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.