Why? pt5

In the past few years, I have read a lot of debate about the death of Jesus. What was its purpose? Who sanctioned it? Was it necessary? This has led to a lot of labeling about what Jesus’ death was…and the word that has come up over and over again has been murder. Jesus was murdered. Or worse, Jesus was a victim.

That’s not accurate. Yes, Jesus was executed. Yes He was convicted in an illegal and unjust trial. Yes He was sentenced to death over a man who was a terrorist and a murderer. Yes, Jesus did not deserve to die. But murdered? No. That implies that His life was taken from Him unwillingly. And victim, that implies that He was helpless in preventing His own death. He was not.

Jesus was very aware of what was happening. His death was not an accident. In fact, it fulfilled a divine plan, laid down in the early days of creation after sin had entered into the world.

In John 10:17-18 Jesus addresses what will happen to Him in John 18. In that verse, He finishes a discourse about sheep and shepherds with these words,

“17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 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.”

No one took Jesus life. In fact, as we will see in this passage, without His consent, no one could have taken Jesus. He makes a choice to die, so that we can be saved.

Let’s look at this passage. Go to John 18:1-12

John 18:1–12 ESV

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. 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. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 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.” 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?” So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him.

(Read passage)

Here is the first proof that Jesus intended to lay down His life. He goes to a place known to Him, even though He knows that Judas has betrayed Him. If He wanted to hide, He would have gone somewhere else. Look at verse 2- “Jesus often met there with His disciples.” Judas knew this place and would have known that Jesus would go there.

Second proof- the arresting party isn’t quiet. Look at verse 3- they have torches and lanterns with weapons clanking around. This isn’t an assassination. This is a group that announces its coming with light and sound. If Jesus had wanted to stay alive, He had plenty of notice that His enemies were coming. Yet He stays put.

John 12–21 (1) The Fateful Meeting in the Garden (18:1–3)

Here the “Light of the World” (8:12; 9:5) was being seized by those in darkness carrying puny little torches and weapons. Matthew even makes more of this contrast when he rebukes Peter with the reminder that Jesus had the heavenly army at his disposal if he needed to be defended (Matt 26:53). But for John the contrast of power is described differently in the next section.

The third proof is in verse 4- Jesus knew all hat would happen to Him. When the verse there says all, it is not referring to His arrest alone. It’s all- the trials, the beatings, the scourging, the crucifixion, the death. All of it. Nothing was hidden from Him. He knew what He was facing. And He CHOSE it.

John 12–21 (2) The Confrontation of the Arresting Band with the King (18:4–9)

The picture of Jesus presented in this part of the story is one of a commanding figure who was in charge of the events that were transpiring. John states with unreserved confidence that Jesus knew everything that was about to happen. This statement is not merely a postresurrection perspective on the part of John as in 2:22 and elsewhere. Rather, it is meant to assert Jesus’ understanding ahead of time concerning the events that were moving inevitably to his determined “hour.”

The He asks them, who are you looking for? And when they say Jesus, He says “I am He.” Now here is another proof- look at verse 6- they fall to the ground. His word was so powerful that His mere acknowledgement of His Person causes them to fall over. He could have walked out. He could have done anything He wanted to, and yet, He stays and in verses 7-8 He gives them another chance to arrest Him, but demands that they let the disciples go- and verse 9 indicates that they did.

John 12–21 (2) The Confrontation of the Arresting Band with the King (18:4–9)

The fact is that Jesus stepped forward (“came forth”) from among the disciples and asked the probing question, “Who are you seeking?” This question is undoubtedly meant as an indication that John was highlighting “the voluntariness” of Jesus in accepting his arrest

Who is in control here? The men with the swords and torches and numbers? No. Jesus is. He is allowing all of this to happen. He isn’t being murdered. He is submitting to something higher. No one is taking His life. He is laying it down.

John 12–21 (2) The Confrontation of the Arresting Band with the King (18:4–9)

Jesus’ answer to their second quest for Jesus of Nazareth was once again egō eimi (“I am”), yet here in addition to the self-identification and self-yielding by Jesus to the arresting band there is now added a stern imperative: “Let these men go!” The picture presented by John is once again very clear. The arresting band may have been a strong human force armed with weapons, but the person being arrested is here clearly represented as being in charge of the entire process. The King was not being captured; he was giving himself over to his enemies

Then, finally, the last proof. Verse 10-11, Peter draws his sword. Brave in an instant, he gets the drop on the guards and gets a hit, but Jesus stops him. Tells him to put away his sword. And why- look at verse 11- “the cup that the Father has given me.”

John 12–21 (3) Peter’s Misdirected Attempt at Defense and the Arrest of the King (18:10–12)

the evangelist was making an important point that should be recognized by well-meaning Christians who often think that everything depends on them and their own actions. Jesus had already shown that he could control the arresting band, if he wanted to do so. Yet that was not what the Father chose for the Son’s mission on earth (the cup the Father had given him to drink). Doing God’s work in God’s way is absolutely crucial

What is that cup? To die. To lay down His life, as in John 10:17-18, so that He can take it up again.

Why does Jesus do this? Because He is our sacrifice.

Unlike a sheep or a goat or a ram, which would have had no clue why it was being killed, Jesus knows. He is dying for us. His creation. His people. Those who need to be saved from their sins, and cannot save themselves. They need someone to willingly, die for them. To be a perfect sacrifice. And that’s what Jesus did for us.

Verse 12 begins His long ordeal. His journey to the cross, and our journey to salvation. Without Jesus being willing to die, we have no hope.

So what do we do with this?

First, we acknowledge that this was God’a plan.

Second, we realize without Jesus death we have no hope.

Third, we respond to His sacrifice with obedience.

What are we willing to do, because Jesus died for us?