The Sword and the Cup - John 18
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Intro
Intro
When faithfulness is most difficult it is most necessary.
Anonymous
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Setup
Jesus often capsizes the way we define purpose.
Main Text
Main Text
The Sword- John 18:8-10
The Sword- John 18:8-10
“I told you that I Am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.” He did this to fulfill his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.”
God always remains faithful to his promises.
During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.
Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave.
Peter’s sword symbolizes rebellion against the will of God.
Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?”
“No,” they replied.
“But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”
“Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.”
“That’s enough,” he said.
When we expect opposition, we need a new mind-set.
From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief.
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”
Peter fought the wrong enemy, used the wrong weapon, had the wrong motive, and accomplished the wrong result.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Our desire for the Holy Spirit’s leading must become dependence.
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The weapon we use conveys where we put our trust.
But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
Without the healing Peter may have been arrested and crucified as well.
By God’s grace, Malchus was touched by the Son of God.
He deserved the wrath of God, instead he received grace.
It was the last public miracle before the cross.
The Cup - John 18:11-14
The Cup - John 18:11-14
Peter had a sword in his hand but Jesus had a cup in His hand.
But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”
He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Jesus was not wrestling with God’s will or resisting God’s will. He was yielding Himself to God’s will.
He personally carried our sins
in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right.
By his wounds
you are healed.
Drinking from a cup is often used in scripture to illustrate suffering and sorrow.
Wake up, wake up, O Jerusalem!
You have drunk the cup of the Lord’s fury.
You have drunk the cup of terror,
tipping out its last drops.
But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”
“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
Only Jesus can link together the words suffering and joy.
And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.
I take joy in doing your will, my God,
for your instructions are written on my heart.”
Only Jesus can transform suffering into glory.
So the soldiers, their commanding officer, and the Temple guards arrested Jesus and tied him up. First they took him to Annas, since he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time. Caiaphas was the one who had told the other Jewish leaders, “It’s better that one man should die for the people.”
Jesus willingly gave himself to the enemy.
Inside, the high priest began asking Jesus about his followers and what he had been teaching them. Jesus replied, “Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said.”
While Peter was in the courtyard denying Jesus, Jesus was on trial protecting Peter.
Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded.
Jesus replied, “If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I’m speaking the truth, why are you beating me?”
Then Annas bound Jesus and sent him to Caiaphas, the high priest.
Closing
Closing
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Jesus fought with a cup of suffering.
