Jesus' Last Night - John 18

John 18 Jesus’ Last Night Summer Hill Church 14 April 2019 1. The end of the Jesus event a. Jesus’ last day i. We left off the John story back in last October, when Chris and Heath took us through what is called the Farewell Discourse. (1) it was Jesus final instructions to his disciples about what life would be like when he had gone. ii. I remember one of my mentors telling me that this was Jesus preparing his disciples. Reminding them that persecution was to come (1) and most importantly that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit would come. iii. and since chapter 14, the beginning of that discourse, it has been the night before his crucifixion (1) the night of the passover in Judaism, where the sacrifice of the lamb meant that God’s people were passed over in judgement. iv. so John is really concentrating on this past week, but especially the last night of Jesus life b. the end of the gospel i. Because this is what the gospel is all about. (1) when we started in John 2 years ago, we looked forward to the end of the gospel, we looked forward to John 20:10 (a) Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30–31 ii. Everything that John records for us, is so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, God’s chosen king and saviour. (1) and this is most clearly seen in the events around his death and resurrection iii. they are really what Jesus life was all about. (1) as Mark says (a) For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 iv. So as we read the account of his last night, let’s look for those clues and those signs of who Jesus is. READING 1 - Anita to read JOHN 18:1–11 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” 2. Betrayal in the garden c. the devil’s NOT in the details i. I remember early in my ministry I was speaking to a group of medical students at St George hospital (1) and, what I did was a q&a about the gospel for about an hour on whatever they wanted to ask. (2) one of the students told me that it was stupid to treat the Bible as history because it was all written, and fabricated, in the 1600’s. ii. now that was an easy one, there is no reputable scholar of ANY persuasion who thinks that (1) but he was willing to write off the whole Bible as a lie because someone had once told him it was all made up iii. but look at the detail here. (1) We have the name of the servant in v10 - Malchus - if you were there at the time, you could have looked him up in the Jerusalem phonebook, or then there’s the knowledge and reality of the area. (2) When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. v1 iv. We know Jesus was somewhere in the city of Jerusalem since ch 12. (1) and for the passover, he was probably in an upper room somewhere in this area. (a) he left and went through the Kidron valley - still there now (b) and into this garden of Olive trees (Gethsemane means oil press). (c) just a short walk (2) and that’s the place for the showdown that’s about to happen. d. the focus on Judas i. Once they reach the garden, the action starts to happen. (1) and Anita read so well for us what happened. ii. but do you notice the focus on Judas that happens? 3 times in 4 verses he is mentioned by name. (1) and two of them we’re told that he is the betrayer. iii. Not because we won’t remember who he is, but because Judas is emblematic - he’s the great example of his people. the Jews. His name means “Jew” - and it’s another fulfillment of what John told us way back at the beginning of the Gospel (1) He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1:11 iv. The Jewish people of the time, who were Jesus own people, did not see him for who he truly was, and rejected him. They hand him over to the gentiles in the end - the non-Jews, to be executed. e. Jesus arrests the guard i. and we are now in the first moments of the final moments in the drama of this happening. (1) and did you see that they came to arrest Jesus, but Jesus is the one who stops them in their tracks ii. Usually when the authorities come storming in, they are the ones doing the asking, but in a complete turnaround, Jesus asks - who are you looking for? (1) and it stops them in their tracks (a) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. v6 (2) now it could be him making a claim to deity - using God’s name, but he’s done that before, and did not get such a reaction iii. rather it is his calm control of the situation. Immediately, he is the one on the front foot, not those with torches and weapons. (1) he who stops the bloodshed, and in Luke’s account heals the man. iv. and it is because he knows what he must do. He knows he has to suffer and die, and that it is God’s will for him (1) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” v11 READING 2 - Thanks Anita - JOHN 18:12–27 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people. Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “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.” When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow. 3. Trial before Annas f. the prophetic priest i. And so Jesus is arrested and taken to Annas, who was high priest - and had been during John the Baptist’s ministry. They were both high priest, and performed some of the duties. High Priest for life (1) and so he is examined by Annas first - he was Caiaphas’ father in law. (i) back in John 11, Caiaphas had said 1) You do not realise that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” John 11:50 (b) and John the evangelist reminds us of this. (i) because this is what is about to happen. (2) the one man will die, but not in order to keep the peace. (a) I heard last week that Josef Stalin said “Death solves all problems - no man no problem” but it was wrong, it was by Anatoli Rybakov. (3) but it could have been written by Caiaphas. Fully expecting that Jesus death would rid them of the problematic itinerant healer and preacher. (a) but that was to prove wrong, but his comment was to come true in another, completely unexpected way, as Jesus lays down his life to save many from their sins. ii. and this happens in Annas’ home in Jerusalem, which we think may have been found in Jerusalem, quite close to the western wall (1) and this may well have been the very floor on which Jesus met with Annas. iii. and just beyond the wall was the courtyard where Peter denied Christ g. the denying disciple i. and we get more details here (1) but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. vv16 ii. john never names himself, but calls himself “the other disciple” or “The disciple whom Jesus loved.” (1) and he knew Annas! I cannot imagine why anyone would let you in to the house courtyard unless you were known to the attendants, and so the servant girl lets them in, because she knows them iii. but then, if you were going to build your great new religion on Peter, the Rock, or any of the disciples, then they should heroically stand their ground. (1) But not here, Jesus arrested in the dead of night and the disciples flee and Peter denies knowing Jesus 3 times - just as predicted. (a) 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! John 13:38 iv. Jesus is so in control, he knows what is happening, and what will happening. But goes willingly and openly. Not resisting. h. the open orator i. and inside, Annas confronts Jesus, and Jesus answers pointing out the irregularity of what was happening. (1) instead of witnesses, there is interrogation - and Jesus doesn’t play the game. (a) and they heard the criticism, that Annas was breaking the rules of Sanhedrin trial, which were very strict, so they assault him, and take him to Caiaphas who then sent him to Pilate. The Roman governor. All at something like 2 in the morning. READING 3 - Thanks Anita - JOHN 18:28–40 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. This took place to fulfil what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die. Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising. 4. Jesus and Pilate i. Just get him out of here i. Pilate is dragged out of his bed by an angry mob. And he has to go outside. (1) he would not be in a good mood. Some foolish Jewish argument again, probably about religion ii. and because it’s passover and none of them can come into his house - they won’t be able to celebrate passover if they do (1) and can you hear the irony in that. That they are happy to murder an innocent man, have him tortured and crucified, but the won’t go into a gentile house in case they can’t eat passover meal (a) sheer hypocrisy, and a total lack of comprehension of what is happening in front of them. (2) and when Pilate heard they wanted to crucify him, which was a Roman punishment only, he worked out he needed to investigate this more. iii. But Jesus was to be crucified and he had predicted that this would happen. j. the prophetic fulfilment i. Jesus as prophet looked forward (1) And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. John 12:32–33 ii. and here it is, in train, under control. It would be so easy to see this as a failure. (1) that Jesus dying a criminals death on a cross was it all going way too far. (a) but it was in Jesus’ plan from the beginning. He knew what was coming and he knew it had to happen. He was completely k. Jesus is fixed on his future death i. Pilate needs to know if the death penalty is warranted. (1) is there something he can charge Jesus with rather than just being an annoying Jewish subject of Caesar. (a) So the question comes - and it’s a big one. A crucial one. (i) v33 Are you the king of the Jews? (b) and Jesus answer deflects, twice (2) he says, who told you? And Pilate says Obviously, I don’t follow your religious and political squabbles, I’m not a Jew. (a) but he asks what have you done? (i) and Jesus answers that he is a king - but not a king like anyone would know - a king whose followers will not fight, because the kingdom is from elsewhere, not from this world. (b) So there’s an admission - Aha! You are a king! (i) Jesus says, yes - you say I am a king and I have come to testify to that truth. But he is no threat so Pilate wants to let him go. He can find no basis for a charge. Pilate writes him off with a retort. “What is truth”. l. the ironic final substitution i. but then comes a final great irony (1) shall we save the king? asks Pilate - the irony dripping from his words about kingship (a) no, we want you to release the one who threatens Rome. Kill the king and release the criminal. Which is exactly what is about to happen. That is truth... (2) but more of that on Friday. 2. The judge judging the judges a. who is this man? i. So we are left with the question - who is this man? (1) who is so in control of the circumstances around his life and death (a) and yet seemingly willingly goes to his death (2) I was thinking about this through the week. (a) it’s one thing to put your life on the line in the heat of the moment, to save someone you love. You act, and things happen. (3) but this is quite different. Jesus has known from the beginning that every step brings him closer to his arrest, trial and execution. (a) without being in the slightest suicidal he plans, and moves towards his death with consummate control. ii. it’s astonishing. What would drive someone to do that unless they were depressed or sociopathic - and we see neither of them in Jesus. (1) it’s because there is a higher reason. Yes, it’s jumping into the surf to save your friend, punching the shark as it attacks the other. (a) but it’s completely different if you work towards it...what could possibly drive such an action? (2) John is very clear what that is… (a) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (3) and that is for whoever will believe b. what is the meaning of what is about to happen? i. Today is Palm Sunday (1) it’s the day that we celebrate Jesus entering into Jerusalem to start the final week of his life (a) and that week was to finish in his death and resurrection (i) and that’s what it’s all about (b) Jesus’ life and death is about him coming as a ransom for many (2) to die, the one God-man, to save many. What a brilliant time to think hard about these events and what they mean for you (a) and what they could mean for your friends. (3) pray about someone to invite on GF or ES - write them down., Find someone to pray with and share over morning tea. (a) There is no better time for people to hear about Jesus than about when he most acutely showed his love, and our great need. (i) when the one died for the many. For you. For me. Let’s pray.