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Sermons preached at the Hinckley Evangelical Free Church (Hinckley, MN)
Episodes
Monday Feb 29, 2016
Monday Feb 29, 2016
The Gospel of John: The Denial
John 18:12-27
Annas & Caiaphas (v. 12-14)
• Jesus is led to Annas, who was not the high priest at the time
– His son-in-law Caiaphas was
– Along with several of his sons before that
• But had been from AD 6 to 15, and still held a lot of power
• The Roman governor appointed the high priest
– Though Scripture mandated that it be a life-long position (Num. 35:25, 28, 32; Josh. 20:6)
The First Denial (v. 15-18)
• Peter and another disciple follow Jesus from a distance
– The other disciple = probably John
• Possibly a distant relative to the high priest or socially connected
• Procures access to the high priest’s court
• When Peter is questioned by the servant girl, he denies being Jesus’ disciple
The First Trial (v. 19-24)
• When the high priest questions Jesus, it is at night
– Thus considered illegal
• Unlike Jesus who does His work in the open (v. 20)
• Perhaps one reason why Jesus does not testify about Himself is to shed light on the injustice
– He calls on the high priest to produce witnesses
• Which was required by the Law (Num 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15)
• Jesus also points out the soldier’s response is illegal
– Not based on wrongs committed or witnesses
• Thus, those who claim to obey the Law:
– Fail to keep it
– Fail to understand that the Law points to Jesus the Messiah
The Final Denials (v. 25-27)
• Peter again is questioned about being Jesus’ disciple
– And twice more denies Him
– After which a rooster crows, thus fulfilling Jesus’ words (13:38)
• But this is not the end of Peter’s story in John’s Gospel (21:15-23)
So What?
• Jesus’ trials are a reminder that His death was unjust. And yet by it He brought about eternal justice; His death paying the price that our sins deserve. Thus sin is not unpunished, but rather is paid for by Jesus’ unjust death
• Even when we deny Him, there is hope, for Christ’s desire is to forgive and restore us.
Meditation Verse: 1 Peter 3:18
Monday Feb 22, 2016
Monday Feb 22, 2016
The Gospel of John: The Arrest
John 18:1-11
The Betrayal (v. 1-3)
• John reports that the words which Jesus spoke were spoken while He and the disciples traveled to the Garden of Gethsemane
– The Greek shows that these events are happening simultaneously
• Judas brings a cohort of Roman soldiers to arrest Jesus in the garden
– Cohort = 200 to 600 men
• They are prepared for a violent confrontation
• Judas would have met in the garden with Jesus in the past
– A reminder of their close relationship
The Questioning (v. 4-9)
• Jesus is depicted as knowing what is about to happen (v. 4)
– And thus is in control of the situation
• Even beginning the questioning
• When Jesus identifies Himself, He uses a form of the divine name “I Am” (v. 5, 7)
– Thus the mob’s reaction (v. 6)
• He then surrenders, insisting that His disciples be released
– Thus showing His care for them
– And fulfilling earlier Jesus’ promise (17:12)
The Defiance (v. 10-11)
• Peter acts rashly, attacking one of the mob
– They are outnumbered at least 20 to 1
– Peter is obviously not adept with a sword
• Cutting off the man’s ear
• Which Jesus healed (cf. Luke 22:51)
• Shows Peter’s lack of understanding of Jesus’ mission (cf. Matt. 26:52-54)
– This was the will of His Father (v. 11; cf. Luke 22:42)
– He was not being captured
• He was giving Himself over to His enemies
• He is still in control
So What?
• Jesus went to the Cross willingly, to accomplish His Father’s will: our salvation.
• We must come to Jesus willingly, laying down our lives & our swords, surrendering to His will.
Meditation Verse: John 18:11
Tuesday Feb 16, 2016
Tuesday Feb 16, 2016
The Gospel of John: The High Priestly Prayer, part 2
John 17:11b-26
A Prayer of Protection (v. 11b–16)
• Jesus focus His intimate conversation with His Father on His concern for His disciples well-being once He is gone
• This includes their unity (v. 11b)
– Which is conditional upon their continued connection with the Father
• The time of Jesus’ direct protection is drawing to a close (v. 12-13)
– Because He is returning to His Father
• And they will have Jesus’ joy: Abiding in the Father’s love (15:11)
– All have been kept, except Judas
• But that was foretold (Ps. 41:10)
• The danger they face is:
– The world’s hatred
• Because they have accepted Jesus’ word
• And therefore are no longer of this world
– The evil one: the Devil
• Jesus’ prayer is not removal from danger
– But rather perseverance through it
A Prayer of Sanctification (v. 17–19)
• Jesus asks His Holy Father (v. 11b) to make His disciples holy, like Him
– Set apart from the world
• Which happens through their acceptance of and obedience to God’s word
• They are made holy to continue Jesus’ work in the world
A Prayer for All Believers (v. 21-26)
• Jesus prays for those who will believe because of the God’s ministry through these 11
– That is us and all other Christians
• His desire is for unity (v. 21)
– Among Christians
– And between us and God
– Both of which testifies to the world the truth of who Jesus is
• He asks that we reflect His glory
– As He is at work in us through the Spirit
– Loving like God loves
• He petitions that we may with Him
– Eternity in the presence of the glory of God
So What?
• Jesus’ desire for us is:
– To obey His word
– To be united with Him and each other
– To reflect His love and glory to the world
• That same world that hates us for doing so
– To live with Him eternally
• Are we living out these desires?
Meditation Verse: John 17:21