Embracing Surrender: Jesus' Journey to the Cross
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delve into the profound events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, focusing on John 18. We begin with Jesus being struck by an officer for his response to the high priest. Jesus, in his perfect nature, responds calmly, asking for evidence of any wrongdoing. This moment highlights Jesus' flawless character and his unwavering commitment to truth and righteousness, even in the face of violence and injustice.
We then move to the scene where Jesus is led from Caiaphas to the praetorium early in the morning. The religious leaders, concerned about ceremonial defilement, refuse to enter Gentile territory, revealing their hypocrisy. They are about to commit the ultimate act of injustice by condemning the Son of God, yet they are preoccupied with maintaining ritual purity. This irony underscores the emptiness of their legalistic approach to faith.
In the garden of Gethsemane, we witness both guilt and grace. Peter, Judas, and the mob are all guilty of various sins, but Jesus remains gracious. He crosses the Kidron Valley, fully aware of his impending betrayal and suffering. In the garden, he surrenders to the Father's will, healing Malchus' ear and protecting his disciples. This act of surrender and healing exemplifies Jesus' love and commitment to his mission.
As we reflect on the events in the garden, we are reminded of the significance of the cup of suffering. Jesus willingly accepts this cup, knowing it will lead to his exaltation and our salvation. He calls us to examine what we hold in our hands—are we fighting against God's will with a sword, or are we accepting the cup of suffering that leads to greater glory?
The sermon then transitions to a call for personal reflection and repentance. We are urged to come to Jesus, recognizing the urgency of the times and the need for salvation. Jesus' sacrifice offers us forgiveness and a new life, free from the bondage of sin. We are reminded that Jesus will return, and we must be ready to meet him with joy and praise.
The sermon concludes with a powerful communion service, emphasizing the significance of Jesus' body and blood. We are invited to partake in communion, remembering the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins. This act of remembrance is a call to live in the reality of Jesus' grace and to walk in obedience to his will.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus' Perfect Response to Injustice: When struck by an officer, Jesus responds with calmness and truth, asking for evidence of any wrongdoing. This moment highlights his perfect nature and unwavering commitment to righteousness, even in the face of violence. It challenges us to respond to injustice with grace and truth, reflecting Jesus' character in our own lives. [01:17:50]
2. The Hypocrisy of Legalism: The religious leaders refuse to enter Gentile territory to avoid ceremonial defilement while plotting to kill Jesus. This irony reveals the emptiness of their legalistic approach to faith. It serves as a reminder that true faith is not about external rituals but about a heart aligned with God's will. [01:19:45]
3. The Garden of Gethsemane: A Place of Surrender: In the garden, Jesus surrenders to the Father's will, healing Malchus' ear and protecting his disciples. This act of surrender and healing exemplifies Jesus' love and commitment to his mission. It calls us to examine our own willingness to surrender to God's will, even when it involves suffering. [01:21:23]
4. The Urgency of Salvation: We are urged to come to Jesus, recognizing the urgency of the times and the need for salvation. Jesus' sacrifice offers us forgiveness and a new life, free from the bondage of sin. This takeaway emphasizes the importance of responding to Jesus' call today, not delaying our decision to follow him. [01:23:07]
5. Communion: Remembering Jesus' Sacrifice: The communion service emphasizes the significance of Jesus' body and blood, reminding us of the sacrifice he made for our sins. This act of remembrance is a call to live in the reality of Jesus' grace and to walk in obedience to his will. It encourages us to continually reflect on Jesus' sacrifice and let it transform our lives. [01:28:23]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[34:12] - Introduction and Birthday Celebration
[34:50] - The Public Drama of Redemption
[36:14] - The Garden of Gethsemane
[37:49] - The Significance of the Garden
[39:30] - The Brook Kidron and Its Symbolism
[41:10] - Jesus' Agony in the Garden
[44:32] - The Garden of Eden vs. The Garden of Gethsemane
[46:25] - The Kiss of Treachery
[47:11] - Judas' Betrayal
[47:57] - The Detachment of Troops
[49:46] - The Blood of the Passover
[50:36] - Judas' Treachery and Hypocrisy
[52:01] - Jesus' Arrest
[53:51] - Jesus Declares "I Am"
[55:47] - The Power of Jesus' Name
[57:26] - Jesus Protects His Disciples
[59:06] - The Sword of Rebellion
[01:00:39] - Jesus Submits to the Father's Will
[01:02:35] - The Cup of Submission
[01:04:19] - Trusting God in Suffering
[01:06:10] - Peter's Mistakes and Jesus' Forgiveness
[01:07:49] - Jesus' Love and Sacrifice
[01:09:44] - The Illegal Capture of Jesus
[01:11:25] - Caiaphas' Prophecy
[01:13:15] - Peter's Denial
[01:14:56] - Warming by the Fire of the World
[01:16:13] - Jesus' Open Teaching
[01:17:50] - Jesus' Perfect Response to Injustice
[01:19:45] - The Hypocrisy of Legalism
[01:21:23] - The Garden of Gethsemane: A Place of Surrender
[01:23:07] - The Urgency of Salvation
[01:24:49] - The Day of Judgment
[01:26:28] - Prayer of Repentance
[01:28:23] - Communion: Remembering Jesus' Sacrifice
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 18:1-11
2. John 18:28-40
3. Genesis 3:15
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Jesus' response when struck by the officer in John 18:22-23?
2. How did the religious leaders show hypocrisy in John 18:28?
3. What significant actions did Jesus take in the Garden of Gethsemane according to John 18:1-11?
4. What does Genesis 3:15 prophesy about, and how does it relate to the events in John 18?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' calm response to being struck by the officer reflect his character and mission?
2. In what ways does the behavior of the religious leaders in John 18:28 reveal the emptiness of legalism?
3. What does Jesus' surrender in the Garden of Gethsemane teach us about obedience and submission to God's will?
4. How does the prophecy in Genesis 3:15 connect to the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Jesus' response to injustice, how can you respond with grace and truth in situations where you face unfair treatment?
2. The religious leaders were more concerned with ceremonial purity than with justice. Are there areas in your life where you focus more on external rituals than on aligning your heart with God's will? How can you change that?
3. Jesus surrendered to God's will even when it meant suffering. Is there something in your life that you need to surrender to God, even if it involves hardship? What steps can you take to do this?
4. The urgency of salvation was emphasized in the sermon. Have you responded to Jesus' call for salvation? If not, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you share this urgency with others?
5. Communion is a time to remember Jesus' sacrifice. How can you live out the reality of Jesus' grace in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to walk in obedience to his will?
6. Jesus' sacrifice offers us forgiveness and a new life. Is there an area of your life where you need to seek forgiveness or extend forgiveness to someone else? How can you take a step towards that this week?
7. Reflect on the significance of the cup of suffering that Jesus accepted. Are there any "cups" in your life that you are resisting? How can you trust God more fully in those situations?
Devotional
Day 1: Responding to Injustice with Grace and Truth
When Jesus was struck by an officer for his response to the high priest, he did not retaliate with anger or violence. Instead, he calmly asked for evidence of any wrongdoing, demonstrating his perfect nature and unwavering commitment to righteousness. This moment challenges us to reflect on how we respond to injustice in our own lives. Are we quick to react with anger, or do we, like Jesus, respond with grace and truth? Jesus' response serves as a powerful example of how to maintain our integrity and commitment to truth, even in the face of violence and injustice. [01:17:50]
John 18:23 (ESV): "Jesus answered him, 'If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?'"
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you faced injustice. How can you respond with grace and truth, reflecting Jesus' character in your actions and words?
Day 2: The Emptiness of Legalism
The religious leaders in John 18 were so concerned about ceremonial defilement that they refused to enter Gentile territory, even as they plotted to kill Jesus. This irony reveals the emptiness of their legalistic approach to faith. They were more focused on external rituals than on aligning their hearts with God's will. This serves as a reminder that true faith is not about adhering to rituals but about cultivating a heart that seeks to follow God's will. It challenges us to examine our own faith practices and ensure they are rooted in a genuine relationship with God rather than mere legalism. [01:19:45]
Matthew 23:27-28 (ESV): "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are more focused on external rituals than on a genuine relationship with God? How can you shift your focus to align your heart with God's will?
Day 3: Surrendering to God's Will
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus surrendered to the Father's will, healing Malchus' ear and protecting his disciples. This act of surrender and healing exemplifies Jesus' love and commitment to his mission. It calls us to examine our own willingness to surrender to God's will, even when it involves suffering. Jesus' example challenges us to trust in God's plan and to be willing to lay down our own desires for the sake of his greater purpose. Are we willing to accept the cup of suffering that leads to greater glory, just as Jesus did? [01:21:23]
Luke 22:42 (ESV): "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 4: The Urgency of Salvation
We are urged to come to Jesus, recognizing the urgency of the times and the need for salvation. Jesus' sacrifice offers us forgiveness and a new life, free from the bondage of sin. This takeaway emphasizes the importance of responding to Jesus' call today, not delaying our decision to follow him. The urgency of salvation is a reminder that we do not know what tomorrow holds, and we must be ready to meet Jesus with joy and praise. It calls us to reflect on our own spiritual state and to make a conscious decision to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. [01:23:07]
2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV): "For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Reflection: Have you made a conscious decision to follow Jesus wholeheartedly? If not, what is holding you back from making that decision today?
Day 5: Remembering Jesus' Sacrifice
The communion service emphasizes the significance of Jesus' body and blood, reminding us of the sacrifice he made for our sins. This act of remembrance is a call to live in the reality of Jesus' grace and to walk in obedience to his will. It encourages us to continually reflect on Jesus' sacrifice and let it transform our lives. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the depth of Jesus' love for us and the price he paid for our salvation. This reflection calls us to live in a way that honors his sacrifice and to let his grace shape our daily actions and decisions. [01:28:23]
1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (ESV): "And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"
Reflection: How can you let the reality of Jesus' sacrifice transform your daily actions and decisions? What specific steps can you take to walk in obedience to his will today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Come to him today, would you please? May I tell you, time is short, may I tell you, today, now is the day of salvation. Time is short, my friends. Jesus will be coming for his church. We don't know the day or the hour, but we certainly understand the times that we're living in, the signs of the times. Let's be ready when he comes. We don't need to be embarrassed. We don't need to hide. Let's be able to meet him with a smile on our faces and lift it up in praise to him." [01:23:07]
2. "Jesus went through this to save us. Do you guys understand that? Then do something about it. You have to. You can know all this stuff that I've talked about and still not go to heaven. Jesus said on that day of judgment, many will come to me and say, Lord, Lord, how come you're not letting me in? Didn't I prophesy in your name? Didn't I do all these things and play church in your name and all of that stuff? You'll say away from me, evildoer. Listen, away from me, evildoer. I never knew you. Do you understand what that means? I never had a relationship with you. You've never gotten real with me. Let that not be what happens to you today." [01:24:49]
3. "And so, praise the Lord. We all won, didn't we? Because he drank the cup. Praise the Lord. And the good lesson in this, I believe, is that, hey, to all of us, we need never fear the cups that the Father hands to us. Don't live in fear of the cup that God may give to us in the future, in the time. Because he's metered it. It's like taking a shot. You know, if you're a barista or something, you don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. Just how much water, just how much coffee to put in there, and you draw the shot, you know, in a perfect artistic way, and it's gorgeous. Well, God has a way of metering those cups of suffering. He'll never give you more than what you can bear. He'll never do that. And those are the ways that we grow." [01:06:10]
4. "And so we're almost there, guys. We're almost there. In the garden that night, you would both find both guilt and grace, and that's the name of this sermon today. Peter was guilty of resisting God's will. Judas was guilty of the worst kind of treachery, wasn't he? And the mob was guilty of rejecting the Son of God and treating him as though he was the lowest kind of criminal. But Jesus was gracious. Like King David, he crossed the Kidron fully conscious of what was going to happen to him, that he was going to be betrayed. And then he was going to be dealt with in the most severe way. He went into the garden of Gethsemane, surrendering through tears of blood, surrendering to his father's will. And he healed Malchus' ear, protected his disciples. He yielded himself into the hands of sinners. Why? That he might suffer and die for you and for me." [01:21:23]
5. "And so here's that first area of failure where we start warming ourselves by the fires of the world because we're frustrated or we've sinned against the Lord and we don't know what to do instead of just coming to the Lord and confessing it and getting right with the Lord. We warm ourselves by the fire of the world. We start going back to the old haunts. We start calling up the old people. We start doing the old things." [01:15:35]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Peter made every mistake possible. Just like I said, he fought the wrong enemy. He used the wrong weapon. He had a wrong motive, and he accompanied or accomplished the wrong result. He was openly resisting the will of God and hindering the work that Jesus came to accomplish. I can't imagine how bad it is. I can't imagine how bad it is. I can't imagine how bad it is. I can't imagine how bad it is. It says that when he looked at Jesus' face over at Caiaphas' house, that he saw his eyes as Jesus looked at him, and he wept bitterly. And I think he really understood what he had done. And yet, Jesus was there to forgive him. Jesus was there to restore him. Jesus was there to use him again, and he became one of the most important of all the disciples." [01:07:49]
2. "And so, look at verse 12. And maybe you've made those mistakes in the past. Don't be condemned by it. Just give it to the Lord, and the Lord will raise you back up. Verse 12 here, it says, and then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. So it wasn't, he is, he's all bound up, chains and ropes and all this stuff, but that wasn't what was really binding him up. You know what it was? His love for you. Nothing could bind him up. Nothing could, you know, tie him up and restrict him or capture him. What captured him was the joy set before him to endure the cross for you. That's why he was there. And I think that's so wonderful." [01:07:49]
3. "And so, praise the Lord. We all won, didn't we? Because he drank the cup. Praise the Lord. And the good lesson in this, I believe, is that, hey, to all of us, we need never fear the cups that the Father hands to us. Don't live in fear of the cup that God may give to us in the future, in the time. Because he's metered it. It's like taking a shot. You know, if you're a barista or something, you don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. Just how much water, just how much coffee to put in there, and you draw the shot, you know, in a perfect artistic way, and it's gorgeous. Well, God has a way of metering those cups of suffering. He'll never give you more than what you can bear. He'll never do that. And those are the ways that we grow." [01:06:10]
4. "And so, look at verse 12. And maybe you've made those mistakes in the past. Don't be condemned by it. Just give it to the Lord, and the Lord will raise you back up. Verse 12 here, it says, and then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. So it wasn't, he is, he's all bound up, chains and ropes and all this stuff, but that wasn't what was really binding him up. You know what it was? His love for you. Nothing could bind him up. Nothing could, you know, tie him up and restrict him or capture him. What captured him was the joy set before him to endure the cross for you. That's why he was there. And I think that's so wonderful." [01:07:49]
5. "And so, praise the Lord. We all won, didn't we? Because he drank the cup. Praise the Lord. And the good lesson in this, I believe, is that, hey, to all of us, we need never fear the cups that the Father hands to us. Don't live in fear of the cup that God may give to us in the future, in the time. Because he's metered it. It's like taking a shot. You know, if you're a barista or something, you don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. Just how much water, just how much coffee to put in there, and you draw the shot, you know, in a perfect artistic way, and it's gorgeous. Well, God has a way of metering those cups of suffering. He'll never give you more than what you can bear. He'll never do that. And those are the ways that we grow." [01:06:10]
6. "And so, praise the Lord. We all won, didn't we? Because he drank the cup. Praise the Lord. And the good lesson in this, I believe, is that, hey, to all of us, we need never fear the cups that the Father hands to us. Don't live in fear of the cup that God may give to us in the future, in the time. Because he's metered it. It's like taking a shot. You know, if you're a barista or something, you don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. Just how much water, just how much coffee to put in there, and you draw the shot, you know, in a perfect artistic way, and it's gorgeous. Well, God has a way of metering those cups of suffering. He'll never give you more than what you can bear. He'll never do that. And those are the ways that we grow." [01:06:10]
7. "And so, praise the Lord. We all won, didn't we? Because he drank the cup. Praise the Lord. And the good lesson in this, I believe, is that, hey, to all of us, we need never fear the cups that the Father hands to us. Don't live in fear of the cup that God may give to us in the future, in the time. Because he's metered it. It's like taking a shot. You know, if you're a barista or something, you don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. Just how much water, just how much coffee to put in there, and you draw the shot, you know, in a perfect artistic way, and it's gorgeous. Well, God has a way of metering those cups of suffering. He'll never give you more than what you can bear. He'll never do that. And those are the ways that we grow." [01:06:10]
8. "And so, praise the Lord. We all won, didn't we? Because he drank the cup. Praise the Lord. And the good lesson in this, I believe, is that, hey, to all of us, we need never fear the cups that the Father hands to us. Don't live in fear of the cup that God may give to us in the future, in the time. Because he's metered it. It's like taking a shot. You know, if you're a barista or something, you don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. Just how much water, just how much coffee to put in there, and you draw the shot, you know, in a perfect artistic way, and it's gorgeous. Well, God has a way of metering those cups of suffering. He'll never give you more than what you can bear. He'll never do that. And those are the ways that we grow." [01:06:10]
9. "And so, praise the Lord. We all won, didn't we? Because he drank the cup. Praise the Lord. And the good lesson in this, I believe, is that, hey, to all of us, we need never fear the cups that the Father hands to us. Don't live in fear of the cup that God may give to us in the future, in the time. Because he's metered it. It's like taking a shot. You know, if you're a barista or something, you don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. Just how much water, just how much coffee to put in there, and you draw the shot, you know, in a perfect artistic way, and it's gorgeous. Well, God has a way of metering those cups of suffering. He'll never give you more than what you can bear. He'll never do that. And those are the ways that we grow." [01:06:10]
10. "And so, praise the Lord. We all won, didn't we? Because he drank the cup. Praise the Lord. And the good lesson in this, I believe, is that, hey, to all of us, we need never fear the cups that the Father hands to us. Don't live in fear of the cup that God may give to us in the future, in the time. Because he's metered it. It's like taking a shot. You know, if you're a barista or something, you don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. You don't have to be a barista. Just how much water, just how much coffee to put in there, and you draw the shot, you know, in a perfect artistic way, and it's gorgeous. Well, God has a way of metering those cups of suffering. He'll never give you more than what you can bear. He'll never do that. And those are the ways that we grow." [01:06:10]
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