In the days leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples were in a state of confusion and controversy. They had different ideas as to who Jesus was and what Jesus was going to do. It was not until after the resurrection that they understood who Jesus truly was and what his death had meant.

The Jews of the day, which included the disciples, were expecting the Messiah. They wanted the Messiah to come. They were eager. They also had preconceived notions about what the Messiah would do. They expected the Messiah to lead a rebellion against Rome and to restore the throne of David in Jerusalem. Israel would again be a nation of its own when the Messiah came.

One could say they saw what they wanted to see in the scriptures. They saw all the references to the Day of the Lord when it promised that the Messiah would sit on the throne in Jerusalem. These were the promises they laid hold of. The did not give nearly as much attention to the prophecies of the suffering servant.

This was why many did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. They had their own ideas about what the Messiah would do and be, and Jesus didn’t look like that.

But even among the disciples there was confusion.

In John 13, when Jesus told them that he would be crucified and abandoned, Peter said he would never abandon Jesus. In Matthew 26 we get more detail. Peter actually rebuked Jesus and said he would give his life for the Lord. Jesus then predicted that Peter would deny him.

Perhaps one of the most honest moments in the story of the days leading up to the crucifixion were spoken by Thomas. John 14:5, Thomas said, “Lord we don’t know where you are going so how can we know the way.”

None of them were expecting a crucifixion, and none of them were expecting a resurrection. They reacted differently.

Consider Peter and Judas. Both wanted Jesus to lead a revolution against Rome. Even though they shared this goal, their hearts were in different places. Peter denied knowing Jesus, and Judas went on to betray Jesus.

I don’t mean to defend Judas at all, but … I do not believe he thought Jesus would ever be crucified. In the Greek, when it says he “identified” Jesus to the authorities, what it means is, is that he was the one who laid the charge. For there to be a trial so to speak, someone has to press the charge. This was Judas’ role.

He was one who wanted the Messiah to set up his kingdom, and perhaps his “betrayal” was something that he thought might force the action. He took matters into his own hands, thinking that once Jesus was arrested the revolution would begin.

I don’t think his motivation for betraying Jesus was to get a few pieces of silver. His motivation was to start the war that he believed would put Jesus on the throne. He would have benefited greatly from such a scenario. Matthew 27 says that when Judas saw that Jesus was arrested and sentenced to die, he was filled with remorse and tried to return the money. His motivation was not money, his motivation was bringing about the revolution to overthrow the Romans. His motivation was the political power he would get by having Jesus overthrow Rome. He was so caught up in his own agenda that he tried to use Jesus to accomplish his political purpose.

This was not the first time this sort of thing had been attempted. In John 6, after Jesus had fed the 5,000, people had the intention of taking Jesus by force and making him King. (John 6:15).

Peter was another one that has his own ideas about what Jesus should do. He was the one who said he would never abandon Jesus. He was probably cut to the heart when Jesus predicted his denial. Peter may have been totally serious in his pledge. He too wanted Jesus to rule an earthly kingdom, but unlike Judas, he truly did love the Lord.

Yet Peter denied even knowing the Lord after the arrest. This fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy. It is often said that Peter did this out of fear, but I really don’t think that was the motivation. Perhaps Peter was angry at Jesus, confused, and realized that he really didn’t know who Jesus was.

As we read the story, it was Peter that brought along a weapon. It was Peter that drew his sword and cut the ear off the high priest servant. He did this while surrounded by many armed men. Does this sound like a man who has fear? He was prepared to defend Jesus to the death. How confused he must have been when Jesus offered no resistance.

He also followed Jesus as far as he could. He was in the courtyard of the high priest during the trial. Now in this area were people who were high up in religious circles. They all knew who Peter was. It says in John, that John knew the High Priest and they all knew that Peter was with John who was with Jesus. When Peter denied knowing Jesus, it wasn’t so much that he was trying avoid being linked, as it was a reaction of confusion and anger.

Peter REALLY DIDN’T know who Jesus was.

Yet Peter was willing to learn. He was the one who jumped out of the boat and swam to shore to meet Jesus when Jesus appeared to them. It was Peter to raced to the tomb when he heard Jesus was resurrected. Peter did not know what was going on, but he was teachable. Judas, by contrast, did not know what was going on either, and he tried to make things come out the way he wanted.

When Peter was restored Jesus asked Peter if he loved him. Peter said “Lord you know I do.” Jesus told him three times to “feed my sheep.” What Jesus meant was, he wanted Peter to take care of the things of Jesus and leave the things of the world and the things of Peter alone.

The point of all this, is that people then had preconceived notions about Jesus. They had ideas as to what the Messiah should do. They all based this on their understanding of scripture. Their understanding was turned on its ear by the events that happened during what we call Passion Week.

Is this not how it is today?

Just about everyone has a theory about the second coming of the Lord. Just about everyone has notions and ideas about what God is going to do, and what God’s agenda is. Most of them base their ideas on scripture, and some even claim to have heard from God personally. Everyone of these people also claim to be doing the work of God and not of man.

As we follow the Lord will we be like Judas or like Peter. When the world gets turned upside down, and God is not doing what we think God aught to do, will we try to force the issue like Judas did, or will we be teachable as Peter was?

As we approach Easter, let us crucify our own agendas just as we crucify our sinful natures with Christ. Let us then be resurrected by the power of God, to live and serve in newness of life. Let us boldly take hold of God’s agenda, and leave our own agendas alone.