Emory Baptist Church

The Cross, Part 1 of 2

Introduction

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 23:26.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “The Cross, Part 1.”

 

Obviously, there will be “The Cross, Part 2.”  That will happen next Sunday, and we will look at Jesus’ 7 Sayings from the Cross.

 

I do not have a special sermon related to today’s service for this reason. I am grateful to celebrate our independence and freedom living in the greatest nation in the world. However, it is not ultimate independence and freedom.

 

Ultimate independence and ultimate freedom only comes through the way of the cross. Without Jesus’ death on the cross, I remain hopeless and a slave to my sin and death.

 

Of course, we are on Friday of Passion Week.  Jesus has already endured three formal trials and five total trials.

 

Because good men did nothing, evil triumphed, and the vocal minatory got their way. Jesus was sentenced to death.

 

We are thinking about the cross today. Let us think about before the cross, on the cross, and after the cross.

 

 

1. Before the Cross, Luke 23:26-31

26 Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. 27 And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. 28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”

 

In verse 26, the Romans soldiers and the Jewish Religious Leaders led Jesus through the streets of Jerusalem to the outskirts of town. All of this was meant to be a deterrent.

 

Of course, this was done after being scourged. Jesus’ back had been fileted, and He was beyond exhausted, but expected to carry His own cross beam.

 

We are now introduced to Simon of Cyrene. The verse makes it sound like this was by coincidental. He was coming from the country, and we know this was providential.

 

Simon as pressed into service. He was not given a choice. He probably thought he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

Jesus led the way. Simon followed. A large multitude of people followed them mourning and lamenting Jesus’ treatment.

 

In verse twenty-eight, Jesus spoke to the women who were following. He gave them a warning about the future. It was prophecy about Israel.

 

The future will be dark, and if you have children, they will experience it. It will be so bad, they will want to take their own lives.

 

In verse thirty-one, they is Rome. The green wood is spring and life and Jesus.

 

The dry is fall and old and the nation. If Rome persecuted Jesus, they will definitely persecute His followers, and it will be worse.

 

 

2. On the Cross, Luke 23:32-49

?” 32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” 38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” 44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last. 47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” 48 And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. 49 But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

 

Also on that day, there were two others being crucified. Luke calls them criminals, and the other gospels say they were thieves.

 

All of Dr. Luke’s account of the crucifixion is three words in the English of the NKJV. They crucified Him.

 

I do not think we necessarily need to know all the gory details. Yes, they were gory.

 

 Jesus was in the middle, and verse thirty-four records His first words from the cross. Again, we will look at all seven next Sunday, but Luke only records three.

 

Jesus asked God the Father to forgive His persecutors of their sins. Them includes the Sanhedrin and Pilate and Herod and the Jews and anyone else.

 

BTW…They did not ask for forgiveness. Jesus forgave them anyway, and you can too.

 

Those that hurt you do not have to ask for forgiveness before you forgive them. You can forgive them regardless.

 

While Jesus was on the cross, His clothes were gambled away, and He was challenged to save Himself on three occasions by three separate groups.

 

The Sanhedrin mocked Him in this way. The Roman soldiers mocked Him in this way, and one of the criminals being crucified mocked Him in this way.

 

Beginning in verse forty, we hear from the other criminal who was crucified. He rebuked the other for not fearing God.

 

We do not know all of his history, but he had some spiritual background. He knew he was a sinner. He knew Jesus was not, and he invited Jesus to save him.

 

Jesus obliged with His second saying on the cross according to Luke. It seems that the thief on the cross was saved.

 

This incident says so much to us. Because Jesus said today, I do not think He went to hell while in the tomb before He was resurrected.

 

Jesus and this man went to heaven when they died, and the thief on the cross was not baptized.

 

Verse 44 is s time marker. It was 12 noon.

 

Then two miracles occur. There was an eclipse with what would have been a full moon for the Passover.

 

Then the temple veil was torn in two from top to bottom according to Matthew 27. For the first time, man would had access to God Almighty through His Son, Jesus Christ.

 

Verse forty-six speaks to Jesus physically dying. It was not a hoax.

 

BTW…Jesus’ number one priority was doing what His Father wanted. In weeks passed, we called this the subordination of equals, and sometimes, what’s best for God is not immediately safe or comfortable for us.

 

In verses 47-49, some onlookers finally realized who Jesus was. A Roman centurion called Him righteous in verse forty-eight, and the crowd lamented their participation in verse forty-eight.

 

Verse forty-nine speaks to those following Jesus. As was regularly true with Dr. Luke’s account, he was sure to highlight the women.

 

 

3. After the Cross, Luke 23:50-56

50 Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. 54 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. 55 And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

 

After the cross, we are introduced to Joseph of Arimathea.  He was a member of the Sanhedrin, but he had not consented with all they did because he was a follower of Christ.

 

BTW…This is a great example of standing up for what is right even against the vocal minority. Pilate refused to do it, but Joseph of Arimathea did do it.

 

He went to Pilate and requested Jesus’ body. His plan was to bury him in his family’s private tomb, and that happened before the Sabbath began at sundown on Friday.

 

Again, we see Luke spotlighting Jesus’ female followers in verse fifty-five and following. They saw where Jesus was laid, and they planned to prepare His body for burial when they were able after the Sabbath.

 

 

Applications

First, before the cross, we saw a certain man named Simon of Cyrene. List to how Mark describes him according to Peter’s account in Mark 15:21.

 

21 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross.

 

So now we know about Simon’s family. He had two sons named Alexander and Rufus.

 

Remember, we do not know that Simon was a follower of Christ before this experience. However, I believe he became a follower of Christ and discipled his family. See Romans 16:13.

 

13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

 

I believe Simon was saved and discipled his sons to follow Christ, and Rufus became a leader in the Church at Rome. This invitation is for the saved to point everyone that God brings into your life to Christ.

 

Second, on the cross, we saw a repentant criminal. The other thief on the cross recognized his sin and believed that Jesus was the Savior.

 

Then, he called on Jesus to save him. Jesus did, and if you have never been saved, I invite you to be saved this morning.

 

Baptism and church membership will not save you. Morality and patriotism will not save you, but repentance and faith in Christ will.

 

Finally, after the cross, we saw a good and just man named Joseph of Arimathea. Rather than going the way of the crowd and his countrymen, and contrary to Pilate, he stood up for what was right.

 

He could not stop what happened. However, he did not consent. May you be more like Joseph today than Pilate.

 

With these three invitations, this morning’s invitation will be for you. Let us pray.

Jesus on Trial

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 22:66.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Jesus on Trial.”

 

We are still in Passion Week. However, we have certainly moved from Thursday to Friday.

 

Verse 22:66 says as soon as it was day. In other words, the sun was up so this was about 6 AM. Jesus’ betrayal and arrest happened just after midnight.

 

Luke records three formal trials. However, you could say there were five.

 

The first us informal and even illegal but happened after His arrest and before Annas and Caiphas. This one happened under the cover of darkness in the earliest hours of Friday morning, and that is what made it illegal.

 

Even the first trial that we will see today was illegal. It was illegal to hold a trial on holy days. Friday was the Passover.

 

The last trial that we will see this morning is the one before the people. In between, we will see the trials before the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod.

 

 

1. Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin was about Jewish Religious Law, Luke 22:66-71.

66 As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, 67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe. 68 And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go. 69 Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.” 70 Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” 71 And they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”

 

Again, verse sixty-six says it daybreak on Friday morning. Luke lists three groups that composed the Sanhedrin: the elders, the chief priests, and scribes.

 

The Sanhedrin was group of seventy men. They were the highest authority on Jewish Religious Life.

 

They tried to get Jesus to self-incriminate. He knew their plan and did not acquiesce. They would not have believed what He said anyway.

 

In verse sixty-nine, Jesus referenced Daniel 7 and Psalm 110. Daniel 7 speaks of the Messiah being called the Son of Man. Psalm 110 speaks to God’s Son reigning with Him.

 

In verse seventy, Jesus tacitly confessed to being God’s Son. For the Sanhedrin, this was blasphemy, and all they needed to hear.

 

They wanted Jesus dead. However, there was a problem. They did not have authority to carry out the death penalty living under Roman control.

 

 

2. Jesus’ trial before Pilate was about Roman Law, Luke 23:1-5.

1 Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” 3 Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” 4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.” 5 But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”

 

The Sanhedrin could not do what they wanted. Therefore, they needed to find someone that could.

 

Look no further than Pontius Pilate. He was a Roman Governor under Caesar.

 

However, Pilate would not care about blasphemy. They need some more trumped-up charges.

 

Therefore, they brought three. First, they charged Jesus with perverting up the nation or stirring up Israel. This was not true, and Pilate did not care.

 

Second, they charged Him with not paying taxes and leading others to do the same. Again, this was not true, and Pilate did not care.

 

The third charge got his attention a little. Jesus was charged with being a revolutionary and challenging Caesar.

 

Pilate asked Jesus if He was king. Jesus did not mean the same thing as Pilate, but He answered in the affirmative.

 

Pilate was not threatened by Jesus and did not Caesar would be either. Therefore, he found no fault with Him, especially worthy of death.

 

However, the Sanhedrin would not settle for it. Their complaints and charges grew louder.

 

Not wanting to listen to them anymore, Pilate decided to pass the buck. Herod was in town for the Passover, and Jesus lived in Herod’s jurisdiction, so Pilate sent Him to Herod.

 

 

 

3. Jesus’ trial before Herod was about Jewish Secular Law, Luke 23:7-12.

6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. 7 And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. 8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. 9 Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. 11 Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

 

Herod knew of Jesus and was excited about seeing Him. However, his excitement was like being excited about the carnival coming to town.

 

Herod questioned Jesus. However, Jesus did not answer a word. Some commentators say this could have been because of the way he treated John the Baptist.

 

Consequently, verse eleven says Herod and his troops beat Him and mocked Him. Then, they sent Him back to Pilate.

 

Normally, Herod and Pilate did not care for one another. However, on this occasion, they were both unimpressed with Jesus.

 

 

Conclusion

Finally, Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate. This would be the court of the people. Notice that phrase at the end of verse thirteen.

 

Even though Pilate attempted to pass the buck, he found himself having to decide regarding Jesus. However, he and Herod both did not believe that Jesus had done anything that warranted the death penalty.

 

Pilate wanted to have Him beaten and send Him on His way. However, the people would not have it.

 

They wanted Jesus dead and would not stop until He was. Instead of releasing Jesus, they suggested releasing Barrabas.

 

One last time, Pilate did not feel the same as the people. He knew capital punishment was serious, and he did not think that punishment fit whatever crime Jesus had committed.

 

However, the people would not have it. Verse 23 says they were insistent and demanding with loud voices.

 

Do you know what? They won.

 

They complained and screamed loud enough. Pilate gave in.

 

 

Applications

So here are two applications for today.

 

First, we hear this story, and we want someone to blame. The Sanhedrin are guilty. Pilate is guilty. Herod is guilty. The Jews are guilty.

 

Do you know who else is guilty? Look in the mirror.

 

But I was not there. Have you ever sinned even once?

 

No one is innocent. All are guilty.

 

Second, it is amazing to me that Pilate declared Jesus innocent on three separate occasions. See verses 4, 14, and 22.

 

However, the most damning verse in this text is verse twenty-three. Pilate believed differently, but he gave in to the people. He failed to do what was right.

 

When I was a little boy, I loved to window shop at Six Flags Mall with my dad. I’ll never forget one particular Saturday when I saw a woman being chased from a store.

 

“All that it is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” The source of this statement is debated, but its truth is profound.

 

Pilate was a good man in the sense that he knew Jesus did not deserve death. That would not have been fair or just. However, he let evil triumph when he did nothing.

 

Whether you are talking about work or school or your community or even your church, stand up for what is right. Do not let the vocal minority have their way.

 

Pilate could have intervened, but he did not. Do not let evil triumph on your watch.

The Kiss of Death

I want you to take your Bibles and find Luke 22:47. I want to share a message with you entitled, “The Kiss of Death.”

 

Have you ever wondered where that idiom originated? Look no further than Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.

 

It is a sign of bad to come. However, it might originally be seen, viewed, or heard as positive.

 

We are in Passion Week.  It is late Thursday night, and we will pass over into the wee hours of Friday morning.

 

Jesus has been with His disciples in the upper room. They observed the Passover meal.  They have taken the Lord’s Supper.

 

Then, they moved to the Garden of Gethsemane. They stepped aside to pray.

 

When He returned, He found the disciples sleeping. That is where we pick up today.

 

There is one more thing before we look at the text. Remember that Jesus predicted Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, and future conflict for His followers.

 

 

1. Judas did betray, Luke 22:47-53.

47 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

 

In verse 47, while Jesus was chastising the disciples for falling asleep, Judas showed up with a crowd. This crowd included Jewish Religious leaders and Roman soldiers, and they had come to arrest Jesus.

 

Leading the effort was Judas, one of the twelve. The Jewish Religious leaders needed an insider, and Judas was their man.

 

BTW…he is always listed as one of the twelve because he had fooled everyone. He had fooled everyone but God.

 

Mark’s gospel tells us that Judas told the Jewish Religious leaders that he would identify Jesus by kissing Him. He did, and it was the kiss of death.

 

Jesus confronted Judas with the truth, and His disciples came to His defense. Peter even drew his sword and drew blood.

 

However, notice His response in verse fifty-one. Permit even this.

 

BTW…God’s plan is not always immediate victory. It is ultimate victory, but it may not be immediate.

 

Jesus won on Resurrection morning, but there a plenty of when the world would say He experienced defeat.

 

Before He returns on a white horse, which will be ultimate victory, persecution for followers of Christ will be the worst it has ever been. Do not think that God’s plan is always for you to win.

 

Jesus also demonstrated that He was not only fully man, but fully God. He touched this man’s ear and healed him.

 

Why had they come at night to arrest Jesus? He was in the temple with them multiple times.

 

What they were doing was wrong. Some even consider it to be illegal. One commentator said there were no less than 27 illegalities that took place with Jesus’ arrest and trials.

 

At the end of verse fifty-two, Jesus said to the Jewish Religious leaders that this was their time to do their deed, and it was evil.

 

BTW…Do not ever forgot that God is in control. Satan always must ask God’s permission.

 

Why does evil exist? It exists because choice exists. God is not going to force you to follow Him. He invites you, and we must decide.

 

 

2. Peter did deny, Luke 22:54-62.

54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. 55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” 57 But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” 58 And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

 

The spotlight is now shifting from Judas to Peter. You will find his name seven times in verses fifty-four through sixty-two.

 

And he did deny Jesus. However, it happened three times. The last is the most chilling.

 

It happens in verse sixty. And while he was still speaking, the rooster crowd.

 

Verse sixty-one says Jesus’ eyes met Peter’s. I can only imagine the hurt and grief and disappointment.

 

Consequently, Peter left the courtyard and wept bitterly. Have you ever found yourself in Peter’s shoes?

 

I have. I promised Jesus I would never, and then I did.

 

 

3. Jesus was persecuted, Luke 22:63-65.

63 Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. 64 And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?” 65 And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.

 

These last three verses detail Jesus’ arrest and persecution. He was mocked, beaten, blindfolded, struck and spoken against.

 

 

Applications

First, remember God’s faithfulness. If God says it, you can count on it.

 

Jesus said Judas would betray Him, and he did. God gives us a choice to follow Him but following Him won’t be forced.

 

Second, remember man’s frailty. We are frail.

 

Peter promised never to forsake Jesus. He failed. We fail.

 

However, Peter was restored. You can have a second chance too.

 

Third, remember our future. If they persecuted Jesus, what is going to happen to us?

 

John 15:20, If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.

 

However, how did Jesus respond? He modeled what He taught in Luke 6:27.

 

27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”

Jesus is the Light of the World!

Please take your Bibles and find John 8:12. It can be found on p. 1,232 of our pew Bibles. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Jesus is the Light of the World!”

 

Thank you to moms and dads for bringing your children to Illumination Station VBS, and thank you boys and girls for coming to Illumination Station VBS, and thank you volunteers for decorating and working Illumination Station VBS. Without y’all, VBS is not possible.

 

Today, I want to tell moms and dads about our VBS memory verse. It is John 8:12, but I want to give you some context within John’s gospel.

 

In the first eleven verses of John 8, Jesus was in the temple court close to the treasury when He did not condemn but forgave the woman caught in adultery and told her to her to sin no more. Today, He is still in the temple court according to verse 20.

 

Also, this was the end of the Feast of the Tabernacles. Bible commentators tell us that during that festival, four gigantic menorahs or candelabras were used to light the entire city of Jerusalem. However, at the end of the festival, they were extinguished.

 

That is the backdrop for Jesus’ bold claim in John 8:12. It was the second time that Jesus made an “I am” statement in John’s gospel.

 

His first statement was, “I am the bread of life.” That was in John 6:35.

 

 

1. Jesus Claimed to be the Light, John 8:12.

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. 

 

Notice that Jesus did not say He was a light. He said He was the definitive light of the world.

 

With this statement, He was claiming to be God as light is symbolic of God throughout the Scriptures.  See Acts 9:3-5; 1 John 1:5.

 

Acts 9:3-5, 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”  5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”  Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

 

1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

 

 

2. Jesus was Confirmed as the Light.

 

First, Jesus confirmed His own claim. Of course, the Pharisees objected to His claim.

 

13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”  14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going.

 

However, Jesus clearly knew that He was God. He clearly knew He came from God, and He clearly knew that He was returning to God after He completed His mission.

 

Second, God the Father confirmed His claim. We see this at the end of verse sixteen and verses 18-19.

 

16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me…18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” 19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?”  Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.” 

 

The Pharisees judged Jesus according to the flesh or what they saw. He did not measure up to their physical visions of what a Messiah should be.

 

He was not political leader. He was not a military power. He was not an earthly king.

 

However, Jesus did not come to judge anyone but to save, and the Father bears witness of such. When asked about His Father, Jesus claimed to be One with the Father at the end of verse nineteen.

 

Third, the Old Testament Scriptures confirmed His claim. Look at verses 17-18.

 

17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

 

Invoking the Pharisees’ standard, Jesus’ claim would even now hold up in a court of law since two witnesses were needed. See Deuteronomy 19:15.

 

15 “One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.

 

Listen to these OT scriptures. See Psalm 27:1, 36:9.

 

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

 

Psalm 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

 

And of course, many of us remember God in the OT demonstrating Himself as a flame at night. He guided the nation of Israel, the people of God through the wilderness.

 

The gigantic menorahs I spoke of earlier were supposed to remind these orthodox Jews of that experience during the Feast of the Tabernacles. With them in sight, Jesus claimed to be the light.

 

 

Applications

When we think about applications for this text, the invitation is clear, and that is for you to come to the Light of the world. If you do, here is what happens.

 

First, Jesus will dispel the darkness of unbelief. Because Jesus is the light of the world, if you come to Him, you will be saved because He is the light of life in 8:12.

 

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.

 

Second, if you come to Him, He will be your light, so you won’t walk in darkness anymore. Are you walking in darkness not knowing where you are going as it relates to your marriage, your money, and or your kids?

 

Third, when you come to Jesus, we become the light as well. He is not saying we become God, but God shines through us to others.

 

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

Will you come to the light today? Jesus is the light of the world.

 

When we do not come to the light, its dangerous. I know from FBC Camden.

Prayer 101

Please take your Bibles and find Luke 22:39. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Prayer 101.”

 

If you have ever taken college classes, the title of the class usually includes a name and a number.  Depending on that school’s numbering system, the higher numbers indicate upper-level classes while the lower numbers indicate classes for underclassmen.

 

Therefore, a 101 number would mean a class for freshmen. Today, I want you to see some basics regarding prayer in the life of a Christian.

 

You will find that word prayer on five different occasions in today’s text: 40, 41, 44, 45, and 46. In today’s text, I want to show you an invitation to pray, a demonstration of prayer, and the temptation with prayer.

 

As we have said in recent weeks, we are in Passion Week.  We are very late into Thursday night and may even into the earlies hours of Friday morning.

 

Jesus has already gathered the Twelve in an upper room in Jerusalem.  They took the Passover Meal together, and Jesus began the Lord’s Supper.

 

Last week, we saw that Jesus knows the future.  He made predictions regarding Judas, Peter, and our future conflicts.

 

 

1. An Invitation to Pray, Luke 22:39-40

39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

 

In verse 39, Jesus and the Twelve left the upper room, and headed to the Mount of Olives. Judas would have left them at this time. 

 

Obviously, he knew where they were going.  Verse 39 says this was a place that Jesus normally took them.

 

Even though Luke doesn’t name it specifically, we know from the other gospel writers that this was the Garden of Gethsemane and could have been owned by a wealthy friend of Jesus.

 

Verse 40 contains the invitation.  Jesus told them to pray that they may not enter temptation.  In other words, pray that you don’t succumb to temptation.

 

I would suggest to you that His invitation for them is also an invitation for us.  When you are facing temptation, pray.

 

Also, here is a little help for you to recognize your times of weakness, your times of vulnerability.  Satan is not an idiot.  Actually, he is very intelligent and knows us well.

 

Consider the acronym H. A. L. T.  We are most vulnerable to falling to temptation when we are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired.

 

Is that true of you? I know I can certainly identify with that.

 

Therefore, when you are tempted, H. A. L. T.  Then P. U. S. H.

 

 

2. A Demonstration of Prayer, Luke 22:41-44

41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

 

In these four verses, Jesus modeled for us what prayer can look like.  I want to see His intimacy, His intentions, and His intensity.

 

In verse 41, notice Jesus’ intimacy as He withdrew and got alone.  I would suggest the same.  That may be outside or your car or anywhere you can and God can be alone together.

 

Notice also in verse 42 what Jesus called God.  God was His heavenly Father.  Jesus was talking to His daddy.

 

His intentions are seen with His posture and His actual prayer.  He intended to surrender or submit. 

 

Most men would have stood looking up.  Jesus knelt looking down.

 

In His actual prayer, we see a lot of Jesus’ humanity.  Like any normal human, Jesus didn’t want what He knew was about to happen.

 

He didn’t want to be beaten.  He didn’t want to be scourged. He didn’t want to have what we might think of as railroad spikes nailed into His wrists and ankles.

 

However, Jesus’ intention was to do His Father’s will.  He surrendered and submitted. 

 

BTW…In our culture today and even church, submission is seen as a dirty word.  However, Jesus models for us the subordination of equals in one of His darkest hours. 

 

What is the subordination of equals?  Two individuals can be equal in value and worth and yet submit to one or the other.

 

Jesus and the Father are equal in that they are both fully God and part of the Holy Trinity.  However, Jesus submitted to the Father’s will.

 

Husbands and wives are equal in value and worth as human beings both created in the image of God.  However, it is God’s plan for wives to submit to their husbands as the husband sacrificially leads his family.

 

Because this was one of Jesus’ darkest hours, He needed assistance.  In verse 43, an angel appeared to strengthen Him.

 

I don’t have any reason to believe that angels don’t assist us.  I am not saying we all have a guardian angel, but assisting Believers is one of their ministries.

 

The third aspect of Jesus’ demonstration of prayer with intimacy and intentions is His intensity. Verse 44 says He was in agony.

 

Why was He in agony?  He was about to bear the sin of the world on the cross. Let that sink in.  Jesus became my sin and our sin.

 

Consequently, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood. The medical condition is hematidrosis.

 

Did Jesus sweat blood?  Maybe, and Dr. Luke is the only one who reported.  However, technically, he said His sweat became like drops of blood. 

 

Therefore, we don’t know for sure.  What we do know is that Jesus prayed with intensity.

 

 

3. The Temptation with Prayer, Luke 22:45-46

45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”

 

After Jesus prayed, He returned to His disciples.  What did He find?

 

They were sleeping from sorrow.  Jesus told them what was going to happen to Him.  He also told them what would happen with Judas and Peter. 

 

Were they hurt?  Were they sorrowful? 

 

Absolutely.  Consider the time of day or night, they were also probably physically tired, but Jesus encouraged and invited them again to pray.

 

I bet a temptation you face with prayer is falling asleep.  I have had many church members through the years admit to such.

 

I would encourage you to pray in the mornings after your coffee or after your shower. Not only is the temptation to fall asleep less, but you also set the tone for your day.

 

 

Conclusion

First, if you are facing temptation today, commit prayer above all else.  Pray for strength, pray for victory.

 

Second, if you have never been saved, prayer can be the means to your salvation.  You can pray to receive Christ today. 

 

That would mean admitting you are a sinner.  Next, believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins.  Call on Him to save you today, and He will!

Jesus Knows the Future!

Introduction

Please take your Bibles and turn to Luke 22:21. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Jesus Knows the Future.”

 

I just want to remind you that we are on Thursday night of Passion Week.  Jesus and His disciples are in an upper room in Jerusalem.

 

Jesus has served the Passover Meal.  Jesus also began what we know today as the Lord’s Supper.

 

 

1. Jesus Predicted Judas’ Betrayal, Luke 22:21-23.

21 But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23 Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

 

In verse twenty-one, Jesus had finished the Lord’s Supper and said that His betrayer was still at the table with his hand on the table. John 13 clearly identifies Judas.

 

John 13:18-27, 18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. 20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” 21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. 25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

 

Back in verse twenty-two, we see in this one single verse the mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility coexisting as friends. Jesus said that the Son of Man being betrayed had been determined. Who was it determined by? God determined it.

 

However, in that very same verse, Jesus pronounced woe on the man who does the betraying. Why? Because that man is acting of his own accord.

 

Whether it is the daily events of life or the act of salvation, the Calvinist has said it is all God. At the same time, the Arminianist has said that man is control.

 

Both believe that their position and their conviction is right and mutually exclusive of all others. I say, “Don’t listen to either.”

 

This verse, and others just like it in both Old and New Testaments, remind us that divine sovereignty and human responsibility can coexist even when our finite minds cannot understand it.

 

Bro. Richard, are you a Calvinist? I am not. Are you an Arminianist? I am not.

 

What are you? I am a Baptist. I believe and affirm what the Bible says even when I cannot comprehend it.

 

 

2. Jesus Predicted Peter’s Denial, Luke 22:31-34.

31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” 34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

 

Beginning in verse thirty-one, Jesus had an extremely hard conversation with Peter. Satan had inquired about him.

 

BTW…Satan cannot do anything to us without God’s permission. He asked permission to afflict Job, and he asked permission to afflict Peter.

 

Also, if Jesus says yes, know that Jesus is praying for you, and has prepared you for the affliction. Specifically, Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail.

 

When Peter proclaimed his bold allegiance to Jesus, Jesus broke his heart. He predicted what would happen later this night and into the earliest hours of Friday morning.

 

 

3. Jesus Predicted Future Conflict, Luke 22:

35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.” 36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37 For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” 38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

 

In verse thirty-five, Jesus reminded His disciples about past ministry. He sent them out without tools or supplies.

 

Were they ever in need. They answered that they were not.

 

However, verse thirty-six marks a change, “But now.”  Things would be different.

 

Jesus told them to take their money bag and knapsack and even acquire a sword. However, considering verse thirty-eight and later in this chapter and the rest of this third gospel, I do not think He was speaking literally.

 

Jesus warned His disciples that He was going to be grouped with the lawbreakers. If He was, they would be too.

 

Get ready for future conflict. However, it will be more spiritual than physical.

 

 

Conclusions

First, as it relates to Judas, we are responsible for our actions. God’s plan was for Jesus to be betrayed, and Judas will be held accountable for actions.

 

You will be held spiritually accountable for your actions. I will be held spiritually accountable for my actions. Act accordingly.

 

Second, as it relates to Peter, no one is beyond temptation. However, temptation is not sin, but how will you respond to temptation when it comes?

 

Judas gave into temptation and rejected Christ. Peter denied Jesus on this night, but he recovered later. Be encouraged.

 

Third, Jesus gave us all we need for the future conflict that is more spiritual than physical. According to Ephesians 6, we have the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.

 

Finally, if you want to be great in the kingdom of God, serve rather than being served. That is the point of 22:24-30.

 

24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. 28 “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

 

The kingdom of God is counterintuitive to the ways of the world. If you want to go up, then go down and serve one another.

 

As a result, your time to be in authority will come later. That will come in my earthly kingdom after I return judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Remember the Lord's Sacrifice and Those That Came After Him!

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and turn to Luke 22:7.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Remember the Lord’s Sacrifice and Those That Came After Him!” 

 

We have now made it to Thursday morning of Passion Week in our study of Luke’s Gospel.  On Sunday, Jesus entered Jesus on a donkey colt.  On Monday, He cleared and cleansed the temple.  On Tuesday, He spent most of the day in the temple teaching and answering questions. On Wednesday, Judas made plans to betray Jesus giving the chief priests and scribes the insider they longed for.

 

 

1. The Preparation for the Passover Meal, Luke 22:7-13

7 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” 9 So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?”

10 And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. 11 Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ 12 Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.”

13 So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

 

Again, in verse 7, we have arrived at Thursday.  As I said two weeks ago, the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Passover had morphed into one.

 

The Passover would come first as it began at sundown on Thursday night.  It would end at sundown on Friday. 

 

The Feast of Unleavened Bread would follow and was multiple days in duration. It was like our Independence Day followed by Thanksgiving.

 

Jesus’ closest disciples were Peter and John.  In verse 8, He instructed them to go into Jerusalem to prepare for the Passover Meal. 

 

When they asked where, Jesus gave them some very specific instructions.  According to John’s Gospel, they were most likely staying in Bethany. 

 

Jesus told them to into Jerusalem, and they would find a man carrying a pitcher of water.  This may seem benign, but would have been highly unusual, and he would have stuck out like a sore thumb even from the thousands of people in Jerusalem at this time.

 

BTW…God primarily speaks to us through His word, the Bible.  He also speaks to us through godly counsel.  He also speaks through circumstances or events, and He even speaks to us through unusual or strange circumstances or events like this one.

 

When they saw this unique situation, they were to follow this man into the house where they were to prepare for the Passover Meal.  In light of verses 11-12, it seems that Jesus had prearranged this meeting and location.

 

Peter and John found it exactly as they had been told.  They would be in an upper room in Jerusalem on Thursday night for the Passover Meal.

 

This is will be somewhat lengthy, but I really think we need to understand again what were talking about when we talk about the Passover.  Turn to Exodus 12:1-51.

 

BTW…The Passover is only for Jews and not foreigners. The Lord’s Supper is only for Christians and not non-Christians

 

Also, you must be circumcised to eat it.  Related, you should be baptized to take the Lord’s Supper.

 

 

1. The Anticipation of the God’s Plan, Luke 22:14-18

14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”  17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 

 

Notice how verse 14 begins.  When the hour had come means a definitive hour and a specific plan.

 

Going back to the previous section, I said that I thought Jesus had made arrangements in advance with the homeowner and his upper room.  However, He had not made the disciples aware.  Why?

 

Judas was going to betray Jesus, but not on his time.  It was going to be according to God’s plan.  Jesus made these secret arrangements to keep Judas from betraying Him prematurely. 

 

BTW…God is in charge of every detail of your life.  He is in charge of event in your schedule. Nothing happens without His approval or permission.  For me, that is comforting.

 

When the Passover Meal began, Jesus voiced His knowledge that He would soon suffer according to God’s plan.  However, He also knew that it was God’s plan for His kingdom to be fulfilled at the end of verse 16.

 

He then took the cup for the Passover Meal and affirmed God’s plan again.  Verse 18 says that Jesus wouldn’t share this meal again until the kingdom of God would come.  We believe this to be Jesus’ second coming after the tribulation and before Jesus’ earthly reign.

 

 

• The Origination of Communion, Luke 22:19-20

19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

 

Acts 2:42 calls it the breaking of bread.  Those churches of the liturgical persuasion use the name Eucharist, a word that we often translate as thanksgiving, from 1 Corinthians 11. 

 

Most Baptists call it the Lord’s Supper from 1 Corinthians 11:20. The KJV of 1 Corinthians 10:16 calls it Communion.

 

Jesus went beyond the Passover Meal and originated or began the Lord’s Supper or Communion here on Thursday night before His betrayal.

 

He took the unleavened bread and held it up and said, “This is my body.”  Obviously, He wasn’t speaking literally.  The bread symbolized His body. 

 

In the same way, He took the cup full of wine, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”  The wine symbolized His blood. 

 

This new covenant would be one where the Perfect Lamb was sacrificed once and for all.  He offers remission or forgiveness of sins: past, present, and future for all who believe.

 

Jesus concluded the supper by saying He wouldn’t take this meal again until His Second Coming and His Father’s Kingdom.  Then they sang a hymn and left. 

 

 

Conclusions

He is the big idea of today’s sermon.  It is found in two words in verse 19 and two words in verse 20.

 

Everything that Jesus did, He did FOR YOU.  He came for you.  He lived for you.  He died for you.  He was raised for you.

 

We remember today those men and women who sacrificed their lives in our armed forces for you.  Long before them, Jesus sacrificed His life for you!  Will you receive Him today?

Start at the End...Don't End Where You Started!

Wednesday's Plan for Murder

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 22:1.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Wednesday’s Plan for Murder.”

 

While I am so thankful for my mom and my daughters’ mother, I don’t have special Mother’s Day Sermon for you ladies.  Instead, we are continuing our study of Luke’s Gospel.

 

We have now moved to Wednesday of Passion Week.  Jesus entered Jerusalem on Sunday.  He cleared the temple on Monday.  He taught in the temple on Tuesday, and we now move to Wednesday.

 

 

1. Exposition: 22:1-2

1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.

 

In verse 1, Luke gives us a time marker and some history.  He speaks of two events or celebrations that had morphed into one.

 

The Passover would start on Thursday night at sundown and go to Friday at sundown.  Some estimate that over two million Jews would have been in Jerusalem for this annual pilgrimage feast. 

 

The Feast of Unleavened Bread would happen the very next day.  Because they happened immediately one after the other, by this time, they were seen and referenced as one. 

 

The Feast of the Passover was celebrated by the Jews in Jerusalem remembering when the Lord passed over the houses of the nation of Israel protecting them from the death angel in Exodus 12.  The Feast of Unleavened Bread celebrated Israel’s exodus from Egypt in the same chapter.

 

For us, this might be like celebrating Independence Day on July 4 and then Thanksgiving on July 5.  They celebrated freedom with Passover, and thanked the Lord for it during Feast of Unleavened Bread.

 

Verse 2 says the chief priests and scribes sought to kill Jesus.  Why?

 

He had challenged them, and asserted His authority over theirs.  He had exposed their hypocrisy and deceit. 

 

However, they knew of His growing popularity with the multitudes.  Therefore, it seems as if they had resigned themselves to waiting multiple days until after Jerusalem cleared out.

 

There plans might be different if they had an insider.  If they had someone who knew where Jesus stayed, maybe their plans could be carried out sooner.

 

 

2. Exposition: 22:3

3 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.

 

Verse 3 says that Satan or the Devil entered Judas.  Iscariot most like was a geographical reference to Judas’ home.

 

The end of verse 3 is terrifying.  How could the Devil possess one of Jesus’ twelve disciples?

 

I would suggest to you that Judas is not an example of a disciple falling away.  I believe he is an example of a person being constantly exposed to the gospel but never being saved. 

 

Judas betrayed Jesus and the Twelve.  Judas never embraced Jesus the Savior. 

 

He was being led by the devil and ultimately was led to death.  We know that Judas took his own life, and because Satan lived in his heart, he died and is spending an eternity in hell separated from Christ. 

 

I’m not saying he went to hell because he committed suicide. I am saying he went to hell because he rejected Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

 

 

3. Exposition: 22:4-6

4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.

 

The chief priests and scribes needed an insider to move more quickly, and Judas was their man.  Verses 4 and 5 seem to indicate that Judas initiated his desire to be their man. 

 

Verse 4 says he conferred with them.  Verse 5 says they agreed to his plan.

 

What would it cost them?  Judas sold his soul for 30 pieces of silver according to Matthew’s Gospel.

 

Judas knew where Jesus often took the other disciples.  Therefore, Judas promised to lead the chief priests and scribes and captains to Him. 

 

 

 

Applications

First, the Perfect Lamb of God in the New Testament was foreshadowed in the Passover lamb of God in the Old. 

 

Jesus Christ is the perfect lamb of God who died on the cross in our place.  If you put your faith and trust in Him as Savior, you will be saved.

 

The Passover foreshadowed this reality in Exodus 12.  When the blood of a Passover lamb was applied to the doorpost of the Israelite’s home, the death angel knew to  pass over that home and that family and move to the next as he took the life of every first-born Egyptian.

 

Second, being numbered with the disciples on earth doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be numbered with the disciples in heaven.

 

Judas walked with Jesus, and he talked with Jesus.  He ate with Jesus, and he drank with Jesus. He slept with Jesus, and he traveled with Jesus. He ministered with Jesus, and he saw the supernatural done by Jesus.

 

However, he never received Jesus into his heart as Lord and Savior, and therefore, was never saved.  I am thankful if you are numbered with the disciples on earth, but what about in heaven?

 

Finally, if we allow him, the devil will always tempt us deceive and destroy, especially using money.  Money is not evil  Money is neutral.

 

However, money won’t satisfy ultimately.  Judas was paid up for a day.  Judas is in hell for eternity. 

 

Money won’t fix your marriage ultimately.  Money won’t make your kids better ultimately.  Money won’t buy your happiness ultimately. 

 

But Jesus can, and Jesus will if you let Him.

The End is Coming!

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 21:5.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “The End is Coming!”

 

Generally speaking, people are very interested in the future.  We want to know to know the future for our lives personally.  We want to know the future of EBC.  We want to know the future of our country and economy and favorite teams.    

 

We also want to know the future as it relates to the Bible, and that often means specific details.  In Luke 21, Jesus talks about the end of time, and the fact that it is coming. 

 

However, if you are looking for a detailed timeline, you will probably be disappointed in what I have to say because our text is full of apocalyptic language that is highly symbolic and by nature can have multiple meanings.  Some preachers would spend weeks and maybe even months in Luke 21, but because it is hard to be definitive in explaining what Jesus said, I would just be speculating. 

 

The story of Luke 21 is also found in Mark 13 Matthew 24.  It is often called the “Olivet Discourse” because Jesus spoke to His disciples from and around the Mount of Olives. 

 

It is still Tuesday of Passion of Week.  Jesus has spent most the day in the temple teaching the crowds and teaching His disciples.

 

 

1. Expectations of the Future, Luke 21:5-28

5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” 8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” 10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls. 20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

 

In verse 5, Jesus and His disciples were admiring the temple because of the beautiful stones and donations or gold sculptures.  It seems that Jesus responded to one of them with verse 6. 

 

5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

 

The temple was not finished at this time.  Its construction began in 20 BC by Herod the Great.  It wasn’t finished until about 64 AD.  This conversation between Jesus and His disciples took place around 30 AD.  Therefore, even though it wasn’t finished, construction had been going on for 50 years.

 

Jesus’ response was prophetic in nature.  He predicted that the temple where they were currently standing would be destroyed. 

 

5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

 

Did that happen? Certainly, it happened approximately 40 years later as the Romans burned the temple and destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.  However, this first prophecy would simply be a foreshadowing of the temple destroyed again during the great tribulation.

 

This temple’s destruction is just one of seven signs of the times or expectation for the future.  Again, the first that Jesus mentioned is the destruction of the temple, but He wasn’t necessarily speaking in chronological order.

 

In verse 7, Jesus was asked to explain more about these signs, and so He did. 

 

7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”

 

Remember, He has already named one…the destruction of the temple that would happen in the Great Tribulation. 

 

1. Temple’s Destruction (21:6)
2. False Messiahs (21:8) - Many will come in Jesus’ name claiming to be the Savior, and they will convince many to follow them instead of Jesus.
3. National Warfare (21:9-10) - There will be wars and commotions. Jesus said these things must happen, but the end won’t be immediate. 
4. Natural Disasters (21:11) - There will be natural disasters including earthquakes and famines and pestilences.
5. Christian Persecution (21:12-15) - There will be physical persecution for being a known follower of Christ, and your persecution will be a witness to those who are persecuting you. Be encouraged that when you stand for Christ, the HS will never leave you or forsake you and give you the words to say in that very moment.  Also, in order for this to happen, the issue of Jesus being your Lord and Savior must be a settled issue in your heart and mind. 
6. Family Division (21:16-19) - There will be divisions and strife within families over following Christ, and even family putting family members to death over Jesus should not surprise us.

 

Verses 18-19 give us some good news in otherwise words of despair. No hair of our head shall be lost.

 

18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.

 

We are promised what certainly is spiritual security because of our relationship with Christ.  However, if these signs are happening during the Great Tribulation, Jesus could be speaking about physical security as there will some Christians in the Tribulation period who are alive when Jesus returns.

 

Beginning in verse 20, Jesus comes back to events in Jerusalem and destruction. Jesus warned the Christ-followers to run and hide.  This time will be the worst time ever for Christians.

 

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

 

Luke calls this the times of the Gentiles in verse 24, and it is unique with him.  It seems to refer to the time that Gentiles will dominate Israel and Jerusalem.

 

24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

 

In verse 25, Jesus began describing the 7^th sign.  It is the Second Coming of Christ.

 

25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

 

There will be signs in the heavens.  There will signs on earth.  There will be signs in the oceans, and it will be extraordinary. 

 

In verse 27-28, then those alive will see Jesus returning on clouds.  When those who are alive see this, salvation has come.

 

27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

 

 

End of the Age Timeline

Now, I want to back track just a little and give you what I believe will be the big events of the end of the age.  Not all of these are mentioned here, but I believe all of these are biblical.

 

First, since coming of the Holy Spirit, we have been living in the church age.  This has been true for 2,000 years. 

 

I believe the next big event will be the rapture of the church.  It will be sudden and without warning and could happen today.  That is the taking of all born-again Christians to be immediately with the Lord and for eternity. 

 

The next big event is the tribulation period.  I believe the book of Daniel describes it as two 3.5 year periods.  The second 3.5 years is the Great Tribulation. 

 

At the end of the two 3.5 year periods, I believe Jesus will return as described in 21:27.  His second coming will kick off His 1,000 earthly reign.  After it, eternity will begin. 

 

 

2. The Illustration from the Fig Tree, Luke 21:29-33

29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

 

Part of Jesus’ explanation about the end coming is a parable about the fig tree.  Even though many have tried to make this more complicated than necessary, this is actually a very easy parable to read, understand, and apply. 

 

Remember that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and fig trees were very common in the first century.  Jesus’ audience would have been familiar with fig trees and their growth patterns. 

 

When the branches put forth leaves, summer was near.  That is easy.  Fig trees bloomed at the end of spring and the beginning of summer.  Their bloom was the sign that summer was near.

 

According to verse 31, these things will be the signs that the Second Coming Christ is near. 

31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.

 

What were “these things?”  The things that Jesus was speaking of began back in verse 6. 

 

All of these things are scripted by the hand of God and recorded in the Scriptures.  It will follow a predetermined script, and in verse 33, Jesus said, you can count on this script or prediction or prophecy coming true. 

 

33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

 

Before we finish today’s text, let’s look at verse 32 for a moment.  What generation is Jesus speaking about here?  He said that this generation would not pass away until all these things take place. 

 

32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.

 

I think this generation can have two meanings.  Remember that this entire conversation started about the temple.  I believe that Jesus was saying that this first generation would not pass until they saw the destruction of the temple.  That happened just 40 years, and Jesus was right.

 

At the same time, I think that Jesus is also talking about the last generation, the generation that sees the beginning of the tribulation period.  Jesus is saying they will also see His second coming. 

 

 

3. A Summation for the Followers of Christ, Luke 21:34-38

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 37 And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. 38 Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.

 

So what do we do?  Be careful. Watch, and pray.

 

First, in verses 34-35, be careful that you aren’t caught off guard.  Don’t be guilty of living like the world and getting surprised. 

 

Second, we are to watch in verse 36.  Watch for the signs.  He didn’t say worry about the signs, but watch.

 

Third, pray.  Pray that you are honoring Christ with all of your life, and pray for the Lord Jesus to come quickly, and pray for those who are lost to recognize their lostness and Jesus as their only hope.

 

In verses 37-38, it seems the end of Tuesday has come.  Next time, we’ll move to Wednesday.

 

37 And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. 38 Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.