John 18:1-40
Key Verse: 37
"You are right in saying I'm a king. In fact, for this reason I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.”
John 18 begins the historic narrative of Jesus' final days. In times of blessing, comfort and peace everyone appears the same. But in times of great temptation, suffering, betrayal, a person's true colors is revealed. In this chapter, we see a host characters who participated in the last hours of Jesus' life. We meet Judas the betrayer, the high priest Annas and his father in law Caiaphas, Simon Peter, and Pilate the Roman governor. Each of them displayed total depravity, hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and cowardice. How about Jesus? What did he reveal? He reveals the excellent qualities of God. Jesus displayed supreme courage, unconditional love and obedience. Jesus revealed himself to be our King and Savior. I pray through this message we may behold the majesty of Christ.
First, Jesus believed God works for the good (1-4).
In Chapters 13-17, Jesus had just given the final instructions to his disciples. He comforts and prays for them and each of us. The beginning of chapter 18, Jesus goes to the Kidron valley where he enters the garden of Gethsemane. This garden echoes another garden thousands of years before called the Garden of Eden. In this garden, Adam and Eve gave in to the devil's temptation to disobey God. Because of their disobedience, all were made sinners. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus made a decision to obey the will of God. By doing so he purchased our salvation. Romans 5:19 says "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."
As the serpent tempted Adam and Eve in the garden, another formidable enemy meets Jesus. The serpent was disguised as one of Jesus’ own. In the garden, Judas meets Jesus. Judas went to the chief priests and elders and contracted his betrayal for what amounted to about twenty dollars. He managed to get the chief priests and elders to commission the temple police and a band of soldier to arrest Jesus.
Betrayal is painful; it is even more painful when it is from a close and trusted friend. In the movie "Brave Heart", when William Wallace discovered a close friend and ally betrayed him, he could not kill him, but only stood in shock and helplessness. Not only did Jesus face betrayal, he had to face arrest, total mockery of justice, denial from a close friend and death on the cross. No human being can endure such psychological and physical pain.
How did Jesus respond? Look at verse 4a. “Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him....’” Two things come to mind when we unpack this verse. Here Jesus spoke of foreknowledge and God's sovereignty. What is foreknowledge? Foreknowledge is to see the world and our lives from the beginning, middle and end. We don't have that type of knowledge. We exist in time and space. However, God exist completely apart from time. He is the eternal God. He is the Alpha and Omega. He sees everything in its totality. God is never startled by anything! Nothing surprises God. God never says "I never saw that coming! What a shock!" He is not limited or bound by time and space. Jesus is God incarnate, so he had foreknowledge of things to come. Throughout John's gospel, Jesus had foreknowledge of Judas betrayal, "later to betray him" (Jn 6:71), Peter's denial "disown me three times” (Jn 13:38) and the type of death he would die "lifted up the Son of man" (Jn 8:28).
Jesus also believed that God is sovereign over his life. What is Sovereignty? It is to believe that God is all powerful and has complete control over the affairs of men. God is good and works for the good of those he loves. In spite of all the terrible things that would happen to Jesus, he believed that God will work it out for the good. Whenever something becomes faulty or broken, we throw it in the garbage. We are all broken people. Does God throw us in the garbage? No! God takes human sin, error, foolishness and uses it for the good. God can take evil and bend it for the good. Acts 2:23,24 "This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." It doesn't matter what happens, God can use all events including unspeakable tragedy for his plan and purpose. It is for his glory and for our joy.
We see this in Old Testament Joseph's life. He understood the sovereignty of God. He said to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Foreknowledge and God's sovereignty was the best preparation for Jesus to confront what was coming. Jesus knew his life was in the hands of God. The knowledge that Jesus had gave him greater power than any military weapon. This knowledge did not make Jesus a passive observer, but an active participant. In truth, Jesus was in control of his situation completely.
We don't have foreknowledge or sovereignty about the future. We write down our daily schedule in our planners. But we don't know what will happen the next hour. For those who are single we don't know who we will marry. For parents, we don't how our children will turn out. We don't know the day of our death. Sometimes I worry about my children, my ministry, worry about my health, etc. Paul said Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Trusting in Jesus frees you from incessant worries about tomorrow. There is freedom when we entrust your future in God's hands. We must also believe God is sovereign in our lives. I condemn myself for hurting those close to me. I condemn myself for foolish things I say and do. When we believe God is sovereign in our lives then we have freedom from trying to be sovereign. We don't need to stress ourselves out to make everything work out right. We don't need to bring everything into perfection. We can simply trust that God will bend even our mistakes, our stupidity and folly for his purpose and for our joy. As a result, we can boldly serve him without fear all the days of our life. Truly knowing God is in control empowers us as it made Jesus mighty powerful.
Second, Jesus' identity was in God (5-9).
Verse 4-11, Jesus reveals supreme courage during his arrest and trail. When the soldiers arrived, they were speechless. Jesus didn't fit the criminal profile, so they hesitated in arresting him. So Jesus had to ask "Who is it you want?" “‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘I am he,’ Jesus said. When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” Wow! Jesus' courage and boldness frighten them that they fell like dominos. When we watch the news, we hear of people fleeing the country or driving madly on the highway to avoid arrest. Saddam Hussein boasted that he would never surrender to his enemy without fighting to the death. But he was captured quietly, while hiding in a hole in the ground. Those who were arresting Jesus expected him to run and hide or to fight until the death. But Jesus did neither. Jesus came out, faced his accusers and said in verse 5, “I am he.” Jesus confessed who he really was before God with boldness and clarity. Jesus knew who he was and what he was doing. Jesus never felt he was a victim. He never felt he was a puppet of the Jewish or Roman system. He knew he came from God and is returning back to God. Jesus was ready to confront everything God had prepared for him. Jesus' identity was clearly in God.
A few days ago I watched the documentary titled, “Tyson.” It was a fascinating film peppered with fight footage, interviews and training tapes of the boxer "Iron" Mike Tyson. The documentary opened a window into his dark soul. His identity was shaped by his broken family and horrific childhood filled with abuse, neglect and pain. In short, Tyson was driven by fear of being humiliated and defeated. Fear catapulted the career of one of boxing’s greatest fighters and fear eventually betrayed him. A house built on a foundation of fear eventually comes crashing down.
The apostle Paul identity was in the love of God. He said in 2 Corinthians 5:14 He writes, “For the love of Christ controls us…” The verb “control” carries the idea of being managed, directed and guided. In essence, Christ love became Paul's identity.
When we know God is our heavenly father and we are his children we feel safe and protected. My youngest daughter Mary is happy and confident because she knows her dad loves her and protects her. These days many young people suffer from an identity problem. Their identity is shaped by their mistakes, sins and wounds. They carry a lot of emotional baggage. They say, "I'm damaged goods." Some say they are "losers". One girl my family has been praying for had her identity shaped by child abuse, her parents divorce and constant failures. She was about to end her life, when a friend asked her if she was interested in knowing God's truth. Her cousin introduced her to my wife. She was moved to tears when she read Genesis 1:27 that she was created in God's image. In spite of what happened to her, she found her identity in Christ. She realized she is not a dirty girl but was redeem as child of God. Her identity was now controlled by the love of Christ. The love of Christ compelled her to talk about Jesus to her friend Jaime. May God help us to find our identity in Christ.
Third, Jesus drinks the cup of God's wrath for us (10-11)
It seems that Peter was greatly inspired by Jesus’ spiritual authority. He was still in sleepy stupor, he didn't realize there were hundreds of soldiers. He took out is sword and cut off a servant's ear. Look at verse 11. “Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’” Jesus did not express any appreciation to Peter at all. In fact, Jesus issued an urgent command, “Put your sword away!”
Jesus could have used the sword to destroy all his enemies. We live in a volatile world. Terrorist use bombs to destroy their enemies. But Jesus way is very different. Instead of taking the sword and piercing sinners, Jesus drinks the cup. The prophet Nehemiah was a cupbearer before king Artaxerxes. His job was to taste whether or not the cup was poisoned. In the same way, Jesus became our cupbearer.
"The cup" mean the cup of death. In view of numerous verses in the Old Testament, the “cup” is a metaphor for the severe wrath of God which he would pour out on sinners (Isa 51:17-23; Jer 25:15-18,28; etc). God has to be angry at sin because he is good. He had to do something with sinners because God is just. What does he do with his wrath? Rather than asking us to do something, he does something instead. Instead of pouring his wrath on us, he pours it on Jesus. Jesus drinks the cup of death that we should have drank. Jesus suffers the brutal flogging that we deserve. Jesus dies the death that we deserve. Isaiah 53:5 profoundly states what Jesus did for us, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Praise Jesus who did not use the sword to cut us down, but drank the cup. We punish ourselves when we sin. Some take razors and cut themselves. Some take drugs, alcohol. We say "I've done wrong, I need to punish myself." This is not necessary. Jesus suffered for us. Jesus said on the cross "it is finished". Our salvation has been accomplished. Praise Jesus!
Fourth, Live based on what Christ has done for you (12-27)
Verses 12-27 records the illegal trial by the religious leaders and the denial of Peter. Why didn't the religious leaders support Jesus? They both read from the same scriptures. Why did Peter fail so miserably as a disciple of Christ? Peter and the religious leaders were not gospel centered, but religion centered. Religion leads either of two ways pride or despair. The religious leaders became proud of their "good" deeds and despise others who don't perform as well as they do. The other outcome is despair, meaning they didn't do enough. Peter was like this. Peter felt like a failure after his betrayal. He didn't do enough to protect his master. Luke 22:62 says Peter wept bitterly. He was so confident in his own goodness, and his own will power, his own sincere efforts, and human loyalty to be faithful to Christ.
There are many people who love Jesus, and who want to be faithful to Jesus just like Peter. But they fail to do so, because they are not rooted in the gospel. Instead they are rooted in religion. Their good works such as faithfulness, reading the Bible or going to church can make them proud. There is nothing wrong with these things. But if it defines you as a Christian and not what Christ has done. Then there is a problem! They expect God owes them something. They say to themselves "I obey therefore, God owes me!" As a young Christian, I thought I was better than one of my peers, because I read the Bible, I wrote my testimonies, I went out on campus. Then one day, my pastor said I was selected to attend an international conference. On the day we were to embark on the plane, I did not go; instead my peer, whom I despised, was chosen to go on the trip instead of me. I was very upset at my pastor, my Bible teacher and God. I thought I had a spotless resume. Then as I opened the Bible, Luke 15 opened my eyes to my spiritual condition. I was just like the oldest son. I obeyed God, not because I loved him, but because I wanted a goat. I loved God not because of him, but some benefit. God helped me to repent of my religious life style. I remembered Jesus who died for me. I remember Jesus who took my place on the cross. May God help us to live Gospel-centered lives, remember not what we have done, but what Christ has done!
Fifth, Jesus is our King and Savior (28-40)
The religious leaders brought him before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, to pursue a death sentence. They would not enter his palace in order to avoid ceremonial uncleanness. Their insistence to keep ceremonial cleanness while condemning innocent Jesus to death is sheer hypocrisy. However, God used this event to have a meaningful conversation with Pilate. Pilate asked about the charges? Their answer was, “Don’t ask about the charge. He is guilty. We want the death penalty.”
In verse 32, John's commentary is enlightening. According to John 3:14, Jesus would be “lifted up”. Only Romans could carry out crucifixion. In verse 36, Jesus confessed that he was a king. He was not a political king, but a spiritual king, whose kingdom is not of this world. The long-awaited Christ, who was written about in many Old Testament prophecies, came to reconcile people to God, not to interfere in the political intrigues of the Roman Empire. Jesus said to Pilate in verse 37, "You are right in saying I'm a king. In fact, for this reason I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." In this one statement, Jesus clearly stated the reason why he came to this world. To testify to the truth. John 1:14 says Jesus is full of grace and truth. Pilate determined that Jesus was innocent, but because the crowds would not accept his verdict. Pilate knew the truth. That Jesus was innocent. Pilate tried to free Jesus by offering to follow a custom which would release one prisoner. However, the crowd chose Barrabbas, an insurrectionist and murderer, to be released, shouting at Jesus, “Crucify him! Crucify him!.” Finally, Pilate was forced to choose between pleasing the crowd and standing on the side of truth. But out of fear for his reputation among the people, he caved in to their demand and freed Barrabbas, a guilty man.
We can easily condemn Pilate as a spineless man who compromised the truth for his public image. But isn't there a Pilate in each of us? How often we have chosen the wrong thing simply because it pleased our sinful desires? Everyday we have to ask ourselves what does Jesus mean to me? Recently, I read a story about Masab Yousef, son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheik Hassan Yousef who became a Christian. “A verse like ‘Love thine enemy’ had a great influence on me,” Yousef recalled. “At this stage I was still a Muslim and I thought that I would remain one. But every day I saw the terrible things done in the name of religion by those who considered themselves ‘great believers.’ This decision was very costly. There are been death threats for his decision to stand on the truth. "If they want to kill me, let them do it. I'm not going to stop anyone. It's going to be my freedom. "My soul's going to be free of my body, not flesh any more." Masab could stand on the side of truth because Jesus became his king. Masab could stand on the side of truth because he witness the majesty of Christ.
In conclusion, how we learn view Jesus will determine how we live, the choices we make and where we will spend eternity. Is he your king or a victim? We learn Jesus is the embodiment of truth that sets us free from the power of sin and death. Judas, Annas, Caiaphas, Peter and Pilate failed to see who Jesus truly is. Among them, only Peter repented and saw the majesty of Christ. I realize Easter is about making a decision about who Jesus means to you. May the Holy Spirit work in our hearts to see the majesty of our Lord Jesus this Easter!