November 2024 ~ Matt Mitchell

Sunday, November 10, 2024

“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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