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"Where
Are You Headed?" • 3.1.20 • Calvary Christian
Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
Text
• John 18:1-3 : "When Jesus had
spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where
there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who
betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His
disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers
from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and
weapons." : John refers to the entirety of what we have just
studied, contained in chapters 13
through 17. Jesus has completed
speaking His instruction to the disciples.
- The men are moving beyond Jerusalem, over the
"Brook Kidron." This is the name of the valley between Jerusalem and
the Mount of Olives.
- During this time in history, while the Temple
was in full operation, the water that flowed in that valley took on a very dark,
nearly black color, thus giving it it's name, "Turbid" or
"murky."
- The Temple being a place of animal sacrifice,
dealt with the problem of the collection of blood. The Romans engineered a way
for water to wash the blood out from the Temple.
- That water ran down through the Kidron Valley.
Jesus crosses over that brook of water and blood, over into the Garden of
Gethsemane, situated directly across from the city of Jerusalem.
- In the Lord's day, there was an olive press
in operation there among the trees. It was a place of crushing pressure,
appropriate for what Jesus was about to experience.
- Ironically, this was a favorite place for the
Lord to assemble His men when they were in Jerusalem, a bit of knowledge that
his betrayer knew well.
- We last saw Judas being dismissed by Jesus
from the upper room back in John 13:30.
He has been busy in the intervening hours.
- By the order of the religious leaders that he
had been in communication with, Judas was granted a military escort from Rome,
the word indicating a tenth of a legion.
- A Roman "legion" consisted of 6,000
soldiers. It doesn't take a math wizard to understand that Judas came to betray
his former Master with 600 Roman soldiers!
- In addition, he is being accompanied by
ministers from the offices of the religious elite, who were no doubt there to ensure
that everything went according to plan.
- What could have warranted such an armed
response to what was one peaceful man and His disciples? Judas had seen Jesus
escape His potential captors many times before.
- This might have been his condition to carry
out his task. "Not without a speira!"
- Judas understood so little of the Lord Jesus.
Was there an actual number of soldiers that could really have apprehended Him?
His confidence in the world's strength is an illusion!
- Judas, like the men of this world, believe
that they can unseat God from His throne by their tiny uses of force,
intimidation or supposed intelligence. The Godhead just laughs! (Psalm 2:4)
- The world sees power in this mob as it
gathers closer and closer to it's target. The light emanating from their
lanterns and torches, glowed in the distance, lighting up the dark countryside.
- With that many people, most of them being
Roman soldiers, you can imagine there being a sort of cadence being followed.
- The mob believes that they will have to
search the mount of Olives for a single well hidden fugitive from justice.
Their "hunt" will never commence! Verse 4.
• John 18:4-6 : "Jesus therefore, knowing all things that
would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, 'Whom
are you seeking?' They answered Him, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus said to them, 'I am He.' And Judas, who betrayed Him, also
stood with them. Now when He said to them, 'I am He,' they drew back and fell to the ground." : Jesus understands His time. He is neither taken by surprise nor
is He afraid. He went right out to them to ask who they were looking for.
- He knows that they are looking for Him but do
they know who they are looking for? Better yet, do they know who they have
found? I wish we could hear their tone.
- Here they are, armed in all of their
strength, confident in their numbers and the source of their authority. When
they answer "Jesus of Nazareth," I believe they say it with utter
contempt!
- It betrays a notion that Jesus was simply a
nobody from nowhere. He's a powerless citizen of a small town. Without batting an eye, the Lord returns
the volley by saying "I am He."
- Every translation provides the word
"He," but because it is in italics, we understand that it isn't in
the Greek text. Jesus proclaims Himself to be the "I Am."
- He's already offered seven "I Am"
statements. This is an unofficial eighth! Jesus says that He is God! What a
moment to be Judas, who was now standing on the wrong side of life!
- According to Matthew 26:15, Judas agreed to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of
silver! He has his money and all of his new friends. He's standing proudly with
them. This is quite a picture, isn't it?
- Judas thinks he's outsmarted Jesus. He
believes that the World has a greater power and force because that is the
visible and present reality.
- He's convinced that he has made a good and
safe deal in aligning himself with them.
- When Jesus said, "I AM," Judas and
all of His soldiers and officers "drew back and fell to the ground!"
When you make your stand with the world, you'll fall with them too!
- Interesting footnote: The prosperity
preachers use this verse to defend the practice of "slaying in the
spirit." Funny, but these people who fell backward are enemies of God!
- People who love the Lord and are truly
surrendered to Him, fall forward in humility! Without an angel, by a simple use
of His own voice, over 600 armed individuals lay powerless before Christ!
- The entire group was literally floored by the
Lord's declaration of His own Name! Verse 7.
•
John 18:7-9 : "Then He asked them again, 'Whom are you seeking?' And they said, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus answered, 'I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these
go their way,' that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, 'Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.'" : Do you wonder how long the mob remained immobilized? Jesus
could simply have walked right past them!
-
Instead, He asks again who they seek. In my mind, I hear a much more
respectful, yet still ignorant reply. Amazingly, not one stops to question
their experience!
-
They have all experienced a miracle in the presence of someone who is obviously
not "no one!" Yet, none are given the grace to move beyond their
roles in this drama at this moment.
-
Jesus makes no effort to escape from them. In fact, Jesus assists them in
making their arrest, and orders that they let His disciples go!
-
The Lord secures their release, which wasn't just a noble action, but a
fulfillment His own words that He had prayed just a few minutes earlier in John 17:12.
-
Every one of them would be free to leave the scene and most did at that time.
Jesus is going to face His Father's wrath all by Himself.
-
These men will be the first beneficiaries of His work, but they will not aid in
His accomplishing it! He must do that alone. That doesn't mean that someone
won't at least try. Verse 10.
•
John 18:10,11 : "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 the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?'" : As much as Judas is deceived into his belief in worldly power
and authority, Peter is deceived into believing in his ability to do anything
to help Jesus!
-
Wasn't he watching!? Jesus just stopped the mob with two syllables! To his
credit, Peter is desperate to keep His Master safe. He is the oldest of the
disciples, the veritable leader of the group.
-
He has saddled himself with his own promise that even if everyone else left the
Lord's side, he would not. He really believed that he would die for the Lord.
-
In his way of thinking, this is his moment to be brave and fight alongside of
the Lord!
-
"Maybe he needs me to get this started with my sword and He'll finish it
with His voice!?"
-
Luke 22:38 tells us that the
disciples were able to gather two swords on this night. Peter is in charge of
one of them and it's too bad that his swordsmanship was not well practiced!
-
When he pulled his sword out, he was only able to cut off the right ear of
Malchus.
-
Some have assumed that Peter was right handed and that because he managed to
get Malchus' right ear, that he must have attacked from behind. This man was
just an Priestly intern!
-
The fact is that he just let his machete go out in any direction! He was lucky
to have struck any part of anyone's body, Malchus being the lone unfortunate
target.
-
Before we are too hard on Peter, consider the last few hours on this incredible
night.
-
It is late in the evening, the very same evening that brought a significant
sense of foreboding to the disciples. Jesus was leaving them and a betrayer was
in their midst.
-
Peter now understands that the traitor was Judas. But what was Peter doing just
prior to his arrival? John does not describe the scene, but the other gospel
writers do.
-
I'd suggest that you take the afternoon to read through Matthew 26, Luke 22 and Mark 14.
-
The Lord brought all eleven disciples to the Garden and then invited Peter,
James and John to join Him as He prayed. When He was alone with them, He began
to be distressed.
-
He walked away from the three, about a stones throw distance, and began to pray
alone.
-
The disciples at this point could not stay awake, their "eyes being
heavy" and their sleep induced by sorrow. (Matthew 26:43, Luke 22:45)
-
Jesus came back to wake them up twice, ostensibly to gather their prayer
support, but He didn't get any from them. In fact, an angel was dispatched to
minister to the Lord instead! (Lk. 22:41)
-
It was this sleep deprived, prayer neglecting, self confident disciple that is
coming out of a state of stupor, lashing out against Judas' envoy!
-
Peter is all heart, but his actions in this kind of state were never going to
be helpful to anyone! I'd suggest that we take a lesson and keep our
"swords out of our hands" when in similar straights!
-
Jesus is already working to get His release and now, Peter has put himself and
the rest of the disciples in danger! Jesus rebukes His disciple and asks Peter
if He shouldn't drink His Father's cup!
-
Jesus is referring to the cup of suffering, the cup of the wine of the Father's
wrath! This figure is seen throughout the Old Testament. (Psalm 11:6, 75:7,8, Isaiah 51:17-22, Jeremiah 25:15-28)
-
The point here is that Peter is seeking to prevent Jesus from taking what the Father
was giving to Him! Jesus must drink from this cup if Peter or any other
Christian is to be saved!
-
Unfortunately, Peter is still more mindful of the things of men, rather than
the things of God! Like many Christians, Peter's theology doesn't have a
category for God's use of suffering!
-
Because of that, Peter uses his sword and collects, not a convert, but a
victim!
-
It's fascinating and telling that the last miracle that Jesus does on this
earth is to heal a person hurt by one of His disciples' misuse of the sword! (Luke 22:51) Verse 12.
•
John 18:12-14 : "Then the detachment of troops and
the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas
first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the
Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people." : Jesus, having committed no crime, is treated as a hardened
criminal. Having offered no resistance, Jesus is still bound and led away.
-
He is bound because He said He would be bound! Jesus is in complete control as
they make their way to the home of Annas.
-
Annas was legitimate "High Priest" by order of Jewish succession. The
High Priestly office extends to the end of one's life, even though he had been
deposed in a Roman political move.
-
The Romans did not like working with Annas, but allowed him to influence their
appointments.
-
Their latest "appointed" High Priest was Caiphas, who had already
been serving Rome for the past 15 years and was the Roman appointed High Priest
that year.
-
In the eyes of the Jews however, Annas was God's High Priest. Rome's high
priest lived according to pragmatism.
-
Caiaphas was the one who counseled the Jews to consider the expedience of the
situation regarding Jesus. It would be best for Him to be eliminated rather
than the people troubled by Rome!
-
Without knowing it, Caiphas predicted that Jesus would die as a sacrificial
offering on behalf of the people! Jesus is about to stand before both men.
Verse 15.
•
John 18:15,16 : "And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and
so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high
priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door
outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out
and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in." : Peter isn't finished trying to get Jesus out of this. Simon
Peter followed Jesus, not to associate with Him, but to find out what was
happening to Him.
-
He and another unnamed disciple tracked Jesus to the High Priest's home. There
aren't really any clues as to who this disciple was, but he was well connected.
-
He was well acquainted within the High Priest's home and was therefore, allowed
to enter into the courtyard where Jesus was about to be tried.
-
Peter couldn't go that far and remained just outside. He wasn't known here, so
it was safe.
-
His fellow disciple used his influence to vouch for Peter and he was brought
in, though he probably wishes he had stayed outside! Verse 17.
•
John 18:17,18 : "Then the servant girl who kept the
door said to Peter, 'You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?' He said, 'I am not.' Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals
stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with
them and warmed himself." : If you have ever gone out
of town to sin, one of the worst feelings is recognition!
-
Peter isn't necessarily in "sin," but he definitely doesn't want to
be recognized, especially as one of the Lord's disciples! Not at this moment
especially!
-
Understand that Peter is standing there with a very young girl, the word referring
to a pre-teen. Historians credit Peter with being a taller and more burly man.
-
He's tall, he's older than most of the other Apostles and he is standing next
to a young girl who probably is just excited to recognize anyone! She has seen
Peter with Jesus!
-
She's not quiet about it and Peter stiffly replies without thinking. "I am
not." He could not have thought that this "counted." He was ready to stand before
authorities that could end his life!
-
He believed that he would stand right next to Jesus, maybe in the next few
moments, and refute all of the High Priest's claims.
-
As he was preparing for that stage, he neglected to consider the stage he was
on with this little girl! Jesus said that he would deny Him three times. Peter
had just done so for the first time!
-
It counts as denial whether it's to an influential person or the youngest
person you know!
-
What would you have done next? Don't you think you might have moved closer to
where Jesus was? Peter moved to an even more tenuous position!
-
He went to hang out with the High Priest's servants, keeping himself warm by
their fire. I hope you are watching with a discerning eye.
-
Peter's night had begun with smug self confidence. "Even if everyone else
abandons you, I will not!" He shown a sign of willful trust in His own
ability.
-
Now, he's standing with the enemy, warming himself by their fire! Does anyone
else see any parallels? It's not going anywhere good from here. Verse. 19.
•
John 18:19-24 : "The high priest then asked Jesus
about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, 'I spoke openly
to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I
said to them. Indeed they know what I said.' And
when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus
with the palm of his hand, saying, 'Do You answer the high priest like that?'
Jesus answered him, 'If I
have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?'
Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high
priest." : Annas didn't just ask a series of
polite questions. The word indicates that he interrogated Jesus, both about His
disciples and doctrine.
-
Who had He taught and what had He taught them, assuming that He had secretly
spoken to them what He had not spoken in the world, but that wasn't the case.
-
Jesus taught in every public place that a Jew would meet. He taught in the
rural centers of town, as well as in the large Temple complex. He didn't teach
anything secretly.
-
In fact, the word that He uses refers to speaking with great boldness of
speech! He's been blunt about His teachings! Anybody that heard Him could share
what He had spoken.
-
Jesus adds a quick statement that makes the High Priest seem ignorant. Annas is
supposed to be in the "know." He is supposed to be guarding the
nation of Israel as the chief Levitical Priest.
-
This whole thing is a rouse. Annas knew what Jesus taught. His concern was
financial. Jesus had called Annas out a few times, being that he was in charge
of what the Talmud calls "The Bizarre."
-
Annas personally profited from the sale of Temple "approved" animals
as well as from the Temple exchange of money. Jesus was a threat to that. Annas
is getting a little payback.
-
When Jesus didn't answer with great platitudes for Annas, one of the officers
gave the Lord a backhand for the statement, pointing to the nature of how the
Priest was accustomed to be treated.
-
This must also have been the moment when Peter realized that he was in a very
bad place! Nobody had ever been allowed to touch the Messiah, much less strike
Him on the face!
-
He could see that Jesus was being allowed to be treated by men the way other
men had been unjustly treated. There was no crime and there were no witnesses!
-
When Annas could say nothing, he passed Him on to his son-in law Caiaphas. Verse
25.
•
John 18:25 : "Now Simon Peter stood and warmed
himself. Therefore they said to him, 'You are not also one of His disciples,
are you?' He
denied it and said, 'I am not!'" : While
the officers and servants are readying the Lord for transport, John returns to
the scene just out side the courtyard. It's been decided that Jesus will go to
Caiphas.
-
Everyone is talking about it and Peter just stood there enjoying the warmth,
maybe even getting lost in the flame, like all of us often do.
-
I can't imagine what he must have been thinking. What we know is that he wasn't
prepared.
-
While his hands are extended toward the fire, the people around him ask him if
he's sure he's not one of His disciples. "You are, aren't you?!"
-
This time, the language indicates that he denied it repeatedly. "No, no,
no." He's trapped. He has nowhere to turn. He's down two. Maybe now he
realizes he's in deep trouble.
-
Before he can do anything about it, he's accosted with yet another question.
Verse 26.
•
John 18:26,27 : "One of the servants of the high
priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, 'Did I not see you in
the garden with Him?' Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed." : Right as Peter is looking for a graceful exit, here comes one
of Malchus' cousins!
-
He was with Malchus in the garden of Gethsemane and he had seen Peter in
action! "You were there with Him in the Garden!" This man has Peter
dead to rights.
-
Now for a third time, Peter denies the Lord again, coincidentally, right as the
rooster crowed! Jesus had told him this would happen.
•
John 13:38 : "Jesus answered him, 'Will you lay down your life for My sake?
Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied
Me three times." : Jesus said it would be this way!
There are two points that John ignores, which Luke lets us in on in his account.
• Luke 22:60-62 : "But Peter said, 'Man, I do not know what you are
saying!' Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then
Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, 'Before the
rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.' So Peter went out and wept
bitterly." : The fact that Jesus
looks right at Peter at just the moment of his third denial is just
unbelieveable! It is a devastating moment to Peter.
- The word
comes to his mind and then Peter, caught in the utter shame of failure, runs
out from the area and weeps bitterly!
Conclusion
- The recording of Peter's denial is a
wonderful grace to us especially in this age of supposed "deconversion,"
known in previous times as "apostasy."
- Peter's road began with self confidence,
extended by prayerlessness, continued with fellowship at the world's fire and
concluded with a look into His Master's eyes!
- A Christian testimony that begins with me,
boasts of me, generally ends with me as well!
- Thankfully, a true Christian trusts in the
word, the promise of their Messiah, who was able to walk His road, who
faithfully took of His Father's cup, and drank it down to the dregs!
- In the beginning of His suffering, Jesus
sought the release of His disciples. The end of His suffering allows the
release of His church!
- We, like Peter, are weaker than we know,
prone to wander, likely to fail and surely to end our relationship with Him!
That is why He must hold us fast!
- Our Champion faced all of His enemies in a
garden alone and walked toward His Father's will without failure and secured
our peace with God forever!
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