Slide 1:
The Betrayer’s Kiss
Mark 14:43-52

Slide 2:
Mark 14:43–52 (ESV)
And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him and seized him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled.
And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.

Slide 3:
Mark 14:10 (ESV)
Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.

Slide 4:
Kingdoms at War
I. Judas = kingdoms of this world
II. Peter = conflicting and enmeshed kingdoms
III. Jesus = Kingdom of Heaven

Slide 5:
Judas

Slide 6:
Matthew 26:52 (ESV)
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”

Slide 7:
“The sword” = Getting your way through compulsion. Using power to get what you want.
THE MACHINE

Slide 8:
The thing that truly differentiates the two kingdoms is how they use their power.

Slide 9:
“Rabbi!” And he kissed him.
Kataphileo = kiss fervently

Slide 10:
Peter

Slide 11:
Matthew 26:35 (ESV)
Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!”

Slide 12:
Jesus

B. GROUP DISCUSSION

1) Please read Mark 14:43-52. What stands out to you as notable? Why do you think Judas identified Jesus with a kiss? How did Jesus respond to the arrest?

2) Judas knows the power of Jesus, but was never himself transformed by His power. Why not? What kind of leader do you think Judas wanted?

3) Peter knows the way of Jesus. He has already said he would be willing to die (not fight) for Him. Why is he fighting now? Is this an act of bravery or cowardice? Why or why not?

4) What examples do you have of Christians who not only believe in the “Way” of Jesus, but actually walk it among us? What does it look like to live sacrificially?

5) Jesus is the only one who seems not to be responding desperately to the situation in front of Him. Some are expecting a fight. Some are wanting a fight. Some are falsely showing affection and acting out a part. Some flee into the night, some even naked. Jesus is still just Jesus. Why?

6) Why is Jesus as an example so crushing? Why is He as a role model so completely debilitating? What does He need to be for you and I to truly change? What do we need to have within us?

7) Prayer and praise