Matt Mitchell - Hot Orthodoxy

Sunday, November 17, 2024

“It Is Finished” [Matt's Messages]

11/17/2024 11:45:00 AM Life in Jesus' Name, Matt's Messages, The Gospel of John 0 comments

“It Is Finished”

Life in Jesus’ Name - The Gospel of John

Lanse Evangelical Free Church

November 17, 2024 :: John 19:17-42

I have good and terrible news for you this morning. And this is it:

An innocent man was murdered.

And that sounds terrible, and it is. But it is also good for you and me.

You know whom I am talking about. This whole church is about Him.

It’s Jesus.

We’re drawing nearer, nearer to Him and His precious bleeding side. His back is bleeding because He’s been scourged.

The last few weeks, we’ve read about our Lord Jesus being betrayed, arrested, interrogated, slapped around, mocked, denied, rejected, judged, tried, convicted, and sentenced to execution. Execution of the most unspeakably horrible kind–Roman crucifixion.

Even though the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, could find no basis for a charge against Jesus, he still handed Him over to be crucified.

An innocent man was killed by the authorities. And that’s is good news for you and me.

We’re studying the part of the Gospel that we often focus on during a different holiday season than this one. But it is completely appropriate to focus on it now during this holiday season because, as we’re going to see, this is why Jesus came in the first place, at the first Christmas, and this is what we have the most reason for which to be thankful.

These last moments of His life and His death and His burial. This is why He came, and this is why His last words were (v.30), “It is finished.” That’s our title for today. “It is finished!”

In Greek, “tetelestai.” “It is completed.” Or “It is accomplished.”

Jesus didn’t say, “I am finished.” These are not words of despair, though I know that’s what would be on my lips! His are words of victory even as Jesus was killed as an innocent man. “It Is Finished.”

This morning, I want us to see just what was finished in those final moments before His death and the first few moments after His death and to reflect together on what good news that is for us today. We sometimes call these things “Good Friday.” Every good reason we have here to be thankful.

Starting with this. I have four points this morning, and here’s the first one.

#1. JESUS HAS BEEN PROCLAIMED THE TRUE KING.

Let’s start where Keagan kicked us off. In verse 17.

“Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others–one on each side and Jesus in the middle” (vv.17-18).

It’s amazing to me how little the gospelwriters describe the crucifixion for us.

There are is very little description in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or here in John about what crucifixion was like. Did you ever notice that? It’s almost matter-of-fact.

I think that one of the reasons for that is that everybody who read the Gospels when they first came out, knew what crucifixion was. You didn’t have to explain it in all of it gruesome details.

Another reason is so that we don’t get to glory in the gruesome. It is possible to take a sick pleasure in bloody gore even when talking about our Lord.

But I also think that one of the reasons why the gospelwriters say so little about what it was like is that it is nearly too terrible for words. They just couldn’t bring themselves to talk too much about what was done to our Lord!

He had to carry His own cross. Remember, His back and shoulders are torn up from the scourging. Now, He has to pick up probably the horizontal beam across His shoulders and carry it out of the city limits to “Skull Hill.”

That’s where they liked do to these crucifixions. There were probably permanent vertical stakes there to mount these beams and these men nailed to them.

John says, “Here they crucified him, and with him two others–one on each side and Jesus in the middle” (v.18).

That means they nailed Him to these pieces of wood and hung him from those poles in the air. “Lifted up.” He was “lifted up.”

And his ankles were nailed, too. And His knees were bent. So that he push up on the pole to breathe a little. And then when He got tired He would sag down and start turning blue. And then He’d push up some more. We invented the word “excruciating” to describe this kind of pain and suffering. It’s got the “cruc...” word sound in there of crucifixion, cross-killing.

And He’s not alone. He’s got actual bad guys on either side of Him. They are not innocent, but He’s dying with them.

It’s hard to talk about. It’s terrible. There’s nothing right about it.

And, yet, it’s good. And we should be so thankful for it.

Here’s one reason, as He was dying, He was being proclaimed the true king of the world. Look at verse 19.

“Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, ‘Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.’ Pilate answered, ‘What I have written, I have written’” (vv.19-22).

Pilate was a weak little man with a lot of power. We saw that last week as the Jews manipulated him into executing Jesus.

But he did get in this one shot. Kind of a practical joke on his Jewish pests. He put up this placard over the head of Jesus that proclaimed Him as the king of Jews. Now, Pilate didn’t mean it. If anything, it was a list of Jesus’ crimes. Here’s why this man is up there on that cross! Sarcasm, dark gallows humor.

But it sure bothered the Jews! They wanted that sign revised. They were rejecting Jesus as their king. And Pilate said, “No way. It stays how I said it.”

But you and I know that it was true. Jesus was the Messiah, the promised King of Israel. And we’ve seen how He acted like a king all the way through this trial. His shoulders back, His head held high. It felt like He was in charge of His own trial. And they were the ones really arrested, really interrogated, really judged and found wanting.

He was the true king!

And notice that it was universally proclaimed.

Pilate whipped out His Google Translate App and made sure that everybody who passed by knew what it said.

Aramaic. That was the local dialect spoken by the Hebrews in that place.

Latin. That was the official language of the Roman empire. All official documents had to be in Latin.

And Greek. That was the international language that everybody spoke and had in common. The “lingua franca,” as we say. Like English functions in so many parts of the world.

Anybody who could read, knew what that said.

“JESUS OF NAZARTEH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

And that’s true! And you and I should recognize the Kingship of Jesus over ourselves and proclaim it to the world.

Let me ask you a question. Do we live like Jesus is our true King? What was the last thing you did because King Jesus told you to do it and not because you already felt like it? What was the last thing you did because King Jesus commanded it of you and not because you already felt like doing it?

Now, of course, it’s best when we want to do what the King tells us to do. But when there is a difference between my desire, and our Lord’s commands, which one wins?

Like for example, what Jesus says to do with our finances? With our mouths (which extends to our phones)? With our relationships? Jesus commands us to forgive as He has forgiven us. Is He our true King? Do we act like it?

Pilate was joking that Jesus was the king, but He is. Sometimes we say Jesus is the king but act like we are.

The truth will come out. When Jesus was dying, the truth was being broadcast right there above His head.

Number two. Here is what was finished and that we can be thankful for today:

#2. JESUS HAS FULFILLED THE ANCIENT SCRIPTURES.

Look at verse 23.

“When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.”

Yes, they took His clothes. When you were crucified, you were left with nothing. And it was the privilege of the four soldiers on this execution squad to get to take the victim’s things.

Jesus didn’t have much. He had no money. Just the clothes on His back. And one guy took the cloak off His back, one guy took His belt, one guy took His sandals, and the other guy got Jesus’ hat.

That just left His “tunic” which was under those other things and went from neck to knees. It was woven in one piece, so the most valuable piece of clothes He had and worth a lot more in one piece than torn into strips.

And the soldiers are like, “I’ll flip you for it.” Verse 24.

“‘Let's not tear it,’ they said to one another. ‘Let's decide by lot who will get it.’ This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, ‘They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.’ So this is what the soldiers did.”

Did you get that? The worst thing ever is happening. Jesus is struggling to breathe while probably bleeding out. And below Him, these guys are playing dice for His clothes.

It’s terrible! And yet, it’s not outside of God’s plan. It’s inside of God’s plan.

In fact, it was prophesied! These Romans executioners probably never read Psalm 22. King David wrote it 1000 years before this moment. But here are they are doing it!

John says, “This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled...”

Nothing stops Jesus from fulfilling all of the marks of the Messiah. Everything promised in the Old Testament will come true through Jesus. Even the stuff that doesn’t seem possible! Like the Messiah dying and coming back to life!

So that whenever you read a promise in the Scriptures, you can take it to the bank. You and I don’t ever have to worry that Jesus won’t fulfill all of the promises of Scripture.

We’re coming into the Advent season when the Church has traditionally thought deeply about how all of the ancient scriptures of the Old Testament find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. I think our youth group is going to start an advent Bible study tonight. If you are a teen and haven’t yet been coming to the Youth Group, this is a great night to get started.

In verse 25, we find that there are a number of women standing near the cross. And they are grieving, with good reason.

I’m glad that John tells us about this. One of those women is Jesus’ mother. Look at verse 25.

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”

I think that’s three women named Mary. It was a popular name. We’ll learn more about this Mary Magdalene next week, Lord-willing.

But we know some things about Jesus’ mother Mary already from chapter 2 of this book. Remember the wedding at Cana? How she wanted Jesus to help the groom out when the wine ran low?

Well, now her baby boy is being killed before her eyes.

And Jesus sees her and has compassion on her. Verse 26.

“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home” (vv.26-27).

I love that little detail. This little adoption (running the both directions mother to son and son to mother) to especially make sure that His mom was taken care of. Remember, “the disciples whom [Jesus] loved” is probably John the guy writing this gospel. He was tasked with caring for Mary after Jesus died.

What amazes me is how Jesus can be thinking about anybody else at this moment! I get a headcold, and all I can think about is me, me, me, me. If I have a tummy ache, I have a hard time thinking about my wife much less my neighbors. If I were nailed to a cross, I wouldn’t be thinking about Mary and John!

But Jesus’ mind is on His people. Jesus’ heart is caring for those who are in His heart. And you know that’s more than John and Mary! He was taking care of you me. On the Cross, Jesus was arranging for our new family, too.

And He’s making it all happen. Jesus is intentionally making all this come together. Even as He dies. Especially as He dies! Look at verse 28.

“Later, knowing that all was now completed [same root word for “finished,”] and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’”

He knows what He’s doing! He knows He’s bringing this whole thing to completion. He knows He’s landing the plane.

He knows that He is fulfilling ancient Scripture like Psalm 69, verse 21 and Psalm 22, verse 15.

That’s why He says, “I am thirsty.” He is thirsty! But He’s saying it here and now to fulfill ancient Scripture. The Messiah was going to thirst. And so they bring Him a drink. Verse 29.

“A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips.”

Now, I’ve always thought that was compassion. They had a little pity on Him. But it’s also possible that this was to get a little more suffering out Him. Keep the victim going for a little bit longer so that we can watch Him die a little bit longer. Prolong the pain.

But Jesus has other plans. He’s used that little bit of moisture to loosen his lips and His tongue so that He can yell out His famous last word:

“Tetelestai!”

Look at verse 30.

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

King to the end! He decides exactly when He is going to die. Until this moment, His head was unbowed. But now He bows His head and willingly gives up His spirit to His Father. And before He did that He said, “It is finished.”

#3. JESUS HAS COMPLETED HIS SAVING MISSION.

How many times has He said in the Gospel of John that the Father has sent the Son? He’s been on a rescue mission all this time. Reveal the Father. Show the Father. Make the Father known. And save those who believe.

And now, Jesus says, “Check! “Mission accomplished. I’ve done it. I’ve completed the work. I’m declaring victory. It is finished!”

Just a few hours before this, Jesus taught His followers our memory verse. John 16:33.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

And here’s the moment when He did just that! “It is finished.”

An innocent man was murdered at that moment, and I’m so glad!

Because He was choosing it and using it to save us.

History tells us that this word "tetelestai" was often written on a business document or a receipt to indicate that a bill had been paid in full. There was no more payment required. Like that red stamp we put on a bill today. "Paid in Full."

"Tetelestai!" Jesus was saying that He had paid it all. That we don’t have to save ourselves or add to our salvation. That He had accomplished it all for us on our behalf.

We just have to receive it as the free gift it is! “Tetelestai”

Have you received it? Have you put your faith in what Jesus did and what Jesus did alone to save you? He’s done it all! He’s paid it all. It is finished! And you put your trust in His saving work, in His saving mission? If you have not, I invite you to do so right here and right now!

Some people have the idea that Jesus’ death only gets us so far. And we have to take it from there. His death was necessary but not sufficient. They sing the song, “Jesus paid it some....”

But we know that Jesus is not just the true king and the true fulfillment of all of the ancient scriptures, but the true sacrifice that is all-sufficient to pay for all our sins, past, present and future.

He is the true Lamb of God! Who has declared, “It is finished!”

And then He died.

Jesus flat-lined. His heart stopped beating. His brain stopped working. He turned blue, then white. His body began to cool. He was dead.

It was terrible. His mother saw Him die. His beloved disciple saw Him die.

The hero of the story isn’t supposed to die!

Unless the hero dies saving the people He loves.

“It is finished.”

Is He really dead? It’s the job of the execution squad to make sure. They had to verify their kills or they would be in major trouble. Look at verse 31.

“Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath [Passover Sabbath!]. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.”

Here they go again with their hypocrisy. Wouldn’t want to break the law of Moses by having an executed man still hanging out there in public on the Sabbath, especially if that executed man was the Messiah! So they petition Pilate to hurry things along. If they break their legs, then they can’t push up and they suffocate faster.

Normally, the Romans would just let them hang there for days. Even days after they died, to send a message. “See what happens if you fight with Rome. Want to end up like this guy?"

But Pilate knows that Jesus was innocent. And he agrees, probably out of a kind of mercy to let them break Jesus’ legs. [I can’t believe I have to say that.] Verse 32.

“The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other.

But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water” (vv.32-34). He didn’t flinch. He didn’t jerk. No involuntary nervous system reaction. Instead, the spear poked the heart and fluid around the pericardium came out with the blood. The cleansing water and cleansing blood of Lamb.

He was dead. He was fully human, and He was fully dead. And John raises his hand to solemnly swear to it in a court of law. Verse 35.

“The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.”

And you know what happens if you believe? You get life in Jesus’ name!

John says that this, too, was a fulfillment of ancient scripture. Look at verse 36.

“These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken,’ and, as another scripture says, ‘They will look on the one they have pierced.’”

Psalm 34, verse 20. Zechariah chapter 12, verse 11. Even while He’s dead, Jesus is fulfilling prophecy! He was the perfect Lamb of God without blemish or defect.

“[He] was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5-6).

The only thing left to do is bury Him. But who is going to do that? Mary can’t do that. Not on her on. She’s not up to that. Will John do it? Who will step forward and claim this corpse? You could get into a lot of trouble by identifying with this man. They just killed Him as a traitor to the nation and to the greater empire. Who wants to be known as His follower?

There is a guy named “Joe.” And a guy named “Nick.” Look at verse 38.

“Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night” (vv.38-39a).

This is big. I remember when I first saw this about twenty five years ago. At that moment Joe and Nick stepped out into the light. They went public as followers of Jesus Christ. Joseph already believed, but he was keeping it a secret. He hadn’t voted against Jesus’ death that night. But now, he’s asking for the body. Nicodemus had asked some big questions back in chapter 3. Remember “Nick at Night?” I think he was pretty hostile to Jesus back then. But something has changed. He’s now on board. And he’s going public.

Here’s our fourth and last point this morning:

#4. JESUS HAS ACTIVATED HIS FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS.

Even though He’s dead, He’s inspiring these guys to be bold!

And I love that because I want to be bold, too. We’re not supposed to be secret agents for Jesus. We are supposed to be faithful followers.

That’s part of what it means to be baptized. Looks like we’re going to have some more baptisms next month. If you have not yet gone public with your faith in Jesus and told the world that you are His disciple, why not? No time like the present!

Joe and Nick went public at this moment when Jesus was hanging there dead. Certainly you and I can go public when Jesus is alive again?!

I think the reason why they do this, is that they are convinced that Jesus is worth it. They came to believe that Jesus truly was the king. The placard of verse 19 was true. Look at what they did to show it. Verse 39.

“Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”

How many pounds of spices? Does anybody know what that was in the Greek and Roman system? It says that it was 100 “litra.”

Anybody remember how many “litra” Mary of Bethany’s nard was?

Less than a week before this, Lazarus’ sister Mary had anointed Jesus with some pure nard. Remember that? Remember how many litra it was?

It was 1 litra. Now, that was expensive stuff. Pure spike nard. Extravagant all by itself. Maybe this stuff was much less pure and less exotic.

But there are 100 litra here. 75 pounds of myrrh and aloe to hide the smell of the decaying corpse. 75 pounds of myrrh and aloe to speak of the worth of the subject being spiced. Nicodemus must have had servants to carry all of that spice. 75 pounds! The great Rabbi Gamaliel was once perfumed at his burial with 80 litrai. This was 100 litrai! This was an anointing fit for royalty!

And His grave was a rich man’s grave. Every indication was that it was supposed to be Joseph’s grave. It was in garden near Golgotha. And it had just recently been dug out of the rock. It was ready for Joseph to die, and it was nearby, and the sun was going down, so they took the body there and buried it in that tomb. Another important garden in less than twenty four hours!

Even in His death, Jesus was activating His faithful followers.

Are we activated? Are we acting in public like we believe that Jesus is the true king? That Jesus has fulfilled all the ancient scriptures. And that Jesus has completed His Father’s mission? If not, what’s stopping us?

“It” might be finished, but we should just be getting started!

Because we have everything to be thankful for. An innocent man was murdered, and it’s terrible. And it’s the best news in the world.

***

Messages in this Series

01. "That You May Believe" - John 20:30-31
02. "In The Beginning Was the Word" - John 1:1-18
03. "John's Testimony" - John 1:19-34
04. "Come and See" - John 1:35-51
05. "The First of His Miraculous Signs" - John 2:1-11
06. "This Temple" - John 2:12-25
07. "You Must Be Born Again" - John 3:1-15
08. "God So Loved The World" - John 3:16-21
09. "Above All" - John 3:22-36
10. "Living Water" - John 4:1-26
11. "Ripe for the Harvest" - John 4:27-42
12. "Your Son Will Live" - John 4:43-54
13. "Pick Up Your Mat and Walk" - John 5:1-18
14. "To Your Amazement" - John 5:19-30
15. "Testimony About Me" - John 5:31-47
Christmas Eve Bonus: "The Astonishing Gift" - John 3:16 Again
Christmas Eve Bonus: "We Have Seen His Glory" - John 1:1-18 Again
16. "Enough Bread" - John 6:1-15
17. "You Are Looking for Me" - John 6:16-36
18. "I Am the Bread of Life" - John 6:35-71
Vision Meeting Bonus: "As I Have Loved You" - John 13:34-35
19. "At the Feast" - John 7:1-52
20. "I Am the Light of the World" - John 8:12-30
21. "Your Father" - John 8:31-59
22. "Now I See" - John 9:1-41
23. "I Am The Gate" - John 10:1-13
24. "I Am the Good Shepherd" - John 10:14-21
25. "I And The Father Are One" - John 10:22-42
26. "I Am the Resurrection and the Life" - John 11:1-53
27. "Expensive" - John 11:54-12:11
28. "The Hour Has Come" - John 12:12-26
29. "Father, Glorify Your Name!" - John 12:27-36
30. "Believe In Me" - John 12:37-50
31. "Do You Understand What I Have Done For You?" - John 13:1-17
32. "I Am Telling You Now Before It Happens” - John 13:18-38
2024 West Branch Baccalaureate: "The Way, The Truth, and The Life" - John 14:6
33. "I Am the Way and the Truth and the Life” - John 14:1-6
34. "Show Us the Father" - John 14:7-14
35. "If You Love Me" - John 14:15
36. "I Will Ask the Father" - John 14:16-24
37. "My Peace I Give You" - John 14:25 -31
38. "I Am the True Vine" - John 15:1-11
39. "You Are My Friends" - John 15:12-17
40. "If The World Hates You" - John 15:18-6:4
41. "When He Comes" - John 16:5-15
42. "After a Little While" - Joh 16:16-24
43. "Take Heart!" - John 16:25-33
44. "Glorify Your Son" - John 17:1-5
45. “Holy Father, Protect Them" - John 17:6-19
46. "That All Of Them May Be One, Father" - John 17:20-26
47. "Who Is It You Want?" - John 18:1-27
48. "Here Is Your King" - John 18:28-19:16

“Here Is Your King” [Matt's Messages]

11/10/2024 04:11:00 PM Life in Jesus' Name, Matt's Messages, The Gospel of John 0 comments

“Here Is Your King”

Life in Jesus’ Name - The Gospel of John

Lanse Evangelical Free Church

November 10, 2024 :: John 18:28-19:16

The title of this message comes from the mouth of Pontius Pilate in chapter 19, verse 14.

We’re going to see that he didn’t really mean it. Pilate didn’t really believe that Jesus was the king or he wouldn’t have sent Jesus to the Cross!

But you and I know that Jesus is the King and a king like no one else.

So as we look intently into this passage, we can actually see our King for Who He really is, at least glimpses of it.

And one thing we will see is that He is a king Who was on trial. Jesus is a defendant here. He has been arrested, interrogated, and slapped around. But Jesus is a defendant unlike any defendant anyone has ever seen before or since.

He is a defendant who doesn’t defend Himself.

And, in fact, He seems to be in charge of His own trial!

Last week, we saw that Jesus doesn’t act like a criminal. He acts like a regal king.

We said, “Who is really arresting whom?” Because Jesus takes the initiative, “Who is it you want?” “Well, that’s me.” “I am He.” And they all fall back. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” And they do!

And then we said, “Who is really interrogating whom?” Because when the high priest starts asking Jesus questions, Jesus starts asking them back! “Where are the witnesses? What kind of a monkey trial is this? Why did you strike me? What have I done wrong?”

Who is really on trial here?

We have reached the day of the crucifixion. Good Friday. We’re in that part of the Gospel that we often focus on in the Spring as Easter approaches.

But it’s just as appropriate to focus on it now as Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming because this is why Jesus came and this is the thing we have the most to be thankful for.

This unjust trial. This mockery of justice. This cruel and inhumane punishment. This tragedy means our salvation. That’s why Jesus allowed Himself to go through it.

Last week, we saw Jesus be arrested and taken to the Jewish high priests (the shadowy “godfather” high priest Annas and then his son-in-law the official high priest Caiaphas). Both Annas and Caiaphas have condemned Jesus. And at the same time, his disciple Peter has denied Jesus three times. The rooster has crowed. And now the high priests are sending Jesus from their Jewish jurisdiction on to the Roman governor with a desire for him to execute the defendant.

And, spoiler alert, that’s exactly what happens. They get what they want. Look at verse 28.

“Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.”

What an ugly sentence that is! What an ugly farce this all is. The Jewish leaders want to maintain their “ritual cleanness” while they offer up their rightful Messiah for crucifixion!

There’s an interesting dynamic that goes on here as the story toggles between inside and outside. Jesus is inside with the Roman governor. He is innocent and at peace. The Jews are outside, angry, and pretending to be clean. The Roman governor shuttling between the two is a man named, “Pilate.”

P-I-L-A-T-E. To some of you exercise nuts, that looks like “pill-aht-ay.” To some of you phonics folks, it looks like “Pi-late” which is the worst way to get some pie. Unless it’s for breakfast I, for one, want my apple pie to be hot.

But traditionally, we pronounce this name, “Pilot,” and it’s the Pilate that we mentioned in Article 4 of our EFCA Statement of Faith during our Worship in Unity. It’s the same Pilate named in the Apostles’ Creed.

This is a person in the history books. Pilate was the governor appointed by the Roman Emperor over Israel from AD 26 to 36. And he was a very weak man. On paper, he was the most powerful man for hundreds of miles. And he had plenty of Roman authority at his disposal. And yet, he is weak and ineffectual. And he ends up doing what he doesn’t want to do. The Jews play him like a fiddle.

First off, he comes outside to them. Pilate plays along with their pretending to be clean. He leaves Jesus inside and goes out to meet the Jews outside. V.29

“So Pilate came out to them and asked, ‘What charges are you bringing against this man?’”

That’s a pretty straightforward question. Pretty basic. But notice their answer. It’s feisty and manipulative. Verse 30.

“‘If he were not a criminal,’ they replied, ‘we would not have handed him over to you.’”

“Don’t ask us what He did. Just trust us. Let’s not get into a big thing here. Just trust us and kill him.” Verse 31

“Pilate said, ‘Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.’ ‘But we have no right to execute anyone,’ the Jews objected.”

Pilate clearly does not want this case. He wants the Jews to handle their Jewish problems on their own Jewish terms. But the Jewish religious leaders don’t just want to punish Jesus. They want Him killed.

And they are not supposed to do that. By law. (Doesn’t mean that they don’t do it from time to time. Mob justice. Stoning. Like they will do to Stephen.) But they aren’t supposed to do executions. That’s up to their Roman overlords. And they want Jesus dead so bad, and they want Him to die in the worst possible way–by Roman crucifixion.

But guess what? That’s the way Jesus has already chosen to die. That’s why Jesus is going to die by crucifixion. Look at what John says about all of this in verse 32.

“This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.”

I have five things I want to point out about King Jesus in this passage today, and this is the first one.

“Here is your king...”

#1. WHO SPEAKS THE FUTURE INTO EXISTENCE.

Look at verse 32 again.

"This happened [what happened? The Jews petitioning the Romans to execute Jesus] so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die [crucifixion] would be fulfilled."

All of these terrible machinations against Jesus happened so that Jesus’ prophecy would come true!

What did Jesus say about how He would die? Remember what He said in chapter 3 about the snake in the wilderness?

“So the Son of Man must be lifted up.”

“Lifted up.” He said something similar in chapter 8 and chapter 12.

Jesus didn’t just know that He was going to be crucified. He chose it. He didn’t like it, but He chose it. This is how He said it was going to happen. He wasn’t just going to be stoned or stabbed. He was going to be lifted up.

Look what Jesus did for us! Look Who is really in charge here.

Our King speaks the future into existence. Last week, we said that He was an undeniable prophet. What He says will happen is what happens. “This happened (v.32) so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was go

So Pilate goes back inside. And he plays the “tough guy.” Verse 33.

“Pilate then went back inside the palace [only one Jew in there], summoned Jesus and asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’”

Pilate knows what’s up. He knows that Jesus is being accused of leading a rebellion. He knows about the ride into town on the donkey. He knows that the Jewish religious leaders hate Jesus. He wonders if Jesus is truly a threat. “Are you the king of the Jews?” Yes or no?

How would you answer that question? Jesus answers it with another question! Verse 34.

“‘Is that your own idea,’ Jesus asked, ‘or did others talk to you about me?’”

Who is really on trial here?

That’s a feisty answer from our Lord. He basically asks, “What do you mean by ‘king?’ What kind of king are you worried about? Is this your own question or are you being manipulated, Mr. Roman Governor?”

Pilate doesn’t like it one bit. Verse 35.

“‘Am I a Jew?’ Pilate replied. ‘It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?’”

“Why are you here in front of me? How should I know? Do I look like I know what’s going on?”

Do you see how weak he is? Which of these two men are defending themselves and their actions? Which of them seems at peace and which is jumping up and down? Verse 36.

“Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.’”

“Here is your king...”

#2. WHO BRINGS A KINGDOM FROM ANOTHER WORLD.

Jesus says that He does have a kingdom, but it’s not the kind of kingdom that is worrying Pilate. He’s not bringing a military kingdom through guerrilla warfare. His kingdom isn’t coming by the edge of the sword. Just like he told Peter when Peter tried that by attacking Malchus earlier that morning.

Jesus’ kingdom is here, but it’s not from here. It’s from above! It’s from heaven. And it comes, first, by changing hearts.

Now, that’s not say that it doesn’t affect everybody’s life. Pilate’s kingdom will be affected by Jesus’ kingdom, but not because Jesus’ servants have taken up swords.

And one day, “The kingdom of the world [will] become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).

But it starts small like a mustard seed. And then it grows and it grows and grows until “it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches” (Matt. 13:32).

But this kingdom starts in hearts.

Has is started in yours? Are you a citizen of the kingdom that is not of this world?

It’s the same idea, I think, as what He just was praying hours ago for us as His disciples, that we would be in the world, yes, but not of the world. So that the values of the kingdom that comes from another place would be our values and characterize our lives.

Did you live differently from the kingdom of this world this last week?

In how you did your job?

In how you lived with your family, in your neighborhood?

In how you voted or didn’t vote according your conscience?

In how you related to those who didn’t vote like you did?

In how you loved your brothers and sisters in Christ?

In how you prayed for Jesus’ kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven?

In how you talked to your friends, neighbors, co-workers about Jesus?

Did you tell someone about Jesus’ kingdom that is here but is not from here? And is coming here fully one day soon.

Jesus says to Pilate, “Don’t worry. I’m not that kind of threat. My kingdom is not of this world.”

And what did Pilate hear? “Just the word ‘kingdom.’” Verse 37.

“‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’”

“Here is your king...”

#3. WHO WAS BORN FOR TRUTH.

Do you see how this fits with Christmas?

Why was Jesus born? Well, for a lot of reasons that I’m sure we’ll be talking about over the next two months, but one that He knew and said on the day He died was that He was born on Christmas day to “testify to the truth.”

His kingdom is characterized by truth. It is the kingdom of truth. Jesus not only speaks the future into existence, but He only speaks what is true. And everyone who is on the “side of truth” listens to Him.

But look at the sad thing that Pilate says back to Jesus in verse 38.

“‘What is truth?’ Pilate asked.” Oh, man, that is sad. Pilate is dismissive at best, and I think, probably disillusioned and depressed. He doesn’t know what truth is any more.

You ever feel that way? Up is down and down is up. 2+2 is 5. Good is evil and evil is good.

It was Pilate’s job to decide what was true in this case. But he doesn’t care. Not enough! He runs from the truth.

“What is truth?” he says. And he walks out.

What would have been better is if Pilate asked the question, “Who is truth?” Not just “What is truth?” but “Who is truth?”

Because Truth Himself was standing right before Pilate! John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

Everything He say is how it is! There is no falsehood in Him. There is no trickery. There is no bait and switch. Jesus is not a con-man. Anything He says will happen will happen. And whatever He says is true is what actually is.

So for example, our memory verse right now. John 16:33.

“I have told you these things [everything in the Farewell Teachings], so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (Jn. 16:33 NIVO)

Pop quiz. If Jesus is telling the truth, then will we have trouble in this world? Yes, we will. Trouble, tribulation, persecution, oppression. Cancer. Conflict. War. We will not have it easy.

Anyone who tells you that everything will great, is lying to you. Because the One Who is Truth says that in this world, we will have trouble. But He also says that He has overcome the world. That’s true, too! And because of that, we can take heart.

But Pilate is not listening. He has turned up his nose about the truth, and he’s turned on his heel and gone back out to the Jews.

But notice that he tries to get Jesus off! This is the place where Jesus almost goes free. And, of course, He should have if there was any justice. Look at verse 38.

“With this he went out again to the Jews and said, ‘I find no basis for a charge against him.”

Wow. I think that Pilate does know what’s true. Jesus is no earthly threat to Rome. He’s going to say this three times. Just like Peter denied Jesus three times, Pilate is going to say “I find no basis for a charge against him.”

“Here is your king...”

#4. WHO WAS INNOCENT OF ALL CHARGES.

Jesus should be released. It was obvious to Pilate. And he thinks it should be obvious the Jews, too. This has gone too far.

The Gospel of Luke tells us that right about this point in the day, Pilate tried to foist this problem onto Herod who was also in the city for the Passover. But Jesus wouldn’t even speak to Herod. And though Herod mocked and ridiculed Him, he sent Jesus back to Pilate also with no basis for any charges against Him (see Luke 23).

So Pilate offers a way out to the Jews. He pulls out a custom they have practiced from time to time of releasing a prisoner at the Passover festival. Kind of a celebration in amnesty.

He probably thinks he’s come up with a perfect solution for all. Jesus goes free. Pilate is seen to be wise and gracious. Those who would be rebels don’t have a martyr in Jesus to rally behind for their cause. And the Jews don’t get their hasty hands dirty with blood. Look at verse 39.

“I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?’ They shouted back, ‘No, not him! Give us Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.”

We’ll come back to Barabbas himself in a minute.

But it’s clear that the Jews did not want a way out. They wanted Jesus dead. And they got what they wanted.

This next part becomes increasingly hard to read.

If we get the picture of what happens, it should make us both incredibly mad and incredibly sad. Chapter 19, verse 1.

“Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.”

Here’s what that means:

“Jesus was stripped, tied to a post or thrown to the ground, and beat with flagella–leather whips to which were attached pieces of iron, bone, or spikes, which would shred the skin, often leaving it hanging on the victim’s back in strips. Unlike the thirty-nine maximum lashes prescribed by Jewish law (Deut 25:3), the Romans did not limit the number of lashes, thus leaving the victim helpless to the cruelty of the supervising soldiers” (Edward W. Klink III, John: Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, pg. 776).

Often this first flogging would be the lightest one, the later one would be much worse.

But, remember, our King is innocent! Pilate just said that He was innocent. And he has Him flogged.

I think, actually, this first flogging was a weak way of trying to help Jesus. See how weak Pilate is? He had the authority to dismiss the charges and set Jesus free. But he didn’t think he could pull it off. So he’s going to make Jesus look ridiculous and humiliate Him in the hopes that that will be enough punishment so that he doesn’t have to make a hard decision. V.2

“The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ And they struck him in the face” (vv.2-3).

They made wreath of thorns and put it as mock crown on His head. And they pressed it down so that He bled from His scalp. It hurt. And blood started to cover his face. And they put a royal purple robe on Him. He is royalty! But they mocked His royalty. And they yelled in His face and they hit Him. They hit our innocent King. Blood everywhere.

Look at verse 4. “Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, ‘Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.’”

Second time he says it. “This man is innocent. He’s inside. I’ve humiliated Him. I’m going to bring Him outside. You can see what’s happened to Him. But I have to say it again. He is innocent as far as I can tell. Okay. Bring Him out.” Verse 5.

“When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, ‘Here is the man!’”

Can you see it in your mind’s eye? Can you see how terrible He looks? Can you see how they have tried to shame and humiliate Him? I think that Pilate is trying to engender sympathy for Jesus. He’s maybe trying to get the Jews to pity Him. “Look at this sad thing. Here is the man. He is harmless.”

And you, I say, “Yes, He is the man! He’s the man that Adam should have been. He’s the man that David should have been. He’s the man that can fix everything for all of humanity. In fact, He’s doing it right now in front of us.”

But that’s not what the Jews said. Look at verse 6.

“As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, ‘Crucify! Crucify!’ But Pilate answered, ‘You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.’”

Third time! Pilate is so frustrated, isn’t he? How about that petulant, “You take and crucify him”? They can’t do that! He doesn’t want to do it.

But they insist that he do it. Verse 7.

“The Jews insisted, ‘We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.’ When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. ‘Where do you come from?’ he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer” (vv.7-9).

The Jews insist that Jesus has blasphemed the name of God by saying that He is the Son of God. And Jesus DID say that He was the Son of God! He said it and shown it in so many ways in the Gospel of John.

But it’s only blasphemy, if it’s false. If I said I was the Son of God, it would be blasphemy. But it’s not blasphemy if it’s true! And Jesus is the King of Truth!

And this freaks Pilate out. We learn in the other gospels that Pilate’s wife had a difficult dream about Jesus that caused her tell him to leave Jesus alone. Pilate was scared stiff that he might be executing a supernatural person. He pulls Jesus back into the palace and just about screams in His face, “Where do you come from?”

But Jesus says nothing. “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a [innocdent] lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” (Isa. 53:7).

And that freaks Pilate out even more.

Can you see how this is “the Weak versus the Meek?” Pilate has never seen a defendant like this before. Normally, they are doing everything they can to get out of their predicament. Making every argument. Every defense. This is a defendant Who doesn’t defend Himself.

And it freaks Pilate out. V.10

“‘Do you refuse to speak to me?’ Pilate said. ‘Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?’

Jesus answered, ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’” (vv.10-11).

I think He means Caiaphas or He could mean Annas or Judas or even Satan. The point is that Jesus doesn’t think much of Pilate at all. He is weak and sinful, and bears guilt for what he does. But he isn’t as powerful as he thinks. The only reason he has power in this situation is because power has been given to him “from above.”

Which is important for everyone who is in authority for a time to remember. Whether your name is Biden or Harris or Trump or Vance or Mitchell or put in your name there.

Whatever authority on earth we are granted “from above” is temporary and limited, and we will have to give an account for how we used it. I don’t want to be in Pontius Pilate’s shoes for what he did with his.

He tried, weakly, to get Jesus released. Verse 12.

“From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, ‘If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.’”

They play Pilate like a fiddle. They know what he cares about and that is staying in power. And staying in Caesar’s good graces. So, even though Jesus is innocent, and these people are supposed to be under Pilate’s authority, Pilate ends up doing what they want! V.13

“When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour.

‘Here is your king,’ Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, ‘Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!’

‘Shall I crucify your king?’ Pilate asked.

‘We have no king but Caesar,’ the chief priests answered. Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus” (vv.13-16).

Pilate loses the tug of war. The other gospels tell us that he tried to symbolically wash his hands of the whole thing, but, of course, inaction is action, too. He handed Jesus over to be crucified.

That question that he asks them, “Shall I crucify your king?”

Man, what a thing to say! And they refuse to receive Jesus. “We have no king but Caesar.” They refused their Messiah. “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11).

They rejected Jesus even though He was innocent of every charge. And Jesus was crucified.

We will talk more about that next week, but we have one more thing from this passage to remind ourselves about our king.

Even though He was innocent of every charge, He took our place.

“Here is your king...”

#5. WHO TOOK YOUR PLACE.

What Jesus went through, the flogging, the humiliation, the execution? That is what you and I deserve for our sins. And He chose to do all of that out of love for you and me.

Like Barabbas, right? From the last few verses in chapter 18? Barabbas was a bad guy. He was a traitor and a domestic terrorist. He taken part in a rebellion. Barabbas deserved to die. But that day, he went free.

Do you know what his name means? “Bar” is son and “abba” is father or daddy, right? So he was “Son of the Father.” Maybe his father had been a rebel, too. But isn’t it ironic that the True Son of the Heavenly Father took the place of the one named “son of the father?” So that the guilty one gets grace and goes free!

That’s a picture of the gospel.

That’s a picture of what animates us here as a church.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:5-7).

Jesus is a king like no other.

He speaks the future into existence.

He brings a kingdom from another world.

He was born to testify to the truth.

He was put on trial as a defendant, but He was innocent of all charges. And yet He did not defend Himself.

Instead, He took our place.

Don’t reject Him. Receive Him.

“Here is your king!”

***

Messages in this Series

01. "That You May Believe" - John 20:30-31
02. "In The Beginning Was the Word" - John 1:1-18
03. "John's Testimony" - John 1:19-34
04. "Come and See" - John 1:35-51
05. "The First of His Miraculous Signs" - John 2:1-11
06. "This Temple" - John 2:12-25
07. "You Must Be Born Again" - John 3:1-15
08. "God So Loved The World" - John 3:16-21
09. "Above All" - John 3:22-36
10. "Living Water" - John 4:1-26
11. "Ripe for the Harvest" - John 4:27-42
12. "Your Son Will Live" - John 4:43-54
13. "Pick Up Your Mat and Walk" - John 5:1-18
14. "To Your Amazement" - John 5:19-30
15. "Testimony About Me" - John 5:31-47
Christmas Eve Bonus: "The Astonishing Gift" - John 3:16 Again
Christmas Eve Bonus: "We Have Seen His Glory" - John 1:1-18 Again
16. "Enough Bread" - John 6:1-15
17. "You Are Looking for Me" - John 6:16-36
18. "I Am the Bread of Life" - John 6:35-71
Vision Meeting Bonus: "As I Have Loved You" - John 13:34-35
19. "At the Feast" - John 7:1-52
20. "I Am the Light of the World" - John 8:12-30
21. "Your Father" - John 8:31-59
22. "Now I See" - John 9:1-41
23. "I Am The Gate" - John 10:1-13
24. "I Am the Good Shepherd" - John 10:14-21
25. "I And The Father Are One" - John 10:22-42
26. "I Am the Resurrection and the Life" - John 11:1-53
27. "Expensive" - John 11:54-12:11
28. "The Hour Has Come" - John 12:12-26
29. "Father, Glorify Your Name!" - John 12:27-36
30. "Believe In Me" - John 12:37-50
31. "Do You Understand What I Have Done For You?" - John 13:1-17
32. "I Am Telling You Now Before It Happens” - John 13:18-38
2024 West Branch Baccalaureate: "The Way, The Truth, and The Life" - John 14:6
33. "I Am the Way and the Truth and the Life” - John 14:1-6
34. "Show Us the Father" - John 14:7-14
35. "If You Love Me" - John 14:15
36. "I Will Ask the Father" - John 14:16-24
37. "My Peace I Give You" - John 14:25 -31
38. "I Am the True Vine" - John 15:1-11
39. "You Are My Friends" - John 15:12-17
40. "If The World Hates You" - John 15:18-6:4
41. "When He Comes" - John 16:5-15
42. "After a Little While" - Joh 16:16-24
43. "Take Heart!" - John 16:25-33
44. "Glorify Your Son" - John 17:1-5
45. “Holy Father, Protect Them" - John 17:6-19
46. "That All Of Them May Be One, Father" - John 17:20-26
47. "Who Is It You Want?" - John 18:1-27

“Who Is It You Want?” [Matt's Messages]

11/03/2024 11:45:00 AM Life in Jesus' Name, Matt's Messages, The Gospel of John 0 comments

“Who Is It You Want?”

Life in Jesus’ Name - The Gospel of John

Lanse Evangelical Free Church

November 3, 2024 :: John 18:1-27

The next few weeks of sermons are going to feel a bit like we’re in the wrong season.

If you’ve been in church a lot over your lifetime, the next several weeks are going to feel like we’re leading up to Easter not to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This last section of John is all about Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and the amazing miracle that came afterwards. We often talk about it in February, March, and April.

But I think it’s good that we’ve reached this point in November. Because this is something that Christians should be the most thankful for. And it IS what Christmas is all about. This is WHY the Word became flesh. So, we’re going to lean into it over the next several weeks. Seeing what our Lord went through so that we are more thankful and more worshipful than ever before. And that we enjoy life in Jesus’ name.

In John 18, we’re in the night before the Cross. Jesus has met with His disciples, washed their feet, given them the Farewell Teachings, and prayed the Real Lord’s Prayer, His great prayer of consecration. Praying for His glory to be restored (and one day seen), for protection for His disciples, and for their unity and oneness because of His oneness with God the Father.

And now, Jesus is finished talking and praying and is ready to be arrested.

And you’ve probably already caught that this arrest is unlike any other arrest ever. Right? Did you hear how strange it was when Keagan read it to us?

I’ve never been arrested before, but I can imagine what it feels like. I’ve been stopped for speeding before. And I know how nervous I felt then. I feel nervous when I’m not speeding and I pass by a state patrol car!

But Jesus doesn’t act nervous. He doesn’t act scared. And He knows that He’s going to get something much worse than a ticket.

Jesus doesn’t act like a criminal. He acts like a king!

Let me show you what I mean. Let’s start again in verse 1.

“When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.”

We know it, from the other gospels, by the name “Gethsemane.” It’s on the east side of Jerusalem. It’s night time. Probably past midnight, so we would consider it Friday morning. It’s cold and dark.

And Judas knows where they will be. Remember Judas? He had slipped out into the dark back in chapter 13. Because He was going to be betray Jesus. He has been one of the twelve. Think about that. He has been in the inner circle of Jesus. Jesus washed his feet just a few hours ago. Jesus had given him a piece of bread dipped into the dish. They were that close.

Judas knows where Jesus would normally be. He knew He would be in the garden. Jesus loved to take His disciples to the Olive Garden. And not just for the breadsticks. Sorry, couldn’t help it. But He did! This was a regular meeting place in this grove of olive trees. Jesus prayed here. Jesus loved this garden.

You know there are a lot of gardens in the Bible. Sometime, trace the gardens from Genesis to Revelation. A lot of important things happen in gardens.

Everything was lost in a garden, wasn’t it? Now, everything get fixed in a garden! As Jesus gets arrested in a garden.

Or does He? I mean who really is arresting whom here?! Look at verse 2.

“Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.”

This is serious. They have tactical gear. And there are a whole lot of them. The Greek word here translated “detachment” is a “speiron” or a Roman “cohort” which is a unit of between 200 and 600 soldiers! Now, even if they didn’t all 600 go on that mission, there were at least 200 soldiers with Judas and some of the Jewish temple guard. And they are marching up the hillside in the darkness with their torches and lanterns gleaming off of their swords.

Why so many? I think they are afraid of Jesus. They are afraid that He is so popular. They saw the crowds as Jesus came riding in on Sunday on that donkey. And they are afraid that Jesus is plotting to overthrow the government. He thinks He’s king of the Jews! What if He raises an army? So they come ready. Or so they thought.

And what does Jesus do? Does He run? Does He bargain? Does He send out an emissary to meet them and negotiate?

No! He steps out Himself, towards them and asks the first question! Look at verse 4.

“Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’”

And that’s our title for today: “Who Is It You Want?” The ESV has, “Whom do you seek?” Who are you looking for?

Jesus doesn’t sound like a criminal, does He? No, He sounds like a king.

“State your business. Who are you after? You are obviously here for someone. Who is it?”

Notice that John emphasizes (in verse 4) that Jesus knows all that is going to happen to Him. We’ve seen that again and again in the Gospel of John. Jesus is going into this with His eyes wide open, and in fact, is choosing it for Himself. That’s why He takes the initiative, and puts them on the defensive.

“Who is it you want?”

Today, I have five descriptions of Jesus to try to capture what I see about Him in these first 27 verses of chapter 18. And here’s the first one.

#1. UNDAUNTED KING.

Jesus is an undaunted king. He’s not afraid. Not of them, at least. He’s not scared. He’s not running away. Even though He knows what’s coming and has prayed fervently and desperately that the Father would take it away. But He knows it’s coming. And He chooses it. He chooses to come to it.

We’re going to see this the next several weeks. Jesus is regal! He is in charge. He is not helpless here. He is not caught up in some trap that He couldn’t get out of. If He just said the word, a legion of angels would have wiped out this puny cohort of Romans. But He doesn’t call for help. He calls out, “Who is it you want?” And they answer in verse 5.

“‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.”

Did you ever notice that?! I remember when I first saw this clearly. Jesus says, “I am he,” and these 200 men retreated and fell backwards! Maybe the first row jumped backwards and they all dominoed over?! I don’t know. I do know they would have been ashamed. I see them all climbing back to their feet. Picking up their torches that had fallen when they had fallen. Maybe they’re all in defensive posture. This guy is undaunted.

200 plus men outnumbered by One. (Cf. David Garland.)

But what a One!

Notice this happened when Jesus said what? “I am He.” You know what the Greek is there? “Ego eimi.”

We’ve seen it again and again in the Gospel of John. It could be simply translated, “I am.” He’s said “I am” seven times in this Gospel with something after it to tell us how amazing He is:

“I am the Bread of Life.”

“I am the Light of the World.”

“I am the Gate for the Sheep.”

“I am the Good Shepherd.”

“I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

“I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.”

“I am the True Vine.”

But a few times He’s also said it without anything after it.

“Ego eimi.” “I am.” And that could be translated, “I am he.” It does mean that. But I’m sure it means more than that or why would these guys all fall down?

Remember when He said it in John 8:58? He said, “Before Abraham was, I am.”

#2. UNVEILED DEITY.

For just a second, even if they couldn’t see it, the could hear His divinity. Here was God the Son confronting them. Not just an undaunted king but an unveiled deity. Look at verse 6 again. “When Jesus said, ‘I am he,' they drew back and fell to the ground.’” He sure doesn’t act like a criminal. He acts like a king. Like the King of Kings.

But that isn’t the end. They don’t all go home with their tails between their legs. No, Jesus asks them the same questions again. Verse 7.

“Again he asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ ‘I told you that I am he,’ Jesus answered. ‘If you are looking for me, then let these men go’” (vv.7-8).

This isn’t over. In fact, it’s just beginning. Jesus is getting arrested here. He is going to the Cross.

But His followers are not. Notice what Jesus has done. He has focused their attention on Him and Him alone. “What name is on the warrant? What name is on the warrant?”

“Jesus of Nazareth.”

"Alright, I’ve told you that’s me. Let these other 11 guys go."

And apparently they do. They go free. Even Peter! And wait until you see what he does.

Notice how protective Jesus is. He’s being arrested, and He’s thinking about His disciples. He’s promised all along to watch over them.

Look what John say about it in verse 9.

“This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: ‘I have not lost one of those you gave me.’”

Remember what Jesus prayed last chapter? In chapter 17, verse 12?

“While I was with them, [Father] I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled” (Jn. 17:12 NIVO).

And this is a picture of that. As they were kept safe here, it was a picture of how Jesus’ people are going to be kept safe forever!

“Not lost one.”

“Of those you gave me.”

Remember, we are the gift of God the Father to God the Son. And He does not lose His gifts!

Let’s make that number three.

#3. UNSTOPPABLE SAVIOR.

“This happened so that the words [Jesus] had spoken would be fulfilled: ‘I have not lost one of those you gave me.’”

You can’t stop Jesus from saving His people! And Peter tried. Look at the next verse. Verse 10.

“Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)”

Peter meant well. He was trying to help. He pulled out a short little “gladius” sword and went for the head. But it probably bounced off of the Roman helmet and just sliced the guy’s ear.

Peter had told Jesus that very night that he would follow Jesus to death. “I will lay down my life for you.” Chapter 13. Do you remember what Jesus told Peter about that?

“Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (Jn. 13:38). Peter was trying to help. But he was going about it all wrong. Jesus’ kingdom doesn’t come by the edge of the sword. Jesus’ kingdom comes from loving sacrifice.

In fact, Peter was actually trying to stop Jesus from saving His people. That’s what would have happened. Yikes! What if it had worked?!

Verse 11. “Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’”

“Of course, I will.”

“You’re not going to rescue me. I’m going to rescue you.”

“I’m going to drink the cup.”

What “cup” is that? It’s the cup of God’s wrath. It’s the cup of suffering and judgment and death. It’s the cup that Jesus pleaded His Father to take away from Him, but the answer was no. Jesus needed to drink it so that we would not. Remember, He knows what He’s doing. He is drinking the cup for us.

And that’s why this text is appropriate for Thanksgiving! Because our Undaunted King Who is the Unveiled Deity is determined to be our Unstoppable Savior. He is going to lay down His life, and nothing is going to deter Him from doing it.

Peter goes free. The other disciples go free. But Jesus goes bound. Verse 12.

“Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year” (vv.12-13).

Our Lord was handcuffed. You know that’s ridiculous, right? Peter should have been. He’s swinging swords. But Jesus hasn’t done anything to deserve this. Can you think of anything Jesus has done in the Gospel of John which we’ve been studying nearly every week since August 2023 which would call for Him to be handcuffed?

From here on for the next two chapters, it’s all injustice all the time. Jesus is mistreated at every step, and it’s mockery of justice.

First off, that they hold a trial at night. That was illegal! And they don’t take Him first to the legal high priest. They take Him to Annas. Who was like the “Godfather” High Priest. He had been the high priest for 10 years but had been deposed. His son-in-law Caiaphas was the official high priest at the time. But Annas was like the power behind the scenes. In fact, his 5 sons all became the high priest, over the next 30 years.

So this is the Godfather high priest, and he probably hates Jesus with a passion. He probably lost a lot of business when Jesus went around tossing tables in the temple.

And his son-in-law hated Jesus, too, and wanted Him dead. Verse 14.

“Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.”

Remember that? Chapter 11, verses 49-51. Caiaphas didn’t realize that He was a prophet. He said that it would be good if one man died for the people. And it would be! Not like he meant it, but it would be. That’s why Jesus is going to the Cross. That’s why Jesus is drinking the cup. That’s why Jesus is standing before His father-in-law and being interrogated.

Meanwhile, Peter is trying to sneak in. He hasn’t run off. He’s been following at distance, and he’s trying to get close and see what’s going on. Look at verse 15.

“Simon Peter and another disciple [perhaps the John the gospel-writer himself] were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard [access], but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

‘You are not one of his disciples, are you?’ the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, ‘I am not.’” (vv.15-17).

Strike one. It’s good that he’s there. But it’s not good that Peter denied following Jesus. V.18

“It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching” (vv.18-19).

I don’t think he was interested in becoming a follower himself. I think that Annas was trying figure out how big of a problem he had on his hands. “How many disciples do you have? What have you been teaching them? Are you going to lead a revolution?” Verse 20.

“‘I have spoken openly to the world,’ Jesus replied. ‘I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.’”

Who is interrogating whom here?

Jesus doesn’t back down. He isn’t cowed by the “great and mighty” Annas.

#4. UNASHAMED DEFENDANT.

He might be the One on trial, but it doesn’t really feel like it. Jesus says that has taught openly to the world and not not in secret. Now, that doesn’t mean that He hasn’t taught in private. Obviously He did that very night, but if you want to know what He taught, just ask Him! He’s the same in private than He is in public, and His beloved disciple John is going to publish His teachings for the whole wild world to read like we’re doing today. There’s no political conspiracy here.

And why is Jesus being questioned? That’s not proper procedure. If this is a trial, the prosecution is supposed to produce witnesses. Where are the witnesses? If there is a conspiracy going, it’s on the other side!

This is so unjust. Want proof? Look at verse 22.

“When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. ‘Is this the way you answer the high priest?’ he demanded.”

Feel that. Go ahead and feel that. That is our Lord Jesus being smacked in the face.

But He doesn’t feel any shame. He knows that He isn’t even really talking to the real high priest. Annas isn’t really the high priest. Even Caiaphas isn’t really the high priest! Annas is talking to the high priest. Verse 23.

“‘If I said something wrong,’ Jesus replied, ‘testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?’”

He is unashamed. He has done nothing wrong. He is perfectly innocent. And He knows it. And they know it, too. But that doesn’t stop them from sending Him to the Cross. V.24

“Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.”

To get His official charges and be sent over to the Roman governor, Pilate.

We’ll learn more about that next Sunday, Lord-willing. But now we find out what happened to Peter at about the exact same time. V.25

“As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, ‘You are not one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it, saying, ‘I am not.’”

Strike two.

Will there be one more? V.26

“One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, ‘Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?’”

Here’s his chance to do what he said he would do. Lay down his life with Jesus. V.27

"Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.”

Strike three. He’s out.

I know how Peter feels. At times, I’ve denied Him, too.

But let’s not just focus on Peter here. Let’s think about Jesus. What does this denial of Jesus say about Jesus?

#5. UNDENIABLE PROPHET.

Now, of course, Peter just denied knowing Him. So I don’t mean that kind of undeniable. I mean that when you look at Jesus’ prophecies, they all come true. Every single one of them.

Jesus said that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.

And guess what? Peter denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed.

Every time Jesus prophesied of the future, it came to pass. And that means that we can trust Him for everything He’s prophesied for our future.

And just think about all of what that means!

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” (Jn. 6:35).

He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12).,

He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.” (Jn. 15:5).

He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (Jn. 11:25-26).

He said, “In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (Jn. 14:2-3).

We can take these promises to heart. His prophecies of the future always come true.

And He also said this, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).

Who is it you want?

I’ll tell you who I want.

I want an undaunted king who is unafraid and clearly in charge.

I want an unveiled deity, to worship a man who is clearly God the Son.

I want an unstoppable savior, who is bound and determined to rescue and keep His people.

I want an unashamed defendant, who is clearly not guilty so that He can my place as a Lamb without blemish or defect.

I want undeniable prophet who always keeps His promises and infallibly predicts the future.

Who is it you want?

I want Jesus. And I want Him for you.

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