Sunrise Service

Sunrise Service • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago • Presented 2 years ago

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Introduction

John 18:3-4 “3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?””

I will not speak for you, but when I come to a Sunrise service, even as one called to lead in the service, I find the experience contemplative as I place myself at the scene. I attempt to understand the magnitude of God’s love for us in this sacrificial act of the scourgings, casting lots for His garments, the cross, and the hope found in the empty tomb. I begin to think about the sacrifice my Savior made for you and for me.

John 18:4 stated that Jesus, “knowing all things to come upon Him, went forward” is mind boggling to me.

John 18:3-4

Shush.... do you hear it? The calm after the storm. The quiet after the chaotic events of the last three days. And the question could be asked, why? As we read in these verses,

“knowing all things that would come upon Him”

Jesus had a total clarity of all that was to come, all that had been, all that would be. He knew who loved Him, who had failed Him and who would fail Him and yet He chose to be the:

The Solitary Sacrifice

John 18:5-8 “5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,””

Jesus was the only person, the only God Incarnate that could save us. John the Baptist stated, “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” No one but Jesus could die for the sins of the world. These eleven disciples had nothing to contribute to the cause no more than you and I. For you see, we have all sinned.

Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” But not Jesus.

Regardless of our infirmities, regardless of our failures. God never one time had pause about fulfilling His mission to save mankind of their sins given they accept His gift of salvation.

As the chapter continues, Peter draws his sword and cuts of the ear of Malchus. We know from another account that Jesus placed the ear back on Malchus and healed him.

Caiphas was prophetic in His words:

John 18:14 “14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.”

Momentary Mission

John 18:37-38 “37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.””

Jesus, our Messiah, the Lord and Savior and King came in humility in a manger in Bethlehem. “He came to bear witness to the truth and those that hear His voice are of the truth.” He was honored on a donkey and the next time He will ride in on a White Stallion. How do we honor Him today? Listen to His voice and do those things He would have us do? Obedience to His word.

Jesus pressed forward for the sins of the world, but let’s make it more personal this morning, He did it for you and me. He did not want to see you and me pay for our sins with death. From the very beginning of the Word of God, something must die for someone else to lives. The skins of an animal were provided for Adam and Eve as covering. Jesus’ blood covers our sins.

1 Peter 1:17-19 “17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

Jesus was sinless and Pilate could find no fault in Him. There was no sin in Him.

The Consummation of the Cross

John 19:28-30 “28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

On that Sunday morning, the first day of the week before dawn, the two Mary’s Peter & John and over the next forty days over 500 people witnessed the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Jesus was alive. Doubting Thomas was able to place his finger in his side as the assurance that it was Him.

JOhn 20:29 “29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””

JOhn 17:4 “4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”

Let’s take just a moment this morning and reflect upon three things before we depart for breakfast and I will close us in prayer and pray for our meal.

Reflect firstly on the Lord and His goodness and grace over you.

Thank Him for blessing we enjoy that we were able to believe without being able to directly see Jesus. Thank Him for the one who shared Christ with you.