Resistance to Jesus

Resistance to Jesus

Luke 22:1-6, 47-48, 52-53

-(Oxford Dict.) RESISTANCE = the refusal to accept or comply with something; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument.

-Jesus was resisted by those who never wanted to get too close to Him (somewhat understandable), but also by someone who was a part of His inner circle. 

-Resistance to Christ is certainly not new and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon!

-He has never seemed to be more rejected than He is now!

-I challenge you to look for personal application in your own life to see if there might be some resistance present in your heart today.

I. Entrapment (Luke 22:1-2, 5, 43, 48-49)

-We see in the Gospels several times when individuals and groups try to trap Jesus:

• Satan tried to trick Him into bowing down to Him
• the Scribes/Pharisees tried to tempt Him with accusations
• Pharisees tempted Him to give them a supernatural sign
• Pharisees tried to trap Him with a trick question about His authority
• Pharisees and Herodians team up to trick Him in the area of submission to government
• Sadducees try to trip Him up over relationships in heaven

*Each of these groups had one goal: to defame, deflate, & detract from Jesus & His teachings!

A. Collaboration (1-2)

-Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

B. Convenience (1-2)

-(Mark 14:2) But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

C. Compensation (5)

–And they were glad (a/b the deal Judas made w/ them to betray Jesus), and covenanted to give him money.

D. Combative (47, 52-53)

–And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him…Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

II. Imitation (Luke 22:3-6, 47-48, 22)

-Here, we’re going to see resistance come from someone who is not who he appears to be…notice this resister was…

A. Camouflaged (3-4)

–Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them…

B. Covetous (5)

-they …covenanted to give him money…

-Matt. 26, What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you?

C. Conniving (6, 47-48)

–And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude...And while He (Jesus) yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

D. Condemned (22)

–And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!