[Matt's Messages] "It Is I."

“It Is I.”
Following Jesus - The Gospel of Matthew
January 6, 2019 :: Matthew 14:22-36 

It’s in the all the Bible story books.

We love to tell it to our children.

We love to make application of this story to our spiritual lives.

I can think of a bunch of songs about it. Book titles. Even memes and jokes.

Jesus walks on the water.

It’s the quintessential miracle story about Jesus.

And, just think, it actually happened.

I think sometimes that we can turn this story into a metaphor, and we can miss the fact that it was first of all history.

This isn’t just a story about somebody so wonderful they could “quote unquote walk on water.” This is a story about a time that a man really did! In fact, for a short amount of time, two men really did!

But that’s getting ahead of the story.

First, we need to get our eyes on the ball.

What is the ball in the Gospel of Matthew?

It’s the identity of Jesus, right?

Matthew is a theological biography of the most compelling Person Who ever lived.

The key question that Matthew is always answering–through his genealogies, his stories, his reports of Jesus’ teaching, the miracles, the parables, everything–the key question is “Who is Jesus?”

And once you know, believe, and receive the answer, you are invited and compelled to follow Him. To follow Jesus.

So, Who is this Jesus?

This story at the end of Matthew 14 takes the answer to that question to a whole other level.

And the answer can be captured in a very short little sentence in verse 27.

Jesus says it. He says, “It Is I.”

That’s proper English by the way.

We tend to say, “It’s me.”

But the correct first person pronoun in a predicate nominative is “I.”

[I had an English teacher for a mom! So I had to know.]

Your English versions have it correct. “It is I.”

The Greek is “ego eimi.”

And it makes all of the difference.

Those little words are just as, if not more, important than the miracle itself!

Jesus said, “It is I.”

This story begins with the humanity of Jesus.

It’s going to progress quickly to the divinity of Jesus.

But, I think because it’s going to go there, Matthew starts by painting for us a picture of a very human Jesus.

He wants to be alone.

If you remember, last week, Jesus wanted to be alone, and it didn’t work.

He had heard some bad news, and He wanted to go to a solitary place.

But the crowds found Him.

And He was compassionate. He healed their sick and eventually fed a gigantic crowd.

But He still wants to be alone.

He wants some time alone to pray.

So He sends everybody away. The crowd and His disciples. Verse 22.

“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee], while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.”

Don’t miss that.

In all of the excitement that is soon to come in this story, don’t miss Jesus’ need for time alone with His Father.

And if Jesus needed time alone with His Father, how much more do you and I?

“...he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.”

Do you get alone with God to pray?

Now, I don’t know if Jesus was planning to walk across the Sea this whole time or if He had another plan and decided on the spur of the moment.

He definitely hadn’t told anyone what His plan was because they are sure surprised, but it’s interesting to what they had expected Him to do. How did they expect Him to meet up with them? Perhaps He would catch a later boat.

Jesus’ disciples were in the boat. Jesus was not. V.23

“When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.”

Do you get the picture?

When you cross reference with the other gospels that have this story in it, you find that the boat was about 3 to 3.5 miles from the shore.

More than from here to Kylertown on the water.

And there is a great big headwind that is rocking the boat and probably giving the disciples distress.

And it’s night time. V.25

“During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.”

Can you imagine?

That is as crazy as it sounds!

The fourth watch on the Roman clock was between 3 and 6am.

And Jesus walks right up to them!

Never mind that He was walking on the water, how does He walk right up to them without a GPS?

It’s a windy night on the lake, the waves are up and down and up and down.

And the wind is howling.

And the waves are up and down and up and down.

And Jesus comes walking right up them!

The Gospel of Mark says that He was going to pass them!

Who does that?

The disciples have only one answer. It’s a phantasm! V.26

“When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It's a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.”

AHHHH!!! Like something out of a horror movie.

We don’t have categories for this!

You and I are like, “Well, He just fed 20,000 people. Who do you think it is?”

But my guess is that if we were in the boat, we’d be like, “Ahhhhh! What is it?”

And this is when Jesus says what He says about His identity. V.27

“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.’”

“It is I.”

That makes all the difference, doesn’t it?

It isn’t a ghost.

“It is I.” It is Jesus.

It isn’t a monster.

“It is I.” It is Jesus.

It isn’t something to be scared of but somebody to find your peace in.

“It is I.” It is Jesus.

And remember, the wind is howling, so I think Jesus is yelling this at the top of His lungs. “It is I!”

And that makes all of the difference.

“It is I! Ego Eimi!”

I don’t think that they would have caught this at the time. I’m not even sure that He said it in Greek at the time, because He might have been speaking Aramaic.

But Christians have caught this afterwards in Matthew’s rendition. The Greek words “Ego Eimi” can also be translated...“I Am.”

As in what God said at the burning bush?!

That He is the “I Am.”

What Jesus intimated at another time, when He claimed that “before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58).

And they knew what He was saying then. Because they picked up stones to kill Him.

Who walks on the water?!

Who does that?

Listen to Job chapter 9, verses 4-8.

“[The Lord God’s] wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed? He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger. He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble.  He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; he seals off the light of the stars. He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.”

Who does that?

Listen to Psalm 77.

Asaph cries out to God in verses 18 and 19. “Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.”

Who walks on the water?

On His own power?

“Ego Eimi! It is I. I am.”

That’s Who Jesus is!

I’ve got four points of application for us today.

And they all flow out of understanding Who Jesus really is, and that if He is in our lives, then it makes all of the difference.

Here’s number one.

#1. TAKE HEART.

Did you see that “It is I” was in a word sandwich?

There are two commands on either side of “It is I.”

“It is I” is in the middle.

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Do you see how “It is I” changes everything?

If it’s Jesus, then we have nothing to fear.

What are you afraid of right now?

Right it down on the back of your bulletin?

What are your biggest fears right now?

I know you’ve got them. We all do.

If you don’t, you’re lying to yourself.

What are you afraid of?

It might be legitimately scary.

These guys were in a boat on the sea at night in a howling wind.

That’s scary.

What are you afraid of?

The word translated “Take courage” in the NIV is the same as in John 16:33, one of my most precious passages. Where Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. [There are scary things out there.] But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

It is I.

Take courage. Don’t be afraid.

Say that to your fears this week. Say, “It is Jesus.”

“He’s right here. And He’s the Great I am. And I am His.”

Take Heart.

Now, this next part of the story is only told to us by Matthew in his gospel. The other gospel writers don’t give us these details. Matthew has the scoop.

Simon Peter shows great promise as a disciple.

He decides he wants to imitate his master. Look how he says it. V.28

“‘Lord, if it's you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’”

“If it’s you!”

“Since it’s you!”

“If you are really Jesus, and you are really walking on the water.

Then let me come out there, too.”

That’s amazing, friends!

And even more amazing, Jesus says, “Alright! Come.” v.29

“‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”

#2. STEP OUT.

If Jesus says, “It is I,” and then He says, “Come,” then what should you and I do?

We oughta come!

Faith, real faith acts out.

If you really believe in Jesus, then it will show by your actions.

You will trust Him and you will obey Him.

And you will imitate Him. And you will follow Him.

Now, I don’t think that most or any of us are supposed to walk on water.

That’d be fun. I guess.

But that’s what Jesus says come to us about most of the time.

Most of the time He says, “Come follow me” and share the gospel, forgive someone who sinned against you, serve the poor, use your gifts to minister to others.

Those things aren’t as miraculous as walking on water, but it’s the same Lord asking us to do it.

Step out.

Where do you need to step out in ministry and following Jesus because He’s saying, “Come?”

It might be as scary as walking on water to do what Jesus calls you to.

But He never asks us to go somewhere He isn’t already.

I’m nervous this week about sitting on that panel on Wednesday morning.

Answering questions, perhaps from people who disagree with me and want to express their concerns.

I’m nervous, but I’m going to step out in faith and follow Jesus.

And listen well and try to respond well and love well.

Because Jesus says, “Come.”

Of course, we all know what happens next. Peter takes his eyes off of Jesus. V.30

“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’”

Whew. That was a close one!

I don’t know about you, but I totally identify with Peter.

I’d like to think I’d get out of the boat, but I’m sure that I would see the wind and waves and be afraid.

And Jesus rebukes Him–but it’s gentle.

He calls him, “oligopistoi”–“You of little faith.”

We’ve seen this phrase before in Matthew chapter 6 and chapter 8. We’ll see it again in chapter 16 and chapter 17.

This is one of Jesus’ favorite little phrases for gently rebuking those He loves.

He is saying that Peter has faith, but that he needed more of it. He needed to keep on believing.

#3. KEEP ON.

To keep on trusting.

“You’re learning! Good job getting out of the boat. The other guys didn’t do that.

But why did you stop trusting? Why did you start doubting?

Oligopistoi, why did you stop?

Remember, ‘It is I.’”

Do you need to hear that today?

Maybe you’ve gotten your eyes off of Jesus recently.

Are you looking at the wind and the waves?

Keep on looking at Jesus.

“Fix your eyes on Jesus.”

It is Him!

Don’t look inward to see if you have enough faith.

Look at Jesus and put all of your faith on Him.

And don’t stop.

That’s where we begin to sink, when we take our eyes off of Him, when we start doubting that He is enough. That He is the Great I Am. That He is “ego eimi.”

I love verse 32.

“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. [Just like that. Just like back in chapter 8, when Jesus told the wind to settle down and settled down. V.33] Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”

They didn’t know all of what they were saying, but they knew that Jesus was something special.

And they worshipped Him.

#4. WORSHIP HIM!

This Person is the most important Person Who ever lived.

He is a man (remember how needy He was at the beginning of this story), but He is not just a man. And He is not just any man.

He is the Son of God.

Keep your eye on the ball.

This is what Matthew is all about.

Who is Jesus?

“Truly [He is] the Son of God.”

Worthy of our worship.

Worthy of everything we have said and done here this morning and so much more.

The chapter ends with some more people recognizing Jesus and with Him healing some more people just like He had earlier in the chapter. V.34

“When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”

Which sets us up for next week because some of these people who touched Him were very unclean. And that doesn’t seem to matter to Him. And that raises some questions that Jesus will answer from the heart.

But right now it’s enough to just see what those disciples saw.

They saw not just a healer. Not just a powerful man.

But the Son of God Himself, the I Am, worthy of all of our worship forever.

****

Questions for Group Discussion

1. Re-read Matthew 14:22-36.

2. Do you remember when you first heard the story of Jesus walking on the water? What details about the story jumped out to you this time?

3. What do you think Jesus meant when He said, “It is I.” (Greek: “ego eimi”) What significance did it have in the moment? What did Christians understand about it later?

4. What difference does it make that Jesus said, “It is I?” Pastor Matt suggested four applications. Which one spoke the most to you? Why?

5. How can the group pray for you as you seek to apply this passage of Scripture to your life this week?

****

Previous Messages in This Series:
01. The Genealogy of Jesus
02. The Birth of Jesus Christ
03. The Search for Jesus Christ
04. The Baptism of Jesus
05. The Temptation of Jesus
06. Following Jesus
07. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount
08. The Good Life (Part One)
09. The Good Life (Part Two)
10. You Are The...
11. Jesus and the First 2/3 of the Bible
12. But I Tell You
13. But I Tell You (2)
14. But I Tell You (3)
15. In Secret
16. Choose Wisely
17. Seek First His Kingdom
18. Generous
19. These Words of Mine
20. When He Saw the Crowds
21. When He Came Down from the Mountainside
22. Follow Me
23. Our Greatest Problem
24. Who Does He Think He Is?
25. Special Agents
26. Sheep Among Wolves
27. What To Expect On Your Mission
28. Are You the One?
29. Come to Me
30. The King of Rest
31. So Thankful!
32. Overflow
33. This Wicked Generation
34. Get It?
35. What Is Really Going On Here?
36. Baptizing the Disciples
37. The Treasure of the Kingdom
38. Living the Last Beatitude
39. Five Loaves, Two Fish, and Jesus

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

“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.”

“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.

***

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

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“You Are Looking For Me” [Matt's Messages]

“You Are Looking For Me”

Life in Jesus’ Name - The Gospel of John

Lanse Evangelical Free Church

January 14, 2024 :: John 6:16-36

So often, you and I can be experts at missing the point. Have you ever missed the point of something? I sure have.

I can be quite good at it, really. If you need any points missed, I’m your man.

I just recently learned what the point is of that little loop on the collar of most jackets? You know which one I mean? You can stick your finger through it? It’s really small and right back there? Do you know what that’s for? Did you know it has a purpose?

It turns out that loop is for hanging up your jacket. Did you know that?! I just always hang mine up by the hood or on the collar. But, it turns out, if you hang your jacket up on that little loop, then it doesn’t take up as much room on the rack, and it doesn’t fall off of the hook like my coats are always falling off their hooks! Who knew?! I was only 50 years old before I found that out. My Mom probably tried to teach it to me, but I can be an expert in missing the point.

In this story, Jesus tells some people that they are missing the point of something much more important than coat loops. In this story, there is a big search for Jesus. They are looking for Him. But when they find Jesus, He tells them that they have been looking for Him for all the wrong reasons. They have been missing the point.

And Jesus is quite feisty on this point. He confronts these people and points out their error. He’s really quite strong with them, because He does not want them to miss the point any longer, and He doesn’t want us to miss the point either. So let’s try not to.

Before we get to the part where they are looking for Jesus, we have to start with a time when they were NOT looking for Jesus, and they found Him anyway. That’s the story starting in verse 16.

This story follows right on the heels of the story we studied last week, the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 men with just the 5 small barley loaves and the 2 small fish. Because of Jesus there was enough bread.

What was the point of that miracle? We don’t want to miss it. We said last week that when you factor Jesus into your calculations, the impossible can be done. That God provides all that He requires. That was the point last week, but there much more to that story to not miss, as we shall soon see.

After Jesus fed the crowd, He slipped away so that they couldn’t force Him to be a king. This wasn’t His time, and it wasn’t His way. He slipped off on His own.

And, apparently, He sent His disciples off on their own across the Sea of Galilee. Look with me at verse 16. “When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them.”

 

Twelve disciples in a boat. They had been on the east side of the lake, and they are headed for the west side. The lake is about 7 miles across at its widest, and it is night time. It is dark. And Jesus was, by His own design, left behind. ... And then the storm began. V.18

“A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.”

Can you imagine? I’ve never been at sea when it was rough. Heather has been. She told me about a time when she was on a ship and it was rocking and the waves were really high, coming up over onto the deck. These are twelve guys in a little boat at night. And these storms can come out of nowhere on the Sea of Galilee. It might have been really scary.

And then it did become really scary, because they weren’t looking for Jesus, but He came looking for them! V.19 “When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.”

Walking on the water?! They were three and half miles from shore, and they saw Jesus coming towards them on the water. That’s like from here to Kylertown. Imagine if it was just a lake between here and Ruth’s house, and you’re in a boat that is in a storm, and you see a man walking across the lake on the sea from there to here.

How are you going to feel?

We tend to joke about this. There are all kinds of “walking on the water” jokes and memes on social media. It’s like a cartoon kind of thing. Something Bugs Bunny would do. 

But you can’t imagine it happening in real life. They were terrified! And rightly so. This is not normal. This does not happen.  You can’t just walk on the water! That breaks all of the rules.

Who is this Person?!

This is a Person Who rules the seas. This is a Person that all creation is under His feet.

This is a Person Who makes the rules, so He can break them if He wants.

So the disciples are scared. More scared by this Person than they are by the storm. And then He speaks to them. V.20 

“But he said to them, ‘It is I; don't be afraid.’”

And that makes all the difference. V.21

“Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.”

That sounds like another miracle to me. They just hydroplaned across the rest of the lake. I don’t know. When they took Jesus into the boat, everything changed. They were safe. In fact, that’s the point I want to make this morning about this part of the story. If we find Jesus, then we find true safety.

#1. WE FIND TRUE SAFETY.

It’s because they received Him into the boat that they were safe.

I’m not saying that Jesus is safe. I was working on this message yesterday, and I wrote that down as point number, “Jesus is safe.” And then I’m like, “No, I don’t think so.” Jesus is scary. He is so powerful. He is so in control. His disciples are terrified when they see Him come.

The waves are terrified when they see Him coming!

Jesus is scarier than the storm.

So if you are with Him, then you are safe.

The water lets Jesus walk on it. So if He’s in your boat, it will go where it’s supposed to go.

The Gospel of Matthew tells us that the Apostle Peter walked on the water, too, for a short moment before He took His eyes off of Jesus. And Matthew also tells us that the men in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

But John leaves out all of those details to focus on this one thing that Jesus says, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”

There is no reason to fear if we find Jesus.

What are you afraid of?

Is it scarier than Jesus?

Is it more powerful?

Do you know Jesus? Then you have nothing to fear.

The words (in verse 20) translated, “It is I” are in the Greek “ego eimi.” And they can be translated “It is I.” That is correct, and it is what Jesus was saying. 

But they can also be translated, “I am.” I am. And those words “ego eimi” are going show up up again and again in the Gospel of John, especially the seven times that Jesus says, “I am” and then fills in the blank with some amazing metaphor to describe His true identity. The first one is coming up in verse 35.

And I think that we’re supposed to hear the echoes of Exodus 3:14 when Jesus talks like this. When He says, “I am,” a bell is supposed to go off in our brains that reminds us that God says that He is the “I am.” And if Jesus shows up walking on the water and says, “I am; don’t be afraid,” we should not miss the point that He is also claiming to be God Himself.

And that makes all the difference. If we find Jesus, and Who He truly is, then we find true safety.

“Don’t be afraid.”

Now, the next morning, you and I know where Jesus is and the disciples know where Jesus is, but the crowd doesn’t know where He is. And they are confused. V.22

“The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus” (vv.22-24).

I almost titled this message, “The Search for Jesus.” Where did He go? They are confused. And I’m not exactly sure how they figured out where He was. Perhaps those coming in the boats from Tiberias in verse 23 had seen Him and let everybody else know where to find Him. Either way, the crowd is still in hot pursuit. They found Him yesterday and got fed by Him. They are after Him again today. In search of Jesus. 

Is it good to look for Jesus? It sounds good. But it really matters why you are looking for Him. King Herod was searching for Jesus when He was a baby. He wanted to kill Him. 

Why did these people want to find Jesus? That’s the beef that Jesus has with them. Look at verse 25.

“When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, ‘Rabbi, when did you get here?’”

Almost like, He's doing something wrong. "We've been looking for you!"

By the way, here’s Jesus’ chance to say, “I got here last night by walking across the lake all by myself. Check me out!” But He doesn’t do that. He doesn’t try to impress them. And He’s not impressed by them. He’s not impressed by the crowd showing up the next day. So often, we’re impressed by the crowd. Jesus doesn’t care about being popular, if He’s popular for the wrong reasons.

And Jesus says, “I know why you are here. You’re here for all the wrong reasons. You’re here because you’ve missed the point.”

Look at verse 26. This is the verse that we get our title from. V.26

“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” 

You see what I mean about Him being feisty and confrontational? Yes, they were looking for Jesus, but not for Jesus. They were looking for Jesus to get more bread. Jesus knows their hearts. He knows that they saw the miracle yesterday. They saw His power. They saw 5 loaves became 15 loaves become 50,000 loaves. And all they are thinking about is...loaves.

They were looking for Jesus, but they were not looking for Jesus. They were missing the point.

Remember, all of these miraculous signs are signs. They are not just miracles but they are pointing towards something. They are pointing towards Jesus’s identity, towards Who Jesus really is. And these folks were seeing the miracles but missing the signs. We’ve seen that again and again in this Gospel, and we’re tempted to do it ourselves, aren’t we? To look for what Jesus can do for us instead of Who Jesus really is?

And the irony of that is that when we do that, we are actually setting our sights too low. We are thinking too small. That’s what Jesus says in verse 27.

“Do not work for food that spoils [disappears], but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.’”

In other words, “You guys are focused on your bellies. You are focused on the here and now. You’re focused on this earthly food. But I am offering something much greater than that. This perishable food is pointing towards something imperishable and eternal.”

“And you will get it from Me.” “The Son of Man will give [it to] you. On Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”

And here we are back to, “This is my Son, whom I love. With Him I am well-pleased. Listen to Him.”

We all are tempted to make this mistake, are we not?

We look for Jesus to make our lives better in the here and now.

We look for Jesus to heal our bodies and fill up our bank accounts.

We look for Jesus to fix our relationships and make our businesses flourish.

We look for Jesus to give us great sex lives and heal our nation and to make us happy. 

And to fill our tummies.

We do that, don’t we?

And, of course, Jesus cares about our bodies, our back accounts, our relationships, our business, our sex lives, our nation, and even our happiness and our tummies. That’s why we pray about them. But those things are all very small and temporary in the grand scheme of things. And Jesus does not exist to give them to us. They exist to point us to Jesus. Don’t miss the point.

Now, what do you think these folks heard Jesus say to them? What did they focus on. Jesus just said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

What key word do you think the Jews focused on in all of that? It was the word, “work.” He said all of that, but they just focused in on that little word. One of their favorite words, “Work.” look at verse 28.

“Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’”

“Now we’re talking. Is the answer going to be some kind of command from the Law?” They are always assuming that salvation is spelled, D-O. “What must we do?”

Do you think that “work” was the key word that Jesus would have had them focus on? 

Here’s a trick question for you: “When is work not work?”

Answer: When the “work” is faith. Because that’s not something we can boast about. It’s just trusting in the work of another. Verse 29. 

“Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’”

The key word that Jesus would have had them focus on in verse 27 is “give.” The food that endures to eternal life is given by the Son who has the seal of the Father’s approval. Given. And our job, is simply to believe in Him and what He has done. God spells salvation D-O-N-E. Done.

All these miraculous signs were pointing us all along to who Jesus is and what He has done, and if we believe in Him, then we will be saved!

Or as John says at the end of this gospel, “These [miraculous signs] are written [here] that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (Jn. 20:31-21:1 NIVO).

Believe in the One that the Father has sent. That’s true safety! That’s salvation. Because God the Father sent God the Son to save us on the Cross and at the Empty Tomb.

Do you believe? If you have never put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I implore you to do so now. Because that’s why He came. Not just to give us happy lives in the short run but holy lives forever and ever with Him.

And happy lives forever and ever with Him. Because when we truly find Jesus, we find true satisfaction.

#2. WE FIND TRUE SATISFACTION.

We don’t just find true salvation, we find true satisfaction. Just not the temporary kind that is here today and gone tomorrow. Those loaves that Jesus was multiplying were pointing towards something must greater and more lasting.

In verse 30, the crowd asks Jesus for another miracle. Verse 30. 

“So they asked him, ‘What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat'” (vv.30-31).

Again, they are experts in missing the point. And Jesus doesn’t let them get away with it. Verse 32.

“Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘from now on give us this bread.’ Then Jesus declared, ‘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. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe” (vv.32-36).

Now, we’re going to get into this more deeply next week, Lord-willing. Jesus is going to hit this again and again from different angles the rest of this chapter. And He’s going to say it even more striking ways. But you see the main thrust of it, right?

There’s another misunderstanding going on. Like the woman at the well and her water. And Nicodemus and the second birth. Here it’s the bread. They are focused on bread like the manna from heaven that God gave during the Moses years in Exodus and Numbers and Deuteronomy. They think that maybe the feeding of the 5,000 means that the New Moses is here and going to feed them all with some more bread and more bread and more bread as the kingdom is arriving. 

And they are not all wrong but they are still missing the greater point.

The loaves were not just about loaves.

The bread was not just about bread.

The bread was pointing, pointing, pointing, pointing to the True Bread from Heaven.

And that wasn’t just manna bread. It was Jesus Himself.

He said, “Ego eimi.” “I AM the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believe sin me will never be thirsty.” When we truly find Jesus, we find true and lasting satisfaction for our souls.

Earlier in this message, I asked you what you are afraid of and if it is scarier and more powerful than Jesus. Now, I want to ask you what are you chasing after and is it more satisfying than Jesus?

What are the loaves to you? (Like in verse 26.)

What are you tempted to find your satisfaction in?

Heather Joy asked me that question yesterday, and I deflected. I don’t think I want to think about what I tend to chase after to have my “fill” (v.26). But I need to. Because I am often aiming too low, thinking too small, thinking too much about the short-run and not about the long one, not about forever.

But those loaves are here and then gone. But when we come to Jesus (v.35), we never go hungry and we never are thirsty for all eternity.

That’s true satisfaction. Jesus was frustrated with these people because they have seen Him and even seen Him do these miracles and still do not believe. They missed the point. Let’s not miss the point with them.

Because Jesus is Who we are looking for. For safety, salvation, and satisfaction forever.

***

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

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“I Am Telling You Now Before It Happens” [Matt's Messages]

“I Am Telling You Now Before It Happens”

Life in Jesus’ Name - The Gospel of John

Lanse Evangelical Free Church

May 26, 2024 :: John 13:18-38  

Jesus knew. 

Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him that very night.

We talked about this the last few times. John chapter 13 begins with the wordsJohn chapter 13 begins with the words, “Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love” (13:1). And He washed their feet.

Verse 3 says, “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God” (13:3).

Jesus knew!

John the gospel-writer wants to us know that Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen to Him that dark night before His death. None of this was a surprise, and in fact, all of this was a part of the plan. Jesus was choosing all of this. He was going into it with open eyes.

And verse 19 says that Jesus not only knew what was going to happen, but Jesus told His disciples what was going to happen ahead of time.  Look at verse 19, where our title for today’s message comes from. Verse 19.

“I am telling you now before it happens so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.”

Jesus knew the future, and He predicted the future so that His disciples might believe. There’s that word again! Jesus is always working to build our faith in Him. Believe!

Knowing the future should make a big difference, shouldn’t it? Our graduating seniors have made some big plans for their futures. You can read about their accomplishments and their hopes for the future in the back  of your bulletin. And it’s exciting to see what might be!

But they don’t know exactly what will happen to them. They don’t know the future. And they probably understand that better than many of the rest of us did when we graduated because these seniors were freshmen in 2020 when covid hit and upended all of our lives so unexpectedly. They know that they don’t know the future.

But Jesus did know the future. He knew the details. And He told His disciples some of the dark details before it happened. So that they would file it away and when it came pass exactly as Jesus said, they were not thrown for a loop but instead believed.

“I am telling you now before it happens so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.”

Those last words are “ego eimi” in the Greek, “I am” which has, as we’ve seen before (8:24, 8:28, 8:588:58) a least hints of Jesus’ divinity. He is the I Am. He is all that He claimed to be.

And because He accurately predicted the future, His disciples would believe in Him.

In today’s passage, I see at least four things that Jesus predicted were going to happen to Him that should build our faith and direct our steps in 2024. Four things Jesus knew and told His disciples in advance that make all of the difference for us today. Here’s the first one. “I’m telling you now before it happens...”

#1. I WILL BE BETRAYED.

What a terrible thing to know was coming.

Again, this is the very night before His crucifixion. Jesus and his twelve hand-picked disciples are having an intimate dinner together in the upper room of a home in Jerusalem. They are reclining around a low table in the center of the room like spokes on a wheel. And Jesus has just gotten up, dressed down like a slave, and washed and dried all 24 of their stinky feet. Shocking!

Everybody is unsettled. There is tension in the room. Outside of the four walls, there were people that hated Jesus and wanted Him dead. Inside of the room, there was an agent of Satan at the table with our Savior.

The other disciples didn’t know that, but Jesus knew.

He has just told them that not all of them are clean. Their feet are all clean, but one of their hearts has not been washed. They were going to be blessed if they washed feet like He did. But not all of them will be blessed. Look at verse 18.

“‘I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'”

That’s Psalm 41. I call it the “The Song of the Sick King.” It was written by King David one thousand years earlier when David had been personally betrayed by an intimate friend. And that set up a predictive pattern that was going to be repeated and fulfilled in Great David’s Greatest Son. 

Jesus would be betrayed by an intimate friend. Somebody He had eaten with in close fellowship was going to turn his heel towards Jesus as he walked out on him or even raised up his heel to stomp on Jesus as he betrayed Him.

This was going to shock his disciples, but it did not shock Jesus. He knew. And He wanted them to know He knew. Verse 19.

“‘I am telling you now before [this stomping] happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.’”

That’s what’s really important. To believe. To accept or receive Jesus. Because then you get Jesus and you get God the Father who sent His Son!

What’s important is receiving Jesus by faith (John 1:12!). But not everybody does. And don’t be surprised by that.

In just a few short hours, everything is going to seem to fall apart. It’s going to feel like the world is ending. But the opposite is actually true. Things are proceeding according to plan.  Things predicted a thousand years before are coming together on that dark night so that the plan is on track.

It is going to be terrible! Look and see how it makes Jesus feel. Look at verse 21. 

“After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.’”

We’ve seen this language of “troubled in spirit” before. That’s how Jesus felt at the tomb of Lazarus. When His friend had died. Remember how He cried? “Jesus wept.” 

That’s how Jesus is feeling about what is going to happen to Him. He’s not stoic about this betrayal. He’s not like, “Whatever. I didn’t care anyway.” This guts Him. This bothers Him. This hurts Him. He just washed their feet! And now He says, “I’ve gotta tell you guys something. One of you is going to betray me.” It troubles Jesus, but it does not surprise Him.

It does surprise His disciples. Look at verse 22. 

“His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. [“I’ve got no idea. Who would do that?” V.23] One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, ‘Ask him which one he means.’ Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’”

I love the vivid details of this story. How they stare at one another. Everybody is looking at everybody else, and nobody has a clue (except Jesus, and Judas of course).

And John calls one of them, “the disciple whom Jesus loved” which is a beautiful description of how he felt. He just felt so loved by Jesus. Of course, Jesus loved all of them (v.1 said so), but this one disciple felt particularly beloved, a special bond. And we will find out later which one He was (hint, his named begins with J-O-H-N).

He’s on the cot right next to Jesus, and Simon Peter gives him the little nod. You know how men talk to each other in nods? Peter gives him the nod. “Ask [Jesus] which one he means.”

And the beloved disciples leans back against Jesus so they are really close and basically whispering to each other, “Lord, who is it?” Verse 26.

“Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.” 

Jesus knows.

And now the beloved disciple knows. Nobody else knows, not yet. Everybody else assumes it can’t be Judas because he was just honored by the Master by being hand-fed the sop by Jesus Himself. But Jesus knows. 

And just as the bread entered Judas, so did Satan. V.27

“As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.”

What a terrible thing to read. What a terrible to know.

This disciple of Jesus was now fully a disciple of Satan and was going to return that very night with a detachment of soldiers to arrest our Lord.

You see, Judas did not surprise Jesus.

If anything, Jesus surprised Judas! Because look what He says to him. Verse 27.

‘What you are about to do, do quickly,’ Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. [Remember Judas earlier this week had made a big deal about selling the perfume to help the poor. What a champion of the poor! No, he was a champion of himself. But only Jesus knew it. So he sent him on his way. V.30] As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night” (vv.27-30).

It sure was.

What an ominous note. Things were dark. Things were bleak. Jesus was going to be betrayed by an intimate friend. But He was not going to be surprised. And He told them in advance, so they would, in time, believe.

I think this is helpful for us in many ways. First of all, just that Jesus knows what it’s like to be betrayed. If you have never been betrayed, just wait. It will probably happen to you. And when it does, it will hurt a lot.

Jesus understands what that feels like. He lived it out like nobody else ever has. He even knew in advance that it was happening, and He couldn’t (or wouldn’t) stop it from happening, but it was part of what had to happen for Him to fulfill the Father’s mission for Him and to save us from our sins. So He knows what it’s like. He can sympathize and walk alongside you as you go through the pain of betrayal yourself.

I think it’s also helpful because it reminds us that God’s plan is still on track even when it feels like it’s going off the rails. When the disciples find out that Judas–the guy they trusted with their money!–has sold out Jesus, they will be tempted to despair and to think that everything is lost. It was night-time for the disciples in every way. So so dark. And yet the Light of the World shines in the darkness!

Heather and I have some very close friends who are going through a very dark thing right now. And sometimes all I can say as we walk with them is, “The Lord knows.” 

“The Lord knows.” And we know He knows because He told us before it happens.

It was night time, but the light shines brightest in the darkness. And that’s what He tells them next. “I am telling you now before it happens...”

#2. I WILL BE GLORIFIED.

Verse 31. “When he was gone, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once” (v.31-32).

Judas leaves the room, and the temperature changes. It’s just Jesus and the Eleven now. And Jesus can open Himself up even more. The teaching will go deeper than it ever has. And Jesus says that it’s time for Him (not only to be betrayed but) to be glorified. And to be glorified by being betrayed!

This glorification comes through His crucifixion. Remember, He is going to be lifted up. Lifted up on a pole! Like a snake in the wilderness. But lifted up! Glorified. Bringing glory to Himself and to His Father. By completing the deadly mission on which He was sent.

Do you see the circle of glorification?

“Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.”

The Son gets the glory.

The Father gets the glory in the Son.

The Son gets the glory in the Father.

In a perfect unending circle, and it’s all going down now!

And the darkness can’t stop it. In fact, the darkness has to enable it. The Cross is the darkest thing that ever happened in human history. And it is the brightest!

Isn’t that wonderful for us today?! Isn’t it wonderful to know that God can take the darkest night ever and make it the brightest?! That God can take the worst most bloody suffering ever and make it the greatest blessing?!

And that no matter what happens, the Son gets the glory, gives the glory to His Father, who gives the glory to the Son, gives the glory to the Father, gives the glory to the Son, (and starting in next chapter, gives the glory to the Spirit, all three in one) forever and ever and ever and ever and ever. Amen?!

He told us before it happens so that we would believe.

For the Son of Man to be glorified, He had to go away. This next portion of Scripture, from right here to the end of chapter 16, is often called “The Farewell Teaching” because Jesus begins to say, “Goodbye.” Verse 33.

“‘My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.”

He’s telling them in advance that He’s going away. He knows it, and He is telling them what to expect before it happens. And how to behave when He’s gone. Verse 34.

“‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’” (vv.34-35).

I hope these words are very familiar to you. This is our theme for the year as a church family. Jenni has them on the bulletin board in the center of the foyer. We’re going to memorize them together for the next several months.

I taught on these two verses four months ago on Vision Sunday. Let’s read them together once again to remind ourselves what our Lord Jesus commands us:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Three times in two verses Jesus tells us to love one another. It must be important! 

He says it’s a “new” command. What’s new about it? God’s people have always been commanded to love. The Israelites were supposed to love their neighbors (Leviticus 19:18). But this says to love one another. So it’s a command to love our fellow disciples, our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 

But I think the real newness is not so much who to love but how to love. We are now being called to love (v.34) as Jesus has loved us. There’s a new standard. As the choir just sang, we love because he first loved us.

Jesus has shown us how to love one another. And it is a high standard that involves going low. Just minutes before this, Jesus had gone around the circle washing their feet. He showed them how to love by serving them in humility.

Love isn’t just words or feelings. It’s actions. It’s putting someone else’s needs before your own. It’s laying down your life, often a little bit at a time. Our Lord Jesus calls us to love one another just as He has loved us. Let’s make that number three. “I am telling you now before it happens...

#3. I WILL BE IMITATED.

“You must love another as I have loved you.” It is imperative.

How are we doing at this? Let me read to you some things I said to you four months ago on January 28th because they are all still true and still needed.

On Vision Sunday, I pointed out that our church family had grown. We had been exceptionally blessed in 2023 with growth in attendance. Up 12% from the year before to an average of 142 people per Sunday. But it was more than that because the same people don’t come every Sunday. We had counted 293 different people who came at least one Sunday in 2023 and 235 people who came quite regularly.

This year, attendance has grown even more. In 2024, we are averaging about 161 people every Sunday. (Another 9% growth so far.)

And that’s wonderful, praise God! But it also means that we have to work even harder to build a loving community here, doesn’t it? Because “More people, more problems. More sinners, more sin.” Right?

“Love” sounds wonderful until you actually have to do it. 

So four months ago, we talked about doing all the “one anothers.” Right? Knowing one another (using the church directory), greeting one another (and not just our friends or the people we always greet), welcoming one another, praying for one another (maybe over the back of the pew), showing hospitality to one another, eating with one another, forgiving one another, bearing with and being patient with one another, exhorting one another, speaking the truth to one another.

That’s hard work! How are we doing at all of that as a church family in 2024? This is a good time to check in and take our own pulse.

How are we doing at loving one another as Jesus loved us?

How are you doing at that? 

What is going well?

What do you need to change?

Because the world desperately needs to see us imitate our Lord in this way!

On January 28th, I said this:

“We get to love another in ‘24. And when we do, the world will have to sit up and take notice.

There is a great need and opportunity for Christian love in our nation and world right now.

I don’t know whether you’ve noticed it or not, but it looks like it’s another national election year in America. [I thought we just did that!]

And it looks downright divisive once again. Will those [who] name the name of Christ be known for their love in 2024?

We have in this room Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and Non-Voters–all Christians. We will love one another in ‘24?

Will the world see the Christians loving each other [and] say to themselves, “What is going on over there? I want some of that. Those people are really different from one another. And they disagree. Maybe strongly. And yet they obviously are loving one another.”

...

There is an epidemic of loneliness in our society right now. There’s all kinds of causes for that. But whatever they are, it’s out there.

People are lonely.

They may be “connected,” through social media, to more people than ever but they feel disconnected. They feel alone.

What an opportunity we have to BE FAMILY for those folks!

So that we can all sing, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God.”

As we enfold people into our church family, we are honoring Jesus.

We are acting as His disciples. ‘By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’

By this! Not by what we proclaim about ourselves on our social media.

Not by our bumper stickers. But by how we treat one another.

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

That’s what I said on January 28th. How are we doing at this on May 26th? How are we doing at imitating our Lord?

If somebody looked at your life today, would they say, “Wow. That guy, that gal, sure is loving? They sure know how to serve their fellow Christians. They have picked up their basin and their towel. They sure act like Jesus.”

Let me just say, as your pastor, that I am very proud of you in this way. I see this as a very loving church family, and I see you stepping up to obey this new command every single day, especially when we gather together on Sundays.

Don’t stop. Don’t coast. We have much work to be done. Love does not come easy. It is hard work to do the “one-anothers.” But we are at it. I am so proud to be the pastor of Lanse Free Church. There is no other church family that I love more.

I believe the world can look at this bunch here and say, “They are Jesus’ disciples. Look at how they love one another.” Thank you. Well done, you.

Tomorrow, on Memorial Day, we will stop what we’re doing and thank God for those who acted like Jesus (whether they knew it or not) and gave their lives for others. Those servicemen and women served our nation by laying down their lives for their countrymen.

How are you and I each doing at laying down our lives for one another in the family of God? Love is supposed to be the distinguishing mark of the Christian. Verse 35. 

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Jesus says, “I will be imitated.”

And that extends even to our following Him in death. Point number four. “I am telling you now before it happens...”

#4. I WILL BE FOLLOWED.

But not at first. Jesus’ disciple, Peter, has missed what Jesus was saying about all this love stuff, because he got stuck on what Jesus had said in verse 33.

“You’re going away?” Verse 36. “Simon Peter asked him, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus replied, ‘Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.’ Peter asked, ‘Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ Then Jesus answered, ‘Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (vv.36-38).

Jesus knew. Jesus knew that He was going to be betrayed. And He knew that He was going to be denied. He was going to be disowned by Peter himself. Three times before the rooster was done crowing, this coming morning!

Peter had way too high an estimation of himself. His instincts were good. He wanted the right thing at that moment. But his self-confidence was too high. “Oh yeah, I’ll do that.”

Jesus knew that Peter was not going to lay down his life for Jesus. It was the other way around. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was going to lay down his life for Peter. And for you and me.

Have you put your faith in what Jesus did for you on that Cross?

Jesus knew what was going to happen in just a few hours. He was going to lay down his life for our sins. And then in three days, He was going to take it back up again to give us life forever.

Jesus knew that Peter was not going to follow Him that day. But He says in verse 36 that, one day, Peter would follow Him. Peter will get a chance, down the line, to put his life down on the line for Jesus. He will follow Jesus. Because Peter will believe in who Jesus truly is. Jesus told us this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, we will believe.

Kailyn, Kevin, Zane, Addison, on this Graduation Sunday, here’s my pastoral counsel for you. (And it’s true for all of us here today, as well.)

Believe in Jesus! Believe that He is all that He said that He was. Because He obviously knew the future. He knew Who He was. And He knew what was going happen to Him.

He was going to be betrayed.

He was going to be denied and disowned.

He was going to be crucified.

He was going to be glorified!

And because of His sacrifice, we can be saved. And we can love one another. We can love like He loved. Painfully. Love is painful. If we are doing it right, it will sometimes hurt. It will sometimes feel like death. It will sometimes actually be our death to love one another. But it will be worth it all because the whole world will know that we are Jesus’ disciples if we love one another.

And follow Jesus even to death.

Because He is worth it.

His plan was not derailed.

His death was not the end.

The darkness did not win.

The Son of Man was glorified and God is glorified in Him. We believe!

***

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

2024 West Branch Baccalaureate: "The Way, The Truth, and The Life" - John 14:6

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