Latest / Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons / Further Evidence of Jesus's Identity

Transcript

Further Evidence of Jesus's Identity · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

0:00
Let us worship God by singing to His praise from Psalm 147.
0:06
That's in the Sing Psalms part of the Psalter, page 192, Psalm 147.
0:16
O praise the Lord!
0:19
How good it is to sing Him songs of praise!
0:22
How pleasant to give thanks to Him for all His gracious ways!
0:30
The Lord builds up Jerusalem, Tidus alone who reaches out to Israel to bring the exiles home.
0:41
He heals His people's broken hearts, restores the bruised and lame.
0:48
He sets the number of the stars and calls them each by name.
0:57
Great is our Lord, and great in power His wisdom is profound.
1:05
The Lord sustains the meek, but casts the wicked to the ground.
1:12
Let us sing these verses.
1:14
O praise the Lord!
1:18
O praise the Lord!
1:27
How good it is to sing Him songs of praise!
1:38
How pleasant to give thanks to Him for all His gracious ways!
1:57
The Lord builds up Jerusalem, and He it is alone.
2:14
He heals His people's broken hearts, restores the Lord, and He heals His people's broken hearts,
2:42
He heals His people's broken hearts, restores the bruised and limb.
2:49
He heals His people's broken hearts, restores the bruised and limb.
2:50
He sets the number of the stars and calls them each by name.
3:08
Great is our Lord, and great in power His wisdom is profound.
3:25
The Lord sustains the meek, but casts the wicked to the ground.
3:44
Amen.
3:45
Let us engage in prayer.
3:51
Amen.
3:52
O Almighty God, grant us the spirit of true praise, so that as we come before Thee, we may indeed
4:07
be possessed of the spirit of the psalmist, and we too may come giving praise to thy great
4:18
name, because thou art the one who builds up Jerusalem.
4:25
You are the architect of Jerusalem, and you are its builder, and one day Jerusalem will
4:36
be seen.
4:37
Coming down from heaven, adorned as a bride for her husband, we thank thee that nothing,
4:48
but nothing can thwart the purpose of Almighty God in building up Jerusalem.
5:27
And bring them near.
5:40
Through Christ Jesus thy Son, we give thee thanks that that work is ongoing throughout the whole world.
5:53
And we pray, O Lord, that that work will continue as it must, whether we see its glorious conclusion
6:06
before we die or after we die.
6:12
We thank thee that thou art the one who heals and the one who restores.
6:20
And in a paradoxical way, thou art the one who breaks the hearts of those who are healed.
6:31
For hard hearts required to be broken by the power of thy spirit in applying the truth,
6:41
so that they might be healed, so that they might be healed.
6:45
Thou art the one who restores.
6:48
And thy servant demonstrates to us that the great God, who has brought the galaxy into being,
6:57
is the God who is extremely mindful of his own people in life.
7:06
Thou art the one who's made of life.
7:08
They may feel incredibly small.
7:11
They may feel more than useless.
7:15
But we thank thee that the great God of power does not view them in this way,
7:25
but that he sees them as precious in his sight.
7:29
Thou art the God of infinite wisdom, as well as the God of great power.
7:35
Thou art the one who's made of life.
7:36
And as we come before thee this evening,
7:40
help us to acknowledge our need of wisdom,
7:45
our need of enlightenment,
7:47
and our need of power.
7:51
For in and of ourselves we can do nothing.
7:55
We thank thee that the power that is possessed by thee
8:00
is able to overcome the hardest heart.
8:04
The life that is most rebellious.
8:10
And bring them into subjection to thine own will.
8:16
For thou art the God of great mercy,
8:20
and the God of eternal love.
8:23
We pray thy blessing this evening
8:26
on this congregation,
8:28
to all that is ongoing within the congregation.
8:34
Those who are involved with youth work,
8:38
with Sunday school,
8:40
and those who are office bearers in the congregation.
8:44
We pray for thy servant whom thou hast set over them in holy things.
8:49
Lead them and guide them and bless
8:51
the ministry that he exercises under thine hand
8:56
in this part of thy vineyard.
9:00
Bless, we pray thee,
9:01
those unable to be present this evening,
9:05
although desirous of being here.
9:08
Those who are in ill health.
9:10
Those who are under thine hand in illness.
9:15
Those who may be in advance in years and are frail.
9:20
Lord, we bring them before thee
9:22
in the knowledge that thou art aware
9:25
of all their needs,
9:28
of all their desires.
9:30
For they are known to thee
9:33
in a way which they are known to none other.
9:39
Remember us as a world
9:41
in days of trouble.
9:45
We would again pray for the Ukrainian people,
9:50
for those who are displaced,
9:53
those who are fleeing for their lives,
9:56
children that are orphaned,
9:59
Lord, we pray
10:02
that in mercy thou might intervene
10:07
and bring about a cessation of hostilities
10:11
as we witness
10:14
the daily onslaught being perpetrated
10:18
by the aggressor,
10:21
the many false stories being perpetrated
10:25
by the aggressor.
10:27
O Lord, grant
10:30
that thou wouldst bring about peace.
10:34
We pray for those who
10:36
are involved in diplomatic efforts
10:39
to have cool heads.
10:42
For it is so easy to be hot-headed
10:45
when one is oppressed
10:47
and under oppression.
10:50
grant, O Lord,
10:52
that thou wouldst give wisdom
10:54
to the leaders of nations at this time,
10:58
that peace may break out
11:01
and that a broken nation
11:03
may once again be restored,
11:06
that they may enjoy harmony and peace.
11:09
Lord, we know not what these things might bring about,
11:17
but we believe firmly
11:19
that God is in control
11:22
because thou art a sovereign God,
11:26
great in power and might.
11:29
Help us as we turn to thy truth.
11:31
lead us,
11:33
and guide us, we pray thee.
11:37
And we would remember,
11:38
especially at this time,
11:41
the Reverend Nigel Anderson
11:42
as he begins a new ministry
11:46
in the Isle of Skye,
11:50
in a place that is dear to our heart.
11:53
O Lord, be with him,
11:55
uphold and sustain him,
11:58
and bless him and the people
12:00
who are under his pastoral care.
12:06
Cleanse in the blood.
12:08
In Jesus' name we ask it
12:09
with forgiveness of sin.
12:12
Amen.
12:12
Amen.
12:16
Let us now read from the Gospel
12:19
according to John,
12:21
in chapter 18.
12:24
The Gospel according to John,
12:26
in chapter 18.
12:29
When Jesus had spoken these words,
12:34
he went out with his disciples
12:36
across the Kidron Valley,
12:40
where there was a garden,
12:42
in which he and his disciples entered.
12:46
Now Judas,
12:48
who betrayed him,
12:50
also knew the place.
12:52
For Jesus often met there
12:54
with his disciples.
12:57
So Judas,
12:58
having procured a band of soldiers
13:00
and some officers
13:02
from the chief priests
13:03
and the Pharisees,
13:05
went there with lanterns
13:07
and torches and weapons.
13:09
Then Jesus,
13:11
knowing that all
13:12
that would happen to him,
13:13
came forward
13:15
and said to them,
13:17
whom do you seek?
13:19
They answered him,
13:21
Jesus of Nazareth.
13:23
Jesus said to them,
13:25
I am he.
13:27
Judas,
13:28
who betrayed him,
13:30
was standing with them.
13:32
When Jesus said to them,
13:34
I am he,
13:35
they drew back
13:36
and fell to the ground.
13:38
So he asked them again,
13:41
whom do you seek?
13:42
And they said,
13:44
Jesus of Nazareth.
13:46
Jesus answered,
13:48
I told you that I am he.
13:51
So if you seek me,
13:53
let these men go.
13:56
This was to fulfill the word
13:58
that he had spoken.
14:00
Of those whom you gave me,
14:02
I have lost not one.
14:04
Then Simon Peter,
14:07
having a sword,
14:08
drew it
14:09
and struck the high priest's servant
14:12
and cut off his right ear.
14:15
The servant's name was Malchus.
14:18
So Jesus said to Peter,
14:21
Put your sword into its sheath.
14:25
Shall I not drink the cup
14:27
that the Father has given me?
14:31
Amen.
14:32
And may God bless to us
14:34
that reading
14:36
from his truth.
14:40
Let us further sing
14:41
to his praise
14:42
from Psalm 41,
14:46
page 262,
14:48
if you're using the Psalter.
14:51
Psalm 41,
14:53
page 262,
14:55
verse 5.
14:56
Those that to me are enemies,
15:03
of me do evil say.
15:06
When shall he die,
15:09
that so his name may perish
15:10
quite a way?
15:13
To see me if he comes,
15:15
he speaks vain words.
15:18
But then his heart
15:19
heaps mischief to it,
15:22
which he tells
15:23
when forth he doth depart.
15:26
My haters
15:28
jointly whispering,
15:30
against me
15:31
my hurt devise.
15:34
Mischief, say they,
15:36
cleaves fast to him.
15:39
He lieth
15:39
and shall not rise.
15:43
Yea,
15:44
even mine own
15:45
familiar friend,
15:47
on whom I did rely,
15:50
who ate my bread,
15:51
even he his heel
15:54
against me
15:56
lifted high.
15:58
These verses
15:59
from Psalm 41,
16:02
those that to me
16:03
are enemies,
16:04
of me
16:05
do evil say.
16:07
Rosa, to me
16:16
are enemies,
16:20
of me
16:23
do evil say.
16:27
When shall he die,
16:33
that so his name
16:37
may perish quite a way?
16:44
To see me
16:47
if he comes,
16:51
he speaks vain words,
16:55
but then his heart
17:00
heaps mischief
17:03
to it,
17:07
which he tells
17:09
when forth
17:12
he doth depart.
17:16
heart.
17:17
My hater
17:21
jointly
17:23
whispering,
17:27
against me
17:29
my hurt
17:31
devise.
17:35
Mischief, say they,
17:38
cleaves fast to him.
17:43
he hath
17:45
and shall
17:47
not rise.
17:51
Yea,
17:53
ye,
17:53
mine own
17:56
familiar
17:58
friend,
18:00
on whom
18:02
I did
18:04
rely,
18:08
who
18:09
ate my
18:11
bread,
18:12
him
18:13
he
18:14
is
18:15
here
18:16
against
18:18
me
18:19
lifted
18:21
high.
18:27
Let us now
18:29
turn to the
18:30
passage that we read
18:31
together from
18:33
John's Gospel
18:34
in chapter 18.
18:36
And we may read again
18:38
from verse 1.
18:39
John's Gospel
18:41
when Jesus
18:42
had spoken
18:43
these words,
18:45
he went out
18:46
with his disciples
18:47
across the
18:48
Kidron Valley
18:49
where there was
18:51
a garden
18:51
which he
18:54
and his
18:55
disciples
18:56
entered.
19:00
And I'd like
19:01
this evening
19:03
for a short time
19:04
to highlight
19:06
to highlight
19:06
some of the
19:08
things
19:09
that occurred
19:11
in this
19:12
garden
19:13
as we are
19:15
informed
19:15
in the passage
19:17
that we read.
19:19
In an earlier
19:21
chapter,
19:22
John tells us
19:23
how Jesus
19:24
and his
19:25
disciples
19:26
gathered together
19:27
in the upper
19:28
room.
19:28
it was to be
19:31
their last
19:32
time of
19:33
fellowship
19:33
and instruction
19:34
prior to
19:36
the crucifixion
19:37
of the
19:38
Lord.
19:40
And you
19:40
will remember
19:41
how Jesus
19:42
took the
19:43
role
19:44
of a servant
19:45
in that
19:46
small
19:47
gathering.
19:49
Something
19:49
that apparently
19:52
appears to
19:53
have been
19:53
indelibly
19:55
engraved
19:56
in the
19:57
mind of
19:58
John.
19:58
Because John
19:59
was up
20:00
in years,
20:01
we understand
20:02
when he
20:03
wrote his
20:03
gospel.
20:05
And yet,
20:06
the fine
20:07
detail of
20:08
what occurred
20:09
in that
20:10
room
20:10
is set
20:12
before us
20:13
by John
20:14
in his
20:16
account
20:16
of what
20:17
took place.
20:19
He writes
20:20
of Jesus
20:21
washing the
20:22
feet of
20:22
the disciples.
20:24
He tells
20:25
how they
20:25
observed the
20:26
Passover meal.
20:27
Jesus
20:28
and in
20:28
relating
20:29
that
20:29
information
20:30
to us,
20:31
the readership,
20:33
Jesus
20:33
tells us
20:34
how
20:34
Jesus
20:35
is fully
20:36
aware of
20:37
the thoughts
20:38
and intentions
20:39
of Judas Iscariot.
20:41
So,
20:43
when he had
20:43
dipped the
20:44
marsal,
20:44
he gave
20:45
it to
20:45
Judas,
20:45
the son
20:46
of Simon
20:46
Iscariot.
20:47
Then,
20:48
after he
20:48
had taken
20:49
the
20:49
marsal,
20:50
Satan
20:51
entered
20:51
into him.
20:52
Jesus
20:53
said to
20:53
him,
20:54
what you
20:54
are going
20:54
to do,
20:55
do quickly.
20:58
It is
20:58
apparent that
20:59
none of
21:01
the disciples
21:01
present then
21:03
understood
21:05
the implication
21:06
of what
21:07
was said.
21:09
And John
21:09
records that
21:10
after receiving
21:11
the marsal of
21:12
bread,
21:13
Judas
21:14
immediately went
21:15
out and
21:16
it was
21:17
night.
21:18
And John
21:19
contrasts
21:21
light and
21:23
dark
21:24
throughout his
21:25
gospel.
21:27
And he is not
21:27
just telling us
21:29
that it was
21:29
night in the
21:31
literal sense,
21:32
but that it
21:34
was true
21:34
night in
21:36
the life of
21:37
this man
21:37
who was
21:39
intent on
21:40
betraying
21:40
the Lord.
21:42
We know
21:43
from the
21:44
Bible how
21:44
Judas went
21:45
to the
21:46
religious
21:47
authorities
21:47
and agreed
21:48
with them
21:49
his act
21:49
of betrayal.
21:51
And in
21:51
this chapter
21:53
we are told
21:54
of the
21:55
betrayal and
21:56
arrest of
21:56
Jesus.
21:58
John
21:58
records for
21:59
us how
22:00
the church
22:02
represented by
22:03
the Jewish
22:04
religious leaders
22:06
and the
22:07
state
22:07
represented by
22:09
the Roman
22:09
power
22:10
come together.
22:12
And we
22:13
are told of
22:13
how a band
22:14
of soldiers
22:15
and some
22:15
officers from
22:16
the chief
22:17
priests and
22:17
the Pharisees
22:18
came along
22:20
with Judas
22:21
to arrest
22:23
Jesus.
22:24
Now John's
22:25
gospel,
22:26
remember,
22:26
was written
22:27
that we
22:28
might believe
22:30
that Jesus
22:31
is the
22:32
Christ,
22:32
the Son of
22:33
God.
22:35
And in
22:35
pursuing that
22:36
thing,
22:38
you find
22:38
that the
22:40
teaching material
22:41
in John's
22:42
gospel is
22:43
frequently
22:44
embedded in
22:46
conversations
22:47
that take
22:48
place.
22:49
And with
22:50
that in
22:50
mind,
22:52
let us
22:52
look at
22:54
three further
22:55
examples of
22:57
the identity
22:57
of Jesus
22:58
highlighted for
23:00
us in
23:01
the passage
23:02
that we
23:02
read.
23:04
In a
23:05
garden,
23:07
and the
23:07
garden, of
23:08
course, is
23:08
Gethsemane,
23:09
Jesus reveals
23:11
his regal
23:13
authoritative
23:14
power.
23:16
In a
23:17
garden,
23:19
Jesus
23:19
reminds
23:20
Peter and
23:21
us of
23:22
his redemptive
23:23
purpose in
23:25
the world.
23:27
And thirdly,
23:28
in a
23:28
garden,
23:30
Jesus
23:30
restores the
23:32
ruptured ear
23:32
of Malchus.
23:35
So in a
23:35
garden, he
23:37
reveals, he
23:38
reminds, and
23:40
he restores.
23:42
Firstly,
23:43
then, in a
23:44
garden, Jesus
23:45
reveals his
23:47
regal
23:47
authoritative
23:48
power.
23:49
The picture
23:51
that is
23:52
set before
23:53
us by
23:55
the gospel
23:55
writers in
23:56
general, and
23:58
alluded to
23:59
here, is
23:59
that a
24:00
large group
24:01
came to
24:02
arrest
24:02
Jesus.
24:04
We are
24:05
told that
24:06
they came
24:06
prepared to
24:08
meet any
24:10
resistance that
24:11
might be
24:11
offered.
24:13
Matthew
24:13
tells us,
24:14
in his
24:14
account, a
24:15
great crowd
24:16
with swords
24:17
and clubs
24:18
came to
24:19
arrest him.
24:21
Some are
24:21
of the
24:22
opinion that
24:23
hundreds of
24:24
soldiers were
24:25
in this
24:26
band of
24:26
soldiers.
24:27
The word
24:28
translated
24:29
band speaks
24:32
of a unit
24:33
of a
24:34
legion.
24:35
Now, there
24:35
would be
24:36
about 6,000
24:38
soldiers in
24:39
a legion,
24:40
so that a
24:41
unit would
24:41
be one-tenth
24:42
of that,
24:43
600
24:44
soldiers.
24:45
commentators
24:48
are of the
24:49
view that
24:49
there could
24:50
be 200
24:52
in this
24:53
group that
24:55
came to
24:56
arrest Jesus,
24:58
Jew and
24:59
Gentile,
25:01
coming together
25:02
to arrest
25:03
the Savior of
25:04
the world,
25:06
to arrest
25:07
the very
25:07
person who
25:08
came to
25:09
break down
25:10
the dividing
25:11
wall of
25:12
hostility.
25:13
united in
25:16
their animosity
25:17
towards Jesus.
25:20
The fact
25:21
that they
25:21
had lanterns
25:22
and torches
25:23
could suggest
25:24
that they
25:26
may have to
25:26
conduct a
25:27
search to
25:29
find their
25:31
prisoner.
25:34
Remember,
25:35
this was the
25:35
time of the
25:36
Passover,
25:38
and the
25:38
Passover was
25:39
always held
25:40
at the
25:42
time of
25:42
full moon.
25:44
We're not
25:45
told what
25:46
the weather
25:46
conditions were.
25:47
It may have
25:48
been cloudy.
25:49
The moon
25:49
may have
25:50
been obscured.
25:51
We don't
25:51
know.
25:51
It's not
25:52
something that
25:53
is disclosed.
25:55
The fact
25:55
that they
25:56
were in
25:56
possession of
25:57
swords and
25:58
clubs may
25:58
not just
25:59
tell us
26:00
that they
26:00
thought they
26:01
would meet
26:02
resistance,
26:03
but it
26:04
also could
26:05
indicate their
26:06
own sense of
26:07
fear in
26:09
apprehending
26:10
Jesus.
26:11
The impression
26:13
that you
26:14
get is
26:15
that the
26:16
world felt
26:17
intimidated
26:18
by Jesus,
26:20
certainly
26:20
intimidated
26:22
by the
26:23
holiness of
26:24
Jesus.
26:25
Given the
26:26
numbers that
26:27
came to
26:28
arrest him
26:29
and the
26:29
weaponry that
26:30
they have,
26:31
you would
26:31
think they
26:31
were coming
26:32
to arrest
26:32
a highly
26:34
dangerous
26:35
armed
26:36
lawbreaker.
26:39
He himself
26:40
states in
26:40
Matthew's
26:41
account,
26:42
have you
26:42
come out
26:43
as against
26:44
a robber
26:44
with swords
26:45
and clubs
26:46
to capture
26:47
me?
26:47
Day after
26:48
day, he
26:48
says, I
26:49
sat in the
26:49
temple teaching
26:50
and you
26:51
did not
26:51
seize me.
26:52
He rebukes
26:53
them for
26:54
their cowardice.
26:56
Why did
26:56
you not
26:57
come to
26:57
arrest me
26:58
when I
26:59
taught in
27:00
the temple?
27:01
Why
27:01
indeed?
27:03
Was it
27:03
not because
27:04
they feared
27:05
the reaction
27:07
of the
27:08
people and
27:09
so they
27:09
come under
27:10
the cloak
27:11
of darkness?
27:14
Why with
27:14
swords and
27:15
clubs?
27:16
He wasn't
27:17
armed, nor
27:17
was he
27:18
using arms.
27:19
And it's
27:20
as if Christ
27:20
is shaming
27:21
them for
27:22
the manner
27:22
in which
27:23
they come.
27:25
Judas who
27:26
betrayed
27:26
him was
27:27
standing with
27:27
them.
27:28
There are
27:28
three brief
27:29
references to
27:29
the name
27:30
of Judas
27:30
in the
27:31
context.
27:32
Remember
27:32
the conversation
27:33
in the
27:34
upper room.
27:35
And what
27:37
was divulged
27:38
there when
27:40
John asked
27:40
the question
27:41
as to who
27:42
should betray
27:43
him?
27:43
And it's
27:44
as if Jesus
27:44
is saying,
27:45
watch my
27:46
hand.
27:46
When he
27:47
had dipped
27:47
the morsel,
27:48
he gave
27:48
it to
27:48
Judas,
27:49
the son
27:49
of Simon
27:50
Iscariot.
27:52
And John
27:53
in these
27:54
brief references
27:55
is telling
27:57
us how
27:57
this Satan
27:59
controlled
28:00
man is
28:01
now operating.
28:02
he has
28:04
revealed
28:04
his true
28:05
self and
28:05
he stands
28:06
with those
28:07
who are
28:07
opposed to
28:08
Jesus.
28:09
He was
28:10
there as
28:10
a guide
28:11
for as
28:11
John tells
28:12
us,
28:13
Judas also
28:14
knew the
28:15
place,
28:16
for Jesus
28:16
often met
28:17
in the
28:18
garden with
28:19
his disciples.
28:20
Now,
28:21
John doesn't
28:21
give us all
28:22
the details,
28:23
he doesn't
28:23
tell us of
28:24
the kiss
28:24
by which
28:25
Judas
28:25
identified and
28:27
betrayed the
28:28
Savior.
28:28
in his
28:30
account,
28:31
John also
28:32
leaves out
28:32
the intense
28:33
and agonizing
28:34
wrestling that
28:35
took place in
28:36
Gethsemane,
28:37
although he
28:37
himself was
28:38
there,
28:38
albeit a
28:39
stone's
28:39
throw away.
28:40
It's as if
28:40
John approaches
28:41
events from
28:43
another anger
28:43
altogether.
28:45
He wants us,
28:46
the reader,
28:47
to see that
28:48
Jesus was in
28:49
full control
28:50
of what was
28:51
taking place.
28:53
His arrest
28:54
was not
28:54
unexpected,
28:56
it was
28:56
something he
28:56
anticipated.
28:57
nor was
28:58
the betrayal
28:59
of Judas
29:00
unexpected,
29:02
he knew it
29:02
was to
29:02
occur.
29:04
These were
29:05
events that
29:06
took place
29:06
according to
29:07
the definite
29:08
plan and
29:09
foreknowledge
29:10
of God.
29:11
And so the
29:12
person they
29:13
sought comes
29:14
forward to
29:14
meet them,
29:15
writes John.
29:17
Jesus knowing
29:18
all that would
29:19
happen to him.
29:21
John is
29:21
emphasizing the
29:23
knowledge of
29:24
Christ and
29:25
he greets
29:26
them with the
29:26
question,
29:27
whom do
29:27
you seek?
29:28
Although they
29:29
had lanterns
29:30
and torches,
29:32
many of the
29:32
soldiers probably
29:33
would not have
29:34
recognized Jesus.
29:35
They would need
29:36
some confirmation
29:37
of his identity.
29:40
And that
29:42
confirmation is
29:43
given to them,
29:44
I would suggest,
29:45
at the end of
29:46
verse 5,
29:47
where John
29:48
records Judas
29:49
who betrayed
29:50
him was
29:51
standing with
29:53
them.
29:53
God
29:54
said,
29:55
but what I
29:55
believe that
29:56
John wants
29:57
us to see
29:58
is that
29:59
nothing lies
30:00
outside of
30:02
the jurisdiction
30:03
of Jesus.
30:06
Did you notice
30:07
how John
30:07
wants to
30:08
emphasize that
30:10
point?
30:10
When the
30:11
mobs say
30:11
they are looking
30:12
for Jesus,
30:13
Jesus the
30:13
Nazarene,
30:14
Jesus says
30:15
in verse 5,
30:17
I am he.
30:18
and in the
30:20
original it
30:21
is just
30:22
I am.
30:25
And when
30:25
to my mind
30:28
that is
30:28
highly
30:29
significant,
30:31
Jesus is
30:32
making reference
30:33
to the divine
30:33
name that
30:35
we hear first
30:36
of all in
30:36
the book of
30:37
Exodus.
30:38
Several times
30:39
in his
30:39
gospel,
30:40
John has
30:41
drawn attention
30:42
to the
30:42
number of
30:43
times that
30:44
Jesus had
30:45
begun a
30:45
sentence of
30:46
personal
30:47
identification
30:48
and declaration
30:48
of identity
30:49
with the
30:50
words I
30:51
am.
30:52
For example,
30:53
I am the
30:53
bread of
30:53
life.
30:54
I am the
30:55
light of
30:55
the world.
30:56
I am the
30:56
door.
30:57
I am the
30:57
good shepherd.
30:58
I am the
30:58
resurrection
30:59
and the
30:59
life.
30:59
I am the
31:00
way and
31:00
the truth
31:01
and the
31:01
life.
31:04
And you
31:05
notice how
31:06
John records
31:08
the response
31:09
to Jesus
31:11
when Jesus
31:12
says I
31:12
am.
31:13
When Jesus
31:14
said to
31:14
them I
31:14
am,
31:15
they drew
31:16
back and
31:16
fell to
31:17
the ground.
31:18
They are
31:18
overcome.
31:21
The evident,
31:22
majestic,
31:23
regal authority
31:24
of his voice
31:25
and presence
31:26
made them
31:26
draw back
31:27
and fall
31:28
to the
31:29
ground.
31:32
And you
31:32
see what
31:33
John is
31:34
saying as
31:35
he describes
31:36
to us this
31:37
incident.
31:38
In the
31:38
most vulnerable
31:40
place,
31:41
in the
31:42
earthly life
31:43
and ministry
31:44
of Jesus,
31:45
perhaps only
31:46
the temptation
31:47
in the
31:48
wilderness
31:48
comes close
31:49
to this.
31:50
In the
31:50
garden of
31:51
Gethsemane
31:51
when Jesus
31:52
is arrested
31:53
by soldiers
31:54
with swords
31:55
and clubs,
31:56
John is
31:56
saying,
31:57
do you see,
31:57
this is God
31:58
here.
32:01
This is the
32:03
Lord of glory
32:04
here.
32:05
God
32:06
is the
32:07
God of glory
32:07
and I think
32:08
you could
32:08
apply the
32:09
words of
32:10
Psalm 27
32:12
to Christ
32:13
here.
32:13
When
32:14
evildoers
32:14
assail me to
32:15
eat up my
32:16
flesh,
32:17
my adversaries
32:18
and foes,
32:19
it is they
32:20
who stumble
32:21
and fall.
32:21
God of glory
32:22
in the
32:24
garden,
32:26
Christ
32:26
reveals
32:27
his
32:28
authoritative
32:30
power.
32:32
It is,
32:33
there is
32:34
as it were
32:35
an emission
32:35
of some
32:36
flash of
32:37
the brightness
32:38
that was
32:39
veiled for
32:40
the most
32:40
part.
32:41
But that
32:42
was enough
32:43
to prostrate
32:44
with a
32:44
strange
32:45
awe
32:45
these
32:47
soldiers.
32:49
And the
32:50
application
32:50
of this
32:51
point,
32:53
friends,
32:54
if but a
32:54
little glimpse
32:55
of the
32:57
majesty,
32:59
power and
32:59
authority of
33:00
Jesus during
33:01
the days of
33:02
his humiliation
33:03
can have
33:05
this effect,
33:06
what will it
33:07
be like
33:08
when he
33:09
appears
33:10
in the
33:11
glory,
33:12
majesty
33:13
and power
33:14
of his
33:15
exaltation?
33:19
Remember,
33:19
they were
33:20
mainly
33:21
military
33:22
personnel.
33:24
You don't
33:25
normally
33:25
associate
33:26
being easily
33:28
frightened
33:28
with those
33:30
who make
33:31
up military
33:32
personnel.
33:35
And the
33:36
reaction
33:37
tells us
33:38
of his
33:40
authoritative
33:41
power,
33:42
his kingly
33:43
power.
33:43
power.
33:46
And let
33:47
us ask
33:48
ourselves
33:48
this
33:48
evening,
33:49
have we
33:50
been
33:50
reconciled
33:51
to this
33:54
Christ of
33:54
power?
33:56
If not,
33:57
should we
33:58
not therefore
33:59
urgently flee
34:00
to Christ
34:01
while we
34:02
are in a
34:03
day of
34:03
grace and
34:04
mercy?
34:04
Because
34:05
here we
34:06
have it
34:06
as it
34:06
were,
34:07
a picture
34:08
of,
34:11
in
34:12
miniature,
34:13
of what
34:13
will take
34:13
place on
34:15
the day
34:15
of his
34:15
most glorious
34:16
appearing
34:17
accompanied by
34:18
the angelic
34:19
host.
34:20
And all
34:21
until then
34:22
who have
34:23
stubbornly
34:24
refused to
34:24
acknowledge
34:25
Jesus as
34:26
Lord,
34:27
who have
34:27
defiantly
34:28
refused to
34:29
worship him,
34:30
yet when he
34:31
appears in
34:32
glorious,
34:33
triumphant
34:34
majesty,
34:35
inevitably must
34:36
bow down
34:37
before him,
34:37
so that the
34:38
name of
34:38
Jesus,
34:39
as Paul
34:39
writes,
34:40
every knee
34:41
should bow
34:41
in heaven
34:42
and on
34:42
earth and
34:43
under the
34:43
earth,
34:44
and every
34:44
tongue confess
34:45
that Jesus
34:46
Christ is
34:47
Lord to
34:48
the glory
34:49
of God
34:49
the Father.
34:50
There will
34:51
be no
34:52
exceptions to
34:53
that.
34:53
There won't
34:54
be one
34:55
knee that
34:56
will not
34:56
bow down
34:57
before him.
35:00
And I
35:00
believe there
35:01
is much
35:01
encouragement
35:02
here too
35:03
for the
35:03
believer,
35:04
because Jesus
35:05
demonstrates
35:06
the power
35:07
he exercises
35:08
over evil,
35:09
unbelief,
35:10
idolatry,
35:11
and all
35:11
forms of
35:12
wickedness,
35:13
even over
35:14
all the
35:15
powers of
35:16
darkness
35:17
itself.
35:18
And when
35:19
he speaks
35:19
these words,
35:20
I told you
35:21
that I am
35:22
he, so
35:22
if you
35:23
seek me,
35:24
let these
35:24
men go.
35:26
And the
35:28
note of
35:28
royal
35:29
authoritative
35:30
power
35:31
continues.
35:32
Notice how
35:33
protective he
35:34
is of his
35:35
disciples.
35:36
in this
35:37
potentially
35:38
inflammatory,
35:40
hostile,
35:41
and dangerous
35:42
situation.
35:43
For Christ
35:44
is not just
35:45
demonstrating
35:46
his perfect
35:47
submission to
35:48
the will of
35:48
his Father
35:49
in his
35:49
voluntary
35:50
submission to
35:51
death on
35:52
the cross,
35:53
but he
35:53
demonstrates
35:54
that he is
35:55
indeed the
35:55
good shepherd
35:56
in his
35:57
protective care
35:58
of his
35:59
disciples.
36:00
It seems
36:01
to me,
36:01
if I
36:01
understand the
36:02
events related
36:03
here,
36:04
that it may
36:04
also have
36:05
been in
36:05
the minds
36:06
of those
36:06
who came
36:07
to arrest
36:08
Christ,
36:08
to also
36:09
arrest his
36:11
followers.
36:12
And that may
36:13
be one
36:13
further reason
36:14
for this
36:15
demonstration of
36:17
his authoritative
36:18
power,
36:19
in order to
36:20
subdue and
36:21
curtail the
36:22
plans of
36:22
those who
36:24
came to
36:24
carry out
36:25
the arrest.
36:27
In a
36:28
garden,
36:29
Christ reveals
36:30
his authoritative
36:32
power.
36:32
they drew
36:33
back and
36:34
fell to
36:34
the ground.
36:36
They
36:36
arrest Christ
36:37
alone.
36:39
Secondly,
36:40
in a
36:40
garden,
36:42
Christ
36:42
reminds
36:43
Peter and
36:44
us of
36:45
his
36:45
redemptive
36:46
purpose
36:47
in the
36:48
world.
36:50
Now,
36:50
I am
36:51
sure that
36:51
many of
36:53
us are
36:53
grateful
36:54
that
36:56
there are
36:57
a number
36:58
of incidents
36:59
from the
37:00
life of
37:00
Peter
37:01
recorded
37:02
on the
37:02
pages of
37:03
Scripture.
37:06
Because we
37:07
can identify
37:08
with Peter,
37:09
can't we?
37:11
And here,
37:12
the very
37:13
moment that
37:14
Jesus has
37:15
commanded
37:15
the release
37:17
of the
37:18
disciples,
37:18
we read,
37:19
then Simon
37:20
Peter,
37:21
having a
37:21
sword,
37:22
drew it
37:22
and struck
37:23
the high
37:23
priest's
37:24
servant,
37:24
cut off
37:25
his right
37:25
ear.
37:26
The
37:26
servant's
37:27
name was
37:27
Malchus.
37:28
Now,
37:30
this
37:31
incident,
37:33
interestingly,
37:34
is disclosed
37:35
in all the
37:36
gospel
37:36
narratives.
37:38
But the
37:39
identity of
37:40
the disciple
37:41
who drew
37:42
the sword
37:42
is not
37:44
disclosed
37:44
by the
37:45
other
37:45
gospel
37:46
writers.
37:47
Only
37:48
John tells
37:49
us who
37:50
gives us
37:51
the identity.
37:53
Why?
37:53
Well,
37:55
the only
37:55
answer I
37:56
can give
37:56
is that
37:57
John was
37:59
up in
38:00
years when
38:01
he wrote
38:01
his gospel
38:02
and Peter
38:04
would already
38:05
have been
38:06
put to
38:07
death.
38:09
The
38:09
gospel
38:09
writers,
38:10
for the
38:10
main part,
38:11
do not
38:12
tell us
38:12
the name
38:13
of the
38:13
person who
38:13
was injured
38:14
in this
38:15
incident.
38:16
Again,
38:18
only John
38:18
gives this
38:20
information.
38:21
The other
38:22
gospel writers
38:23
tell us it
38:24
was the
38:24
servant of
38:25
the high
38:25
priest,
38:26
but his
38:26
identity is
38:27
concealed.
38:30
In all
38:31
likelihood,
38:32
Peter intended
38:33
the death
38:35
of Malchus.
38:37
But either
38:38
because of
38:39
Malchus'
38:40
quick reflexes
38:41
or Peter's
38:43
lack of
38:45
skill with
38:46
the sword,
38:48
his ear
38:49
was sliced
38:50
off.
38:52
You could
38:52
say that
38:53
this was
38:53
a flash
38:54
point at
38:55
a very
38:56
dangerous
38:56
time.
38:58
It was
38:58
a potentially
39:00
volatile
39:01
situation.
39:03
Some might
39:04
consider Peter
39:05
to be fearless
39:07
and courageous
39:08
in the face
39:09
of such
39:09
overwhelming
39:10
numbers and
39:11
behaving in
39:12
this way.
39:14
I rather
39:15
think that
39:17
this was the
39:17
impetuous
39:18
action of
39:20
zeal without
39:21
knowledge on
39:23
the part of
39:23
Peter.
39:25
There was
39:26
much ignorance
39:27
in his
39:27
action,
39:28
however well
39:29
intentioned it
39:30
might appear.
39:30
for had
39:32
Christ not
39:33
taught
39:34
repeatedly
39:35
why he
39:36
had come
39:36
into the
39:37
world.
39:39
He came
39:39
on a
39:40
mission.
39:41
He came
39:42
to fulfill
39:42
the types
39:43
and promises
39:44
of the
39:45
Old Testament
39:45
scriptures
39:46
and by
39:48
fulfilling
39:49
these types
39:50
to provide
39:51
salvation for
39:52
sinners.
39:53
He came
39:53
for the
39:54
sole purpose
39:54
of being
39:55
the true
39:56
lamb of
39:56
God,
39:57
the true
39:57
Passover
39:58
lamb.
39:58
He came
39:59
of his
39:59
own free
40:00
will to
40:00
be the
40:01
scapegoat
40:02
upon whom
40:02
the sins
40:03
of his
40:05
people would
40:06
be placed.
40:07
His heart
40:08
was set
40:09
on accomplishing
40:10
this great
40:11
work.
40:11
Couldn't be
40:12
done without
40:12
the hiding
40:13
of his
40:13
power for
40:14
a time.
40:15
To do
40:16
it,
40:17
he became
40:18
a willing
40:19
sufferer.
40:23
And
40:24
perhaps
40:24
we might
40:26
be tempted
40:26
to think
40:27
and retreat
40:29
into a
40:29
self-righteous
40:30
tower and
40:32
say we
40:32
wouldn't do
40:33
what Peter
40:34
did.
40:35
Well,
40:36
let me ask,
40:37
friend,
40:38
how many
40:39
things have
40:40
you already
40:40
done in
40:42
your ignorance
40:43
and misplaced
40:44
zeal that
40:46
was not at
40:47
all God
40:48
glorifying?
40:50
Do we
40:50
not have to
40:51
hold up our
40:52
hands and
40:53
say guilty,
40:55
guilty,
40:56
guilty?
40:57
And you
41:01
see,
41:02
here in
41:04
this
41:04
potentially
41:05
explosive
41:06
situation,
41:09
Jesus is
41:10
teaching a
41:10
very valuable
41:11
lesson,
41:13
a lesson
41:14
that is
41:14
taught by
41:16
the prophet
41:16
of old
41:17
or by God
41:19
through the
41:19
prophet
41:20
Zechariah.
41:22
It's not
41:22
by might
41:23
nor by
41:24
power,
41:24
but by
41:26
my spirit,
41:27
says the
41:28
Lord of
41:28
hosts.
41:30
The victory
41:30
is not
41:31
achieved
41:31
by the
41:33
things that
41:34
we might
41:35
think of
41:35
as might
41:36
and power,
41:37
which are
41:38
limited in
41:40
their extent,
41:42
limited in
41:43
every sense.
41:44
but the
41:46
spirit's
41:47
power is
41:48
unlimited,
41:49
unable to
41:50
overcome
41:51
the hardest
41:52
hurt,
41:53
the most
41:54
rebellious
41:54
life,
41:56
and bring
41:56
that life
41:57
into
41:58
subjection
41:59
to the
42:00
Lord of
42:01
hosts.
42:03
We are not
42:04
waging war,
42:05
writes the
42:05
apostle Paul
42:06
in the
42:06
New Testament,
42:07
according to
42:08
the flesh,
42:09
for the
42:09
weapons of
42:10
our warfare
42:10
are not of
42:11
the flesh,
42:11
but of
42:12
divine power
42:13
to destroy
42:14
strongholds.
42:17
And Christ
42:17
emphasizes this,
42:20
especially in
42:21
Matthew's
42:21
account,
42:22
do you think
42:22
that I cannot
42:23
appeal to
42:23
my father,
42:24
who had
42:24
once sent
42:25
me more
42:25
than 12
42:26
legions of
42:27
angels.
42:28
Remember 6,000
42:29
in a legion,
42:30
72,000
42:32
angels.
42:33
You see,
42:36
it's not
42:36
by military
42:38
power and
42:40
armament that
42:42
the church
42:42
grows in
42:44
the world.
42:47
Bishop
42:48
Royal makes
42:49
a very
42:50
pertinent
42:51
observation,
42:53
it seems
42:54
to me.
42:55
We should
42:56
learn, he
42:56
says,
42:57
from these
42:58
verses,
42:59
that it is
43:00
much easier
43:01
to fight
43:01
a little
43:02
for Christ
43:03
than to
43:04
endure hardship
43:05
and go to
43:07
prison and
43:07
death for
43:08
his sake.
43:09
There is
43:10
much to
43:10
learn from
43:11
this episode.
43:13
To suffer
43:13
patiently for
43:15
Christ is
43:16
far more
43:17
difficult than
43:19
to work
43:19
actively.
43:21
To sit
43:21
still and
43:22
endure calmly
43:23
is far more
43:24
hard than to
43:25
stir about
43:26
and take part
43:27
in the battle.
43:28
Crusader,
43:29
says,
43:30
Royal,
43:31
will always
43:31
be found
43:32
more numerous
43:33
than martyrs.
43:36
The passive
43:37
graces of
43:37
religion are
43:39
far more
43:40
rare and
43:40
precious than
43:42
the active
43:42
graces.
43:44
Work for
43:45
Christ, he
43:45
says, may be
43:46
done from
43:47
spurious motives,
43:48
from excitement,
43:50
emulation,
43:51
party spirit.
43:52
You know, if
43:53
they did it,
43:53
can we not
43:54
do it?
43:54
Or from the
43:55
love of praise.
43:57
Suffering for
43:58
Christ, he
43:59
says, will
44:00
seldom be
44:01
endured from
44:02
any but one
44:03
motive.
44:04
That motive
44:05
is the
44:06
grace of
44:07
God.
44:08
And we
44:09
shall do
44:09
well to
44:10
remember
44:10
these things
44:11
and form
44:12
in our
44:12
estimate of
44:13
the comparative
44:14
grace of
44:15
professing
44:15
Christians.
44:17
Some poor
44:18
unknown
44:19
believer who
44:20
has been
44:21
lying for
44:21
years on
44:22
his or her
44:23
back,
44:23
enduring pain
44:24
without a
44:25
murmur,
44:25
love, may
44:26
prove at
44:27
last to
44:29
have brought
44:29
more glory
44:30
to Christ
44:31
through his
44:32
or her
44:32
patience, to
44:33
have done
44:34
more good
44:34
through his
44:35
or her
44:35
prayers than
44:36
the public
44:37
action of
44:38
others who
44:39
may preach,
44:40
speak, and
44:41
write, and
44:42
who may earn
44:43
the adulation
44:43
of the
44:44
church, but
44:45
may be not
44:46
of God.
44:48
And it
44:51
seems to me
44:52
that Royal
44:52
is making
44:53
a very
44:54
pertinent
44:55
observation
44:56
there as
44:57
one who
44:58
is an
44:59
obvious
44:59
student
45:01
of human
45:02
nature.
45:04
The grand
45:04
test of
45:05
grace is
45:07
patient
45:07
suffering.
45:09
Remember
45:09
God's words
45:10
about Saul
45:11
of Tarsus,
45:12
I will
45:13
show how
45:14
much he
45:15
must suffer
45:16
for the
45:17
sake of
45:17
my name.
45:18
And you
45:20
can be
45:20
sure that
45:21
Peter didn't
45:22
do half as
45:23
much good
45:23
by his
45:24
impetuous,
45:25
zealous
45:25
act in
45:26
drawing his
45:26
sword as
45:28
he did
45:28
when he
45:28
stood calmly
45:30
before the
45:31
Jewish council
45:32
as a
45:32
prisoner and
45:33
said,
45:34
for we
45:34
cannot but
45:35
speak what
45:36
we have
45:36
seen and
45:38
heard.
45:41
Seems to
45:42
me that
45:43
there is a
45:43
great reminder
45:45
here about
45:45
our acceptance
45:46
of the
45:47
hard
45:47
providence
45:48
of God
45:49
in our
45:49
lives
45:50
and the
45:51
role that
45:52
that plays
45:52
in our
45:53
witness to
45:55
Jesus Christ.
45:58
And so
45:58
the Lord
45:58
reminds
45:59
Peter of
46:01
the purpose
46:01
of his
46:02
coming.
46:02
Put your
46:03
sword into
46:04
its sheath.
46:04
Shall I
46:05
not drink
46:05
the cup
46:06
that the
46:07
Father has
46:07
given me?
46:08
And Jesus
46:09
takes this
46:10
opportunity
46:11
as he always
46:12
does and
46:13
even in
46:13
this most
46:14
volatile
46:15
situation
46:16
he teaches
46:17
a lesson.
46:18
He takes
46:19
an Old
46:19
Testament
46:20
metaphor
46:20
which you
46:22
find in
46:22
several places
46:23
but particularly
46:24
in Isaiah
46:25
51.
46:27
The cup
46:28
which was
46:29
symbolic of
46:30
the wrath
46:31
of God.
46:32
The cup
46:33
which is
46:33
about to
46:34
drink to
46:35
its very
46:35
last
46:36
drugs.
46:37
The cup
46:37
which the
46:38
other
46:38
gospel tells
46:39
as he
46:40
struggles with
46:41
and says
46:41
my Father
46:42
if it be
46:42
possible
46:43
let this
46:43
cup
46:44
pass from
46:45
me.
46:45
Who knows
46:46
the depth
46:47
contained in
46:48
this cup
46:49
and the
46:49
intensity of
46:50
suffering
46:51
associated
46:52
with it.
46:53
We might
46:54
say only
46:55
the one
46:56
who filled
46:56
the cup
46:57
and the
46:58
one who
46:58
drank from
46:59
it.
46:59
But only
47:00
one person
47:01
can speak
47:02
from experience
47:03
of the
47:04
ingredients
47:05
in the
47:05
cup
47:06
and that
47:07
is the
47:07
person
47:08
who drank
47:09
from it
47:11
and who
47:12
emptied
47:12
it.
47:14
Anticipation
47:15
of its
47:15
contents
47:16
caused him
47:17
to be
47:18
prostrated
47:19
in the
47:20
dust of
47:20
the garden
47:21
of Gethsemane.
47:22
The Lord
47:23
of glory
47:23
in our
47:24
nature
47:24
prostrated
47:25
in the
47:26
dust.
47:27
The one
47:28
of whom
47:28
it was
47:28
true
47:29
all things
47:30
were made
47:30
through him
47:31
and without
47:31
him was
47:32
not anything
47:32
made that
47:33
was made.
47:33
He alone
47:34
drank the
47:35
wine
47:35
the undiluted
47:36
wine
47:37
of the
47:37
wrath
47:38
of the
47:38
divine
47:38
just
47:39
judge.
47:42
As the
47:43
content
47:43
of the
47:45
cup
47:45
is revealed
47:46
to his
47:47
human
47:47
understanding
47:48
in all
47:49
its awful
47:50
depths
47:50
his sweat
47:51
fell
47:52
as drops
47:53
of blood
47:54
such
47:55
was the
47:56
intensity
47:57
of
47:58
pressure
47:58
in his
47:59
wrestling
47:59
with heaven.
48:02
What was
48:02
in the
48:03
cup?
48:04
I have
48:05
already
48:05
stated that
48:06
the contents
48:06
were a
48:07
display of
48:08
the judgment
48:09
of the
48:10
divine
48:10
judge
48:11
and the
48:11
exercise
48:12
of the
48:12
penalty
48:13
demanded
48:13
by the
48:14
holy
48:15
law of
48:15
God
48:15
for sin.
48:17
What did
48:17
the holy
48:18
law of
48:18
God
48:18
demand
48:19
as the
48:19
penalty
48:20
for sin?
48:21
Was it
48:21
not death?
48:24
Eternal
48:24
death.
48:26
What was
48:26
in the
48:27
cup?
48:28
Death
48:28
was in
48:29
the
48:29
cup.
48:30
What a
48:30
bitter drink.
48:32
You see
48:32
at the
48:32
heart of
48:33
the curse
48:33
is death
48:35
separation
48:35
from God
48:36
and all
48:37
that
48:37
entails.
48:39
And in
48:39
the
48:40
reminder
48:40
given to
48:41
Peter
48:41
John
48:42
wants us
48:43
to see
48:44
another
48:45
angle.
48:47
He
48:47
wants us
48:48
to see
48:48
that
48:49
Jesus
48:50
took
48:51
the
48:51
cup
48:51
that
48:52
he
48:52
resolved
48:53
to take
48:54
his
48:54
servant
48:54
ministry
48:55
to the
48:56
bitter
48:56
end.
48:57
That
48:57
he
48:57
would
48:58
suffer
48:58
the
48:58
unmitigated
48:59
wrath of
49:00
God
49:01
against
49:01
sin.
49:02
Not
49:02
his
49:02
sin but
49:03
our
49:03
sin.
49:04
He
49:04
would
49:05
go to
49:05
the
49:05
very
49:05
end
49:06
and
49:06
he
49:06
would
49:06
drink
49:07
the
49:07
last
49:07
dwerks
49:08
of
49:09
that
49:09
cup.
49:11
A
49:11
cup
49:12
his
49:13
father
49:13
had
49:13
given.
49:15
A
49:16
cup
49:16
that
49:16
contained
49:17
the
49:17
curse
49:17
in
49:19
order
49:19
that
49:21
rich
49:21
and
49:22
precious
49:23
blessings
49:25
might
49:27
come
49:27
to
49:28
unworthy
49:29
sinners
49:30
who
49:31
were
49:31
deserving
49:32
of
49:32
the
49:33
curse.
49:34
Who
49:34
deserved
49:35
to
49:35
die
49:36
and
49:36
experience
49:37
the
49:38
curse
49:38
and
49:38
all
49:39
its
49:39
intensity.
49:42
Until
49:42
you say
49:43
look
49:43
Peter
49:44
I
49:45
understand
49:46
why
49:47
you
49:47
brought
49:47
out
49:48
your
49:48
sword
49:48
but
49:49
it's
49:49
wrong.
49:51
It's
49:51
the
49:51
wrong
49:51
approach.
49:53
I
49:54
am
49:54
intent
49:55
on
49:55
going
49:56
to
49:56
the
49:56
very
49:57
end
49:57
of
49:57
my
49:58
resolution
49:58
to
49:58
be
49:59
the
49:59
covenant
49:59
mediator.
50:00
and
50:06
he
50:06
doesn't
50:07
flinch.
50:11
Oh
50:11
how
50:12
indebted
50:13
we are
50:13
to
50:15
an
50:15
unflinching
50:16
savior
50:16
who
50:19
took
50:19
the
50:19
place
50:20
of
50:20
undeserving
50:21
sinners.
50:21
And you
50:29
see
50:29
he is
50:30
teaching
50:30
Peter
50:31
that
50:31
to be
50:31
strong
50:33
is to
50:33
watch
50:33
and pray
50:34
not to
50:34
take up
50:35
physical
50:35
arms.
50:36
And so
50:38
Peter
50:39
and we
50:40
the
50:40
readership
50:41
are
50:41
reminded
50:42
of the
50:43
purpose
50:43
of his
50:44
mission.
50:44
He must
50:45
drink the
50:45
cup.
50:46
He must
50:46
do the
50:46
work
50:47
entrusted
50:47
to him
50:48
for no
50:49
sinner
50:49
could
50:50
ever
50:50
be
50:51
saved
50:51
unless
50:53
he
50:54
drink
50:54
the
50:54
cup.
50:56
No
50:56
cup
50:57
drunk.
50:58
No
50:59
salvation
50:59
for
51:01
poor
51:01
sinners
51:02
like
51:02
you
51:02
and
51:02
me.
51:06
zeal
51:09
without
51:10
knowledge
51:11
can be
51:12
very
51:13
dangerous.
51:15
The
51:16
zeal
51:17
of
51:17
Peter
51:17
potentially
51:18
destructive
51:19
a threat
51:20
to the
51:21
very lives
51:22
of his
51:22
fellow
51:22
disciples
51:23
in that
51:24
situation.
51:26
In a
51:27
garden
51:27
Christ
51:28
reminds
51:29
Peter
51:30
and us
51:30
of his
51:32
purpose
51:32
in the
51:33
world.
51:34
He
51:34
must
51:35
drink
51:35
the
51:36
bitter
51:37
cup
51:37
in
51:38
order
51:39
that
51:40
sinners
51:41
like
51:41
you
51:41
and
51:42
me
51:42
might
51:43
receive
51:44
the
51:44
sweet
51:45
cup
51:45
of
51:47
eternal
51:47
blessing
51:48
and be
51:49
drinking
51:50
it not
51:50
only in
51:51
this
51:51
life
51:52
but
51:53
throughout
51:53
the
51:53
endless
51:54
ages
51:55
of
51:55
eternity.
51:57
In a
51:57
garden
51:58
Christ
51:58
reveals
51:59
his
51:59
authoritative
52:00
power and
52:01
finally
52:01
in a
52:02
garden
52:03
Christ
52:04
restores
52:05
the
52:06
rapture
52:06
ear
52:06
of
52:07
Malchus.
52:09
John
52:10
records for
52:11
us the
52:12
first miracle
52:13
performed by
52:14
the Lord.
52:16
It was to
52:16
turn water
52:17
into wine
52:19
at the
52:19
wedding
52:19
of Canaan
52:21
Galilee.
52:22
And the
52:23
final miracle
52:24
that he
52:25
performed
52:25
prior to
52:27
his crucifixion
52:28
was the
52:29
healing or
52:30
the
52:30
restoration
52:31
of
52:32
Malchus's
52:33
ear.
52:34
Now John
52:35
doesn't
52:35
tell that
52:36
but the
52:38
gospel writer
52:39
Luke tells
52:40
us
52:40
Jesus
52:41
touched
52:43
his ear
52:43
and healed
52:44
him.
52:45
Remember Luke
52:45
was a
52:46
physician.
52:48
He had
52:48
more interest
52:49
in these
52:49
things than
52:50
most.
52:51
And I
52:52
suppose if
52:52
people were
52:53
placing the
52:54
miracles in
52:55
order of
52:56
importance or
52:57
if you were
52:58
giving marks
52:59
for miracles.
53:02
I'm not sure
53:02
how you would
53:03
mark them but
53:04
let's say you
53:05
were marking
53:05
them out of
53:06
ten.
53:08
I would
53:09
suggest that
53:10
this miracle
53:11
might be near
53:12
the bottom of
53:13
the list or
53:14
would get low
53:15
marks out of
53:16
ten.
53:18
Because
53:18
humanly
53:19
speaking
53:20
there were
53:22
many miracles
53:23
that he
53:24
performed which
53:25
seemed to
53:26
be far more
53:27
wonderful than
53:29
this one.
53:30
He raised
53:31
people from
53:31
the dead.
53:36
He expelled
53:37
unclean
53:38
spirits.
53:41
He fed
53:42
thousands
53:43
with very
53:45
little.
53:48
And I'm
53:49
almost tempted
53:50
to say but
53:50
it may be
53:51
wrong,
53:52
tempted to
53:52
say that
53:53
this miracle
53:53
is like an
53:54
anticlimax.
53:56
and yet
53:58
the four
53:58
gospel
53:59
narratives
54:00
refer to
54:01
it.
54:02
So there
54:02
must be a
54:03
particular
54:04
purpose.
54:05
The Holy
54:06
Spirit had
54:07
in mind
54:07
that this
54:09
miracle would
54:10
be mentioned
54:11
in all of
54:12
the gospel.
54:15
It's a
54:15
miracle that
54:16
he undertook
54:16
just hours
54:18
before he
54:22
was to be
54:22
put to
54:23
death.
54:23
death.
54:25
And it
54:25
is performed
54:27
in a place
54:27
where he
54:28
had so
54:29
recently been
54:30
in an
54:30
agony.
54:32
And as we
54:32
are told he
54:33
prayed more
54:33
earnestly,
54:34
his sweat
54:34
became like
54:35
great drops
54:36
of blood
54:36
falling down
54:37
to the
54:37
ground.
54:40
The other
54:41
gospel writers
54:42
just tell us
54:43
it happened.
54:45
But Luke
54:46
alone
54:46
tells us
54:48
he touched
54:49
his ear and
54:49
healed him.
54:50
we don't
54:51
know if
54:53
the ear was
54:53
completely
54:54
severed or
54:55
how badly
54:56
wounded
54:57
Malchus was
54:58
or how
54:59
deep the
54:59
cut.
55:01
But it
55:02
seems to me
55:03
that the
55:03
healing was
55:04
instantaneous.
55:06
He touched
55:06
his ear and
55:08
healed him.
55:09
There's no
55:09
rushing to
55:09
A&E,
55:10
no ICU's,
55:11
no stitches,
55:12
no antiseptic
55:13
bunges.
55:15
Of course,
55:15
most of that
55:16
wasn't there.
55:18
He attaches
55:19
the blood
55:19
vessels,
55:20
the nerve
55:20
endings.
55:22
Could you
55:22
see a scar
55:23
where the
55:23
ear was
55:24
restored?
55:26
Well,
55:27
personally,
55:27
I'm persuaded
55:29
that you
55:29
could not.
55:30
I don't
55:31
think you'd
55:31
be able to
55:32
tell.
55:32
Looking at
55:32
Malchus,
55:33
which ear
55:34
had been
55:34
cut off,
55:36
it would
55:36
have been
55:36
perfect healing.
55:37
Would he
55:38
experience
55:38
deafness or
55:39
any other
55:40
disability?
55:41
And in my
55:41
view,
55:41
no.
55:44
And the
55:44
strange thing
55:45
is,
55:46
there is no
55:46
report of
55:47
any conversation
55:49
taking place
55:50
between Jesus
55:51
and Malchus.
55:55
But if there
55:56
had been,
55:57
could Jesus
55:58
not say to
55:59
him,
56:00
you are the
56:00
servant of
56:01
the high
56:01
priest,
56:02
I too am
56:03
a high
56:03
priest.
56:05
He pays
56:06
you a wage,
56:07
but I can
56:07
give you
56:08
something free,
56:10
eternal
56:10
salvation.
56:12
There is
56:13
Malchus and
56:14
he's standing
56:14
between two
56:15
high priests.
56:16
and the
56:16
one,
56:17
you could
56:17
say,
56:18
is totally
56:18
merciless,
56:19
and the
56:20
other is
56:20
merciful and
56:22
faithful,
56:23
the true
56:23
high priest,
56:24
the ultra
56:25
compassionate
56:25
high priest
56:26
who is able
56:27
to bless.
56:31
The one
56:32
who stands
56:33
between the
56:33
living and
56:35
the dead.
56:37
And in
56:37
restoring
56:38
Malchus'
56:39
ear,
56:40
Christ
56:40
performs this
56:42
miracle in
56:43
the presence
56:44
of his
56:45
enemies.
56:47
He
56:47
demonstrates
56:48
his
56:49
power.
56:52
Did
56:52
Malchus'
56:53
life
56:54
change
56:55
course?
56:56
Did
56:56
Malchus
56:57
repent?
56:58
Did
56:58
Malchus
56:59
believe?
57:00
Did
57:01
Malchus
57:01
experience the
57:03
pains of
57:04
the new
57:04
birth?
57:05
Because the
57:06
wind was
57:06
blowing where
57:07
it wishes
57:07
around the
57:08
garden of
57:08
Gethsemane?
57:09
Was he at a
57:10
later date
57:11
amongst those
57:12
who stated
57:12
truly this
57:13
was the
57:13
Son of
57:14
God?
57:15
We don't
57:16
know.
57:18
But wouldn't
57:18
you like to
57:19
know?
57:20
We're not
57:21
told.
57:23
But you
57:23
see,
57:24
ultimately,
57:25
the question
57:26
is not
57:26
about
57:27
Malchus,
57:28
but about
57:29
us,
57:30
about you
57:30
and me.
57:32
Because we
57:33
too are like
57:33
Malchus,
57:34
we have been
57:35
touched by
57:35
Christ.
57:38
In that we
57:38
have sat
57:39
under the
57:40
proclamation
57:40
of the
57:41
ministry
57:42
of the
57:42
gospel.
57:45
And the
57:46
same call
57:47
that is
57:48
addressed to
57:49
Malchus is
57:50
addressed to
57:50
you and
57:51
me.
57:53
Are we
57:54
willing to
57:55
have this
57:56
person as
57:57
our high
57:58
priest?
57:59
Because if
58:00
we are, we
58:01
do not have a
58:01
high priest who
58:02
is unable to
58:03
sympathize with
58:04
our weaknesses,
58:05
but one who
58:06
in every
58:06
respect has
58:07
been tempted
58:08
as we
58:09
are yet
58:09
without sin.
58:11
Let us
58:12
then with
58:12
confidence
58:13
draw near
58:13
to the
58:14
throne of
58:14
grace that
58:15
we may
58:15
receive mercy
58:16
and find
58:16
grace to
58:17
help in
58:17
time of
58:18
need.
58:20
Are we
58:21
willing to
58:22
be servant
58:23
to this
58:25
high priest?
58:27
By
58:27
nature,
58:29
we are
58:29
slaves to
58:30
the prince
58:31
of darkness.
58:33
The great
58:33
high priest,
58:34
the merciful
58:35
high priest
58:35
who came
58:36
according to
58:37
the order
58:37
of Melchizedek
58:38
speaks of
58:39
mercy and
58:41
deliverance.
58:42
So my
58:43
friend, if
58:44
we have
58:45
not sought
58:46
his
58:47
restoring
58:48
power to
58:50
repair, to
58:52
recreate a
58:53
life broken,
58:55
battered,
58:56
bruised by
58:57
sin's destructive
58:58
power, oh
59:01
will you not
59:01
cry out now
59:02
for mercy so
59:05
that you come
59:05
to experience
59:06
the marvelous
59:08
security of
59:09
the intercessory
59:10
work of
59:11
the great
59:12
high priest.
59:15
Malchus
59:15
could testify,
59:17
he healed
59:17
my ear,
59:19
but can you
59:19
and I testify
59:20
this evening,
59:22
he healed
59:23
my soul.
59:25
He healed
59:26
my soul
59:26
because if we
59:28
trust in him,
59:30
then we too
59:31
shall know
59:31
eternal
59:33
restoration.
59:35
from the
59:37
healing hand
59:38
of a
59:39
merciful
59:39
and a
59:41
gracious
59:41
high priest.
59:44
In a
59:45
garden,
59:46
Christ reveals
59:47
his
59:48
authoritative
59:49
power.
59:51
In a
59:51
garden,
59:53
Christ reminds
59:53
Peter and us
59:55
of his
59:56
redemptive
59:57
purpose
59:57
in the
59:58
world.
1:00:00
In a
1:00:00
garden,
1:00:02
Christ
1:00:02
restores
1:00:04
the ear
1:00:05
of
1:00:05
Malchus.
1:00:09
And in
1:00:09
the garden
1:00:10
of the
1:00:10
world,
1:00:12
Christ
1:00:13
is able
1:00:13
to restore
1:00:14
broken,
1:00:17
sinful
1:00:17
lives like
1:00:18
mine and
1:00:19
yours,
1:00:21
and make
1:00:22
you perfect
1:00:22
in him.
1:00:25
Would you
1:00:26
not like
1:00:27
that?
1:00:28
Let us
1:00:29
pray.
1:00:29
O most
1:00:31
merciful
1:00:32
and
1:00:34
gracious
1:00:35
God,
1:00:36
you who
1:00:38
have
1:00:39
provided
1:00:39
a
1:00:42
glorious
1:00:43
means of
1:00:44
salvation
1:00:45
that
1:00:48
brings
1:00:49
helpless,
1:00:50
broken
1:00:51
lives
1:00:51
to the
1:00:54
knowledge of
1:00:54
faith in
1:00:55
Jesus Christ
1:00:56
Christ.
1:00:57
And in
1:00:58
doing so,
1:00:59
restores
1:01:00
and heals
1:01:01
so that
1:01:03
ultimately
1:01:04
they reflect
1:01:06
the work
1:01:06
of your
1:01:07
hand and
1:01:09
will appear
1:01:09
in perfection
1:01:10
before your
1:01:12
throne.
1:01:13
Lord,
1:01:15
may it
1:01:15
please
1:01:16
thee to
1:01:17
visit all
1:01:18
our hearts
1:01:19
this evening
1:01:19
to heal
1:01:21
us and
1:01:22
the glory
1:01:23
shall be
1:01:23
thine.
1:01:24
In
1:01:25
Jesus'
1:01:25
name we
1:01:26
ask it.
1:01:27
Amen.
1:01:29
Let us
1:01:30
conclude by
1:01:32
singing to
1:01:33
God's
1:01:33
praise from
1:01:34
Psalm 103,
1:01:36
page
1:01:37
135 of
1:01:39
the Psalter,
1:01:40
if you're
1:01:41
using the
1:01:41
Psalter.
1:01:43
Psalm 103,
1:01:46
page
1:01:47
135 of
1:01:48
your
1:01:48
use in
1:01:49
the
1:01:49
Psalter.
1:01:50
Praise
1:01:50
God,
1:01:51
my soul,
1:01:53
with all
1:01:53
my heart.
1:01:55
Let me
1:01:56
exalt
1:01:56
his holy
1:01:57
name.
1:01:58
Forget not
1:01:59
all his
1:02:00
benefits.
1:02:01
His
1:02:01
praise,
1:02:02
my soul,
1:02:04
in song
1:02:05
proclaim.
1:02:06
The Lord
1:02:07
forgives you
1:02:08
all your
1:02:08
sins,
1:02:10
heals
1:02:10
your sickness
1:02:11
and distress.
1:02:13
Your life,
1:02:15
he rescues
1:02:16
from the
1:02:16
grave and
1:02:18
crowns you
1:02:19
in his
1:02:20
tenderness.
1:02:20
He
1:02:21
satisfies
1:02:22
your
1:02:23
deep
1:02:23
desires
1:02:24
from his
1:02:25
unending
1:02:26
stores of
1:02:27
good,
1:02:28
so that
1:02:29
just like
1:02:30
the eagle's
1:02:31
strength,
1:02:32
your youthful
1:02:33
vigor is
1:02:34
renewed.
1:02:35
The Lord
1:02:36
is known
1:02:37
for
1:02:37
righteous
1:02:38
acts
1:02:38
and
1:02:39
justice
1:02:40
to
1:02:40
downtrodden
1:02:41
ones.
1:02:42
To
1:02:42
Moses,
1:02:43
he made
1:02:44
known his
1:02:44
ways,
1:02:45
his mighty
1:02:46
deeds
1:02:47
to his
1:02:48
real
1:02:48
sons.
1:02:49
Let us
1:02:50
sing these
1:02:51
verses,
1:02:52
and let's
1:02:52
sing
1:02:52
Psalms
1:02:52
version.
1:02:53
Praise
1:02:54
God,
1:02:55
my soul.
1:03:01
Praise
1:03:02
God,
1:03:03
my soul,
1:03:04
with
1:03:05
all my
1:03:06
heart.
1:03:07
Let me
1:03:08
exalt
1:03:10
his
1:03:11
holy
1:03:12
name.
1:03:13
Forget
1:03:14
not all
1:03:16
his
1:03:17
benefits,
1:03:19
his
1:03:20
praise,
1:03:21
my soul,
1:03:22
in song
1:03:23
proclaim.
1:03:26
The Lord
1:03:27
forgives you
1:03:29
all your
1:03:30
sins,
1:03:32
and
1:03:33
gives you
1:03:33
sickness
1:03:35
and distress.
1:03:38
Your life
1:03:39
he rescues
1:03:41
from the
1:03:43
grave,
1:03:44
and crowns
1:03:45
you in
1:03:46
his
1:03:47
tenderness,
1:03:50
and crowns
1:03:51
you in
1:03:52
his
1:03:53
tenderness.
1:03:56
He
1:03:57
satisfies
1:03:58
your
1:04:00
deep
1:04:00
desire,
1:04:02
from
1:04:03
his
1:04:04
unending
1:04:05
stores
1:04:06
of
1:04:07
good,
1:04:08
so that
1:04:09
just like
1:04:11
the
1:04:12
eagle's
1:04:13
strength,
1:04:14
your
1:04:15
youthful
1:04:16
vigor
1:04:16
is
1:04:18
renewed.
1:04:20
The
1:04:21
Lord is
1:04:22
known for
1:04:23
righteous
1:04:25
acts,
1:04:26
and
1:04:27
justice
1:04:28
to
1:04:29
doubt
1:04:30
throden
1:04:31
was,
1:04:32
to
1:04:33
Moses
1:04:34
he
1:04:35
made
1:04:36
your
1:04:36
earnest
1:04:37
ways,
1:04:38
his
1:04:39
mighty
1:04:39
deeds
1:04:40
to
1:04:41
Israel's
1:04:43
sons,
1:04:44
his
1:04:45
mighty
1:04:45
deeds
1:04:46
to
1:04:46
Israel's
1:04:48
sons.
1:04:51
Now may
1:04:51
the grace
1:04:52
of the
1:04:52
Lord Jesus
1:04:53
Christ,
1:04:54
the love
1:04:54
of God
1:04:55
the Father,
1:04:57
fellowship
1:04:57
and communion
1:04:58
of the
1:04:58
Holy Spirit,
1:05:00
rest on
1:05:01
and abide
1:05:01
with you
1:05:02
all,
1:05:03
now and
1:05:03
forever.
1:05:05
Amen.
1:05:06
Amen.