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Lesson Series

10. The Life of Paul

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©2007 David A. Jones.
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OBJECTIVES:  To show that:
1. Judas, despite all the privileges that had been his, decided to betray the Lord Jesus.
2. The Lord gave him, time and again, an opportunity to repent.
3. When Judas at last changed his mind, it was too late.
4. The work of salvation was carried out by the Lord Jesus ALONE .
5. Our salvation was obtained at a very high cost.

SCENE No. 1.  In the Upper Room.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON:
Note: Before relating the details of Judas’ betrayal of the Lord Jesus in Gethsemane, it is wise to go over a few of the details that serve as background.
For example:
1. In the Institution of the Supper, mention how the Lord Jesus rose from the table to wash the disciples feet. Judas received evidences of affection from the Lord, but persisted in his intention to betray Him.
2.  A few days before, Judas had gone to the chief priests (Matt. 26:14-15) and offered to deliver Jesus to them in exchange for thirty piece of silver.
3. Judas had gone to the chief priests AFTER the rebuke given by the Lord Jesus for the criticism of Mary of Bethany.
4. From then on, he had looked for an opportunity to betray Him.
Sug. As an opener with the class, ask for feedback from the students where they might have had an experience of thinking someone was a friend, only to discover they were en enemy.
- Judas is unaware that his secret is known to Jesus, who, during the meal, reveals that one of those present will betray Him.
- The other disciples have not suspected such a thing, Matt. 26:22.
- They recognize their ignorance and also their own weakness, for they ask,    "Lord, is it I?"
- The Lord shows them how to identify the traitor.
- To "dip his hand" in the same dish shows that Judas kept up the appearance of being in fellowship with Jesus.
Cns.  What would the alarmed faces of the others have looked like?
- The great grace of the Lord Jesus is seen when He serves Judas, passing him bread dipped in the stew they were eating.
Apl. "The Son of Man came  [..] to minister".  (Matt. 20:28)
- Having been pointed out as the betrayer, Judas leaves the room. (Jn. 13:30).
- The Lord had given him yet another opportunity to repent
- Despite all the privileges that had been his, Judas has made up his mind to betray the Lord Jesus.
Cmt. This point shows the hardness of the heart of man dominated by sin.

Cns. Sin in a person has a hardening effect which is seen in his insensitivity towards the One who is his Creator.
- The disciples well knew the reason for the celebration the Passover, and now that Judas has gone out, this last Passover is going to lead to the first Lord's Supper.

SCENE No. 2.  Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON:
(If using flannelgraph, it is useful to have certain important quotes, such as the word of Jesus' prayer, printed up and added to the board.)
- Most of the time, Jesus went everywhere accompanied by His disciples.
Cns. This time in the Garden, the eleven disciples go with Him up to a certain point, then He goes farther taking Peter, James and John, asking them to watch with Him as he goes on alone to pray.
Cns. When it comes to carrying out His the work of salvation, Jesus is ALONE.
Apl. The Lord Jesus Christ was the only one able to pay the price of redemption.
Cmt. The (Catholic) idea that Jesus was helped by His mother in the work of Redemption is disproved by this scene in the Garden.
- While Jesus prays, the disciples sleep.
- On three occasions, the Lord goes back to find the disciples sleeping.
- Jesus woke them up the first time.  The second time, He left them sleeping.   When He returned the third time, He did not awake them, but left them sleeping until Judas and the soldiers arrived.
- The disciples lost a great opportunity to watch with their Lord and Master.
Cns. How much spiritual blessing did they lose because of their indifference?
Ctr. All their promises to accompany Jesus (Matt. 26:33-35) are shown to be unfounded good intentions.
- The cup He must drink to which Jesus refers in His prayer is a cup of suffering in order that we might drink from the cup of salvation.
- Having already negotiated with the chief priests the betrayal of Jesus, Judas finalizes the arrangements while the Lord is praying.
Cmt The faithfullness of the Lord in the fulfilment of His mission shows up in contrast to the greed and corruption of Judas who is on his way to the Garden to deliver up Jesus.
- Jesus' submission to the will of His Father shows what real obedience is: complete fulfillment despite the cost.
- Having finished this experience in the Garden, the Lord willingly turns Himself over to His enemies.
Cmt. It would impossible for them to take Him prisoner, had it not been the will of His Father. (See John 10:17-18).
Lsn. The preciousness of the Lord Jesus in being obedient “even unto death” should be stressed, so that His work is appreciated in it’s proper dimension by the students.

SCENE No. 3.  Judas and the multitude reach Gethsemane.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON: -
Cmt.  It should be pointed out that Jesus did not have a halo around His head, as religious pictures show, nor some special distinguishing mark. This is why Judas gave the sign of a kiss to show who He was.
- Jesus looked like an ordinary man.  The big difference between Him and the others was evident in His speech and actions marked by perfection and holiness, besides His power.
- Judas was well acquainted with the favorite place (the Garden of Gethsemane), where Jesus chose to be with His disciples.
- He did not go to hide Himself there, for He knew His "hour" had come. (Luke 22:53)
- For this reason, Jesus goes forth to meet the crowd and Judas as they reach the Garden. (John 18:1-4)
- Judas' sin is made worse by his use of a kiss, the sign of love and friendship, to betray the Lord Jesus.
- Jesus calls him "Friend."  This not only reveals the grace of the Lord but also is evidence to those that accompany Judas that a friendship had existed between them.
- However hard these men might have been, it must have been evident to them that high treason was being committed by Judas.
- John 18:6 tells how these men involuntarily fell to the ground before the Lord when He revealed Himself as I AM.
- This would prove the seriousness of the deed in which the soldiers were involved.
- Despite the display of power by the Lord Jesus in making these men prostrate themselves before Him, they insisted on arresting Him.

SCENE No. 4.  Application.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON: -
Sug.  This scene could have the written question,
What will YOU do with Jesus? and some figures to represent people with different attitudes towards Him.
- Anyone that has the opportunity to listen to the gospel is responsible to make a decision about the person of Christ.
- Throughout the life of Christ here on earth and in the following centuries, people have been deciding for or against Him.
For example:
Judas -- Sold Him
Mary of Bethany -- Worshipped Him.
The Thief on the Cross -- Confessed Him as Lord
Others -- Listened to Him speak
Some -- Obeyed and served Him
Still others -- Rejected Him
- Compare the different attitudes of these people with those of people today, including the young people of the class.
- Whoever does not accept Jesus as Saviour is rejecting Him, even when it is not an open rejection, as was that of Judas.