Thesis
Using the story of Judas at the Last Supper in Matthew 26, Pastor Hunter argues that Judas did not begin with evil intentions but rather followed a version of Jesus he had constructed — one who would bring political victory and personal success. When Jesus turned out to be a servant-savior who sacrifices Himself for enemies rather than destroying them, Judas walked away. The same danger exists for us today: we can fashion Jesus in our own image, expecting Him to bless our agendas and share our hatreds, and when He doesn't comply we betray Him with our lives. The call is to lay down those false expectations and follow the real Jesus — the one who came to serve and to sacrifice.
Key points
- 1
Judas did not start out evil; he followed Jesus while holding a false picture of who Jesus was, and betrayed Him when Jesus failed to meet his expectations.
- 2
Jesus responded to His betrayer not with rage but with a broken heart, revealing that He loves even those who turn against Him.
- 3
Judas wanted success and personal prosperity from Jesus, but Jesus came to serve — stepping into our mess to clean us up and send us on mission.
- 4
Judas wanted a savior who would slay his enemies, but Jesus is the Lamb who was slain for His enemies — including us — calling us to love even those who have hurt us.
- 5
At the Last Supper Jesus gave Judas one final, crystal-clear picture of who He is: a savior whose body is broken in service and whose blood is poured out in sacrifice for the forgiveness of many.
- 6
We betray Jesus not only by a single act but by living our whole lives following the Jesus we want — accepting His gifts while withholding our service, sacrifice, and forgiveness.
Outline
Introduction: Expectations in Relationships
Pastor Hunter uses the story of surprising his new wife with a Thanksgiving turkey trot to illustrate how unmet expectations breed frustration, then pivots to the far more serious danger of placing wrong expectations on Jesus.
Setting the Scene: Passover and Roman Oppression
He explains the Passover background — Israel's deliverance from Egypt through the blood of a lamb — and shows how the disciples, living under Roman oppression, longed for the Messiah to repeat that liberation by overthrowing their enemies.
The Announcement of Betrayal
Reading Matthew 26:20-25, Pastor Hunter notes that every disciple trusted Judas enough to ask 'Am I the one?' and highlights that Jesus responded to His betrayer not with anger but with a grieving heart.
Point 1 — Judas Wanted Success, but Jesus Brings Service
Judas expected Jesus to establish a prosperous, victorious kingdom that would benefit him personally. Jesus instead came as a servant-messiah who gets into our mess and sends us on mission, caring far more about the kingdom than our comfort.
Point 2 — Judas Wanted Success over Enemies, but Jesus Brings Sacrifice for Enemies
Judas wanted an angel of death to destroy the Romans; Jesus is the Lamb slain for Romans and Israelites alike. Pastor Hunter challenges the congregation to examine whether they have made Jesus into a savior who hates all the people they hate, and calls them to the hard work of forgiving enemies without necessarily reconciling unsafe relationships.
The Lord's Supper and Closing Appeal
Pastor Hunter reads Matthew 26:26-28 — Jesus breaking bread and pouring wine as the final portrait of a servant-sacrifice savior — then calls the congregation to ask 'Lord, am I the one?' and invites them to take communion as a recommitment to follow the real Jesus rather than betray Him with their lives.
Memorable moments
follow Jesus, not the Jesus you want
He is a savior whose heart breaks for those who betray him. He's a savior who loves us in the midst of our sin
Paraphrase
Jesus was not the savior Judas wanted. He is not a savior who slays his enemies, he's a savior who was slain for his enemies.
God cares far more about his mission than your mansion. Cares far more about the broken than our bank accounts
If all of Jesus' enemies are also all of your enemies, you've probably made Jesus into the Jesus you want, not the Jesus who is
You see, Judas didn't betray Jesus at the last supper. He betrayed Jesus with his life
Application
Pastor Hunter closes by turning the disciples' anxious question — 'Am I the one, Lord?' — back on every person in the room. He asks us to honestly examine our prayers: are they mostly requests for personal success and victory over enemies, or are they surrendered offers of service and sacrifice? He challenges anyone who has grown frustrated or cold toward Jesus because He hasn't delivered what they expected to apologize — just as he had to apologize to his wife for holding her to an unrealistic image. Specifically, he calls us to release resentment toward someone Jesus died for, to take a next step in giving or serving, and to start having honest conversations about Jesus with the people around us. The invitation is simple: stop following the Jesus you have constructed, and come back to the real one — the servant-savior who gave His body and blood for us.
