Jesus, strengthen us in times of testing

Warren Brosi

April 6, 2025 (Fifth Sunday of Lent)

Dominant Thought: Jesus, strengthen us in times of testing.

Objectives:

I want my listeners to see the different responses of Peter and Jesus when facing questions.

I want my listeners to find encouragement from the ways Jesus helps us in times of testing.

I want my listeners to focus on one of the ways Jesus helps us.

It was my senior year and prom was coming. A few of my friends and I were asked by Special Occasions to “model” or wear tuxedos to school to advertise for their business. Many of us were on the basketball team and so we dressed up on game days so that’s probably how we got the gig. We wore the tuxedos and passed out the business cards. In exchange, we received a free tuxedo to wear for prom.

So, the money we would have budgeted for our tuxedos, we pooled together to rent a limousine that took us out to eat and then back to Seneca High School. I’m sure it was a fun night. I remember the tuxedos, and the girls in their pretty dresses, the fancy dinner, and the limousine ride. I don’t remember much about the dance itself other than my friend was the homecoming king. I do remember one other moment in the night. On of the class sponsors for the Prom was Mr. Grimmett. He was my friend’s dad and the Ag teacher. he called the seniors who were chosen for the Who’s who of the senior class. Like best smile, most athletic, silliest, etc. I was chosen Most Likely to Succeed. Graduation was just days away. I was accepted to attend Ozark Christian College in the Fall. I had signed my letter of intent to play basketball. I was planning to pursue ministry.

Mr. Grimmett introduced me as Most Likely to Succeed and asked me, “What are you going to do?” I knew what I was going to do. Go to Ozark Christian College and prepare for ministry. There in that gymnasium with the party lights and my classmates, I answered Mr. Grimmett’s question with these words, “I don’t know.” He even knew what I was going to do. He was my friends dad. He saved me a little bit and said, “Well, no matter what you choose to do I’m confident you’ll succeed.”

I had an opportunity to speak up for Jesus and to share what my plans were and I missed it. Do you ever wish you could go back in time and have a do over? That one is on my list.

In John 18, we will encounter the Apostle Peter. He’s the boldest and most outspoken follower of Jesus and three different times he will lie about knowing Jesus. It may have been based on the fear of people’s opinions or the fear of physical harm, but three times Peter will deny Jesus.

As we begin, I want to read the opening verses of John 18 to get a feel for what’s happening. Then, as the narrative progresses, we will noticed that John will narrate the stories of Jesus and Peter in alternating fashion. We’ll see scenes of Jesus and then it will cut to scenes with Peter. So, my hope is to see how Jesus helps us in our times of testing. We will see him succeed where Peter does not.

Today, we will see six ways Jesus helps us in times of testing.

First, Jesus helps us with His Knowledge (John 18.1-4). The events in the garden that night did not take Jesus by surprise. He knew His Father’s mission. He had foretold it many times in the gospels. He foretold Judas would betray Him in John 13.26-27. Judas led a cohort of Roman soldiers, their commander, and the officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. This is no small group. They were armed with weapon, torches and lanterns.

They follow Jesus and His disciples to a garden. Is there any other memorable gardens in the Bible? Yes, the opening verses of Genesis. Adam and Eve are placed in the garden and a crafty serpent deceives them both. Could it be that John wants us to remember that back story for Adam and Eve? Could Jesus succeed where Adam and Eve fell?

Jesus meets this band with confidence knowing how it will play out. He goes out to Judas and the soldiers with a question, “Who is it you want?”

Second, Jesus helps us with His Identity (John 18.4-8). The group replies to the question of Jesus, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replies, “I AM.” It’s the name of God that we’ve met a few times in these final chapters of John—I am the way the truth and the life. I am the true vine. John highlights the identity of Jesus throughout with other descriptions. In John 4, Jesus visits with a Samaritan woman at a well. She says to Jesus, “I know Messiah is coming. When He comes, He will explain all things” (John 4.25). Jesus replies to her, “I am he” (John 4.26).

In John 8, Jesus tells the Jewish leaders, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8.58).

So, when Jesus replies to Judas and the soldiers, “I am.” He’s claiming to be God. After Jesus declares who He is, the grew drew back and fell to the ground. That should be enough to realize that someone greater than you is here.

Jesus asked them a second time, “Who is it you want?” They replied a second time, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus tells them again, “I told you I am he.”

When faced with times of testing remember who Jesus is.

Third, Jesus helps us with His Compassion (John 18.8-11). He continues with His dialogue with the soldiers. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go” (John 18.8). He’s willing to let His followers not be arrested or harmed. He fulfilled the words He spoke earlier, “I have not lost one of those you gave me” (John 18.9). Jesus announced it earlier in the synagogue in His hometown.

John 6:39 NIV

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.

Jesus also shows compassion by instructing Peter to put his sword away. I told you Peter was bold. They hadn’t even bound Jesus yet, and Peter pulls out a sword and starts swinging. He cut off the right ear of Malchus, servant of the high priest. Jesus commands Peter, “Put your sword away.”

Fourth, Jesus helps us with His Obedience (John 18.11). The Jesus asks Peter a question, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me to drink?” (John 18.11). Back in John 12.27-28, Jesus tells His disciples, “My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

Jesus asked for the cup to pass in the other gospel accounts, but here in John, Jesus tells Peter it is time to drink the cup.

Isaiah, the prophet, helps us understand the image of the cup.

Isaiah 51:17 NIV

Awake, awake! Rise up, Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath, you who have drained to its dregs the goblet that makes people stagger.

Jesus helps us with His perfect obedience to the Father’s will. He will drink the cup of God’s wrath. In a few moments, we’ll see why He needs to drink the cup when His follower denies Him.

The soldiers bound Jesus and brought Him to the high priest’s house for questioning. Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was the high priest. Both will have their time to question Jesus.

Caiaphas was the one who saw how Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead. Caiaphas is the one who said the following.

John 11:50 NIV

You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

As Jesus is bound and led away to Annas, the scene moves back to Simon Peter. Did he get much blood on his sword from Malchus’ ear? Did he need to clean it off? While he was bold and brash in the garden, the adrenaline is going to subside in the sight of a servant girl.

Before we pile on Peter too much, notice how John 18.15 begins, “Simon Peter and the other disciple were following Jesus.” That’s good. It’s alway good to follow Jesus. That how we define a disciple at Berlin Christian Church. A disciple is a Spirit-filled follower of Jesus...

Maybe this other disciple is the beloved disciple, John. That’s my guess today. John knows the high priest. He’s allowed to go with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard.

Meanwhile, Peter is outside waiting at the door. Do you every get in trouble when you are waiting? It is difficult to wait. That may be why the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience...

It is in the waiting that our character is formed and tested. Take advantage of the seasons of waiting, but be on your guard, too. See what Jesus may be teaching you in the waiting.

Peter is waiting. The other disciple comes back and brought Peter in. I’m not sure how it happened, but the servant girl asked Peter, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” (John 18.17). Peter replied, “I am not.” Reminds me of that gymnasium on prom night years ago, “I don’t know...”

John sets the scene even more for us. “It was cold” (John 18.18). The servants and officials are standing around the fire to stay warm. Then John writes, “Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.” Makes sense. I’d stand by that charcoal fire if I was cold, too. You would, too. Peter is standing with the servants and officials. We saw that phrase describe Judas the betrayer earlier in the garden. In John 18.5, John writes, “And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.” He fell back to the ground, too, when Jesus told them, “I am.”

This scene closes with Peter lying that he was a disciple of Jesus. Maybe he was afraid that Malchus had a big brother. Maybe the officials would arrest him, too. He lies about Jesus and stands with those who arrested his king. He’s standing by the fire in the cold dark night.

Fifth, Jesus helps us with His Boldness (John 18.19-24).

Meanwhile, the high priest questions Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Where Peter shies away from the servant girl, our king stands up to the high priest. Jesus replied, “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. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said (John 18.20-21).

One of the officials slapped Jesus in the face challenging Him in his address to the high priest. Jesus didn’t back down. “If I said something wrong, testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” (John 18.23). This physical abuse shows us the final way Jesus helps us.

Sixth, Jesus helps us with His Suffering (John 18.12, 22, 24; 19.1-3, 19.18). Jesus was bound in the garden and led to Annas’ courtyard. The official slaps Jesus in the face. Then, in John 18.24, Annas sent Jesus bound to Caiaphas the high priest. When you turn the chapter to John 19.1-3, you’ll see Jesus flogged, received a crown of thorns, mocked and slapped in the face again. Then, the soldiers will crucify Jesus. We will spend more time on that theme next week. For now, Jesus is receiving abuse.

There is a church in Jerusalem called “St. Peter en Gallicantu.” Gallicantu is Latin for “cock’s crowed” or “rooster crowed.” Inside the church is a statue called, “Servus Domini,” or “Servant of the Lord.” It pictures Jesus bound and looking up. Jesus helps us with His suffering.

As Jesus is led bound to Caiphas, John switches the scene back to the charcoal fire. In John 18.25, “Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself.” Those at the fire ask Peter, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” Peter denied it, “I am not.”

One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of Malchus speaks up. He may not have had a bigger brother, but he must have had a challenging cousin. He spoke to him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again, Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow” (John 18.26-27). The rooster crowing fulfilled the prediction of Jesus shortly after He washed Peter’s feet in the upper room.

John 13:38 NIV

Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

Outside that church in Jerusalem called “St. Peter en Gallicantu,” you see other statues of Peter and a soldier, a servant girl, and a rooster atop a pillar.

During these scenes that John unfolds for us, we see two trials going on. One where Jesus stands boldly and truthfully before the high priest. The other where Peter stands with a crowd and tells lies. Jesus does not back down. Peter stands back. One inside with the powers of His day. The other outside with the servants of the day. One in the light who is the light of the world. The other in darkness with the glow of a charcoal fire to keep himself warm. One victorious yet bound and slapped. The other who moments earlier wielded a sword to cut off the ear of a servant, now hears the sound he didn’t want to hear. And still as the rooster crowed and Peter remembered the words of Jesus. We want to run to Peter and give him a hug.

I could have made a better choice that Spring night of my senior year. While I didn’t hear the rooster crow that night, a new day did come. And while I wish I was more bold for Jesus every day. Better days did come and have come when I confessed my allegiance to my Savior. A Savior who is all knowing, a saving king, compassionate, obedient, bold, and suffered for those who deny him. Will you focus on one of the ways Jesus helps us in our testing this week? And, I invite you to pray with me, “Jesus help us in times of testing.”