Sermon Notes (10.24.21)

John 18:1-27

After Jesus had said these things, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. 2 Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas took a company of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, went out and said to them,“Who is it that you’re seeking? ” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “I am he,” Jesus told them. Judas, who betrayed him, was also standing with them. 6 When Jesus told them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. 7 Then he asked them again,“Who is it that you’re seeking? ” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. 8 “I told you I am he,” Jesus replied.“So if you’re looking for me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the words he had said:“I have not lost one of those you have given me.” 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 At that, Jesus said to Peter,“Put your sword away! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me? ”

JESUS ARRESTED AND TAKEN TO ANNAS

12 Then the company of soldiers, the commander, and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus and tied him up. 13 First they led him to Annas, since he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better for one man to die for the people.

PETER DENIES JESUS

15 Simon Peter was following Jesus, as was another disciple. That disciple was an acquaintance of the high priest; so he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. 16 But Peter remained standing outside by the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the girl who was the doorkeeper and brought Peter in. 17 Then the servant girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you? ” “I am not,” he said. 18 Now the servants and the officials had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold. They were standing there warming themselves, and Peter was standing with them, warming himself.

JESUS BEFORE ANNAS

19 The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. 20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered him.“I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews gather, and I haven’t spoken anything in secret. 21 Why do you question me? Question those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officials standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest? ” 23 “If I have spoken wrongly,” Jesus answered him,“give evidence about the wrong; but if rightly, why do you hit me? ” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

PETER DENIES JESUS TWICE MORE

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you? ” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden? ” 27 Peter denied it again. Immediately a rooster crowed. 

Betrayed by Us

John 18:1-11

Story. Sovereignty. Symbols.

OUR PLACE IN THE STORY – betrayed or betrayer?

Hebrews 4:15 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Romans 8:7 – The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so.

I am Judas – can you admit this?

Romans 5:10 – For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.

SOVEREIGNTY

Violence only cuts off the ears (physically and spiritually) of Jesus’ opponents; violence has never served Jesus’ person or cause. And so Jesus says one more time: “Put your knife back in its place! Am I not supposed to drink the cup my Father gave me?” Does not the cause of Jesus (and of his Church that bears his cause) go forward more by suffering than by fighting? – Dale Bruner

SYMBOLS – Gardens & Valleys

Romans 5:18-19 – So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone. For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 

Judged for Us

John 18:12-14; 19-24

Isaiah 53:7-8 – He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth. He was taken away because of oppression and judgment, and who considered his fate? For he was cut off from the land of the living; he was struck because of my people’s rebellion.

Faithful to Us

John 18:15-18; 25-27

Does Peter get a bad rap?

2 Timothy 2:11–13

The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he also will deny us;

if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

for he cannot deny himself.

Will you admit that you’re Peter?

Have you ever reflected on this odd paradox in some Christian circles? It seems that in order to become a Christian, the first thing you have to do is admit that you’ve failed. But somehow, once you have become a Christian, the last thing you’re ever expected to do is to admit that you fail. It seems that in order to enter the church, you must accept that you’re a sinner, but the only way of staying credible within the church is by pretending to be a success. Isn’t there something wrong here? Aren’t we missing something of the ongoing reality of grace in our lives — not just at the moment of coming to faith, but in every step of the journey that follows?– Christopher J.H. Wright, To the Cross

HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?

Repent.

Remember.

Rejoice.

A Prayer for Salvation

“Heavenly Father, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed, but through your Son Jesus I can be more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you that he lived the life I should have lived and paid the debt and punishment I owed. Receive me now for his sake. I turn from my sins and receive him as Savior. Amen.”