Betrayal, abandonment, and greed.

These three words summarize the final hours of Jesus Christ. After several years of teaching, preaching, healing, and walking the hills of Galilee, the time for Jesus Christ to fulfill the plan of the Father to redeem sinners reaches a climax in Mark 14. However, as Jesus prepares for the cross he is completely let down by his closest friends.

Judas, a disciple who has been with Jesus for years - eating with him, talking with him, traveling with him - Judas decides he would rather have money than have Jesus Christ. After years of being with Jesus he doesn't appear to have aquired much money. His bank account is not impressive. Yet, instead of being faithful to Christ, Judas is faithful to his own greed and selfishness.

He betrays Jesus Christ. He betrays his close friend. He would rather have a few coins in his pocket than have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Moreover, the greed and betrayal of Judas is followed up by the complete abandonment of the other disciples. Mark 14 tells us that Jesus Christ predicts that all of his disciples will run from him when the religious leaders come to arrest him. Yet, Peter remains obstinate and argumentative.

He objects. He opposes Jesus.

You can almost imagine Peter saying, "You're right Jesus. I can see some of other disciples running away, they're weak. I know some of them aren't all in on this with you. But Jesus, I'm with you to the end. I would die with you!"

However, as one scholar writes, the boldness of Peter is only overshadowed by his failure.

Peter abandons Jesus Christ in his hour of need. Just as Andrew, James, John, and all the other disciples do when Jesus is arrested. As Jesus Christ prepares to endure the wrath of God on sin on the cross, he does it all alone. He does after being betrayed. He does it when everyone has abandoned him. Each of the disciples show their selfishness and sin as they flee from Christ.

But Jesus Christ remains faithful. He is devoted to the plan of redemption. Nothing will deter him from achieving his mission of rescuing sinners from sin and death by offering his life as a sacrifice on the cross. His fidelity towards the Father is demonstrated as he dies for sinners like Peter. Further, his faitfhulness is demonstrated by dying for sinners like you who share the same sinful nature as Peter and James and the other disciples. 

Even when everyone abandons Christ, he does not abandon the Father's plan of redemption. He goes to the cross and faces death so that you might experience eternal life. His death on the cross reveals that God will never abandon his people because he has given his Son to secure them forever.