Jesus In Custody
The Endless Journey - John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 3 viewsNotes
Transcript
Reading:
9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
Introduction:
Jesus was hated by the Pharisees and Sadducees. He wouldn’t conform to their religious system.
He openly denied their authority and the using of God to lord over the people.
Their best efforts to trap Him failed as He was too wise for them and knew the law better, having written it.
He became this huge problem to them.
People were following Jesus instead of them.
His voice was more valid and it was the one they desired to listen to.
They were loosing their hold on the people at the same time Jesus gained them.
They kept looking for an opportunity to seize Him and silence Him.
That moment never came as they feared the people who were in the crowds who believed in Jesus
It would’ve started a big riot and they didn’t want the Roman soldiers getting involved.
It would also remove the authority they still had with some people.
They feared the people, even when Jesus was (from their point of view) blasphemous by claiming to be God or Equality with God.
The whole account of John from chapters four on is building up to the moment He dies on the cross.
Chapters 18-20 can be understood through 3 different movements of God:
18 - Condemnation
19 - Crucifixion
20 - Conqueror
This helps us dissect the content of the next 3 chapters.
Which point us in the direction of the fulfilling of all Christ had spoken regarding His purpose in coming to Earth.
Praise the Lord for a His sacrifice!
As we dig into Chapter 18 we can know that Jesus was despised, rejected, and killed securing the eternity for those who believe.
He has prayed for himself, the disciples to continue the ministry He called them to, and for us to accept their testimonies and carry on the testimony.
Chapter 18 shows Himself as a shepherd protecting the flock, God who’s prophecies are going to happen, and the Messiah that the Jews reject!
Judas came as a guide to the savior; but it wasn’t to bring souls to faith in Him, it was to betray Him as fulfillment to the agreement he was paid for.
Something to consider when reading the first 11 passages:
Illustration:
When I was little the police showed up at my door one evening. ( I was in 4th grade).
They knocked on the door and asked to talk to my parents.
What happened is on the side street from my house a lady said kids were throwing rocks trying to break her windows.
I never threw anything; I’ll tell you what happened.
I had my friends over and from my back yard to the side street it was open, only a chain link fence was there .
A kid my friends didn’t like stopped on that road and they started throwing black walnuts at him.
I guess that they were hitting the windows of the ladies basement.
The police were at my house because it came from our yard and I was guilty by association.
Connection:
The disciples never claimed equality with God; but could they have been arrested too?
Since they were guilty by association to cause a ruckus in the Roman empire?
What we find is Jesus is the shepherd, and He protects the disciples.
Jesus Protects the Disciples: (1-11)
Jesus Protects the Disciples: (1-11)
Jesus frequented the Garden to pray and Judas knew this was a secluded place away from any crowds and where Jesus would pray.
It was easy peasy! (at least in his mind)
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.
2 Now Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with His disciples.
Do you think after reading these passages Judas had need to be afraid of the moment his betrayal was carried out?
Judas has been with Jesus for the past 3 years, following Him
[build the idea behind Jesus never once creating a perspective that He would fight any who came after Him]
I don’t think there was any reason to fear arresting Jesus; maybe fear of those who would fight on His behalf.
Either way Judas knew where He would be, and just in case it was an ambush (remember Jesus knew what Judas was going to do as He told him: “what you do; do quickly”).
People were afraid of Jesus!
As they should be! He healed sick and lame people, the blind, raised people from the dead....
The most important power they missed was His power to forgive and save!
Judas brought some friends to help in the arrest.
3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Break this down:
Band of soldiers =
Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 5061 σπεῖρα
A company of soldiers called a cohort (1/10th of a Roman legion, 600 men under normal conditions)
Officers from the chief priests = These would’ve been the temple servants and some high priests following their duty to carry out judgments against people.
It was the original “hunt them down with torches, lanterns, shovels, etc… mob”
What do you suppose they thought on the way to the garden?
Soldiers - Overkill for one man with 11 guys?
Officers - One that would deny any charges and give a false name?
That’s not my God.
4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to Him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”
He met them as a leader and protector.
Like a dad in the doorway heading off any trouble.
His authority and power is understood at the next verse.
5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” Judas, who betrayed Him, was standing with them.
6 When Jesus said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
The whole band of soldiers and synagogue officers all fell backwards.
In all their might they were nothing before Jesus!
Which may have been all they needed to approve of His request.
7 So He asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He. So, if you seek me, let these men go.”
Jesus clarified in that moment a few things:
They don’t have the power or authority to do anything to Him, It is His to offer.
They are only there for Jesus, no one else!
Jesus protected the disciples as a shepherd and willingly died to save them and the world!
Fulfilling the Father’s will and prophecy.
9 This was to fulfill the word that He had spoken: “Of those whom you gave Me I have lost not one.”
Thankfully: Jesus keeps all those who are His.
Connection:
If you have faith in Christ, you have been adopted into His family and your Father will keep you, and never loose you.
To illustrate the point a little further even when we mess up, He still keeps us.
10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Peter comes running out: “to the death....” cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant.
Illustration:
When waiting for school to open a lot of us kids would arrive early and play basketball or other sports.
There was a guy in 5th grade when I was in 3rd, he was huge.
Jeff Kruther was his name.
When playing basketball he would grab the ball, hold it up, and walk it to the other side.
That was so infuriating.
I was next to him when he rebounded the ball, right when he lifted it up and began walking, I punched him right in the stomach.
He dropped the ball; but it was time to run, and thankfully I was faster than him.
Peter didn’t think about what could happen before He chose to swing his sword, just like I didn’t think about what Jeff could do to me.
Thankfully for Peter’s sake: Jesus, not willing to loose any disciples, made sure Peter was kept and not taken into custody.
The officer, Malchus, found himself in a no harm no foul moment.
One disciple recorded what happened to the ear of Malchus, guess who it was.
Luke - The Dr. (This would be a medical marvel)
50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And He touched his ear and healed him.
Transition:
Jesus is the shepherd of His flock and He protects all who are His.
He never looses any, even though we mess up bad, we are still His!
He willingly went to secure our eternity and our relationship with Him.
Mark tells us that the moment after Jesus healed the ear, all the disciples scattered.
Even Peter, the one who was willing to fight it out against the band of soldiers to the death if necessary… ran away!
Peter hadn’t escaped the prophecy about him.
Jesus and Peter are questioned simultaneously in verses 12-32 providing us with:
Two Trials: (12-32)
Two Trials: (12-32)
Jesus was taken, at night to Annas the night before passover, at night to the guys house, not in the temple where the sanhedrin would conduct court!
Every part of the procedure was illegal, wrong, and skirted because the agenda was more important.
Kill Jesus!
13 First they led Him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.
Remember Caiaphas:
49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all.
50 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.”
This was right after Jesus raised Lazarus and the chief priests and pharisees together as a council to “fix” this Jesus problem they had.
The suggestion was by Caiaphas to kill Him and remove any problems from the Romans and Jews.
Now Caiaphas’ son-in-law had to deal with what he suggested, at night and not in the temple, ignoring procedure.
Peter and another disciple followed close by; but was unknowingly walking into his own court room.
16 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.
17 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.”
The sheep denied the shepherd!
Just moments before this Peter cut the ear off a soldier, now cowers in the face of a girl watching the doorway to the courtyard of Annas.
Peter’s boldness was gone now that Jesus wasn’t with Him!
Connection:
When we aren’t as close in our relationship with Jesus (abiding in Him) we are more likely to faulter and fold to sin.
Just like Peter did.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Abiding in and submitting to Christ will provide the power to resist the devil, Peter wasn’t close to Him and found himself responding in fear.
Jesus meanwhile has some questions to answer too.
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.
20 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.
21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them; they know what I said.”
22 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?”
23 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?”
24 Annas then sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Place yourself in Annas’ shoes here...
What would you ask a man brought to your home at night with no witnesses and a demand of an illegal trial at your hand?
Annas asked Him about His disciples and His teaching.
Jesus’ reply was different than Peter… He answered his question with a question..
Go find out yourself what I have been teaching. (Do your own homework!)
Jesus was struck by an temple officer since He was so bold to challenge Annas.
Jesus’ question to Him was eye opening to Annas.
He knew that Jesus wasn’t going to fold and stumble at the traps in words.
Annas made a good choice: Go to Caiaphas who knows about you!
Annas passed the buck onto His father-in-law.
Meanwhile Peter is being questioned again.
25 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.”
26 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?”
27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
That is undeniable, yet in Peter’s fear he stuck to his pride and denied Jesus.
Pride and “sticking to our guns” will ruin us from the inside out.
Not just in lies we are caught in; but when we hold grudges towards others.
Our pride tells us that we are justified in our demeanor or avoidance of that person; but humility comes from love that removes that fake barrier.
A barrier that stops us from reconciling that relationship.
4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
Transition:
Both Peter and Jesus were questioned, both had answers.
Jesus was bold and fearless to ask them to question what is happening right in front of them.
Peter was fearful and prideful, and he denied Jesus!
What questions are you asked through each day and how do you answer?
Are you fearful and prideful in your answers or are you bold and confident in the Lord?
We can have boldness because the Helper resides in us and gives us the strength we need to answer truthfully.
When we allow fear to rule instead of Christ we can find ourselves doing what Peter did and reject Christ.
In our pride we can believe that we are able and don’t need Christ yet that is when we need Him the most.
The people Jesus came to needed Christ; but instead they did what Peter did and what we do sometimes:
The People Rejected Christ: (33-40)
The People Rejected Christ: (33-40)
[Preference given to a robber and one who stirred up trouble]
Not just the Jews, as prophesied, but the world too.
29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered Him over to you.”
31 Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and judge Him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.”
The Jews getting Rome to crucify Him, fulfilled the Messianic prophecy by what kind of death He would die!
Pilate took on the trial from his own pride against the Jews.
A very political choice, concerning the balance of Rome and the Jews.
Pilate asked Jesus something specific.
33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
The political question in this moment can be felt.
Pilate was trying to find out if He was King of the Jews as this would pose a threat to Rome and be guilty of treason.
He tried to trap Jesus into a claim that would merit death!
Jesus’ answer was a loaded question with intent:
34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about Me?”
Is this your inquiry or is this their claim against me?
What’s the charge here, why am I in front of you?
Jesus understood that any claims would need testimonies to collaborate the story and it wouldn’t hold up in court as there were none.
Jesus’ claim to Pilate was the proclamation to His purpose of coming:
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world.”
37 Then Pilate said to Him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”
Jesus is now just throwing the whole sham in Pilate’s face!
There is no truth any have against me that holds water and is worthy of any accusations.
You know it and I know it!
Pilate peacocks a little - Showing his authority over Jesus:
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” After He had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.
The people choose.
They reject God and choose a robber instead.
39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
Connection:
We fall into the same trap when we choose something over Christ, rejecting Him.
How many times do we pridefully believe lies and reject truth?
Rejecting Christ is to reject what Jesus gave you at salvation:
Power and Authority.
The people rejecting Christ and choosing a robber is no different than us choosing ourselves over Him every day!
Even though the world rejected Him, Jesus never once stopped protecting, defending, and securing those who are His.
Conclusion:
For the unbeliever:
Pilate asked the crowd a question with an obvious answer, and they chose a robber over the Son of God.
That same choice is set before you.
Every day you choose something — comfort, control, your own name — over Christ, you're standing in that same crowd, shouting for Barabbas.
But here's what's different: the Jesus they rejected still went to the cross for the people rejecting Him.
He hasn't stopped offering Himself to you.
For the believer:
Maybe you feel more like Peter than you'd like to admit — warming yourself at a fire, denying with your actions what you know is true, because being close to Jesus costs something.
Chapter 18 reveals that Jesus never stopped being the shepherd, not even for Peter.
He didn't lose him, He won't lose you.
Stop denying Him at the fire — draw near to the Shepherd who never let go of you in the first place.
-Pray!
