John (32)

Introduction: Read: Isiah 53:1-3 . A couple weeks ago from chapter 16 we discovered that Jesus will turn sorrow into joy. Today we observe the man of sorrow, enduring deep anguish and hurt in order to fulfill the work His father has given Him. Perhaps not as severe as we see happening with Jesus, but none the less maybe you've experienced something of a being sold out, rejected, or falsely accused? It may be very difficult for us to see how anything good could come out of betrayal, denial, or a bogus trial.

Point: Jesus’ betrayal, denial, and trial all solidify His purpose for coming into the world.

Notice the transition of chapter 18 back into the narrative of Jesus and focusing on the three major scenes leading up to His death. They show evidence that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God. In other words, Jesus is perfectly accomplishing the detailed plan that His father has purposed for Him to fulfill; and that plan involved the betrayal, denial, and trial of Jesus. How so? John gives us interpretive insights as the story unfolds. It’s lek behind the scene clips of what is happening and why… As we work through the chapter you’ll notice the key verses. First , we see jesus’ betrayal.

Betrayal

Read through the text making observation of; Judas’ role, Jesus’ words, Peter’s sword, and Jesus’ cup.

Transition: As you see this picture illustrating Jesus’ betrayal, we are going to investigate three key verses that showcase the point that this betrayal was a part of Jesus’ ministry.

Key verses that help us understand the main emphasis of this text:

a. 18:4 “Jesus knew what would happen” What other places in John have we observed this?

b. 18:9 “This was to fulfill”… Where did Jesus say this? 17:12, 6:39, 10:28 … and where does “scripture” say the Messiah will be betrayed?

c. 18:11 “shall I not drink this cup?” What is Jesus referring to? Doctrine of substitutionary atonement.

Application: ?????Right motive and wrong method. Do not want to be guilty of cutting off ears when we are supposed to be proclaiming the gospel. We do not want to be chasing fades of Christian pragmatism even with the right intentions, when God is fulfilling His plans for His people. This is why we must be content to have the Scriptures lead and guide our activities, obedience, and methodology.

Transition: The betrayal of Jesus was part of God’s plan for His Son. Now, notice starting in verse 12 the denial of Jesus.

Denial

Read through the passage making observations of the ; Arrest, 1st denial, Questioning, and 2nd and 3rd denial. (After reading through 18:12-27 see pic)

Transition: Now as you see the picture illustrating Jesus’ denial we are going to focus our attention on two key verses where John is emphasizing God’s particular plan unfolding.

Key verses that reveal the main point:

a. 18:14 “Caiaphas has said...” Were did he say this?

b. 18:27 “Rooster crowed” When did jesus say this would happen?

Application:

Trial

Read through the passage making observations of; Pilot and accusers, Pilot and Jesus, and Pilot and Jews. (After reading through 18:27-40 see pic)

Transition: Now as you see the picture illustrating Jesus’ trial we are going to focus our attention on two key verses that clarify the trial of Jesus as actual evidence of His messiahship:

a. 18:32 “Fulfill words about what kind of death..” Where did Jesus say this?

b. 18:37 “For this purpose I was born” How does this explain Jesus’ life?

Application:

Conclusion: God specializes in bringing life out of death, in bringing light out of darkness, in bring truth out of falsehood. He makes a way where it may seem to us there is no way. Jesus Christ, the Son of God is that way. His death and resurrection prove that He is the perfect and accepted sacrifice for sinners to be reconciled with God. When we turn from our sin and trust in Christ alone we have our sorrow turned to joy, our eternal death turned to eternal life, our despair turned to hope. Jesus changes us from children of wrath into children of promise.