Jesus’ Willing Sacrifice- John 18:1-27

PRAY

Years ago a neighbor texted me and said- hey are you free on Thursday night.

Now…what I did not realize at the moment was that this was a trap.

So I mistakenly responded with yea- I’m free.

Now, I assumed that the next text would be her inviting me to go out to dinner or see a movie…you know..girls night out.

well…I FORGOT that at the time she was training to be a workout instructor.

and in order to complete her training she had to offer free classes and have a certain number of participants….

So- instead of a dinner invite- she then asks if I would BE WILLING to help her complete her training by participating in one of her classes.

I was like woah..hold up..

maybe I’m not free..in fact… I have a date…alone..with my couch...

but…I went..

and guess what..

it was awful.

I hurt so bad afterwards and could not sit down for a week.

and the next time she would ask me if I was willing…

I said no.

But what does it mean to really be willing…

The dictionary definition of the word willing means READY…EAGER…or PREPARED to do something.

I think it’s safe to say that my participation in my friends class was more RELUCTANT than WILLING.

I was not ready…not eager..and most definitely NOT prepared…

So let’s take a minute and think about your level of willingness…

How willing would you be to pay the debt of someone who has made one poor choice after another?

How willing would you be to take a murderer’s death sentence and serve the time for their crime in their place?

How willing would you be, if it were possible, to take on the terminal cancer diagnosis of your enemy?

How willing would you be to surrender to authorities and be arrested for a crime you did not commit, so that the guilty person could go free?

How willing would you be to invest time and energy into someone who would turn around and betray you or, say they never knew you?

In our scripture this week- we see that Jesus was willing to do all of these things..…he was ready…eager…and prepared for the task at hand.…and b/c he was WILLING…the price for sin was paid and relationship with God was made possible for all who believed..

and not only is Jesus willing..but John is going to make it clear that Jesus is also not surprised by any of the events that were about to occur and He is not forced to do anything he doesn’t want to do.

So in John 18, we will 1st look at Jesus’

WILLING SURRENDER JOHN 18:1-14

and then we will see him as the:

WILLING SUBSTITUTE- JOHN 18:15-27

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WILLING SURRENDER

TRANSI: As we open up verses 1-14- Jesus is going to willingly surrender his place, position, and his person.

PLACE (1-2)

vs1. When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

The Kidron valley is right outside of Jerusalem between the city and the garden of Gethsemane.

and in vs 1 we are told that Jesus and his disciples crossed over it.

So don’t forget-It is currently Passover.

Which means that thousands of Jews have come to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice’s to atone for their sin.

And the temple in Jerusalem had drains that ran down into the Kidron valley which would drain the blood of the lambs.

So when Jesus and his disciples crossed over the Kidron Valley- they were literally walking over the draining blood of over 200,000 thousand lambs, trying to atone for the sins of the people.

But the reality was- the blood of those lambs would never be enough.

Only the sacrifice of a PERFECT, and spotless lamb- could and would be enough.

So Jesus- who John the Baptist told us was the lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world.

Who left his PLACE in heaven…and made his dwelling among us…

walked…over the valley…which is-by the way the lowest point in the world….and a place that represented death, sorrow, and judgement…

and he willingly walked into the garden of Gethsemane…

So that..he could be the final, and perfect, and ultimate sacrifice for sin..

So that no more blood needed to be drained.

vs. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.

Jesus hand picked the garden b/c it was a PLACE where he knew he would be found.

He intentionally went to the garden to surrender.

Previously, Jesus would withdraw to avoid hostility and to avoid being found- because- up until this point- his hour had not come…

But we know that here…the hour had come..

In Genesis, in the Garden of Eden- when Adam and Eve WILLINGLY chose to sin—> death entered the world…

and so…at the moment of salvation- Jesus intentionally chooses a garden as a place of surrender.. so that all who would believe in Him would find life once again.

But- this is not the last garden we will encounter in scripture.

Next year, in Revelation 21 and 22 we will study the final garden- where there will be no more death, and no more sin..where instead of a river of blood there will be a river of life…

Eden was a garden of disobedience and sin.

Gethsemane was the garden of submission.

and the Eternal Garden of Revelation will be one of delight and satisfaction…all to the glory of God.

…but first….Jesus has to WILLINGLY surrender..

So here he is…in the place where all the mess of sin and brokenness began- willing to surrender..ready to set humanity free.

POSITION (3-9)

In order for Jesus to be the sacrifice, he must first surrender his position.

3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

Now the last mention we have of Judas was in John 13..and while to us that may seem like weeks ago- for the disciples, it had only been a few hours.

So Judas enters the garden with soldiers and officials from the Jewish religious leaders- ready to arrest Jesus.

It’s unclear exactly how many came- but they came in ready for a fight- with torches, lanterns and weapons ready.

Apparently- they thought they were going to be able to take on the God of the universe- who spoke the world into being…with their measly weapons and brute force.

but, in vs 4- Jesus shows us who is really in charge…

vs. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)

6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Why…because the word…who was with God and who was God…spoke.

and when he did.

they all fell down.

Jesus knew EXACTLY what was going to happen…he isn’t surprised that they showed up…he isn’t trying to figure out what move to make next.

John makes it clear WHO was in charge…

and it was not Judas, not the soldiers, not the religious leaders and not the disciples…

Jesus, makes the first move here- he steps forward…

he speaks first.

He comes in with authority

and he identifies himself as the one they are looking for by using the divine name of God…I am..

In the gospel of John we have had 7 I am statements from Jesus

over and over he has identified himself as God..

and here….in the garden…he puts aside his POSITION as King of the world..as the DIVINE SON OF GOD and instead of going straight to the throne—he first steps forward to go to the cross.

Let’s be clear- he doesn’t ever stop being God…but he WILLINGLY puts his position aside at this moment so that scripture would be fulfilled and so that humanity could be saved.

But in the process he makes it perfectly clear who he is and who is in charge.

so before anybody gets arrested…Jesus knocks them off their feet.

the truth is- we don’t really know how they got on the ground….in fact, there are lots of different theories out there as to HOW they fell…

but HOW they fell doesnt really matter…what matters is WHY they fell.

They fell…because Jesus was in complete control.

So after making it clear who was in charge, he asks again…

vs 7 “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

throughout this entire event- Jesus is not only surrendering his position- but he is also protecting his disciples.

Jesus’ I am statement and everyone falling over would have certainly taken the attention off the the disciples on to Jesus.

and so- now that Jesus has the focus on Him and he has proven he is in charge- he says- let these men go.

He used his position to continue to PROTECT his disciples, never losing any of those God had given to Him.

PERSON (10-12)

TRANS. and in vs’s 10-14 Jesus surrenders His PERSON- his human body- as he allows them to arrest Him.

Now- Jesus has everyone right where he wants them- the attention is on Him..but then in comes impulsive Peter

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear.

Oh Peter. Peter should not have been surprised by what was happening.

Jesus told the disciples in John 10 what would happen..he said I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.

but Peter wasn’t listening…

Apparently- after everything- he still thinks that Jesus needs his help here…

In his mind- this situation is tumbling out of control.

So-he takes things into his own hands…jumping into action.

He wrongly believes that Jesus’ mission is dependent on him instead of the other way around.

But let’s remember- Peter is a fisherman..not a soldier.

One leader said yesterday that the only thing he had probably ever gutted was a fish.

vs 10 says that he STRUCK the high priests servant…the word that is being translated in the Greek means to literally strike viciously.

Peter put all his body into this strike…so I feel pretty confident saying that the ear was probably not his target.

But being a fisherman and not a fighter- when he went in for the lethal blow- he came out…with nothing but a severed ear.

Can you imagine how chaotic this whole scene must have been at this point.

Now the book of Luke tells us that Jesus completely healed Malchus’s ear.

But for today…let’s stay in John.

b/c John INTENTIONALLY leaves out that detail.

why? Did he forget?

Let’s give John more credit than that- this was Jesus’ last public miracle before he went to the cross.

John wants to make it clear that Jesus was in control of everything that was happening.

despite Peter’s attempts to take over and STOP Jesus from completing his mission.

so instead of praise, Peter receives a rebuke.

11 “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

Put away your sword.

Peter’s sword was fighting AGAINST the will of God- not for it…

What sword are you swinging right now that God is asking you to put away?

Where have you swung your sword in the name of Jesus only to communicate nothing but the complete opposite of God’s heart towards others?

What Peter communicated through his rash action was that Jesus’ disciples hate their enemies and try to destroy them.

So to protect his mission…to protect Peter from himself…Jesus tells him to put the sword away.

Peter had a sword…Jesus- had a cup..

Peter was resisting God’s will..Jesus was accepting it.

The cup represented the suffering Jesus was about to endure.

Today- Athletes are still awarded giant cups after winning to show that they had conquered the hard and difficult task before them and came out victorious!

Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath so that he could hand it to you…and you could drink the cup of salvation…

The next logical step here is that Peter should be arrested…he just chopped off a dudes ear

but instead..in vs’s 12-14- instead of Peter…

Jesus..who remained fully in control of everything that was happening..WILLING SURRENDERED and made sure that HE is the only one who was arrested..bound..and led away…

PRINCIPLE: Jesus willingly surrendered so believers could find life in Him.

APPLICATION:

Jesus willingly surrendered his life so that in him- you might also find life.

Have you surrendered your life to Him?

Surrendering to Christ is not drudgery.

You are surrendering to his love…to His kindness and goodness.

Your surrendering to His will and aligning yourself to His.

and remember what he has said over and over- what he prayed for…was that In Him your joy would be complete.

Maybe you have given your life to Christ- you have surrendered to Him as your Lord, but yet, you are not fully surrendered…

You are still holding on to your sword- swinging it like Peter in all the wrong directions.

what sword are you holding onto?

your time

your finances

your possessions

a relationship on that you have or wish you had

your Children

your job

your health

your future

Christ WILLING SURRENDERED so you would find life in Him today.

As long as you hold on to those things- and try to control them- thinking that they are all DEPENDENT on you and your control over them- you will live in bondage.

Peter needed to surrender his sword SO THAT he could find life in Jesus.

Put down your sword..Surrender it to Him today..and then pick up His cup

and Rest knowing that he is in control…so you don’t have to be.

2 DIVISION: Willing Substitute 15-27

TRANS: In vs’s 15-27 Jesus has stepped in as the willing substitute- and here we will see the need for a substitute exposed…and his willingness displayed

NEED EXPOSED

WILLINGNESS DISPLAYED

NEED EXPOSED

So Peter had just chopped off a guys ear and then instead of Peter..Jesus is arrested.

So Peter and another disciple follow Jesus to Annas’s house.

Now- we are told that there is another disciple with Peter and while it’s unclear who the other disciple is here- most commentators agree that it is most likely John.

But, regardless of who is with Peter- in vs 15-16- they are able to get into the high priest courtyard which was an invite only party.

When a servant girl says to Peter:

17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

and here…right after Jesus just protected Him from being arrested…

as a “thank you” for Jesus’ willingness to take his place…

Peter denies any relationship with him.

impulsive Peter- who swore he would DIE for Jesus here doesn’t want anyone to know he is even associated with Him.

Where have you denied knowing Jesus?

Maybe you haven’t publicly denied Jesus like Peter- but instead, when in a social setting, you simply said nothing.

Maybe you went out of your way to NOT mention God or church because you didn’t want the people around you to know you were associated with Him?

as we look at Peter…it’s easy to see that he had made for himself..a giant mess..

But Jesus had already gone before Him….He had protected Peter in the garden…stepping into his place- SO THAT he could clean up his bigger mess- the mess that was happening inside of him- the mess of sin.

Peter was trying SO HARD to BE ENOUGH…

But Paul reminds us in the book of Romans that the wages of sin is death…

The mess of sin inside of you will always lead to death unless someone steps in and does something about it.

I think it’s easy to want to make excuses for Peter here.

I mean- he was under a lot of stress- right?

It’s totally understandable why Peter would deny him..

and yes. Peter was in a hard place.

But when you start to justify sin- then you attempt to cover up your need for Christ…and there is nothing more dangerous than not recognizing your need for Him.

Peter’s sin…..written in these pages isn’t here to make you feel better about your own sin.

It’s to show you your desperate need for what Christ was about to do on your behalf.

And here- as Peter denies Jesus- the sin in his heart is exposed. and His need for a sufficient substitute is revealed.

WILLINGNESS DISPLAYED

About 15 years ago I was forced to change my diet to gluten free.

Over the years I have experimented with every different type of gluten free flour out there to find the best substitute for good old all purpose flour.

And while the GF world has come a long way since I went gf, and some of the substitutes are pretty close…the truth is they all fall short.

and as my husband frequently says..it’s ok for GF…

What I need is a better substitute…one that will not fall short…

Peter has once again shown- that on his own- he will continue to fall short.

But while Peter is outside denying Jesus..Jesus- the only one who is able to pay the price for sin.

the perfect lamb of God…

was standing In Peter’s place…

being questioned by Annas…

Now God had designed the high priest role to last for a person’s lifetime.

And Annas had been the high priest UNTIL he was removed from office by the Romans.

So …now…Annas’s Son-in-law Caiaphas was the high priest but this scene shows us that Annas most likely still held significant power within the Sanhedrin.

so in vs 19- Annas is questioning Jesus specifically about his disciples and his teaching.

So in response to Annas’s questions Jesus says:

20 “I have spoken openly to the world,”…… “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

Annas was trying to trap Jesus and get him to incriminate himself.

Also notice that Jesus says NOTHING about his disciples in his response but turns the focus again, to himself.

Jewish Law DEMANDED that witnesses be called BEFORE a prisoner was questioned.

So here is Jesus- being questioned…

and Jesus- essentially calls Annas on the injustice of the entire scene..

It’s like he is saying you know the law- where are the witnesses- ask them…I said everything in public- where there were lots of people- it shouldn’t be that hard!

Jesus was not being rude or snarky. He was simply speaking the truth..

and as when he does…an official slaps him across the face.

and what does Jesus do.

He stands there.

He DISPLAYS His WILLINGNESS to be the substitute..

Jesus was innocent…but he was not a victim…a victim has no control over their circumstances.

Jesus could have called down an army of angels at any moment.

He could have had that man struck down in an instant.

What happened to Jesus in the moment and in the next 12 hours was wrong..and it was most definitely unjust.

But Jesus- stood there WILLINGLY in Peter’s place…and he stood there in your place…

Don’t miss the gravity of this.

Jesus..the Son of God…left his place in heaven…so that he could WILLINGLY stand in yours.

Only his blood was ENOUGH to cover the sins of all humanity…

only he could offer you salvation from the bondage and curse of sin….

and so he stood there…WILLINGLY…..because of his great love for you…

Jesus responds in vs… 23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

The religious leaders hearts were clearly not interested in following the law they so proudly held over everyone’s head.

They didn’t want justice…they wanted blood…and that is exactly what Jesus came to give.

Our scripture ends here with Peter- denying knowing Jesus 2 more times.

The hours between 12 and 3 were known as the “crowing of the cock” which would have been the Romans third watch of the night…

and so after Peter’s 3rd denial- the cock crowed- just as Jesus had predicted a few hours earlier.

But this is not the end of Peter’s story.

If Christ had not completed what he came to do- then all hope would have been lost.

Jesus’ was the sovereign savior-the perfect substitute…who WILLINGLY laid down his life.

But, we didn’t just need someone who was simply willingly to die.

We needed someone who was ABLE to fully pay the price of sin…once and for all..

PRINCIPLE: Jesus willingly and completely paid the price of sin for all who believe.

Jesus’ willingness to be the substitute came out of a heart of love for his people.

Sin brings bondage..and burden..but Christ came to alleviate the burden of sin for those who believe in Him.

So that Peter and you can live in the freedom of the grace that you have been given in Christ.

If you have put your faith in Him, then do you believe that Christ’s death was ENOUGH to cover all your past, present and future sins?

If you have believed-then where are you still striving…working hard to earn something that has already been paid for?

Jesus bore God’s wrath in your place, against every sin you have ever committed or will ever commit- and he did it all because of his great love for you.

CONCLUSION:

So when it comes to following Jesus…

are you willing...…or are you reluctant…

say YES to him today- OBEY Him..Follow Him…Walk with Him..SERVE Him Wholeheartedly..because

The GREAT I AM..The perfect substitute…stepped forward…He was willing…He was able….and He was victorious…

Let’s Pray.