Betrayed, Abandoned, Arrested… Yet Jesus Loved Them

What if the clearest picture of power is a man with a towel around his waist and dust on his hands? We walk through the final week of Jesus and discover three piercing truths that refuse to stay on the page: love to the end, obedience to the end, and the sting of abandonment that does not break resolve. From the upper room to the garden, the story strips away our easy ideas about greatness and replaces them with something tougher, truer, and far more beautiful.

We begin at the table where no servant shows up—so the Lord of all does. Jesus washes every foot in the room, Judas included, and shows us that real leadership moves toward mess rather than away from it. That moment turns into a thread we follow through history: Moses shaped by years of obscurity into a friend of God; William Wilberforce choosing quiet persistence over public blaze to pull down the slave trade; discipleship defined not by volume but by depth, not by platform but by posture. Humility is not a tactic. It is the core of how the kingdom works.

Then we step into Gethsemane, where obedience is forged in anguish. Jesus asks for the cup to pass and still says yes, choosing the Father’s will over his own. The arrest scene brings it all into focus: betrayal cloaked in a kiss, soldiers with swords, friends who scatter, and the shocking tenderness of Jesus healing an enemy’s ear. He refuses the easy out—no legions of angels, no shortcuts—so that the story can be fulfilled and salvation can be won. Along the way we wrestle with questions that land close to home: Can we love difficult people? Can we obey without guarantees? Can we keep faith when approval disappears?

If your heart longs for a faith with weight—one that serves in silence, stands under pressure, and turns surrender into strength—this conversation is for you. Come reflect on the patterns Jesus sets and how we can live them in ordinary choices: stooping to serve, staying gentle under fire, trusting God when the crowd turns. If this moved you, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find it. Your voice helps spread the word.

Transcript

Love To The End In The Upper Room

Humility As True Greatness

Gethsemane And Costly Obedience

Judas, The Arrest, And Abandonment

Courage Beyond Public Opinion

Final Three Truths And Prayer

SPEAKER_00 0:04

Do we really know who Jesus is? In the last week of Jesus' life, we see him kneel and wash his disciples' feet. Then we watch him agonize in the Garden of Gethsemane as the weight of what's coming bears down on him. On that fateful Thursday night, the disciples flee, leaving Jesus alone in his hour of need. As we walk through these moments, three truths come into focus. One, Jesus loves to the end. Two, Jesus obeys to the end. Three, Jesus is abandoned. As we sit with these truths, we will become more like Jesus, which will enable us to live for Jesus. Stay with me as we dive in. Imagine knowing that one of those who you are sitting at supper with has accepted payment and is pledged to reveal your whereabouts to your enemies. With this information in hand, you then proceed to minister, not just to those who are loving you, but to the betrayer as well. That is the love that Jesus displays in John 13 verses 1 to 17. On this, the last night of his time here on earth in a human body. This brings us to our first fruit. Jesus loves to the end. Can we love our enemies like Jesus did? This scripture passage shows Jesus assembled with the disciples in the upper room where they are celebrating the Passover. Jesus had spent the last several years loving on his disciples. Jesus had woken from his sleep to bid the wind and waves be still when it looked like they would all drown in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. These disciples had all witnessed Jesus restoring sight to the blind, healing leopards, casting out demons, raising people back from the dead. Have we encountered Jesus in our day-to-day life? The roads in those days were just plain dirt roads. People wore sandals, which meant that their feet would be covered with either the dust or the mud of the road. The practice of the day was that at the house's door there would be great water pots. Normally the guests would be met at the entrance by a servant with a towel and container to dip out the water to wash the guests' feet and dry their feet. It was customary that the lowest servants of the house, women and slaves, would perform this duty. This didn't happen when Jesus and the disciples came into the room to eat. The disciples were not sitting on chairs around a table like we do now. The meal would be eaten at a low, U-shaped table. The disciples and Jesus would all have been reclining on cushions with their feet behind them away from the food. The unwashed feet would be not only visible but easily accessible. Jesus knew that he was the sovereign God who had hung the stars in place. Jesus took off his robes and wrapped a towel around himself. Jesus was now dressed as a lowest servant would have been garbed. In less than 24 hours, Jesus would change the course of history. Yet here is Jesus, not sitting on a pedestal and letting everyone know how great and wonderful he is. The disciples' feet were dirty. No servant was there to wash these feet, so Jesus was doing it himself. Jesus did not only minister to the disciples who loved him, he also performed this task for the traitor Judas. Jesus told his disciples that whoever wants to be great must first become the servant of all. Humility is the essence of following Jesus. Are we becoming more humble and therefore more like Jesus? The Old Testament documents that in God's kingdom, humility is the essence of greatness. Numbers 12 verse 3 states that Moses was more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. The Jews still say Moses was the greatest prophet they ever had. Moses led the people of Israel out from under the hand of Pharaoh. In Exodus 33, 11, we are told that God used to speak with Moses face to face as one would speak to a friend. The relationship that Moses had with God was unparalleled in Old Testament times. Moses did not just wake up and achieve that level of intimacy with God that the Old Testament depicts. Moses had been a spoiled palace offspring for the first 40 days of his life. However, for the next 40 years, Moses lived in the wilderness, tending his father-in-law's sheep, constantly on the move and running for his life from a vengeful Pharaoh. This life of servitude and humility brought Moses to this place of fellowship with God. Are we aware that discipleship is about humility? Christian history documents that humility is the undergirding force of those who achieve great things for God. William Wilberforce worked for a total of approximately 44 to 46 years from the late 1780s until his death in 1833 to completely abolish slavery. First, William Wilberforce spent 18 years campaigning for the abolition of the slave trade. Over the years of this endeavor, William accumulated numerous enemies. In 1792, James Boswell wrote a poem belittling Wilberforce. It stated among other things that Wilberforce should depart Parliament in shame as he was just a dwarf with a big, resounding name. William Wilberforce was only five feet three inches tall. Through it all, Wilberforce continued fighting to end slavery throughout the British Empire. In 1807, the Foreign Slave Trade Abolition Bill was presented to Parliament. William worked behind the scenes but remained in the background so as not to activate the hostility of those who were personally against him, showing great humility by so doing. William pretended to have no interest in the act, sat silent and listened as other people argued for the bill. Two hundred years of cruelty came to an end in 1807. No longer would British ships sail into African harbors to pick up cargoes of human slaves and take them to foreign shores to be worked to death. However, it took another 26 years of advocacy for the final abolition of slavery itself, which was passed just days before William Wilberforce's death in 1833. William was buried at Westminster Abbey, a great national honor. Parliament closed for the funeral. Throngs of people lined the street as Great Britain mourned the passing of an elder statesman and humble politician. Are we willing to give our lives to God's call? In Jesus' day, wealthy citizens kept private gardens on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. These gardens were beautiful places that were planted with trees, had a fountain of water and walking roots. The history of mankind started in a garden, the Garden of Eden. There we had the first Adam who disobeyed God and introduced sin to the world. Here we have another garden, the Garden of Gethsemane, where the second Adam Jesus exhibits obedience and submission as he prepares to reconcile mankind back to God. This brings us to a second point. Jesus obeys to the end. Are we prepared to obey God no matter what the price may be? Matthew 26, 31 to 56 informs us that Jesus took the inner three, Peter, James, and John, a little further from the other eight disciples into the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus then went even deeper into the garden. Jesus was now seeking God for himself all by himself. Three times Jesus approached his father and asked for the cup to be taken away from him. When the magistrates of Athens condemned the great Greek philosopher Socrates to death, he was to die by drinking a cup of the juice of hemlock, a poisonous plant. Jesus was prepared to drink of this cup of crucifixion and death if it were God's will for him to do so. Jesus consistently indicated that the Father's will was superior to his will. Jesus is shown here in extreme sorrow and anguish of soul. Jesus was about to die for the sin of the world. The God who knew no sin, the Immaculate Son of God, was to be made sin for us so that we could once more be reunited with God. Salvation could come by no other method. Blood had to be shed to redeem mankind. Jesus knew that as a result of him fulfilling this task, God who could not be a sin would turn his back on him. The terror and the agony of it filled Jesus' soul. Do we truly grasp the price Jesus paid for our salvation? Luke records that an angel was sent from heaven to strengthen Jesus while he was interceding with his Father. Luke the physician records that during these agonizing episodes, Jesus' sweat had great drops of blood. Hematidrosis is a real medical condition. When it occurs people's sweat will contain blood. One of the triggers for hematidrosis to occur is genuine anguish. On this night in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was in deep distress. Nonetheless, Jesus was committed to doing his Father's will. Let us reflect on the truth that God is calling us to follow him wherever the road may lead. The Old Testament provides outstanding examples of those who followed God without question. In Genesis 12 we are told that God called on Abram to leave his people and his father's household. For 75 years Abram had lived between Ur and Haran, cities in Mesopotamia. Abram had traveled in a safe zone among people that he was familiar with and civilizations that he knew. Abram obeyed God and stepped out by faith. Even better no destination is given to Abram. God is basically saying as you go I will give you directions. Furthermore, God makes a grand promise to Abraham that would certainly seem impossible in the natural. Inside the bag were two letters dated six months apart which were bought from the young woman who had insisted on repaying the gifted Moody Bible Institute tuition. Each letter contained a check for$50. A friend told Isabel about a private convoy that was making its way to Cumin, which had room for Isabel and a Chinese Christian. Isabel was able to purchase travel and this convoy and started making her way home. Isabel and John Kuhn obeyed God and in the hour of need God came true for them. Are we willing to trust God to be our provider? As Jesus reached out to his father on this first momentous morning Thursday night he was essentially alone. Matthew 26 31-56 unfurls the events of that night. Between each of the three sessions with his father Jesus returned to check on the disciples who were physically and spiritually closest to him Peter, James and John. Each time that Jesus did so he found these disciples fast asleep. Jesus noted that not even one hour could they keep watch with Jesus on this most faithful night. The disciples weren't sleeping because they did not care what happened to the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact Luke states that their great sorrow is what had made them sleep. It is well documented that when one is sad and depressed one tends to sleep. Jesus allowed them to sleep while he was talking to his father this brings us to our third truth Jesus is abandoned. Can we stay with Jesus no matter what may come our way after having interceded with his father and accepted his father's willed to his disciples he told them the time for resting and sleeping was over. The chief priests and those who were conspiring to eliminate Jesus did not want to arrest Jesus where the people could intervene as Jesus was very popular. Judas's role was to lead these schemas to a quiet place where they could do their evil in secret. Judas had just been with Jesus at the Last Supper and had most certainly heard when Jesus told the disciples that he was going to the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane with a band of men and officers who were armed with swords and clubs. These men had been sent by Jesus' enemies the chief priests and the elders to arrest Jesus. Josephus the Jewish historian tells us that at the Passover due to the great influx of people a band of Roman soldiers was given to the disposal of the chief priests to help enforce order. These Roman soldiers would be armed with swords. Additionally the temple was always guarded by a group of armed Levites. The other men that were with them were probably the ones armed with clubs. John also states that these men had lanterns and torches Passover is always celebrated at full moon but the Garden of Gethsemane had trees to provide shade so they probably needed additional lighting. These men came as though they would have to fight a war to seize Jesus. Are we aware that Jesus was treated as though he were a dangerous person these men with Judas were not Jesus' followers so Judas needed to find some way of pointing out Jesus to the men that were with him. Judas came up with the idea of kissing Jesus as a means of identifying him the Greek phrase Judas used to greet Jesus was an expression utilized among friends, especially when they had not seen each other for a while. In the midst of this hypocrisy Jesus gently called Judas' friend and told him to do what he came to do. Let us reflect on the truth that it is possible to spend time in the presence of Jesus and still lack Jesus's characteristics. John 186 tells us that when Jesus identified himself as the one that the mob had come to capture all of the soldiers and officials fell down as dead men. The Jewish historian records that people carry swords under their garments as they made a dangerous trek to Jerusalem via Jericho. Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servants, Malchus. To draw a sword and a Roman soldier was to invite certain debt. Luke tells us that Jesus healed Marcus's ear. It is believed that none of the other gospels mentioned Peter's name because they were written when Peter was still alive. Let us reflect on the truth that Jesus showed compassion to those who were committed to doing him evil. Jesus then basically told the disciples to calm down. If he wanted to, he could ask his father for twelve legions of angels. However, if he were to do so, scripture could never be fulfilled. A legion at that time considered of 6,000 footmen and 700 horsemen. Not just one of these legions, but twelve of them, Jesus could have dispatched from heaven in an instant. Jesus was stating that he could easily eliminate everyone who had been sent there to accros him. However, this was not the way it was to unfold. Tonight, it would look like the enemy had triumphed. At this point, the men who were with Judah seized Jesus. In the midst of the chaos and confusion, all of Jesus' disciples disappeared. Earlier that evening, these disciples had all vowed that nothing could make them abandon Jesus. Will we stay the course with Jesus? The New Testament provides evidence that the rulers of the day were likely to jail and eliminate those whose viewpoints they did not appreciate. Matthew 14 tells us that Herod Antipas ruled over Galilee and Perea. He had John the Baptist placed in prison. Matthew states that initially Herod Antipas was afraid to have John the Baptist killed, as John the Baptist was popular with the people. John had drawn Herod Antipas' anger when he reproved Herod Antipas for his marriage to Herodias and stated that it was unlawful. The Jewish historian Josephus states that this marriage occurred while Herod Antipas was on a journey to Rome. In the course of these travels, Herod Antipas stopped at his brother Philip's palace. He then fell in love with Philip's wife Herodias. Herod Antipas then put away his own wife, the daughter of Aretus, king of Petria. Herodias agreed to leave her husband and his brother Philip and live with him. Mark states that Salome, Herodias' daughter by her former husband, danced at Herod's birthday feast. As a reward for her skilled dancing, Herod then promised her anything she desired, up to half the kingdom. Salome consulted her mother, who instructed her to ask for John the Baptist's head on a charger. Herod slaughtered John because he did not have the courage to obey the law of God, rather than incur the contempt and ridicule of his evil guests. Can we ignore the opinions of others and live all out for Jesus? Christian history teaches us the importance of being able to ignore the opinions of others and focus on the voice of Jesus. In 1813, a number of English missionaries joined William Key, who is known as the Father of Modern Missions in Serampur, India. Instead of quietly watching and listening to the older missionaries and following the advice, these mainly young new missionaries soon began to hold private meetings among themselves to complain about and criticize the older missionaries' way of doing things. For William, this was heartbreaking. By the end of 1817, the young missionaries and their families had left Serempore and established their own identical mission center 14 miles downriver in Calcutta. The strange going-ons among the missionaries became a regular subject of gossip in Serempur and Calcutta. For William Carey, this was a bitter turn of events that upset him more than anything else he'd had to endure in his life. Can we still serve Jesus even if it means we are misunderstood and unappreciated? We started by asking if we really know who Jesus is. The final week of Jesus' time here on earth in human flesh reveals three essential truths. One, Jesus loves to the end. Two, Jesus obeys to the end. Three, Jesus is abandoned. As we have taken the time to analyze these truths, we have become more like Jesus, which has enabled us to fully live for Jesus. Before you go, if this message spoke to you, like this podcast and subscribe so you don't miss what God is doing here at Catch on Fire Podcasts. If you are ready for real change, take a moment right now to pray with me. Jesus, I give you my life. Lead me, forgive me, and make me new. If you pray that, welcome to the family. Follow along, stay connected, and let's walk this walk together. Please join me as we confess words of life over all of our lives. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are still holding on to God's unchanging hand. We are still in God's holy plan. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are living holy lives as God requires. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, giving clothes to those in need, ministering to the sick and visiting those in prison. And we are doing so to the least of those among us, as when we do so we are ministering to Jesus. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we have received healing, as by his stripes we are healed. From the crown of our head to the soles of our feet, all of our bodily organs are working correctly. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that God is ordering our steps, that all weapons that are formed against us have been utterly and completely destroyed, and every tongue that is rising against us in judgment is condemned. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that all generational curses are cancelled. Anything that runs in our ancestral bloodline that is not of God has no power over us, our children and our grandchildren, and is eliminated forever right now. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that angels are watching over and keeping our family, our children, our grandchildren, our loved ones safe. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that every negative word that has been and is be spoken over our lives and that of our family, children, grandchildren, and loved ones is cancelled and sent back to the pit from whence it came. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are the head and not the tail. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are not and will never be ashamed. Our enemies have not and never will triumph over us. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that anything that is not of God, that has been dispatched to hinder our blessings, our progress, and our well-being is immediately destroyed. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are financially in line with God's word, and as such we are lenders and not borrowers. As a result, all of our debts have been paid and are forgiven. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that the enemy of our souls has no authority over our finances and our funds, and that we are good stewards of the money that God has placed in our keeping. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus in the area of business and our carriers, that just as Isaac reaped a hundredfold, the blessings of Abraham are falling on us, and we are reaping a hundredfold from whatever we put our hands to. We declare and decree in the name of Jesus that we are living under an open heaven in every area of our lives. Blessings are falling on us, our family and our loved ones. These blessings are being manifested in our lives, in the spiritual and in the physical. Let's repeat the 23rd Psalm together. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restored my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea do I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runeth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen.