A Most Worthy Celebration

Resurrection Sunday

Good morning! Welcome to CHCC! Happy Easter; Happy Resurrection Sunday! It is so good to be here with you all this morning celebrating the resurrection of our Savior who paid the penalty of our sin on the cross and then conquered sin and death with the empty tomb! Now we have a delicious meal being prepared downstairs that I hope you all will join in with us.

I’m sure you are all familiar with the passage of Easter Sunday. It is arguably the most attended service of the Christian calendar, with Christmas Eve being the other. After all, without the resurrection we wouldn’t have the church today and we certainly wouldn’t be coming together this morning in celebration and praise. The resurrection is of greatest importance for in it we carry the hope of eternity and the joy of our salvation. And as, Charles Spurgeon says, “Joy in God is the happiest of all joys.” We carry joy with us because of the cross and the empty tomb. We carry joy because Jesus was and is victorious.

So as we get into the message this morning, I felt the Spirit leading me in a different direction than that which is typical of an Easter Sunday message.

Typically, a pastor will turn to Luke 24, and read the passage of the resurrection; they will dive into the importance of this greatest moment in the history of the world and we celebrate it! Great stuff! And I’m not intending to underplay it at all. I’ve presented that very message nearly every Easter for the last 9 years. It is a wonderful passage with a wonderful purpose! And I will touch on that passage for a bit this morning as well.

However, there are two other characters in the gospels that the Spirit has lead me to this morning that I feel are important for us to consider as well. Now, please do not misunderstand me. Jesus is and always will be the focal point of Easter and the whole of Scripture! He is, after all, the Incarnate Word of God!

But I think the message this morning will be a little heavier than most Easter Sunday messages. Now, there will be celebration and joy! But within that, I hope, we will come to a recognition of our sin, a mourning of that sin, and to the crossroads of hope and despair.

I’ve put together an incredibly detailed drawing of the sermon this morning to give you all an idea of what we will be looking at (with a spoiler to the two characters of our secondary focus). [SHOW IMAGE]

So we will look at the crossroads of two of Jesus’ followers leading up to the crucifixion. The betrayal of Judas and the denial of Peter. We will study those moments and then we will look at their mourning and the decision of their crossroad experience. Lastly, we will look at the resurrection and discuss why we celebrate and why we can live with a hope everlasting.

So if you have your Bibles with you this morning, please turn with me to Luke’s gospel, chapter 22 as we begin our study.

PRAY

30 Pieces of Silver

Judas’ Betrayal

Luke 22:1–6 ESV

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

I chose Luke’s account because he makes an interesting statement not seen in Matthew’s telling. He says, “Satan entered into Judas…” This does not suggest demonic possession. This is a similar statement that Peter makes to Ananias in Acts.

Acts 5:3 ESV

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?

Like Ananias, Judas was under the sway of Satan. As R. Kent Hughes explains it:

Judas’ heart was under the devil’s influence. But on each occasion Satan could not have entered into Judas unless Judas opened the door.

Judas opened the door for 30 pieces of silver. He sold out Jesus—His Lord—to line his pockets. Judas would conspire with the religious leaders to take down Jesus. And what a perfect conspirator—one of Jesus’ closest 12! Judas would know when Jesus would be nearly alone. Judas would know where Jesus would be late in the evening when the rest of the city slept. But Jesus knew. And yet He loved Judas continually.

John 13:18 ESV

I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’

Here, Jesus quotes from Psalm 41. And what an interesting parallel this is.

Psalm 41:9 ESV

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

This is in reference to a man by the name of Ahithophel, who was a close friend to King David who betrayed him. But the parallel gets even crazier as we see the fates of Ahithophel and Judas…

2 Samuel 17:23 ESV

When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.

The Gospels reveal that evening of the Last Supper and it would seem that moment after moment after moment, Judas is reminded by Jesus of His great love towards him.

Jesus washes his feet.

Jesus has Judas sit directly to his left—the seat designated for the honored guest.

Jesus dips the bread and hands it to Judas. We understand this to be the sign given to reveal the betrayer to the rest of the disciples. But there is such a beautiful significance to this as well. In Palestinian culture the act of the host’s taking a morsel from the table, dipping it in the common dish, and offering it to another was a gesture of honor or friendship.

Jesus knew the outcome. He understood the betrayer was necessary to fulfill Scripture, but you still see that He fought for Judas’ soul.

Lastly, Jesus then gives permission in a sense for Judas to leave and finish off the betrayal.

John 13:27 ESV

Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

But every step of the way, we see Jesus reminding Judas that He is loved.

What About Us?

Now we may look at the betrayal of Jesus by Judas and clutch our pearls. For 30 pieces of silver, he did what?? What an awful, terrible human being! After all, 30 pieces of silver wasn’t an awful lot in Hebrew culture. In Exodus, it tells us this was the payment to an owner if one of their slaves was killed by another’s ox. In other words, the life of a slave was valued at 30 pieces of silver. Judas, in that sense (along with the religious leaders), saw Jesus in the same light as a slave.

So we think low of Judas. What a scumbag to betray your Lord like that! But it got me thinking (which can be a dangerous thing), what about us? “Surely”, we think to ourselves, “We’d never betray Jesus like that!”

But we have! All of us. If you are here this morning, I hate to break it to you, but you are a sinner. And as a sinner, you have betrayed Jesus. It may not have been 30 pieces of silver, but it very well could be much less. What is the cost of our betrayal? A fleeting moment of satisfaction? Judas’ betrayal was just much more literal. We can see it happening before us. But each of us have sinned, and it is that sin that nailed Jesus to the cross.

In that sense, before we get all righteous before Judas, we would do well to consider the words of Jesus before the crowd—He who is without sin may cast the first stone.

It is okay to be heartbroken over the betrayal of Jesus. It is okay to be upset by it. We should be! But we should also be heartbroken and upset with ourselves! Because we have done the same thing.

The next disciple in our crosshairs this morning is one of Jesus’ inner three—a man by the name of Peter.

A Most Terrible Denial

Peter’s Three Denials of Jesus

Luke 22:31–34 ESV

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

The life of Peter throughout the Gospels and Acts is rather remarkable. He is, I believe, one of the most fleshed out characters in all of Scripture. We see his moments of strength and faith. But we also see moments of failure and shortcomings. He is bold and at times brash. He is very complex. On one hand, he was the one who stepped out of the boat in faith to walk toward Jesus. He is also the one who began to sink due to his doubting. He is the one who answered Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” with: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” And he is also the one who would go on to deny Jesus three times. He doubted, denied, and yet even so, Jesus called him into a critical role in the establishment of His church.

But here we see perhaps one of his lowest points in his life. A man who seemed ready to die by the sword for His Lord just a moment prior has become lead by his fear.

Luke 22:54–61 ESV

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

I find this to be one of the most heartbreaking moments in Scripture. It is clear that Peter loved Jesus deeply and even so, he denies him not once but THREE times in quick succession. Peter, like Judas finds himself at the crossroads of his sin. So let us see where it leads our disciples…

Differences In Mourning

What we will come to see between Judas and Peter is that they initially both make the same step—one of mourning and recognition of their sin. This is a critical first step if we are to know Jesus personally as our Savior—for we must come to the realization that we are sinners in dire need of a Savior. We must recognize the depravity of our own hearts before we can properly rend them over to Christ. In that regard, both men do well.

Judas’ Heartbreaking Decision

Matthew 27:3–5 ESV

Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.

Do you see it? Initially, Judas is beside himself. Clearly, grief stricken and wracked with guilt he brings the money back. He also recognizes his sin! “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” He is SOO close! But Judas chooses the path of despair and ultimately ends his own life.

Had he simply allowed Jesus’ teachings to penetrate his heart, he would have known Jesus forgives sin! Twice it is explicitly recorded for us that Jesus forgives sin. The first is with the paralytic man who was lowered from the roof before Jesus. He tells Him, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5).

The other occasion comes to us in the house of a Pharisee. A woman hears that Jesus is in the home, enters with a flask of ointment and begins to anoint Jesus’ feet and wash them with her tears and her hair.

Luke 7:44–47 ESV

Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

All the evidence was laid bare for Judas and yet he chose the road of despair and ultimately the road that leads to death and destruction. Let us take a look at Peter, now.

Peter’s Sorrow Leads to Restoration

Luke 22:60–62 ESV

But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

I am of the belief that it was the look of Christ that saved Peter. I do not believe the look was of anger or even disappointment. I believe it was one of deep love and that is what broke Peter entirely.

R. Kent Hughes says:

But the Master’s look did even more—it maintained the link between Peter’s soul and Christ. It was a knowing look that said, “Peter, it is happening just as I told you. Now remember it all! Because I prophesied more than your fall as the rooster crowed.”

Remember, Jesus told Peter that Satan had demanded him that he may sift him like wheat, but Jesus had prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. And while he failed Jesus in this moment, His faith would not falter. It was the sifting process that left Peter’s soul bare.

Jesus’ prophecy doesn’t end with his prayer for Peter but a great encouragement. He says, “When you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Not if but when…”

Peter, like Judas, finds himself at the crossroad of sin. One path leads to despair as we saw with Judas. The other leads to hope.

Peter’s restoration would take a bit of time. He finds himself hiding out with the other disciples after Jesus’ death. Scared for their own lives and unsure how to take the next step forward.

But his first step toward hope comes when the women who went to visit the tomb return with some remarkable news.

Luke 24:1–12 ESV

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they (the women) went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

John’s gospel tells us both he and Peter ran to the tomb with the awesome quip about him beating Peter to the tomb. But here is Peter’s step towards redemption, forgiveness, and ultimately restoration. The others refused to believe it, even though Jesus on several occasions told them He would rise again after 3 days! But Peter, filled with hope sprints to the tomb. And what does he find? It is empty just as the women said and he marvels! Something happened. This isn’t normal.

Jesus then appears to the disciples in the locked room, proclaiming peace, and showing him the marks on his hands and side. Then he turns to Thomas—good old “Doubting” Thomas. I kind of feel bad for the guy. Let’s be real; they ALL doubted. That is why they huddled up in the room in fear. They even doubted the words of the women! But Thomas is singled out for his doubting, but Jesus lifts him up. He reveals Himself to Thomas and he responds, “My Lord, and my God!”

Anyway…the work on Peter’s heart and soul are making progress but there is one last conversation he must have with Jesus before he is restored. One of my favorite passages of grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness.

John 21:15–19 ESV

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

I won’t do a deep dive here, but we do need to understand the significance of the words “love” here. Greek has four different words for “love” and all have a different meaning. When Jesus poses the question he asks with the word “agape”—Do you agape me more than these? Do you love me unconditionally, and sacrificially?

But Peter, still wracked with guilt, cannot respond in likeness. He says, You know that I “love” you—phileo—a brotherly, friendly love.

Again Jesus asks—agape. Again, Peter responds—phileo. Then on the third questioning, Jesus meets Peter where his heart is. He asks him, Peter do you love me?—this time phileo. And the third time grieves Peter but he responds in likeness. He says, “You know that I love you”—again phileo.

But also notice the amount of times Jesus asks is no doubt significant. Three times Peter denies Christ. Three times Jesus asks if He loves Him. Slowly, lovingly, forgivingly, Jesus builds Peter back up. This concludes with the very first words He spoke to Peter back in Matthew 4. He says, “Follow me.” The invitation remained. Peter denied Jesus, but in his mourning he came to the crossroad of sin and took the path of hope. It was painful; Peter had to come to the end of himself to recognize his sin, his weakness, his depravity. But from there, Jesus builds him back up and invites him in once more. Judas’ mourning lead him to despair. Peter’s lead him to hope and salvation and forgiveness.

Why We Celebrate

As we close, I know we’ve focused a lot of our time on the heart of Judas and Peter, but I hope that in light of that you still see it is ALL about Jesus. Because without the empty tomb there is no crossroads of sin. All sin would simply just lead each of us into despair. But because of the cross and because of the empty tomb we are given the opportunity of hope and salvation. That is why we celebrate! Jesus defeated sin and death once and for all on the cross of calvary.

Which I really want us to consider this morning as well. In a moment we will partake in communion and it is important that we understand that our celebration came with a cost. The weight of our celebration is that our salvation cost Jesus everything. The pain, the suffering, the death that He faced should be each of us. But He stepped into our place by His own choosing—His own volition—and paid the penalty of sin that we may walk in relationship with Him once more for all eternity.

John 10:17–18 ESV

For this reason the Father loves me, because 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. This charge I have received from my Father.”

I don’t say this to diminish our celebration. I simply say this that we would come before the throne of God with humble and contrite hearts in the midst of our celebration. That we would grasp the reality of our sin.

Alastair Begg puts it profoundly and much better than I ever could. He says:

Only the Spirit of God helps us to see that the real issue with sin is not what sin has done to me, or even what my sin has done to you. But the essential issue is what our sin has done to God. And that this cry from the cross takes us to the very heart of the matter. This, my sin, must be absolutely horrendous if it takes the death of God’s only son to fix it. Right? My Lord, what love is this that pays so dearly that I, the guilty one, may go free?

So as we enter into communion this morning, let us come with celebratory hearts, yes! But also, let us come before the throne of God with humble hearts, contrite hearts. Hearts that recognize our hopeless and despair apart from Christ’s atoning work of the cross.

Each of us have, or will come to the crossroad of sin. One path leads to despair and ultimately to eternal death—eternal separation from God. The other—to a hope that is everlasting; to forgiveness and love and mercy and restoration. Judas found despair. Peter found hope. What will you find? I tell you, take the road that Peter took and find that hope everlasting.

PRAY