Time -- Making the Most of Every Second We Have

Introduction

Time is Running Out — (Vs. 17-19)

Set the Scene

Jesus time here on earth was nearing the end and He knew it. The time of Passover was nigh and Jesus knew that this year’s Passover wouldn’t be like normal Passover’s.

This year, would be His last here on this earth. This year, He would be the perfect lamb that was slain for the sins of the people. This year, the sins of the world would be placed upon Him and the price of those sins would be paid for on Calvary with His precious perfect blood.

Matthew 19:1 KJV 1900

1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

He was making His way toward Jerusalem. Little by little over the next little bit, He will make His way closer and closer to the city where He will be slain.

The weight of what lie ahead was weighing on Him heavily.

Mark 10:32 KJV 1900

32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,

You can just see the determination of Jesus in this passage. The weight of the burden that lie ahead and His desire to see it through. Jesus is ready to get to Jerusalem and accomplish the task that the Father had sent Him to do.

Now, I want you to see the significance of what Jesus tells the disciples next.

See the Significance

This was the third time now that Jesus had foretold of His coming crucifixion.

Matthew 16:21 KJV 1900

21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Matthew 17:22 KJV 1900

22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

The difference between the first two times and now, are the details within the prophesy. Don’t miss that because it’s very significant.

The first two prophecies were very general in nature but this time it was specific....very specific!

Now, some of you may be wondering why that’s so important. The reason it’s so important is because with every detail that was added, it compounded the perplexity of the prophecy actually coming true!

If Jesus had of just said, “oh I’m going to die in Jerusalem” the reality of that prophecy is that He could have died a million different ways and it wouldn’t be that big of a deal.

But when you describe in detail, down to the finest of circumstances, it lessens the chances of it happening exactly like you say it’s going to especially in this case because so many of the predictions were out of His hands!

If He had of said, I’m gonna jump off a wall and die, that’s within His control. But the majority of the description He foretells here are all things absolutely outside of Jesus control.

He can’t make someone betray Him.

He couldn’t make the High Priest and Scribes condemn Him to death.

He couldn’t make them turn Him over to the Gentiles.

He couldn’t make the Gentiles mock, scourge and crucify Him.

And how in the world if all these other things happened was He going to rise again the third day?

So many details and every one of them would be fulfilled to a “T”.

Not a single one missed!

This is the significance of the prophecy! This alone proved that He was God! The Omniscience of God was on full preview here in this one prophecy!

Now, I want to revisit for just a moment the heading of this section before moving on.

Time is running out!

Time for Jesus was running out!

The cross was before Him. Death was inevitable. Time for Jesus on this side of eternity, in human form, was nearing it’s end.

And the point I want to stress to you this morning is this…time, for every person sitting here this morning is running out!

Your time on this side of eternity is closer to an end than it was when I started this message.

Why Brother Bobby, I’ve got plenty of time....do you? How do you know? Because the reality is…you don’t!

You don’t know when your last breath will be!

Time for us all is limited! Some more than others. And should your time run out right this second…are you ready for what happens next?

Have you made preparations for that moment that is to follow?

That moment when you meet the one we just finished talking about?

Are you prepared for eternity?

If not, dear friend, get prepared now!

Right now!

If you need to be saved this morning, don’t you dare sit in that pew one second longer!

Get up and get up now if the Holy Spirit is telling you to move!

Come and trust in Jesus while there’s still breath in your lungs and a heartbeat in your chest!

Come while God’s grace gives you the chance!

Now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation!

Time is running out!

And after Jesus prophesies that His time is running out, something very unexpected happens next.

I’ve entitled this next section…Use the Time You have Wisely!

Use the Time You have Wisely — (Vs. 20-28)

John G Butler — The word translated “minister” is diakonos, from which we get out word deacon and minister and servant. The word translated “servant” is doulos which means a bondman, a lowly slave. Greatness in the world is having many servants; greatness in God’s sight is serving. The world’s standard of greatness is certainly not God’s standard of greatness.

Philippians 2:5–11 KJV 1900

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Don’t take Time for Granted — (Vs. 29-34)