Outline:

When darkness reigns:

I. Integrity May Be Sacrificed (v. 52)

II. Jesus May be Betrayed (v. 47)

III. We May Be Tempted to Revert to the Way of the World (v. 49 - 50)

IV. There is Both Need and Opportunity for Healing (v. 51)

Introduction: A great darkness has settled over our world. Powerful nations are poised for a war that could well destroy civilization, as we know it. A major segment of Christendom is rocked by a scandal, which has gone unattended for years. The forces of darkness seem in control of much that is around us.

Jesus and His disciples knew a time in which the forces of evil seemed to threaten them and all they were doing. Just when the disciples thought the kingdom they had long anticipated was about to become a reality, everything turned black. Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. His disciples were confused and frightened. Jesus Himself spoke of this hour as one in which darkness reigned. From this troubled time in the life and ministry of our Lord, there is a message for us and for all who live in a time when darkness seems to reign.

When darkness reigns:

I. Integrity May Be Sacrificed (v. 52)

The enemies of Our Lord, highly respected spiritual leaders, chose to have Him apprehended in a secluded place and under the cover of darkness. The only logic served by their clandestine capture of Jesus was that the common people who heard him gladly might have come to His aid. Religious leaders chose to do their work through a mob that hid in darkness.

Sometimes, when darkness takes over, shameful things happen. Indeed, we may let circumstance influence us into making decisions, which we would not otherwise make. We may be tempted to do things that violate our integrity—things beneath the behavior people of God should be expected to observe.

II. Jesus May be Betrayed (v. 47)

Never in this world will we fully understand the motivation that caused Judas to betray Our Lord. Judas had been trusted, even with the meager money of the disciples. To many he might have appeared to be the brightest and best of the group. He seemed to have promise. But he became the betrayer.

Alas, Judas was not the last to betray his Master. We too may be tempted to betray Him when we find ourselves in strange situations or when we do not understand the workings of God. We may be tempted to force the issue--to make things happen rather than waiting on the Lord and letting Him direct the course of events.

III. We May Be Tempted to Revert to the Way of the World (v. 49 - 50)

Only recently had Peter promised to be faithful to his Lord--faithful even to the point of dying with Him. When the mob came and it was evident that Jesus was to be arrested, Peter reverted to his old way of life. Perhaps, for the entire time he had walked with Jesus, his sword had not been drawn, but things appeared different now. Enough of this "turning the other cheek" it was time to fight!

Do not all of us have times when we are sorely tempted to go back to the old way--to close our Bibles and "draw our swords" and do battle?

There will be a time, we tell ourselves in the heat of conflict, when we will put our swords away and be Christian again but right now it is time to fight.

IV. There is Both Need and Opportunity for Healing (v. 51)

When the forces of evil and darkness are in control it is imperative that the people of God follow the example of our Lord. Jesus was the one who was the target of the forces of darkness. Yet it was He who reached down and picked up the severed ear of Malchus and wiped away the grit and dirt and reattached it to the bleeding stump on the side of Malchus’ head. Never, did Jesus more reveal Himself to be the Son of God. And He did it at a time when darkness reigned.

Conclusion

When darkness reigns the people of God may see their finest hour. It is then that they can resist the ways of the world and exemplify the spirit and actions of our Lord.

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George Clark is pastor of First Baptist Church in Pleasant View, Tennessee, and retired editor of Church Administration, The Deacon, and Proclaim! magazines.

This sermon is from Proclaim Online, a free service from LifeWay.com http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/mainpage/0,1701,M=200276,00.html