Looking Jesus in the Eye

The following is from Montrose Baptist Church's AM worship service on November 29, 2009.

Perhaps one of the most famous betrayal stories in history came during the height of the Roman republic. It has been retold in various forms and fashions, and even lives on through the writings of William Shakespeare.
On the Ides of March (March 15) in 44 BC, a conspiracy to assassinate Roman dictator Julius Caesar came to fruition.
Many of you are probably familiar with that particular story. On the eve of that day, Mark Antony learned vaguely of the plot to kill Caesar. And in hopes to divert the attack, he attempted to head off the dictator at the steps of the forum.
However, a group of senators intercepted Julius Caesar before he ever made it that far and diverted him into a room adjoining the east portico.
At that time, Caesar was presented with a petition to recall his exiled brother. The group of men crowded around him to offer their support and cheer on the decision, but Caesar waved them off.
After refusing the request, one of the men pulled down Caesars tunic and another drew a dagger and swiped at his neck. During the tussle, others joined the attack and Caesar found himself on the floor surrounded by an angry mob.
Yet, Caesar attempted to defend himself against this onslaught. While there is some debate and discussion about Caesar’s last words, there is a general consensus by most to accept one of the following phrases: “Kai su teknon” in the Greek which means “You too, son?” or “Et tu, Brute” in the Latin which means, “And you, Brutus?”
The story is told that Caesar attempted to defend himself until he saw that Brutus was among those that were attacking him. Brutus, a distant cousin of Caesar’s, was actually loved and regarded as Caesar’s own son.
Legend has it that upon seeing the identity of this particular conspirator, that Caesar pulled his toga over his head and surrendered to the attack. He simply asked, “You too, son?” and surrendered his life.
Now, this day has been studied throughout history. Historians have argued over the details of the occasion. However, there is one aspect of the story that tends to be ignored. What must it have felt like to be in Brutus’ position? How would you feel if you were found betraying someone that loved you like their own child- and had to look them in the eye and hear them call your name?
This morning, we are going to look at an occasion when one of God’s beloved people had to look, not Caesar, but the Son of God in the eye after his betrayal- when he too, had to face the reality that the person that loved him more dearly than any other recognized his place in the plot.
We are going to examine what it must have been like to look Jesus in the eye.

Read text. (Matthew 26:20-29)

This morning, as we prepare ourselves to partake of the Lord’s Supper, we too must be willing to look Jesus in the eye. We must be willing to deal with the truth that Jesus sees in us.
And as we come to an understanding of where we stand as we look Jesus in the eye, I want to investigate what this day must have been like for Judas. I’m afraid that if we are honest, we might see part of ourselves in his story.
As we look at the passage, the first thing that we find is…

1.) The Betrayal
“When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. Now as they were eating, He said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.’”
During the course of the evening, as the disciples were sitting around the table with Jesus, it is prophesied that one of the disciples will betray Jesus.
Most believers would likely pair the betrayal with the kiss on the cheek in Gethsemane when Jesus was physically handed over to the authorities. It seems that Jesus is even alluding to the coming events.
However, I would suggest that Jesus has already been betrayed. It is not a future event, but rather a past one. Just look at what happened earlier in this chapter. Verses 14 and 15 say, “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?’ And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.” It was at this point that Judas agreed to sell out Jesus. Through his agreement in this scheme, he actually started the process of Jesus’ betrayal.
Judas is by far the most infamous person in the Bible. He is hated and despised by believers. I, too, can hardly hear his name and not squirm. His act of betrayal is one never forgotten by those who call Jesus, “Lord.”
However, my goal today, is not that we would have a Judas-bashing evening. Rather, I want us to evaluate what we may have in common with him.
Let me ask, “Have you betrayed Jesus?”
Now pause a little before you get angry because I’ve suggested that we are like Judas. We may not have identified Jesus to the Jewish leaders, but I would bet that there have been times when we accepted 30 pieces of silver in Jesus’ place. In fact, we’ve probably done it at times for far less.
Thirty pieces of silver was the price of a slave. Additionally, a modern jeweler has tried to translate the worth of the metals into a modern price tag. He suggests that thirty pieces of silver is probably worth about $190.
I’m sure that there are things that cost far less that cause us to turn our backs on our Savior.
We betray Jesus every time we deny Jesus sole lordship of our lives. When we withhold something from him, we are in turn saying that it means more to us than he. We choose pleasure, comfort, and convenience over Jesus.
This encounter began with betrayal. But that was not all. Rather, when there is betrayal, there is something that inevitably follows…

2.) The Cover-up.
“Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, ‘Rabbi, is it I?’”
Judas was actively looking for an opportunity to deliver Jesus to the chief priests. He was seeking the chance to fulfill his end of the transaction.
Yet, when he found himself in the company of the early church- the disciples, he pretended that he was innocent. His betrayal was followed by a cover-up.
I’ve always wondered why Judas would bother to attempt to hide the truth from the man that claimed to be “the Way, the Truth, and the Life?” Did he really think that Jesus wouldn’t notice?
I can see Judas reclining at the table. Only he doesn’t resemble a confident money keeper. I see him as anything but comfortable. Shifting his weight from side to side. Heart beating out of his chest. Sweat beads rolling down his forehead. A lump in his throat and his gut. Reddened eyes darting around waiting to be caught with a condemning glance. I believe that Judas was terrified in this time.
Do we find ourselves in the same state? Have there been times when you white-knuckled the pew- refusing to relinquish the grasp on your life?
Are there invitations when your sin comes clearly to the front of your mind, and you hope that God doesn’t notice?
We are all guilty at some point of hiding our sin. We hide it from God. Or so we think. We try to hide our shame behind our good deeds and our dressy clothes. We put on our Sunday smile and pretend that we are faultless around other believers.
We, too, Sunday after Sunday during the invitation ask the same question as Judas, “Rabbi, is it I?” We know the ways that we’ve disappointed and betrayed our Lord. We know our attitudes and sins. Yet, we ask the question with the idea that we can cover up our failures.
Betrayal is typically followed by cover-up. Yet, there is still more. We find through Judas’ story that cover-up eventually produces…

3.) A Confrontation.
“…He said to him, ‘You have said it.’”
Judas is trying to play innocent. Yet his nightmare comes true. Jesus knows. Judas looks deep into his eyes- and he sees the truth. He sees past the façade and lies and sees the truth of the situation.
This is a frightening event- the time when the realization hits that Jesus knows.
There comes a time in our lives also, when Jesus will no longer allow our sin to continue without confrontation. Judas had to gaze into the eyes of the Almighty Son of God. He had to put aside his denial and answer the pointed finger of Jesus. The fate of the sin in our lives is the same.
What will we see when we look into Jesus’ eyes? Will we find the beaming eyes of a proud Heavenly Father? Or will we find tears rolling down the cheeks of God’s only begotten son? Will we have to look upon the Holy Lamb of God and cringe at the thought of what we let take his throne in our lives?
When the confrontation comes, there is no debating our guilt. We will not be able to tell Jesus that he is mistaken. We will not be able to say, “Surely not I, Lord.” We can continue to play innocent, but it does not change was Jesus sees in our lives.
I’m afraid that there are times when our sin seems to go unpunished. There are sins that we can try to hide. And there are times when they are completely hidden from everyone but the eye of God.
Yet, we must realize that sin- of any shape or size will not go unnoticed, nor will it be without confrontation. There will come a day when the sin in your life will demand an answer.
There will come a time when God will no longer allow you to continue in an errant lifestyle. There will come a time when the Spirit demands that you surrender your sin.
Betrayal typically produces a cover-up. Cover-ups will eventually lead to confrontation. Once the confrontation comes, we must come to…

4.) A Conclusion.
“Immediately, he went up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him.” –Matthew 26:49, “Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.” –Matthew 27:5
Thank God, because of his Son’s sacrifice, there are options when he points out our sin. When we are brought to the place of confrontation between Jesus and our betrayal, we must make a decision.
Judas came to his conclusion. Rather than falling at Jesus’ feet and begging forgiveness, he leaves. Unfortunately for Judas, his conclusion did not equal restoration with God. There is obviously conviction, but never a plea for forgiveness.
Judas made his decision to continue in his betrayal. He chose his silver over his Jesus.
When we look into the eyes of Jesus, we too must make a decision. We must choose whether we will bow a knee and beg for forgiveness, or we deem the price of his betrayal to be reasonable.
When Jesus puts his finger on our lives, we make decisions in all forms and fashions:
We repent, we justify, we argue, we pretend not to notice his beckoning.
When brought to a place of confrontation with Christ, we are forced to come to a point of decision. A refusal to make a decision is a decision in itself.
So what is in your bag? Has Jesus been put aside for money? Maybe for power or favor? Perhaps a lifestyle?
Whether it be for money or because of selfish pride, the price at which we exchange Jesus is never adequate.
So what is his price in your life? Have you accepted a pitiful replacement for the precious Son of God? Have you betrayed Jesus? Are you continuing to do so?
I hope this morning that the Spirit brings you to a point of confrontation. I believe that we must make our decision and reach our conclusion about the place that Christ will be given in our lives.
If you were in Judas’ place, what would you see in Christ’s eyes? Would you see pleasure that Christ is taking in you? Or would you see the disappointment and pain that betrayal brings?