts 8 and James 4).
But what can we do to battle the threat of turning away? Knowing where it is birthed and how to spot it is one thing – what can we do about it is equally as important, wouldn’t you agree?
So for the next two weeks we’ll look at battling the bite of betrayal – how to resist it as well as how to recover from it. Luke 22 has much to say about beating the temptation to give up or give in, and I am thrilled to take the Word and shed some light on what God says in this somber chapter about betrayal and denial.
As we begin, let me compliment many of you for taking the all-important first step – you came clean! In fact, I hold in my hand a list of names of men and women in our church who have “swept out the corners” and “turned on the light” in the basement of their life. Hallelujah!
In fact, next week you are going to hear from some of them. I am looking forward to interviewing them and letting you hear about their steps toward openness and honesty. You may be thinking, “Wow! I bet that will be hard.” No doubt! But they’ve realized a very important principle about growth: There is no long-term progress without short-term pain. So don’t miss next week as we testify to the greatness of the Lord, amen?
With that in mind, take your Bible and once again turn to Luke 22. We’ll begin our study today in verse 39. Once you have that, put a finger there and also find Mark 14:32. I’ve encouraged you to read the synoptic accounts of the betrayal account, so today I’d like to get Mark’s perspective on Christ’s words in addition to Luke’s. So you should have two places open by now, right? Great! Let’s look at what God says is a sure-fire way to battle betrayal before it’s too late.
Let’s first read Luke 22:38-46. Will you circle the word “pray” each time you see it? It’s what they were asked to do before the temptation (or trial).
Now flip back to Mark 14:32-42 and let’s read Mark’s account of this same experience. Will you circle the word “watch” each time you see it? It’s also what they were asked to do before the temptation (or trial).
Before we move further, note that these two words formed the strategy for the disciples avoiding the “temptation” that was about to come. The word here for “temptation,” or trial, simply means a time of testing, and often refers the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, or virtue. This may come through an enticement to sin, whether arising from our own desires or from the outward circumstances. This is the same word used to describe the temptation Christ experienced by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand. In each case, Christ is talking about the time when our commitment is placed under pressure. When that happens, the temptation we face is to quit. Turn back. In a word betray.
So Christ is helping them see what will give them the ability to stay true, and two habits really jump out to me as critically important in avoiding the temptation to turn back (i.e., give up and go back on our commitment to Christ).
1. “Watch”
The word “watch” here is “gregoreuo” and it speaks to alertness. It means to watch, give strict attention to, be cautious, and active. This verb is in the present tense and imperative mode, so this is a command of on-going importance. It’s as if Jesus said, “Keep watching out!” As one commentator said, this word demands that we “take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake us.”
This word is used 23 times in the NT, and 21 of those times it is translated “watch,” once it is translated “wake,” and the remaining time it is translated “vigilant.” In all cases it is clear that we are to on guard.
Interestingly, this word is used in Acts 20 when Paul warned the Ephesian elders about incoming wolves, as well as in the Gospels and several epistles regarding the return of the Lord. In addition, Peter uses this same word when telling us how to watch out for the devil – he says to be “vigilant.”
In other words, be alert! Watch! Be on guard! This was our Lord’s instruction to the disciples, for temptation was just around the corner. If they got lazy or sleepy (which they did!), the temptation would overtake them.
When I think about the essence of that word, I’m drawn to a military picture – A soldier standing duty protecting the base. He watches every corner…inspects the hidden areas. He is intensely aware of what’s going on around him so that he doesn’t let even a single inch of their territory become exposed or occupied by the enemy.
That’s the way we must “watch” over our lives. Romans 13:14 contains the same concept when it exhorts us, “Don’t even think about giving into to sin.” What a great verse about avoiding secrecy and battling the bite of betrayal! When you sense it near, crush it quick! Don’t give those thoughts a single second to land!
Or as the KJV states it, “Make no provision for the flesh.” Don’t even give the enemy an opportunity or platform. If you do, he’ll stage a show!
“Alertness” in 2007 means we’re watching every click of the mouse, every touch on the remote, every glance of the eye, every word of the mouth, every drink of the lips…we’re watching for where the enemy attacks and we’re standing guard. Dads, moms, husbands, wives, children, friends – don’t fall asleep in this culture of wickedness and evil. It starts preying on you so innocently, but little by little they’re taking ground and occupying territory. Before you know it, you’re comfortable with sin and headed down a road that once you thought you’d never travel. That’s how the devil works, and the way to battle it is by watching and be alert.
Why is it important to “watch” and to guard every entrance and inspect every corner? Because of Luke 22:3 – “Then Satan entered Judas…” Satan was consistently tempting Judas, drawing him towards greed and selfishness. His avarice was money, and sure enough, at the wrong place and at the wrong time, Judas’ guard was down and he gave in. It was at that point that “Satan entered Judas.” I’m not sure what that means, but it looks like Satanic possession to me, eh? Remember – Judas walked right beside the Master, was called as a disciple, and learned from the best of the best. Yet, he fell! Why? He didn’t guard the corners; he didn’t protect every single entrance and avenue. Satan got a platform somewhere and began to wiggle his way in...then BOOM – betrayal!
But there’s another word of instruction Jesus gave his disciples can help us battle betrayal. He told them to “pray.”
2. “Pray”
This word speaks to intimacy…relationship! In fact, the voice of this verb is middle, which means there is a cooperative effort involved. Think about it – In an active voice you do the work, in a passive voice it is done upon you. But in a middle voice it is done in conjunction together. And that’s exactly what prayer is – a conversation with our Father. The word prayer is all about relationship and intimacy.
Technically, it means “to offer prayers, to pray, to make request.” But there is more to the word as you examine its usage. Of the different words for prayer used in the New Testament, this is the one used the most – 87 times. It is the same word as 1) in the Lord’s prayer, 2) when he prayed over children, and 3) what Paul instructed every church to do: “Pray for me.” Essentially, it simply means to converse because of relationship. It contains the idea of intimacy and connection. Oddly enough, it is also used when describing the Pharisees’ long prayers, those pretentious and pseudo cries of the heart that were meant to feign a relationship. They were trying to actually fool everyone that a relationship is what they had, when in reality all they possessed was religion!
Additionally, our text in Mark denotes an interesting word just before he prays the second time – “abba.” This is a relational word as well, an intimate word. As you see, praying is how our Lord cried out to his “Abba” in Mark 14:36 – “Daddy!” It is the heart cry of a child! Once again, you see this idea of prayer connected to the idea of relationship.
You see, prayer help us battle betrayal because it keeps in touch with the single most important relationship we have – the one with God the Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and his Spirit, the Holy Ghost. And when we aren’t conversing with our Father, we’re ripe for the temptation of betrayal. If we’re not listening daily to his voice, we’ll succumb to the false voices that call us away and towards denial and apostasy.
By the way, what was Jesus doing as the temptation crowded around him? Praying to his Father! The disciples were his friends, but they weren’t his Father. And when the evil one was closing in, he needed more than a physical connection to a friend; he needed his Father. And we should follow suit!
When I think of this word, I picture a little child needing a Father’s affirmation and care. Or a young man on the edge of a very important decision needing paternal advice. In other words, I envision the epitome of family connection and communication!
Spiritually, that’s exactly what prayer is for us – the best way stay close and connected. Its God’s “family share plan” full of roll-over, talk-anytime minutes!
Here it is a nutshell: Be on your guard and be on your knees. These two habits must be part of everyday life if you intend to battle the bite of betrayal. And when they are, we’re close to God, near his heart and by his side. When we avoid thee two basic disciplines, we find ourselves far from him but too close to the enemy. And that’s really what betrayal is – a relationship with the enemy that’s just too close for comfort.
More than likely, most of you are thinking to yourself, “That’s pretty basic.” Yes, I agree. Yet, it is what Christ instructed his disciples to do before his – and their – darkest hour. When the pressure was turned up, the key actions were ones that had been instrumental all along.
Remember Luke 6? All night prayer preceded his choice of the disciples. And remember Luke 9? His first action was to give them power over demons (i.e., the enemy), indicting he knew that warfare and opposition were just around the corner. Add to this the words “as usual” in Luke 22:39, and you begin to see a pattern of faithfulness in the “basics” among Jesus and the disciples. Throughout his ministry – and theirs – watching and praying were consistent, basic disciplines of the truest disciples.
This tells me something: Champions are born in the consistent practice of the basics. Yes, the “basics” are the stuff dynasties – and disciples – are made of!
In 1958, Vince Lombardi, having just taken the helm of the consistently-terrible Green Bay Packers and on the eve of a new season, rallied his team in the locker room one day and mounted the bench for a speech. He reviewed their penchant for losing, then began to talk about the plans for a trip to the great championship game and how they would accomplish it. “We’re going back to basics,” he said. And with that he held up a football, and said slowly and deliberately, “Gentlemen, this is a football.” And for years to follow, Lombardi and the Packers dominated the NFL. Coach Lombardi knew what too many of us try and dismiss – the way to stay on the winning team is to stick with the basics.
Do you know who didn’t do this? Samson! Even a quick read of Judges 13-16 shows that he became too familiar with the enemy on a regular basis and stopped listening to the law of God. In other words, in a somewhat Old Testament way, he stopped watching and praying. He let down his guard and closed up his ears. The enemy was too close and God too far. And the phrase in 16:20 – “he did not know that the Lord had left him” – tells me he was unaware and all alone.
As we close, renew your commitment to a vibrant relationship with Jesus. Commit to watching and praying. Who knows – your “temptation” may be just around the corner, and you will need to be alert and intimate. Concerned and connected. The best way to make sure you’re ready then is to get ready now by staying alert to the enemy and intimate with Jesus. Church, may we watch and pray!
I invite you today to join me at the front for prayer, would you? In fact, I’ve placed two items up here today – some knee pads (representing pray) and a set of binoculars (representing watch). I’m not sure which habit God is impressing upon your heart – maybe both – but will you join me in prayer at the front, along with our Elders and Deacons, and pour your heart out to God for your family, your spouse, or yourself. As always, bring your response card up here as well, and note on it either “kneepad” or “binocular.” Our staff and leadership will pray all week for you, and if you need some help, seek out one of our staff or leaders. You know we will do all we can to assist you in your effort to watch and pray so that you will not give up!
