The first two Scottish missionaries sent to the New Hebrides Islands were killed and eaten by cannibals on the day they arrived. After that it proved difficult to find missionary volunteers. But even when John G. Paton agreed to go, well-meaning people in the church tried to dissuade him. One elderly man warned that he would be eaten by cannibals. Paton replied, “I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my resurrection body will arise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer.” After fifteen years of fruitful ministry, almost everyone on the island of Aniwa where Paton ministered was converted.
Serving God is not a guarantee of an easy life. But we are called to a life of service, even if it means giving up everything. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). (Source: John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides, John Gibson Paton and James Paton)
We often fill our responses to God’s calls with human reasoning that seems to justify our own exemption. We will say, “It is too hard…too lonely…too expensive…and too far away (to name a few).” It should also be noted that all of these are based on our own assumptions, because we have not yet followed His call! Did you know that Jesus knew there would be overwhelming hardship in following the will of God the Father before the hardship ever surfaced?! We must follow God anywhere He leads!
Jesus Knew of Betrayal (Mark 14:18-21)
Jesus says in Mark 14, “one of you will betray me.” Who is the “you” in this passage. His 12 disciples. Those who had followed Him…those He taught and poured His energy into…those for whom He invested immensely – one of these would betray him.
No treachery is worse than betrayal by a family member or friend. Julius Caesar knew such treachery. Among the conspirators who assassinated the Roman leader on March 15, 44 was Marcus Junius Brutus. Caesar not only trusted Brutus, he had favored him as a son. According to Roman historians, Caesar first resisted the onslaught of the assassins. But when he saw Brutus among them with his dagger drawn, Caesar ceased to struggle and, pulling the top part of his robe over his face, asked the famous question, "You too, Brutus?" (Source: Today in the Word, August 13, 1992)
William Tyndale, first translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into English, making a Bible for the common people. In 1535 he was betrayed by a friend, taken prisoner to the castle of Vilford, and continued to work on his translation. He was unable to finish his work because he was sentenced to die a heretic's death: Strangulation and burning at the stake. On October 6, 1536 he cried out his last words. Source Unknown.
Our natural response to betrayal is hurt, depression, and even anger & bitterness. However, the Lord did not choose these. The supernatural response (Holy Spirit empowered) is burden for the betrayer, forgiveness, and continued sacrifice. Psalm 86:5 tells us God is ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy to all those who call on Him. Colossians 3:13 teaches us, “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Matthew 26:28 points us to Jesus Christ’s words on forgiveness while at the last supper (right before heading to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray), “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Luke 23:34 shows us what Jesus said while on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Then Ephesians 4:32 repeats the call of forgiveness with the standard of forgiveness that was mentioned in Colossians 3:13, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” There probably aren’t many people here that have not suffered the wound of betrayal. There was no greater betrayal than what Jesus suffered, and His response was forgiveness. To complicate the betrayal Jesus suffered, we must remember He knew one would betray Him before the betrayal ever took place. What is your response to betrayal?
Jesus Knew of Suffering (Mark 14:22-25)
Mark 14:24, “this is my blood which is shed for many.” Hebrews 9:22 reminds us that without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sins. This is clearly seen in the OT law and the required sacrifices of the lambs without blemish. Now THE perfect lamb of God has come to take away the sins of the world! Jesus knew this was necessary…He knew of His coming suffering. His prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane clearly tells us of known coming suffering, “let this cup pass…nevertheless, not my will, but thy will be done.”
The response to suffering can be varied. Relief pitching ace Donny Moore couldn’t seem to resolve his anguish over losing an American League championship series game many years ago. In a moment of total torment, he shot his wife and then shot himself.
Compare that with Dave Dravecky, who loses not only a game but a career, a livelihood, his pitching arm, and his shoulder. He is energetically rebuilding his life and looking forward to whatever tomorrow might bring. He now runs Outreach of Hope non-profit organization to help people that are suffering.
What do we do with known suffering…suffering in our own lives or the suffering we see in the lives of others? I’ve heard some say the suffering is a sign that God is displeased, and some go as far as to say, “God is going to take your life because He is displeased.” That may be true in some circumstances…but it is not universal. Paul suffered, Job suffered, the disciples suffered, Jeremiah suffered. Suffering doesn’t automatically equal “sin being punished!”
Jesus would suffer because sin was being punished in Him for others. Jesus knew He was about to suffer for the very people who caused the suffering. We know that Jesus even pleads for something different in the Garden of Gethsemane (let this cup pass)…but in the end He declares, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” How do we respond to suffering in our life and in the lives of others? Jesus’ response was yielded to the will of God the Father. In the end, Jesus rose from the dead victorious! The suffering and death did not defeat Jesus! Jesus defeated sin, death, and hell.
The suffering is never fun or comfortable, but God will never despise a “broken and contrite heart” (Ps. 51:17). Psalm 34:18 goes on to say, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” In suffering, it is always the Lord who will deliver you in life or in death…but He is the One who delivers!
Jesus Knew of Abandonment (Desertion) (Mark 14:27-28)
At age 16, Madame Jeanne Guyon (1648-1717) was forced into an arranged marriage with an invalid who was 22 years older. She found her marriage to be one of utter humiliation. Her husband was often angry and melancholy. Her mother-in-law was a merciless critic. Even the maid despised her. In spite of her best attempts at devotion to her husband and family, she was subjected to relentless criticism.
Forbidden by her husband to attend church, she sought God in His Word and worshiped Him in secret. She learned that even in the midst of her dreary circumstances she was "perfectly fine—within the safe hands of God." She also wrote, "Abandonment [to Christ] is the key to the fathomless depths. Abandonment is the key to the spiritual life." (Source: “Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ,” by Madame Jeanne Guyon)
When we observe the Lord’s supper as the church, we ought to be reminded that before the Son of God willingly took our place on the cross – He knew of betrayal, suffering, and abandonment. Yet, experiencing all of this, the Lord “gave His life a ransom for all!” For even those who have betrayed Him…for those who have caused Him much anguish…and even for those who abandon Him.
What is our response to the Lord today when serving Him – and we too experience betrayal, suffering, and abandonment? The solution is found in Jesus. What did Jesus do?
1. Jesus rehearsed truth.
He quoted scripture. How much truth do you know?
2. Jesus prayed alone.
What does your prayer life look like in good times?
3. Jesus prayed with friends.
What friends do you pray with right now?
4. Jesus prayed for others.
The human response is vengeance…a longing for justice. Jesus longed for his torturers to be forgiven!
5. Jesus yielded to the will of the Father.
Since Jesus yielded to God, judgment for sin was paid in full! Since Jesus yielded to God’s will, atonement for the sin of the world was made available to all who believe (John 3:16-18)! Everything of great value will cost something great. Jesus suffered immensely on the cross, but He also secured true freedom from the power of sin, the penalty of sin, and eventually the genuine child of God will know freedom from the presence of sin in heaven. Are you willing to follow God anywhere He leads?