JESUS GIVES HIMSELF OVER
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INTRODUCTION: Good morning family! It truly is so good to be together worshipping God today! I’m thankful for you and the fellowship we have.
There have been so many times in my life that I have taken our fellowship for granted but after this year and not meeting for a time, I have a greater appreciation for it.
This time of year is my favorite with Thanksgiving and Christmas and for all the fun that goes along with them. How many of you are ready for Christmas? (All the kids are? Adults?) Got all your Christmas shopping done? So much to be thankful for! So much of it that we often take for granted than so many others in our world don’t have.
It is so easy to let the appreciation we have for what we have been given fade. We are very prone to take for granted even some of the greatest things we have.
JOHN 18: studying John 18 this week has made me think of how we can, and how often I have taken for granted the gift of Christ coming and what He has done for me.
JESUS ACTIONS WHEN HE WAS BETRAYED AND ARRESTED AND DENIED, if we really seek to understand what happened ARE REMINDED OF HOW IMMEASURABLE AND SELFLESS CHRIST LOVE FOR US IS AND HOW MUCH WE DO NOT DESERVE IT!
I encourage you, as we go through these last few chapters of John to go through and read the parallel passages and you will see how all the events fit together and getting a even better picture.
In comparison to the other gospels, it is interesting what John records and focuses on; Jesus’ voluntary sacrificial actions even though innocent and the sinful actions of Judas (His betrayer), Peter, (who denies Him three times) and Pilate who sees His innocence.
So I want to focus on three people and what we can learn from there actions in this chapter: Jesus, Peter and Pilate. First and most importantly Jesus!
When I look at Jesus’ ACTIONS here, I am overwhelmed BY WHAT HE HIS selflessness in giving Himself up so freely.
JESUS’ GIVING UP OF HIMSELF REMIND ME OF HIS SELFLESS LOVE!
After the supper with the Apostles (and Judas leaving) Jesus goes to a the the Garden of Gethsemane (there normal meeting place), not somewhere Judas could not find Him.
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. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 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.
From the other gospels we know that Jesus was in great distress so much that His sweat drops of blood and prayed that this cup pass from Him if possible but God’s will be done! After praying this three times Jesus came out to meet God’s will without any hesitation...I love how the next verse shows this...
Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
“Jesus, knowing all that would happen to Him, came forward”
Jesus “knowing all that would happen to Him” came forward to do God’s will instead of escaping it all (and running away as the Apostles did).
When we have to do something we do not want to we often stall or procrastinate or try to find a way out.
This is yet another time we are reminded that Jesus knew everything that was going to happen. Like in chapter 13:1. This is a significant statement. It shows again that JESUS WAS COMPLETELY COMMITTED TO GOD’S WILL AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR US!
They did not surprise or overpower or force Jesus to do anything from be arrested to die. Everything He did, He did voluntarily for His Father and for us. Our text and others demonstrate this.
Jesus had already stated this as we saw in chapter 10 speaking of Himself as the good shepherd laying down His life for the sheep.
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.”
There is so much more in this passage that demonstrates that as well…One of the more interesting ones comes in verse 6. (This is also one of the most intriguing...
When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
This is very interesting passage. Why did they fall to the ground? Try to picture this; all the men there, which was likely hundreds (including the Romans soldiers (the Greek has cohort which was hundreds of soldiers), stepping back and falling to the ground. This is such a strange thing that it makes you wonder what is going on here.
Where they surprised that it was Jesus and they jumped back and then fell and then it was like a domino effect…that’s funny to think about and unlikely.
It is really hard to know for sure…but a very good possibility they fell to the ground because God was showing Jesus authority and power over the situation (and His willingness to give Himself up NOT BE TAKEN BY FORCE.)
It is a little ambiguous but even though the text has Jesus saying, “I am He,” the Greek is simply “I AM.” Jesus said earlier in His ministry to demonstrate His deity when He said, “Before Abraham was, I Am.”
However this passage is not so clear but whether that was the case here I believe that this mob of many people fell to demonstrate Jesus complete authority and His complete submission to God’s will.
What happens next shows that He was willingly giving Himself over.
So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.”
What we see in verse 8 is a perfect illustration of Jesus’ being our substitutionary atonement. (Giving Himself up so they could go free physically parallels Christ giving Himself up so that we could go free spiritually…) Which was the greater reason Jesus was giving Himself over.
IT IS AN INCREDIBLE THOUGHT that Jesus could have gotten out of the situation at any time. Jesus could have never been there in the first.
HIS STOPPING PETER from fight shows this as well. What Jesus says in verse 11 also attests to this of Jesus giving Himself
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.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Jesus was not being forced He was accepting the cup His Father was giving Him so that we could be saved.
In the Parallel passage Matthew 26:53, Jesus also told Peter could call 72 thousand angels. (Mt 26:53) A legion was six thousand soldiers so 12 legions would be 72 thousand angels. We sing ten thousand angels, but Jesus used a much higher number. (TforTcomm)
What Jesus tells Jesus after stopping him from fighting is significant as well. The cup that Jesus was going to drink from the Father was God’s will but it was also likely that it is an allusion to the cup of God’s wrath (for our sins. (OT references to the cup of God’s wrath…)
Jesus’ selflessness is so incredible here. JESUS IS COMPLETELY FOCUSED ON God’s will His Father (and doing His will), His apostles (in asking they be left alone. In the parallel passage Jesus heals Malchus’ ear.
Why did Jesus heal Malchus’ ear? Why did Jesus do other miracles? Because He loved those He healed but mainly so that the Son of Man (Jesus) could be glorified (be shown to be the Messiah) so that others would believe in Him and be saved. (Just as the reason this book was written.)
So it is likely that Jesus healed Malchus to demonstrate to some or all of them that He was the Son of God.
It is also a deep testimony to Jesus’ love. Could we ever be as unselfish as Jesus was here? He thought of the one who was going to seize Him instead of Himself.
Why did Jesus heal Malchus’ ear? Why did Jesus do other miracles? Because He loved those He healed but mainly so that the Son of Man (Jesus) could be glorified (be shown to be the Messiah) so that others would believe in Him and be saved. (Just as the reason this book was written, so that people would believe!)
So it is likely that Jesus healed Malchus to demonstrate to some or all of them that He was the Son of God. (Possibility Malchus was saved…)
Trans: What application do we gain from this…it should be much more than just not taking the gift of Christ coming from heaven to save us!
IT SHOULD LEAD US TO SACRIFICE ANYTHING AND PUT NOTHING IN FRONT OF HIM.
Thinking about what Jesus so willingly gave to us makes me really think about what I am giving to Him who gave it all for me!
WHAT HAVE I BEEN WILLING TO GIVE UP? HAVE I BECOME A LIVING SACRIFICE, TRULY COMMITTING EVERYTHING I am to HIM?
Are you living for Him or yourself! Have you given over every sin and part of yourself that needs to change.
ARE WE WILLING TO SUFFER BECAUSE OF HIM.
Jesus was willing to drink the cup God had given Him that was God’s will. That cup included suffering and pain as well as joy.
We want God to fill our cups with only things that are sweet, without any bitterness or suffering.
We may need ask ourselves the same question Jesus asked Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
What God has given us includes suffering and picking up our cross as well.
Just as Jesus was willing to suffer for us we must be willing to suffer and sacrifice everything for Him.
God will not force us to drink the cup He has given us, we must voluntarily follow His will, just as Jesus voluntarily gave Himself up for us!)
(Trans: After this Jesus is arrested and taken to before the high priest to be judged…even though the “trial” was far from anything just…the gospel of John focuses on two main things for the rest of our reading (of what we know as chapter 18); the examinations of Jesus and Peter denying Jesus three times (as imbedded in the story of Jesus).
(It is quite the contrast…Jesus standing trial completely innocent but not speaking up to protect Himself (in order to save others)while Peter at the same time (being guilty) deny Christ to save himself.)
Peter is the next one I want to focus on…when I look at...
WHEN I LOOK AT PETER’S ACTIONS I AM REMINDS ME OF HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE FAILED CHRIST MYSELF.
Jesus is taken to be tried by the Jews first then to Pilate and Peter and another disciple follow.
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.”
After switching over to what is happening with Jesus, John jumps back to Peter again and records Peter deny Jesus two more times.
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.
There are many things that are not included in all four gospels…it is interesting and significant that Peter’s denying Jesus three times is in all four gospels. (That is not because Peter didn’t write any of them and they were beating up on Him...)
The Holy Spirit obviously had greater purposes the main of which I believe to be to show Jesus’ miraculous prophesying of it to show His divinity. There are also other powerful lessons in it as well.
The other gospel accounts give a great description of what Peter said. He is not just say he wasn’t Jesus’ disciple. Mt 26:72, 74 Peter says “I do not know the man.”
In one night He went from saying that He would die for Jesus to saying He doesn’t even know Him. (We in our actions like we…)
Luke’s account adds another powerful detail in Lk 22:61
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.”
How heartbreaking this would have been to see the hurt in Jesus eyes, knowing He loved you (and after showing it and telling them at the supper and praying for them and you are denying Him.
Matthew, Mark and Luke’s gospel give another very important detail…that after the rooster crowded Peter remembered what Jesus said…and “He went out and wept bitterly.”
It is easy to beat up on Peter for saying he did not even know Jesus much less be His disciple.
BUT WHAT IT MIGHT DO IS REMIND YOU OF THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE FAILED CHRIST MORE TIMES THAN YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADMIT.
AND JUST LIKE PETER YOU NEED GOD’S GRACE AS WELL.
WE MAY NEVER SAY WE ARE NOT HIS DISCIPLE BUT WE MAY DENY HIM BY OUR ACTIONS OR LIVE AT TIMES AS IF WE DO NOT KNOW HIM!
Titus 1:16 speaks of people who deny Him by there actions.
We can be ashamed of His testimony.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
APPLICATION OF DENYING CHRIST
We may not see the look on Jesus’ face but Christ sees when we deny Him with our words or actions that are done. But that fact, just like Peter should lead us to tears and repentance.
What we can learn from Peter is that Christ offers forgiveness even for something so evil as disowning Jesus in front of others.
PETER’S REACTION TO HIS SIN REMINDS US HOW WE SHOULD REACT
If so we need to react as Peter did, with weeping and godly sorrow repentance and renewed commitment.
GODLY SORROW WILL LEAD TO REPENTANCE AND WE CAN BELIEVE IN GOD’S LOVE TO FORGIVE US.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Peter life demonstrates that life in Christ, (as hard as we try) is growth and struggle and mistakes and continued repentance…) (This would not be the last mistake scripture records Peter making…he played the hypocrite later…)
We do not have act like we have it all together when we do not have it all together…we do not have to always say we are fine…when inside we are hurting, discouraged, depressed, OR WE HAVE SINNED. WE CAN AND SHOULD CONFESS OUR SINS. IT IS OK!
ONE OF THE REASONS THAT IT CAN BE SO HARD TO DO THIS IS THAT WE MAY NOT BELIEVE THAT GOD WILL FORGIVE US. (IF HE FORGAVE PETER AND PAUL, HE CAN FORGIVE YOU.
ANOTHER REASON IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO ADMIT AND CONFESS IS THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE DO! If we will admit it we can accept it ourselves and reach out for forgiveness or comfort or help…AND WE WILL SHOW OTHERS (JUST AS GOD DID WITH PAUL AND PETER) THAT GOD CAN FORGIVE AND WE CAN CONFESS IT AS WELL.
OPTIONAL: Elder who came forward asking for prayers and confessing sin after his sister died.
SOMETIMES WE AVOID ADMITTING THAT WE HAVE OR ARE IN SIN BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID OF FACING IT AND BREAKING ON THE OUTSIDE SO DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT…(LIKE DAVID, UNTIL NATHAN CAME AND CONFRONTED HIM OR PETER UNTIL THE ROOSTER CROWED…) IF YOU ARE BROKEN ON THE INSIDE IT IS OK TO BREAK DOWN ON THE OUTSIDE AND COME TO CHRIST TO BE FORGIVEN.
JESUS SO WILLINGLY GAVE HIMSELF UP TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE. INVITE
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JESUS AND PILATE
This interaction has always been incredible to me. Jesus does not defend Himself or say nothing, but instead speaks in a way that tells who He is!
Pilate has the very embodiment of truth standing right in front of Him and still asks “What is truth?” As to say who know what it is…?
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.”
(My kingdom is not of this world…Jesus lived out of this truth and it should be the same for us…Are we living to build up our own earthly Kingdoms of comfort or are we living for His Kingdom…?)
(Jesus and Barabbas…hmmm…(a parallel to the innocent being killed so the guilty could be set free???)