It is a secluded place in the darkness of the middle of the night. Jesus and his disciples are on the Mount of Olives. They have been told that they were all going to fall away tonight. Jesus has spent this time preparing with prayer. The disciples have spent this time sleeping. But now the moment has arrived. As Jesus tells his disciples that his betrayer is near, Judas is coming forward. But Judas is not alone. Judas is not coming to rejoin the disciples. Judas is not coming to rejoin his Master whom he has followed for the past three years. Judas is coming with a large crowd. Is Judas coming with a large crowd who want to hear Jesus’ teaching? Is Judas coming with a large crowd with a new set of potential disciples? No. A large crowd is coming with Judas and you can imagine them carrying torches into the darkness of this mountain. But it is not a friendly group as we are told in Matthew 26:47 that this large crowd is carrying swords and clubs. These are people who are ready for a fight. What we are going to see are three different responses in this moment. This is the hour of trial. This is the moment Jesus has predicted and prepared for. What will be the response of those who are in Jesus’ sphere of influence?

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