What Are We Here For?

 N.T.#289 "What Are We Here For?"

April 23, 2024 

Matthew 26-Part 12

LET IT GLOW 

Why are we here? What is our purpose in life? Have you figured it out? Are you carrying it out? Things to consider.

We left Peter, James, and John sleeping for a while. Then Jesus said to them in verse 46, Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray Me. 

What happened next?

• Traitor Judas came through the Garden gate during the middle of the night. Judas was allowed to enter the Garden because he was known to the gate keepers. So Judas would easily gain entrance to the private property. Yet, the trio could have prevented Judas' entrance, for they knew the identity of the betrayer at the Last Supper. Jesus' time to be betrayed into the hands of sinners (verse 45) so this was to be.
• The full moon is always shining at Passover, so the Four saw those intruding their private time, carrying lighted torches. 
• With Judas was a great multitude of armed Roman soldiers carrying swords, while the Jewish temple police had staves (clubs), sent by the chief priests and elders. (verse 47)
• Judas gave Jesus a kiss of betrayal. It was a sign for the Roman soldiers to identify the Master. 

We read more details from John. The band of men refers to a Roman cohort of 600 soldiers who came to take Jesus away. (John 18:3) Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth, and said unto them,  Whom seek ye? (John 18:4)

They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am He. And Judas also, which betrayed Him, stood with them.  (John 18:5)

What unusual thing happened when Jesus identified Himself as the One the soldiers were seeking? They went backward and fell to the ground. (John 18:6)

Previously, Jesus identified Himself as I am. (John 8:58) Before Abraham existed, Christ was from eternity and was the Great I AM. (Exodus 3:14) Three times in John 18 Jesus identified Himself. (verses 5, 6, 8)

Jesus requested that His disciples be let go their way. (verse 8) Christ knew it would have been too severe a test for their faith, according to Hendriksen.

Do we seek Jesus Christ, the Great I AM? Are we willing to go through whatever God has for us, like Jesus did? 

LET IT GROW

Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss to identify Him. Jesus called Jesus Master, which is Rhabbi in the Greek, meaning an official tittle of honor; my Master.

Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? (Luke 22:48)

My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for. (Matthew 26:50, NLT)

Jesus gave Judas a chance to back out of his guilty, sinful betrayal, yet he did not.

Is Jesus our Master? Does He give us orders and instructions while we obey them? Are we doing what we are here to do? We fail so many times, but Jesus forgives us and lets us serve Him again. 

LET IT GO

Thank You Jesus for Your grace and mercy.

There is no other Lord, Master, Savior, Redeemer.

Help us show grace and mercy to others.