John 18:12-27
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
Introduction:
Our text this morning is jumping into the middle of the story, making it worth backtracking to get our bearings. The main character, as always, is Jesus.
Jesus had upset rulers, overturned tables, taught loudly, yes, but also exposed the political and spiritual leaders nself made traditions, self made rules, self made influence. He unmasked their hypocrisy and undermined their authority and position. Finally, they decided to be rid of him. We see that way back in John 11:53
So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.
Even a few verses earlier, the High Priest declared he wanted Jesus dead for the sake of the nation.
Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”
We hear that phrase, “put him to death”, and “one man die for the people” we tend to think, “great!” His death brought us life, let’s do it.” We think of of Romans 5:8, I John 2:2, and other verses like them, but that's not the way he meant it.
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
But again, that’s not how he meant it. No, that High Priest wasn’t thinking anything so noble.
He meant the murder of one man worth doing to keep the status quo, like Boeing.
Well, if you believe the conspiracy theories.
In 2019, shortly after retiring from Boeing, John Barnett became a whistleblower, he claimed Boeing was using sub-standard parts, cutting safety corners, and putting pilots and passengers at extreme risk. In late March of 2024, just as his legal battle was coming to a close, he was due to testify in more interviews regarding Boeing’s alleged slack safety standard, interviews that had the potential to disrupt their reputation, and perhaps, end contracts, get recalls, accrue fines, and cause some serious difficulty to the company. He was causing massive headaches for Boeing, and may have cost them an enormous amount of money if he had continued with those interviews. The status quo could have been shattered.
But he didn’t show up.
Now, his testimony was wrecking the reputation of a giant in the aerospace industry, and regardless of if his allegations were true or not, they were certainly damaging. Boeing executives naturally denied his claims, but all of their legal bickering came to a sudden end when John was found dead.
The autopsy declared it a suicide.
Of course, he had previously told his friends he wasn’t scared of taking on Boeing, but if something happened to him, it certainly wouldn’t be suicide.
But that was the ruling. Suicide.
The timing couldn’t be better for Boeing, and some began pointing fingers and circulating rumors that there was foul play at work. His death, along with the unrelated death of another whistleblower a short time later, helped stall the case, and Boeing worked hard to recover their public image.
Perhaps their power and prestige and cashflow wouldn’t be disrupted after all.
One man died, and the company continued on like normal.
One man who was causing them a ton of trouble, took his life just when Boeing most wanted him gone.
Now, of course, it could be that he really took his own life, I certainly don’t want to give undue credence to what could be a conspiracy theory, but one person dying just as he was breaking apart the power of those in power is an apt illustration of the Pharisees' plan here.
If they got rid of Jesus, just as he was breaking their power and influence, they would be able to keep their contracts, keep their carriers, keep their reputation, and all it would take to keep all of that…was the sacrifice of just one life.
So little, in their minds, compared to what they were about to lose because of that one man.
And now, these leaders of the ancient world have that man in their grasp.
12-14 Jesus led to Annas
12-14 Jesus led to Annas
So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
Jesus has been arrested, a dramatic enough scene, and now he’s being led to his captors. His disciples scattered, and Jesus was being lead away by an army of guards. But the story takes an interesting twist. First, he is brought to Annas, the former high priest, and father-in-law of the latest high priest, Caiaphas.
Much like the elderly mob boss, Annas has been manipulating and influencing things behind the scenes, and now wants to see Jesus and gloat over his arrest. Annas was the one who basically ran the money changers in the Temple. His was the salesmen and animals driven out of the Temple when Jesus cleaned house. His pocketbook was affected, and his business was impacted.
William Barklay remarked: “Now we can see why Annas arranged that Jesus should be brought first to him. Jesus was the man who had attacked Annas’ vested interest; he had cleared the Temple of the sellers of victims and had hit Annas where it hurt--in his pocket. Annas wanted to be the first to gloat over the capture of this disturbing Galilaean.”
But the text doesn’t dwell on Annas, instead, it gives us a note about Caiaphas. This brings us back to John 11. In that chapter, Jesus resurrected his friend, Lazarus, bringing him back to life, and broadcasting his miracle working power to the entire region.
John 11:45-57 details the fall out.
Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.
Many Jews came to believe in Jesus, but others slunk away and squealed to the Pharisees. Whatever their motivations, the motivations of the Pharisees are clear. In v 48, they rightly understand that letting Jesus continue would only continue to grow his powerbase. The crowds would only grow bigger, and the Romans would soon notice. That would bring trouble down on them all, and the Pharisees knew it. They had to do something. But what?
That’s when Caiaphas spoke up.
If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.
He said it.
He wanted Jesus to die. He wanted the pest gone. He wanted the problem solved. He wanted the troublemaker to go away. And he was willing to get his own hands dirty doing it.
V 53 makes that clear. From now on, the Pharisees would be finding a way, some way, to kill Jesus.
And now, they have him in their power.
Jesus was forcefully hauled around, but we soon find out he wasn’t alone.
Not one, but two disciples followed him.
And the scene quickly shifts into their direction.
Much like the exciting climax of the movie, the Biblical text will bounce back and forth between these two scenes, as the tension grows and the intensity builds.
15-18 Simon is brought into the courtyard and denies Christ the first time.
15-18 Simon is brought into the courtyard and denies Christ the first time.
Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
We see Simon Peter following Jesus, we know about him, but then, comes a lesser known remark. Another disciple, this one left nameless, not only also followed, but then beat Peter inside.
Who is this disciple? Traditionally, he’s been seen as John, the author. John never names himself in his own book, but leaves us plenty of clues.
Ok, so how did John know the high priest?
Legends tell us, ”The family, so the Franciscans believe, were fish merchants in Galilee with a branch office in Jerusalem and supplied the household of Caiaphas the High Priest with salt fish, which was why John had entry into the High Priest’s house.”
In other words, it seems that John’s father had such a successful fishing business that he helped supply some of the high priests, leading to him and his family being well known by said priests.
While legends like these are murky at best, it would make sense.
Regardless of how the nameless disciple enters, he then turns around and arranges for Peter to come in. He then disappears, until, assuming it is John, he shows up again at the foot of the cross.
While John’s story is over, for now, Peter’s has just begun.
He comes in, but the gatekeeper is curious. She knew the other disciple, and seems to know he was a disciple. So, she naturally asks Peter if he was too.
Now, it’s important to note, the other guy doesn’t seem to be bothered, doesn’t seem to be arrested or hurt or even annoyed. He seems to come and go freely, and appears, mildly at least, welcome. Additionally, Jesus, back in 18:8 had made a bargain. After knocking the soldiers to the ground, Jesus tells them that if they seek him, to let his disciples go. The soldiers apparently comply, as most of the disciples scatter, and Peter and John are generally left alone.
So, why mention all that?
Peter was, not without reason, terrified. Jesus was arrested, probably about to be killed, and Peter was his right hand man. So, when asked, Peter said no.
“I am not”
It was a lie. A boldfaced lie. A lie motivated by fear and worry. Perhaps we empathize.
But it was a lie nonetheless.
And Peter denied Christ.
ESV Expository: “Whereas only a few verses earlier Jesus had courageously asserted, “I Am” (vv. 5–6), Peter “negates” himself, contradicts his whole life, and forsakes his deepest commitments with the words, “I am not” (v. 17).”
Then, he crowds around the fire with the others.
Spurgeon said: “While his Lord and Master was being maltreated and abused over yonder at the end of the hall, Peter was warming himself at the servant’s fire. Ah! he was getting cold spiritually while warming himself physically; and it sometimes happens that, when men are warming their bodies, they are at the same time cooling their hearts.”
There is a danger with trying to blend in, not ruffle feathers, and hide who you are in Christ.
It’s that classic, if you’ve worked a job for 6 months, even a year, and your coworkers have no idea you’re a Christian, that’s a problem. That’s trying to hide, that’s trying to blend in. That’s a dangerous place to be.
But hide it, he did…for now.
19-24 Jesus recounts his open confessions and lack of secrets, and is sent to Caiaphas.
19-24 Jesus recounts his open confessions and lack of secrets, and is sent to Caiaphas.
So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
The text brings us back to Jesus, leaving Peter to wallow in his failure for a bit
Jesus is asked, by the High Priest, about his disciples and his doctrine.
Unlike Peter, Jesus is once again open. Open in the garden, and open here.
Peter was hiding who he was, Jesus makes it clear, and he has made it clear.
Notice the difference, Peter was asked by a servant, one who already seemed ok with John, and didn’t seem to present any real threat. But Peter caved and lied.
Jesus is arrested and hauled before a group that has long tried to kill him, and will, shortly, succeed. But he is honest, open, and clear.
He answers that he spoke openly, yes, to the “world” but also to the synagogues and in the Temple. In secret he has said nothing. Now, he did privately explain his parables and teachings to his disciples, but he didn’t change his message, he didn’t alter his preaching, he taught the same things in public and in private.
Then, he says something that should convict us. He tells them to ask his followers, his disciples. Ask them what he taught. They know what he said. John 18:21
Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.”
If I could pause for a second, let’s not rush past this. Jesus said his followers know what he said.
But I wonder, how many people claim to follow Jesus, but don’t know what he said? How many people don’t know much about his doctrine, but claim to be his disciple?
If you claim to be a Dallas Cowboys fan, but can’t name a single player, I’d begin to doubt your team spirit. If you claim to love ancient history, and ancient Egypt in particular, but can’t name a single Pharoah, I’d be suspicious. If you claim to follow Christ, but never read through an entire book of the Bible, not the entire Bible even, but you haven’t even read through a single book of the Bible, I’d be concerned!
I think this is a great opportunity to stop and think, could Jesus count on me to accurately repeat his teachings? Could Jesus say this about me? Can I give an account of the faith once delivered to the saints? If not, why not?
“They know what I said” but do you know what he said?
This is a great time to think about that question, and a great time to get a pln together, to join a new discipleship group, to get engaged in knowing the teachings of this Divine teacher you claim to follow.
of course, the irony also runs thick. Jesus’ disciple just denied knowing him, Jesus’ disciple just snuck in and lied to avoid being associated with Jesus, Jesus’ disciple failed to live up to his master’s praise. Perhaps we would land there too.
To some, this appears to be wrong.
To some, this appears to be Jesus is too optimistic.
To some, this appears in line with many so-called Christians today. Failing to live up to the call of the saviour.
To some, this appears to be spot-on with their own lives.
But…hang on.
I think Jesus knows a lot more than we give him credit for.
Jesus will not leave his disciples alone, he promised them a Comforter, an Advocate, and once his Holy Spirit arrives, this failure, this Peter, would become one of the mightiest preachers in all the land. He would declare the glory of Christ, he would write Scripture, and he would plant churches and strengthen them in the faith.
So take heart, Jesus knows more about your potential that you could ever imagine!
That failure now doesn’t mean you’re forever down for the count.
One failure doesn’t mean Christ can’t use you.
Even, as we shall soon see, more than one.
But before we return to Peter, there’s one last thing to see here. For his reasonable and open response, Jesus is struck. Real truth, even in the face of real danger. Jesus defends himself, daring them to call him out if he really said anything bad, and if he didn’t, then questioning the blow. Jesus was not afraid to state truth, and he as also not afraid to call out lies.
We get a note about Jesus’ movement from Annas to Caiaphas, and again shift back to Peter.
In V 21, Jesus sets up his disciples as witnesses of his teaching and living, challenging the priests to ask them, however, we’ve already seen one of those disciples deny knowing Jesus, and he’s about to do it again!
25-27 Peter denies Christ twice more, and the rooster crows.
25-27 Peter denies Christ twice more, and the rooster crows.
Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
Peter totally missed out, but hey, baseball allows more than one strike! What’s he up to now?
Well, he’s back at the warm fire, but again, his heart is cold towards Christ.
With almost identical wording, he’s asked again, “Are you not one of his disciples?”
Again, he replies, “I am not.”
But then, things get far more personal.
In the garden, Peter had chopped off the ear of the high priest’s servant Malchus. Malchus, it seems, was not the only one in his family in the employ of the High Priest, as now, some sort of cousin, or uncle or something, comes over to confront Peter.
“Didn’t I see you in the garden?” comes the question. Pointed, direct, knowing, and so very close to the truth.
Peter panics. Again.
He denies. Again.
Immediately, we are told, a rooster crows.
The scene switches yet again to Jesus, and Peter isn’t seen again until chapter 20.
But, why the note about the rooster? What an odd detail…
Well, perhaps not so odd.
Has such a thing been mentioned before? Actually, yes.
Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
Jesus knew this would happen.
This loud-mouthed, passionate disciple who just bragged that he would die for Christ, was countered by Christ with this prophecy. Peter would deny him not once, not twice, but three times.
Three strikes, you’re out. And Peter leaves the attention of the author for quite some time.
While other gospel writers revealed he realized his failure and ran out weeping, John’s gospel, this one, just leaves Peter behind and moves on. We’ve got to ask why! What was the point behind John just…leaving Peter without another word?
I think because the focus here is on Jesus.
Jesus surrendered when Peter swung with his sword.
Jesus submitted, when Peter slunk in.
Jesus openly proclaimed his lessons, Peter denied his lord.
Jesus took a blow, and soon the cross because of the truth of who he was, Peter ducked and lied even when there didn’t seem to be any major danger.
But even Peter’s denial was predicted by Jesus. Here, when Jesus seems most hopeless and most helpless, we are reminded that his prophecies always come true, that his predictions come to pass, and that his truth will always arrive.
We’re reminded that even in the garden, Jesus didn’t just know what was going to happen, he knocked back and knocked over the mob coming to arrest him. He knocked them over with a couple words.
Jesus did everything right that Peter did wrong.
Have faith, not failure!
Have faith, not failure!
I feel like the main idea in this text is that open honesty vs secretive deceit.
There’s a contrast between Jesus and Peter when both are put under distress.
Is the message challenging us to be like Jesus, not Peter, or challenging us to put our trust in Jesus, because he won’t fail, unlike us?
Perhaps…Both?
So, when our faithfulness is challenged, look to Jesus for the strength to be like Jesus, lest we fail and deny him in our fear.
Here we see the compassion of Jesus, knowing what he is going through, knowing even the failure of Peter, but providing for him, protecting him, and even promoting him…and preparing to die for him.
Jesus would die for this. This denial by Peter, this throwing away of the last three years of his life, this rejecting the savior that he had just promised to die for. Jesus, however, would die for him.
It’s easy to do hard things for those you love, who stand by your side and help you. It’s a lot harder to help those who stabbed you in the back and failed you when you were at your lowest.
But Jesus did.
He died for Peter, even after Peter did this.
That’s the God we serve.
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
That is the God we serve.
But…I think it’s also a challenge to see who well we actually serve him. Like Peter, we can speak great things, but what do our actions say?
Spurgeon: “May the rooster crow for some who have been asleep up till now, and warn them that the night is far spent, and that it is time for them to awake out of sleep, and wash their eyes with tears, and repent of having denied their Lord!”
I have to wonder, how many of us are warming ourselves at the embers of the world and letting our stand for Christ cool?
How many of us, rather than finding courage in the open boldness of our Lord, are conducting ourselves more like Peter, the denier?
I wonder how many times our cowardness ought to bring deep shame on our souls.
I wonder how many times we’ve shut our mouths for the sake of being nice, not ruffling feathers, or trying to fit in…and tried warming ourselves at the coals of cowardice and corruption.
I wonder just how many times we’ve failed our Lord, while mocking Peter for the same.
I wonder…
Yet, for some, you have a different problem.
Perhaps you feel the depths of your own failure, and think God cannot use you. You know your failures, you relive them every day, and you have stopped looking for rescue or redemption, and you feel you are beyond both. You think you chance is over and your opportunity squandered.
I assure you, you are not out of chances.
Peter denied Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times. If this was the end of his story, he would come off hardly better than Judas. But this wasn’t the end of his story, nor is it the end of yours.
Jesus died, even for Peter. And yes, he died for you too.
For in the days to come, Jesus would die, yes. He would die just as he expected he would, but he would also rise again, just as he expected he would. And then, he would seek out Peter, just as Peter probably never, ever expected.
He would not just forgive Peter, he would inspire Peter and empower Peter.
Peter would go on to write books of the Bible, preach to crowds, lead and start new churches, and go on to yes, make many more mistakes in the future, but none that God’s grace wouldn’t overcome.
God can and will use willing servants. Even flawed ones. Because if he didn’t he wouldn’t have any humans left to serve him. God uses broken people because that’s the only kind of people around.
God uses broken people, because that’s the only kind of people around.
Which means that God can use you. And God will.
So don’t think too highly of yourself, don’t begin to boast about your loyalty or your bravery, God may humble you, like Peter. But also don’t think too little of your potential, don’t think you’re out of the race just yet, because God can still use you, also, like Peter.
So, when our faithfulness is challenged, look to Jesus for the strength to be like Jesus, lest we fail and deny him in our fear.
Failure doesn’t have to be part of your story, but no doubt fear will. When that time comes, will you trust in the savior who saw it coming and already made a way for you? Because he can bring you through. He can make something incredible of you. He can redeem you from your failure and use you in unimaginable ways.
That’s our God.
