100:00:00,900 –> 00:00:07,900The problem for Judas was not that he had committed a sin so great that it could not be forgiven.200:00:08,380 –> 00:00:15,380The problem for Judas was that he would not and did not come to Christ for forgiveness.300:00:16,680 –> 00:00:21,580Don’t let that be true of you.400:00:21,580 –> 00:00:26,180Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I am David Pick, and Colin, I am sure500:00:26,379 –> 00:00:32,119Many people have said to you, if you only knew the things I’ve done, God can never forgive600:00:32,119 –> 00:00:37,860me. But here was Judas who actually betrayed Jesus in the garden with a kiss. And that700:00:37,860 –> 00:00:42,520wasn’t even his greatest failure, it was still a sin that could have been forgiven.800:00:42,520 –> 00:00:49,520Judas is overwhelmed by his own sin and sees that as the end. I always want to say to the900:00:49,919 –> 00:00:56,919person who feels I have messed up big time, I have really failed God, don’t be overwhelmed1000:00:58,419 –> 00:01:03,900by your own sin. Let that be the thing that drives you to Christ. Be like Peter. Peter1100:01:03,900 –> 00:01:10,639had a huge sin. He denies Jesus. And he weeps bitterly, but he doesn’t allow that to overwhelm1200:01:10,639 –> 00:01:16,559him. He comes back to Christ and thinks about the life that was ahead of him. He could never1300:01:16,559 –> 00:01:21,559have imagined what Christ would do with him when he was weeping over his own failure.1400:01:21,559 –> 00:01:28,940But Jesus Christ can restore you. Let the biggest failure of your life be the biggest1500:01:28,940 –> 00:01:33,900reason for coming to him. Not the biggest reason for staying away from him. That’s the1600:01:33,900 –> 00:01:39,260issue, and we want to get at that because grace in Jesus Christ is the very heart of1700:01:39,260 –> 00:01:40,300the gospel.1800:01:40,300 –> 00:01:44,860What good news that is! So, let’s open our Bibles together if we can and look at how1900:01:44,860 –> 00:01:51,220Jesus suffered at the hands of his friends. We’re in Mark chapter 14. Here’s Colin.2000:01:51,220 –> 00:01:57,199Now, Mark begins by telling us about this dinner that was given in Jesus’ honour in2100:01:57,199 –> 00:02:04,500the home of Simon, a man who had wonderfully been healed from leprosy. And verse 3, As2200:02:04,500 –> 00:02:10,399Jesus was reclining at the table, a woman, John names her, but Mark chooses just not2300:02:10,539 –> 00:02:20,080to name her. She’s in the background, but she expresses her love and worship to Jesus2400:02:20,080 –> 00:02:27,860by taking this jar of perfume that was worth a whole year’s wages and she takes this,2500:02:27,860 –> 00:02:34,880perhaps it was a family heirloom but certainly it must have been a prized possession, and2600:02:34,940 –> 00:02:41,080she takes what’s worth a year’s wages and she breaks this alabaster jar and she pours2700:02:41,080 –> 00:02:50,160this perfume over the Lord Jesus Christ and she does it as an act of devotion and as an2800:02:50,160 –> 00:02:58,179expression of worship. Christ says in verse 6 that what she did was beautiful, but other2900:02:58,179 –> 00:03:03,720people who were in the house thought that what she had done was wasteful. And Mark tells3000:03:03,740 –> 00:03:11,259us very significantly in verse 10 that this was when Judas went to betray Jesus. Notice3100:03:11,259 –> 00:03:16,460in verse 10 that Judas is described as one of the twelve. You keep finding this because3200:03:16,460 –> 00:03:24,139it’s very important, it’s never just Judas it’s always Judas, one of the twelve because3300:03:24,139 –> 00:03:31,059that’s the point that the betrayal, the pain to Jesus Christ comes from the inside3400:03:31,139 –> 00:03:39,300not from the outside. It comes from one with whom he has walked, it comes from one who3500:03:39,300 –> 00:03:44,559has been engaged in ministry and the beginning of the pain of Christ doesn’t come from his3600:03:44,559 –> 00:03:50,240enemies it comes from his friends, it comes from one of the twelve. Notice that phrase3700:03:50,240 –> 00:03:55,860in verse 10, Judas Iscariot one of the twelve went to the chief priests to betray him, verse3800:03:56,059 –> 00:04:02,86020, Jesus says it is one of the twelve who will betray. Verse 43 when the crowd appears3900:04:02,860 –> 00:04:10,300to arrest Jesus Judas one of the twelve appeared along with the crowd armed with swords and4000:04:10,300 –> 00:04:23,179with clubs. This man was loved by Christ but this man did not belong to Jesus Christ and4100:04:23,420 –> 00:04:27,619although he has been involved in ministry for three years, although he has been trusted4200:04:27,619 –> 00:04:42,739in leadership this is a man who would be lost forever. He comes to the garden of Gethsemane4300:04:42,739 –> 00:04:53,019and verse 45, going at once to Jesus, Judas said Rabbi and kissed him.4400:04:53,059 –> 00:05:04,820That kiss for Judas is the moment of final parting from Jesus, Judas will4500:05:04,820 –> 00:05:16,980no longer see his face and Judas will spend eternity away from Christ.4600:05:17,000 –> 00:05:27,959kiss is his last goodbye. Now it wasn’t just Judas, Jesus says to the disciples4700:05:27,959 –> 00:05:36,739in verse 27 you will all fall away you will all fall away feel the weight4800:05:36,739 –> 00:05:43,320of that. Of course Peter couldn’t even imagine this happening to him verse 294900:05:43,359 –> 00:05:49,119Lord even if all fall away I will not and you see what he’s saying and you5000:05:49,119 –> 00:05:52,899have to admire the courage and the determination of the man he’s saying Lord5100:05:52,899 –> 00:05:58,079I want you to know you can count on me I have all the rest of them go I will be5200:05:58,079 –> 00:06:01,760the last man standing I just want you to know you’ve got one friend in the world5300:06:01,760 –> 00:06:07,959who will not let you down I’m sure he meant it with all his heart but when the5400:06:08,559 –> 00:06:16,160arrived with swords and with clubs fear got the better of faith for all of them5500:06:16,160 –> 00:06:24,859as it does for us many times and that was true for Peter as well verse 505600:06:24,859 –> 00:06:29,559everyone Peter included deserted him and fled5700:06:29,559 –> 00:06:33,540notice the word fled they ran from him it wasn’t that they kind of sloped away5800:06:33,660 –> 00:06:41,299they ran from him but then there seems to be just a flicker of hope just a5900:06:41,299 –> 00:06:50,579flicker one man one man feels that he wants to be close to Jesus on this night6000:06:50,579 –> 00:06:57,260and you know that was Peter he had run with all the rest of them in the garden6100:06:57,260 –> 00:07:01,500but he couldn’t live with his running he felt that he had to be near Jesus and so6200:07:01,500 –> 00:07:06,299we take it up verse 53 where they take Christ into the house of Caiapha’s the6300:07:06,299 –> 00:07:09,820high priest and all these teachers of the law and the others who are going to6400:07:09,820 –> 00:07:15,660condemn and gather in the house and what happens verse 54 Peter follows him at a6500:07:15,660 –> 00:07:23,420distance and right into the courtyard of the high priest he comes and if you can6600:07:23,420 –> 00:07:29,619imagine Jesus perhaps in an upper room with open windows of course gaps in6700:07:29,619 –> 00:07:34,420the walls and and all of this is going on up there as they put him through this6800:07:34,420 –> 00:07:40,220mockery of a trial and then the torture that mark describes here and Peters6900:07:40,220 –> 00:07:46,399outside in the courtyard just within hearing distance of all that is going7000:07:46,399 –> 00:07:52,739there he’s there and he wants to be there and he wants to be there for Jesus7100:07:53,420 –> 00:07:59,660but you know the story someone recognizes him she’s one of the staff in7200:07:59,660 –> 00:08:08,660the high priests house verse 67 you were with him you run nasrin she says7300:08:08,660 –> 00:08:14,579Peter denies it but she wouldn’t be put off first sixty nine she goes to some7400:08:14,579 –> 00:08:18,040others who are standing around in the courtyard and she says this fellow is7500:08:18,500 –> 00:08:23,559that he’s one of them he’s with them and so they take up the question verse 707600:08:31,019 –> 00:08:38,059for you are a Galilean Peter began to call down curses on himself and he’s7700:08:38,559 –> 00:08:47,739swore to them I don’t know this man you’re talking about now it is Luke in7800:08:47,739 –> 00:08:56,479his Gospel who describes for us how God orchestrated three events to converge in7900:08:56,479 –> 00:09:03,200the same moment of time Christ has been subjected to this mock trial and then8000:09:03,719 –> 00:09:08,780Christ has been subjected to this mock trial and then this torture this8100:09:08,780 –> 00:09:13,539beating of many blows in the house of the high priests and at the end if you8200:09:13,539 –> 00:09:22,020can picture it bruised by many blows he is dragged across the courtyard and in8300:09:22,020 –> 00:09:30,760that moment as Christ is dragged across the courtyard he hears the voice of his8400:09:30,859 –> 00:09:42,700dear friend cursing swearing I do not know this man and at that moment the8500:09:42,700 –> 00:09:50,900cock crowed and it’s Luke who says to us that Jesus turned and looked at Peter8600:09:50,900 –> 00:09:56,359I’ve heard it said many many times what must that Luke have meant in terms of8700:09:56,359 –> 00:10:01,140pain and Peters heart but what I want you to think about today is what did8800:10:01,140 –> 00:10:09,919that moment mean in terms of pain in the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ and so by8900:10:09,919 –> 00:10:21,200the end of the chapter Christ is alone you see why did this have to happen why9000:10:21,239 –> 00:10:29,260was it that Christ had to be alone why the breakup of his inner circle why the9100:10:29,260 –> 00:10:33,739unraveling of all these years of ministry that he has poured into these9200:10:33,739 –> 00:10:44,159men because Christ bears the sins of the world alone no one can contribute to9300:10:44,239 –> 00:10:52,619Christ is doing here no one can say of the redemption of the world I had a9400:10:52,619 –> 00:10:56,520part in this I was there to help him I made a contribution9500:10:56,520 –> 00:11:02,280I was the one who stood with him for Christ does not do his redeeming work9600:11:02,280 –> 00:11:11,119with us Christ does his redeeming work for us and he is utterly alone as he9700:11:11,539 –> 00:11:19,539this great redeeming work I will right the shepherd9800:11:19,719 –> 00:11:23,599we’ve got the was a message briefly there you’re listening to open the Bible9900:11:23,599 –> 00:11:28,219with Pastor Colin Smith then a message called Jesus suffered at the hands of10000:11:28,219 –> 00:11:32,239his friends don’t forget if you ever miss one of our messages you can catch10100:11:32,239 –> 00:11:38,059up online at our website open the Bible dot-org dot UK back to the message now10200:11:38,059 –> 00:11:41,099we’re in mark chapter 14 here’s Colin10300:11:41,119 –> 00:11:45,940let’s just turn it a moment and think about these things for a moment from the10400:11:45,940 –> 00:11:49,940angle of the sheep which of course is our own angle10500:11:49,940 –> 00:11:59,580I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered and in the garden of10600:11:59,580 –> 00:12:05,580Gethsemane Jesus warned the disciples about the temptation10700:12:06,440 –> 00:12:07,039to face10800:12:07,039 –> 00:12:10,039look at it in verse 3810900:12:10,039 –> 00:12:14,679particularly will you and notice the you speaking to them about that battle11000:12:15,340 –> 00:12:22,179he says watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation for the Spirit11100:12:22,179 –> 00:12:25,960is willing but the body is weak11200:12:25,960 –> 00:12:30,320he’s not talking to them about somehow supporting him in his trial he’s saying11300:12:30,320 –> 00:12:33,320look you are going to face a trial11400:12:33,400 –> 00:12:38,359you are going to face an extraordinary temptation and if you’re going to stand11500:12:38,359 –> 00:12:43,440you’re going to have to watch and you’re going to have to pray but you know the11600:12:43,440 –> 00:12:51,739story they did not watch and they did not pray and so when temptation came11700:12:51,739 –> 00:12:54,820they were overwhelmed by it11800:12:54,820 –> 00:13:03,200they all desired to tell and fled this work of redeeming the world is a work11900:13:03,239 –> 00:13:09,200that Christ does alone it is the work that he has to do for us but this work12000:13:09,200 –> 00:13:14,239of watching and praying is a work that he calls us to do for him12100:13:14,239 –> 00:13:20,700ourselves this is what we must do you must watch you must pray because you are12200:13:20,700 –> 00:13:27,280going to enter into temptation and if you are going to stand in it here is12300:13:27,280 –> 00:13:30,799what you must do this is why we are in this garden now don’t fall asleep12400:13:30,799 –> 00:13:36,840alert be prepared for what you will face I12500:13:36,840 –> 00:13:44,280wonder if you can see yourself here it’s been rich just a privilege for me to12600:13:44,280 –> 00:13:52,359meditate in these scriptures this week but oh how much I see myself we are the12700:13:52,619 –> 00:14:01,880have not watched we are the ones who have not prayed we are the ones are we12800:14:01,880 –> 00:14:09,039not who have fallen into temptation we are the ones who have backed away from12900:14:09,039 –> 00:14:16,280the full cost of following Jesus Christ we are the ones who too often have run13000:14:16,840 –> 00:14:25,640from him instead of running to him we are the scattered sheep and our sins13100:14:25,640 –> 00:14:33,960have brought his sufferings I will strike the Shepherd and the sheep will13200:14:33,960 –> 00:14:41,799be scattered oh don’t you want to thank God today praise God that that is not13300:14:41,799 –> 00:14:48,159the end of the story the scattering of the sheep is not the last word look at13400:14:48,159 –> 00:14:53,719verse 28 of mark chapter 14 you will all fall away Jesus says for it’s written13500:14:53,719 –> 00:14:59,979I’ll strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered but but13600:14:59,979 –> 00:15:08,479after I have risen I will go ahead of you into Galilee so the striking of the13700:15:09,119 –> 00:15:13,059not be the end of the story and the scattering of the sheep the failure of13800:15:13,059 –> 00:15:18,799the sheep our falling into temptation even in these last days will will not be13900:15:18,799 –> 00:15:25,919the end of the story because Christ speaks here about his own resurrection14000:15:25,919 –> 00:15:32,820though he stands utterly alone in the suffering he is not like the disciples14100:15:32,820 –> 00:15:43,840overcome by it and he gives this great promise after I have risen I will go14200:15:43,840 –> 00:15:52,280ahead of you to Galilee see the sheep are scattered but there’s still his14300:15:52,280 –> 00:16:02,799sheep and for all our failures to watch and for all our failures to pray and for14400:16:02,820 –> 00:16:08,859all are falling into temptation and for all of the times that we have been14500:16:08,859 –> 00:16:17,840defeated the sheep may be scattered but if you belong to Jesus Christ whatever14600:16:17,840 –> 00:16:23,679the failure that is burdening your heart or your mind right now you are still his14700:16:23,700 –> 00:16:35,159sheep and this Christ will not let one of his sheep be lost the disciples don’t14800:16:35,159 –> 00:16:39,179really seem to grasp the amazing promise that Jesus gives them here it seems as14900:16:39,179 –> 00:16:44,859if it’s skated over their minds they didn’t latch on to the hope of the15000:16:44,859 –> 00:16:48,900resurrection of Jesus Christ or to the promise of him gathering the sheep15100:16:48,900 –> 00:16:55,640together in Galilee and they didn’t see it we need to grasp on to that promise15200:16:55,640 –> 00:17:04,880today we have failed Christ in many ways we have fallen into temptation and some15300:17:04,880 –> 00:17:11,040of us have come to church today and we feel defeated and you need to hear this15400:17:11,040 –> 00:17:18,079word of Hope Christ says after I have written I will go ahead of you you say15500:17:18,079 –> 00:17:24,680what does that mean for me well what it means is this the Christ will not leave15600:17:24,680 –> 00:17:30,579you in the misery of your failure that this Christ is in the business the15700:17:30,579 –> 00:17:34,780risen Lord Jesus Christ is in the business of gathering his scattered15800:17:34,780 –> 00:17:40,160sheep that your failure that you’re falling into temptation is not the end15900:17:40,160 –> 00:17:45,900of the story it will not have the last word this is the hope of the gospel the16000:17:45,939 –> 00:17:52,239risen Christ gathers his scattered sheep and those who have fallen into16100:17:52,239 –> 00:17:56,939temptation can come to him today and those who have been running away from16200:17:56,939 –> 00:18:03,920him can turn and return to him today did you fail to watch did you fail to pray16300:18:03,920 –> 00:18:10,119this week did you fall into temptation you can come to this risen Lord Jesus16400:18:10,540 –> 00:18:16,520Christ and don’t be afraid to come because this Lord Jesus Christ knows16500:18:16,520 –> 00:18:22,359you and he has loved you as long as he has known knew and as deep as he knows16600:18:22,359 –> 00:18:26,520you he knew you before you were converted he knew your nature then and16700:18:26,520 –> 00:18:34,780and he knew your sin and he loved you and he knows what you have been since16800:18:34,780 –> 00:18:38,319your conversion he knows your weakness he knows your failure he knows your16900:18:38,319 –> 00:18:45,699particular struggles he knows your inconsistency and he loves you now this17000:18:45,699 –> 00:18:52,099was true for the disciples in their failure and it is wonderfully true for17100:18:52,099 –> 00:18:58,040us today so the scattering of the sheep i17200:18:58,040 –> 00:19:07,180think reminds us of how far a real Christian can fall but Christ knows his17300:19:07,199 –> 00:19:20,339sheep and even if they are scattered the sheep are still his after I have risen I17400:19:20,339 –> 00:19:27,099will go ahead of you to Galilee see why Galilee the Resurrection appearances17500:19:27,099 –> 00:19:32,760started in Jerusalem didn’t they yes but it was at Galilee you remember that17600:19:33,000 –> 00:19:42,099Peter was restored that’s the whole point of the promise and you say but17700:19:42,099 –> 00:19:51,439what about Judas he wasn’t with them at Galilee the Bible tells us he had17800:19:51,439 –> 00:20:01,119already taken his own life I want you to understand this the problem for Judas17900:20:01,119 –> 00:20:08,579was not that he had committed a sin so great that it could not be forgiven that18000:20:08,579 –> 00:20:13,959was not the problem the problem for Judas was not that he had committed a18100:20:13,959 –> 00:20:19,939sin so great that it could not be forgiven the problem for Judas was that18200:20:19,939 –> 00:20:25,560he would not and did not come to Christ for forgiveness18300:20:26,479 –> 00:20:35,060don’t let that be true of you see there’s two sides here Christ goes ahead18400:20:35,060 –> 00:20:44,020of them to Galilee but they must come and gather to him there and Peter and18500:20:44,020 –> 00:20:55,800Judas stand before us I think as two men who have failed Jesus Christ and Peter18600:20:55,800 –> 00:21:08,079is restored so no one should ever despair and Judas is lost so no one18700:21:08,920 –> 00:21:18,540presume if you will not come to Christ in repentance and in faith you’re18800:21:18,540 –> 00:21:29,199identifying with Judas don’t let that be true of you you see the easiest place18900:21:29,199 –> 00:21:33,540to avoid truly coming to Christ in repentance and faith is in the pew of a19000:21:33,540 –> 00:21:39,680church that’s what Judas teaches us the greatest danger of sitting in the pew of19100:21:39,680 –> 00:21:46,319a church at a distance from Christ is that we may think things are well and we19200:21:46,319 –> 00:21:54,939may presume I will go ahead of you to Galilee but they must come and Peter did19300:21:55,920 –> 00:22:03,660and so did the Eleven and not one who comes to Jesus Christ in repentance and19400:22:03,660 –> 00:22:11,479faith will ever be turned away nor ever ever be finally lost19500:22:11,479 –> 00:22:18,380that’s the gospel that is the gospel the Good News and it begs the question have19600:22:18,380 –> 00:22:23,099you believed the gospel have you come to Christ maybe as you’ve been listening to19700:22:23,099 –> 00:22:27,280the message today you’ve heard God calling you into a relationship with19800:22:27,280 –> 00:22:31,400Jesus Christ you’d like to know more about how to enter into that19900:22:31,400 –> 00:22:35,959relationship by the saving grace of God and if so I hope you’ll seek out a20000:22:35,959 –> 00:22:39,920trusted Christian friend or family member or maybe go along to a Christian20100:22:39,920 –> 00:22:44,839Church Fellowship take time to speak with the folk there the pastor or simply20200:22:44,839 –> 00:22:48,500members of that fellowship tell them about your journey to discover faith20300:22:48,500 –> 00:22:52,920for yourself you’ll find they’ll be ready to pray with you to help you make20400:22:53,160 –> 00:22:57,439that step or if you’re not yet ready to make that step and still have questions20500:22:57,439 –> 00:23:02,800there may well be a Bible study course or a home group or an alpha program that20600:23:02,800 –> 00:23:07,040you can join if you live within travelling distance of Cheltenham their20700:23:07,040 –> 00:23:11,400heart of the Cotswolds you might want to book a ticket for Cotswold Bible20800:23:11,400 –> 00:23:17,319Festival it takes place on November the 23rd 2024 and it features Pastor Colin20900:23:17,319 –> 00:23:22,219Smith as the main speaker Cotswood Bible Festival aims to encourage and equip21000:23:22,359 –> 00:23:27,260those of all ages to follow Jesus the event takes place at Cheltenham Ladies21100:23:27,260 –> 00:23:32,459College and you can obtain tickets at Cotswold bible festival com that’s21200:23:32,459 –> 00:23:38,300Cotswold Bible festival dot-com open the Bible is able to stay on this station21300:23:38,300 –> 00:23:43,979and on the internet as a result of the generous gifts made by our listeners if21400:23:43,979 –> 00:23:48,239you were able to begin supporting open the Bible for the first time in this way21500:23:48,239 –> 00:23:52,920we have an offer for you if you’re able to set up a new direct debit in the21600:23:52,920 –> 00:23:57,680amount of 5 pounds per month or one-off gift of 50 pounds we’d love to say21700:23:57,680 –> 00:24:03,599thank you by sending you a copy of R.C. sprawls book, the advent of glory it’s21800:24:03,599 –> 00:24:09,06024 devotions for Christmas Colin some of us grew up without hearing much about21900:24:09,060 –> 00:24:15,380Advent so what is advent? well advent very simply means coming or arrival and22000:24:15,380 –> 00:24:19,599so it can refer either to the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ when he22100:24:19,599 –> 00:24:24,739was born in the manger or the glorious Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ22200:24:24,739 –> 00:24:30,739when he’s going to return in power and glory and this book by RC sprawl the22300:24:30,739 –> 00:24:36,959Advent of Glory is just a marvelous devotional he’s picked out 24 words22400:24:36,959 –> 00:24:41,640from the heart of the Christmas story and about four pages on each, it’s a22500:24:42,619 –> 00:24:47,579There’s a prayer that follows each of these devotions and it’s a wonderful22600:24:47,579 –> 00:24:49,979wonderful way to prepare for Christmas.22700:24:49,979 –> 00:24:52,319Well RC Sprawl’s book The Advent22800:24:52,319 –> 00:24:55,780of Glory is our gift to you for beginning to support Open the Bible22900:24:55,780 –> 00:25:00,880financially this month, full details of this offer terms and conditions and to23000:25:00,880 –> 00:25:06,640give online at our website opennessmith.org.uk23100:25:06,640 –> 00:25:09,400For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick and I23200:25:09,439 –> 00:25:12,880hope you’ll join us again next time.23300:25:16,079 –> 00:25:21,839We often talk about how the death of Jesus touches our lives, but how does the23400:25:21,839 –> 00:25:29,579suffering of Jesus touch our lives today? Find out next time on Open the Bible.