Betrayals, Denials, and Trials

Krista Wilson • April 13, 2022

Notes from Pastor Lance Shumake's message on Matthew 26:47-27:26.


Our text this week covers the part of the Easter story where everything is escalating to the cross very quickly. On Sunday, Pastor Lance examined these events through the lens of a Savior who really does know how we feel.


Jesus knows how it feels to be betrayed by someone he trusts.

Judas betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Judas. One of the twelve disciples who had a front-row seat to Jesus’ ministry. Jesus had called him and trusted him, and Judas betrayed him. You have probably felt the sting of betrayal at some point in your life. Jesus knows exactly how that feels.


Jesus knows how it feels to be falsely accused.

The verdict for Jesus was already decided before he was put on trial (Matthew 26:59). He knows exactly how it feels for someone to make something about you in order to discredit you. Notice how Jesus mostly remains silent even though he is falsely accused. We can learn from this that sometimes we don’t have to respond.


Jesus knows how it feels to be mocked and attacked.

Immediately after Caiaphas accuses Jesus of blasphemy, they began to mock him, spit in his face, and attack him. There will be times we are mocked for our faith or even attacked, and this passage reminds us Jesus knows how that feels. 


Jesus knows how it feels to be rejected by those closest to Him.

Peter denies He knows Jesus three times, even after Jesus told him this would happen. Have you experienced the pain of being rejected by someone close to you? Maybe it was a long time friend or even a family member? Jesus can truly empathize with us.


Jesus knows how it feels to be turned against by those on his side.

Jesus rode into the streets on a donkey and the crowd was celebrating his arrival; then just a few days later the crowd was shouting for him to be crucified! Those who seemed to be on his side, turned against him so quickly. 

 

Jesus truly knows how we feel, but it’s much more important than that. The writer of Hebrews gives us some amazing encouragement.


"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to

the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

—Hebrews 4:15–16


Not only does He know how we feel, He can help us. He truly understands, and He has all the authority and power to help us when we struggle. He can help us persevere, he can help us survive, and he can even help us forgive those who reject, betray, and attack us. 

 

In fact, Jesus is enduring all of this in order to provide forgiveness for all the accusers and attackers!

 

Now let’s turn the tables a bit as we continue to look at this part of the story.


We know how it feels to be Judas and Peter.

So many times we decide something else is more valuable than Jesus. How many times do we not like God's plan or the way he is leading us and try to take things into our own hands? Far too often we live our lives in a way that doesn’t look any different than the world, which is denying that we know Him and follow Him. 

 

Judas and Peter both failed miserably, but their responses are so different. Peter repents and is restored. Judas feels bad and takes his own life.


2 Corinthians 7:10, "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."


We can all identify with Judas and Peter but the most important part is our response to those mistakes. Do we turn back to him or do we run away in despair? His arms are always open to restore us.


We need to know how it feels to be Barabbas.

Jesus takes Barabbas’ place on the cross. The guilty man goes free and the innocent man takes his place! That is the gospel story!!


"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness

of God."

—2 Corinthians 5:21


The great exchange is taking place and we need to lean in and know how it feels to be Barabbas. When we feel the weight of Jesus taking our place, that feeling leads to a faith in who Jesus is and what He accomplished. When we have that kind of faith we will follow Him!

Shepherds & Sheep

July 2, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:1-4 Gen. 1:1-2 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Churches should be led by a plurality of elders. Acts 11:30, Acts 14:23, Acts 15, Acts 16:4, Acts 17:1, Acts 20:28, Acts 21:17, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:5, Titus 1:7, James 5:14 Instructions for Pastors: Shepherd God’s flock The words “God’s flock” remind the elders that the congregation does not belong to them. It is God’s church, and they are given the privilege and responsibility of shepherding it. -Thomas R. Schreiner Exercise oversight Oversee willingly (not under compulsion) 1 Cor. 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! Oversee eagerly (not for shameful gain) 2 Cor. 2:17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. Lead by example (not domineering) Strive for Humility 1. Pure Christian humility disposes a person to take notice of everything that is good in others, and to make the best of it, and to diminish their failings. - Jonathan Edwards The Chief Shepherd is Coming Shepherds God’s flock Exercises oversight 1 Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Oversees willingly (not under compulsion) Oversees eagerly (not for shameful gain) 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. Leads by example (not domineering) Hebrews 2:8b-9 we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Discipleship Questions: What are some of the benefits of having multiple elders? How would you define the job / responsibilities of an elder? If you were to move to a new area tomorrow, what would you be looking for in a new church? Why, do you think, the “younger” are specifically instructed to be subject to the elders? How does someone who is “clothed in humility toward one another” behave in the church? Out of the five pastors at Crosspoint, who is your favorite? (just kidding, don’t ask that).

Not Surprised

June 24, 2025
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 4:12-19 We shouldn’t be surprised when we encounter suffering John 15:18–20 [18] “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted We can rejoice knowing we are sharing in Christ’s suffering Matthew 5:11–12 [11] “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. We don’t bring glory to God when we suffer for doing wrong We should choose to glorify God instead of being ashamed We should live in light of the coming judgment of God “Peter shows the meaning of our suffering from two sides. First, our suffering for Christ finds its significance in Christ’s suffering for us. We share now in suffering for him as we shall one day share in glory with him (4:13; 5:1). Secondly, our suffering does not destroy us, but purifies us. The fire of God’s judgment that we endure is not the fire of wrath that will consume the unbelieving.” —Edmund P. Clowney, The Message of 1 Peter We can entrust our souls to our faithful Creator Discipleship Questions: Why is it our tendency to be surprised when we encounter suffering? What are some reasons for rejoicing when you encounter suffering? Why is it so tempting to classify all suffering as persecution, even when we suffer for doing wrong? How can you resist feeling ashamed when you suffer for being a Christian? How do you think God uses suffering to purify His church? How does entrusting your soul to God help you find hope?

Unhindered and Healthy

June 18, 2025
Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 4:7-11 Would you know if your prayers were hindered? How would you know? What causes prayers to be more fruitful? What causes prayers to be interrupted? What hinders our prayers? Not living with your spouse in an understanding way A lack of sober mindedness and self-control Hindered prayers hurt our relationships A lack of self-control… letting your flesh rule you will never result in healthy relationships. A lack of sober mindedness… letting your thoughts rule you will never result in healthy relationships. Self-control and sober minded prayer are those inward things that result in outward expressions. They ready us to set our focus and affections on other people. Application: Keep loving one another earnestly Aim to cover a multitude of sins Make your home available to others Make your gifts available to others Speaking Serving Discipleship Questions: Have you ever become aware that your prayers are hindered? How did you know? What are some practical steps that we can take to strengthen our prayer lives? How do hindered prayers hurt our relationships? How do unhindered prayers strengthen our relationships? What are some practical ways that we can aim to cover a multitude of sins? Define at least 2 practical ways in which you will make your home and your gifts available to others this week. How has your life been impacted by others who have made their homes and their gifts available to you?
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