PM John 18:1-14 Miracles in the Garden

[0:00] of God's Word, one from Matthew chapter 26 and the second from John chapter 18. Matthew 26 verse 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane.

[0:23] And he said to his disciples, sit here while I go over there and pray. And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

[0:42] Then he said to them, my soul is very sorrowful even to death. Remain here and watch with me.

[0:53] And going a little further, he fell on his face and prayed saying, my father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.

[1:06] Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, so could you not watch with me one hour?

[1:23] Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, my father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.

[1:46] And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.

[1:59] Then he came to the disciples and said to them, sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

[2:14] Rise, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand. And if we move on to John chapter 18, the first 14 verses.

[2:38] When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley. There was there a garden which he and his disciples entered.

[2:55] Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place. For Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

[3:17] Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, whom do you seek?

[3:28] They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am he. Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.

[3:38] When Jesus said to them, I am he, they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, whom do you seek?

[3:49] And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I told you that I am he. So if you seek me, let these men go.

[4:02] This was to fulfil the word that he had spoken. Of those whom you gave me, I have lost, not one. Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear.

[4:19] The servant's name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, put your sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?

[4:33] So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

[4:50] It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

[5:03] May God bless this reading of his word. I wonder if you've ever stood in the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle. Or have looked out from Eiland Donnan, or even Curlaveret Castle.

[5:22] Or from the Tower of London. And have been touched by a sense of history. Of standing where great people of the past have stood.

[5:35] And if you've ever had the opportunity to visit the Holy Land. Have you sensed your own insignificance when you've sat at Jacob's Well.

[5:50] Or bathed in the River Jordan. Or stood on the old wall of Jerusalem. Or visited the site of the Garden of Gethsemane.

[6:01] I wonder what our Lord felt. When after finishing his high priestly prayer for the disciples and for us.

[6:19] As we have it in John 17. He left the precincts of Jerusalem. And he crossed the Kidron Valley. Heading for the Garden of Gethsemane.

[6:33] Gethsemane of course means oil press. And indeed in the garden that tourists visit today. There are some very ancient olive trees. Modern scientific techniques date these at at least 900 years old.

[6:52] And Sam would tell us that that is a very old tree. But they also admit that in a village near Bethlehem. There is an olive tree that is at least 4,000 years old.

[7:07] And who knows if those trees in Gethsemane may actually have been there. When Jesus went through those agonies in prayer.

[7:18] Even as the disciples couldn't keep their eyes open and kept nodding off. But as Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley that night.

[7:29] As he must have done many times before. I wonder if he sensed the history of the place. Because the Kidron Valley.

[7:40] Which is sited at the northeast part of the old city. Down into the valley there. And then the brook Kidron continues.

[7:52] On a 20 mile 4,000 foot drop to the Dead Sea. That valley has seen many momentous events in Israel's history.

[8:04] This is where David traversed as he left Jerusalem. In distress during Absalom's rebellion.

[8:16] That's in 2 Samuel 15 and 23. It was where King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles chapter 20. Watched as God overthrew his enemies.

[8:27] This was where King Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 29 and 30. Is recorded as sanctifying and purifying his people. From all the unclean things that had replaced the worship of Yahweh.

[8:42] And this was where the prophet Joel. Predicted that God would gather all nations. And bring them to the valley of Jehoshaphat. This was a special place.

[8:55] With special history. That was just about to become even more famous than ever. Because it was where Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.

[9:11] It was where in anguish as he prayed. His sweat was as it were great drops of blood.

[9:24] It was where he was betrayed. It was where he was arrested and taken away. To face the malignity of the Pharisees and their leaders.

[9:35] And strangely John records nothing of the prayerful anguish of Gethsemane. Which all three of the synoptic gospel writers document.

[9:48] Which is why we read that passage from Matthew. But being the last of the gospels to be written. John accepts that many things have already been well documented.

[10:07] And his job is to amplify aspects of Jesus' teaching. And append explanatory notes as he often does. And he certainly gives us a graphic account of the intentionality of Judas' betrayal.

[10:29] In verse 3. Where he says. So Judas. Judas procured a band of soldiers.

[10:41] And some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees. And went there. Judas was the ringleader. He was the instigator of the betrayal.

[10:54] John also gives us a graphic account of Peter's violent reaction. As Jesus' arrest is imminent. And also a very clear description of the miracle of healing.

[11:08] Of the high priest's servant Malchus. Now the modern definition of a miracle. Is an extraordinary and welcome event.

[11:20] That is not explicable by natural or scientific laws. And is therefore attributed to a divine agency. Maybe I should read that again.

[11:32] A miracle is an extraordinary and welcome event. That is not explicable by natural or scientific laws.

[11:43] And is therefore attributed to a divine agency. Now maybe rather glibly. We readily talk about how it was a miracle.

[11:55] That more people weren't killed in a bus crash. Or a terrorist attack. We're also familiar with miracles. Recorded in the Bible.

[12:06] In the Old Testament for instance. The two and a half million people. Of the children of Israel. Crossing the Red Sea without loss. It's a most extraordinary.

[12:17] Wonderful miracle. And likewise. Them crossing the half mile wide Jordan River. In full flood. At the other end of the 40 years. As they entered the promised land.

[12:28] We've got miracles of manna. And quail. And water. For two and a half million people. Over 40 years. Going through a desert. And we've got individual miracles too.

[12:41] Like fire from heaven. Consuming Elijah's sacrifice. On the hastily rebuilt altar to God. On Mount Carmel. And the fire that came down from heaven.

[12:52] To burn it up. So these are just two or three examples. Of the host of miracles in the Old Testament. But we're most familiar.

[13:03] I think. With the miracles. Which the Lord Jesus performed. During his earthly ministry. Turning water into wine. The very best wine. Healing the lame.

[13:16] The deaf. The blind. Feeding thousands of people. From tiny amounts of lobes and fishes. And as we thought about this morning. Healing sufferers from leprosy.

[13:28] That dreaded ostracizing skin disease. With some of those healed. Thankful. Like the Samaritan. But where were the other nine who were healed.

[13:41] But this evening. We read a passage in John's Gospel. Which I think. Contains the account of several miracles. Though we might only usually recognize one of these as such.

[13:56] We've got Peter. In his impetuosity. Unsheathing his sword. And taking a potentially lethal swipe. At the head of the high priest servant Malchus.

[14:08] He cut off his ear. Either completely or leaving it dangling there. And it could just as easily have been Malchus's head. But Jesus tells him to put his sword away.

[14:20] And Jesus then is recorded. As healing a battle wound. A wound sustained in armed conflict.

[14:32] For the one and only time. This was a miracle of healing like no other I can recall from scripture. In that it was the healing of an injury. Sustained by the use of an offensive weapon.

[14:45] Rather than the result of illness. Be that congenital or acquired. Our saviour's power over created mankind. Is once again evidenced here.

[14:59] After all. He did create man in the first place. And could he not repair him. So to speak. Genesis 1 and 26. Then God said.

[15:10] Let us make mankind in our image. Our. Referring to the triune God. Father. Son. And Holy Spirit.

[15:23] So. No one could fail to see this as a miracle of healing. But I think. We can detect the supernatural and divine.

[15:33] In a number of other ways in this passage. You see. If we were Hollywood script writers. And had been making a good movie here. We would undoubtedly have had a scene.

[15:46] Where there was heart searching in the garden of Gethsemane. As Jesus recognized that confrontation lay ahead. But then a strategy would have been put in place.

[15:57] That involved bolstering defenses. Laying down a cache of weapons. Setting traps. Unleashing firepower when the enemy approached. And glorious triumph.

[16:08] Would blossom in victory over a slain enemy. That would be the way of the world. But not. The way of Christ. Not the way of God.

[16:22] In this greatest of all dramas. Unfolding in front of our eyes in John's gospel. Jesus. Gloriously triumphs. Triumphs.

[16:33] In his own. Willing. Death. And sacrifice. Because the plan. The strategy. Was a divine one.

[16:45] It was laid down in the covenant. Between. God the father. And God the son. In the throne room of eternity. Past. Before the world began.

[16:57] This is the greatest story ever told. God. I think the other miracles we see. In this passage.

[17:09] Go a bit like this. The first. Is the miracle of holy. Submission. To God's will. And to that covenant arrangement.

[17:21] In the synoptic gospels. Matthew, Mark and Luke. We have that more detailed account. Of Jesus agony in the garden of Gethsemane. Confronting the reality.

[17:32] Of the forthcoming abuse. Physical torture. Humiliation. Crucifixion. Sustaining the weight of the world's sin.

[17:43] On his shoulders. And worst of all. Worst of all. Enduring the reaction. Of his beloved father. To the repugnant sin.

[17:57] That Jesus had become. On our behalf. Jesus himself had said. That greater love has no man than this.

[18:07] Than that a man lay down his life. For his friends. And you are my friends. He said to his disciples. If you do what I command. But Paul digs.

[18:17] Further into this sacrifice. And tells us in Romans 5. Very rarely. Will anyone die. For a righteous person. Though for a good person.

[18:28] Someone might. Possibly. Dare to die. But God. Demonstrates. His own love for us. In this. While we were still sinners.

[18:41] Enemies. Christ. Christ. Died. For us. And as we read the accounts. Of Jesus. Agony in the garden. As we see in our very limited way.

[18:53] The enormity. Of what lay ahead. But as Jesus saw. With unimpaired vision. Fully. Completely. To the last. Dreg. What lay ahead.

[19:04] He was in a ferment. Of distress. Sweating. As it were. Those great drops. Of blood. There is a medical name.

[19:14] For this. Phenomenon. It's called. Hematohydrosis. It's where the little capillaries. At the base of the sweat glands. Rupture. And literally.

[19:25] You sweat blood. It's a very rare phenomenon. But it's been recorded. Medically. Mainly in people. Who have been condemned. To be executed.

[19:36] You see. You or I. Faced with. Agonizing choices. On our.

[19:47] Limited. Level. And. With real. Alternatives. In front of us. We'd undoubtedly. Have chosen. What involved. Least pain. For us.

[19:57] Very often. We. We. Recognize. That we've got no control. Of our circumstances. But here.

[20:07] Jesus. Does. Have. Control. Over these circumstances. At a word. From his mouth. Legions. Of angels. Could have attended him. Protected him.

[20:19] Comforted him. And taken him away. From his unutterable pain. But he. Chose. Willingly. The way. Of suffering.

[20:30] Looking beyond. The cross. For the joy. Set before him. Endured that. Despising the shame. As Hebrews 12. Tells us. And he submitted.

[20:41] To what. Was his father's will. Indeed. What he and the father. Had agreed. Was necessary. So that. Fallen sinners. Might be saved.

[20:52] And restored. To right. Relationship. With God. And don't forget. Any of us. Please. That this was driven.

[21:03] By the father's. Heart. Of compassion. Giving his son. That whoever. Believes in him. Should not perish. But have everlasting life. Humanly speaking.

[21:15] What happened. In the garden. Of Gethsemane. And Christ's. Acquiescence. If it is possible. May this cup. Pass from me. But nevertheless. Not my will. But yours. Be done.

[21:26] This holy. Submission. To God's will. Is the. Most. Amazing. Miracle. Truly. An extraordinary. And welcome event.

[21:39] That is not explicable. By natural. Or scientific. Laws. This. Is a miracle. Of grace. The next miracle.

[21:52] I think. Is a miracle. Of courage. Throughout human history. There have been recordings. Of extraordinary. Acts. Of human courage. Many in the face.

[22:02] Of seemingly. Impossible odds. From the. The Kate Darling. Kind of bravery. Rescuing. People at sea. To. Selfless. Acts. Of. Valor.

[22:12] On the battlefield. Which have led to. Awarding of the Victoria Cross. Or in. On. In civilian life. To the George Cross. And even these acts.

[22:23] Would be described. By many as miraculous. Though. Maybe. Remarkable. Would be a better term. Scripture though. Does record.

[22:33] Many acts. Of miraculous. Bravery. We've got Daniel. Persevering. In his prayer life. Despite. King Darius. Decree. And facing up.

[22:44] To interment. In the lion's den. We've got. Shadrach. Meshach. And Abednego. Refusing to bow down. And worship. Nebuchadnezzar's image. Even when it meant.

[22:56] Being cast. Into a fiery furnace. You know. A number of months ago. I went to. A midweek. Evening. Meeting.

[23:07] In our church. And I became aware. Of a smell. Of burning. I was starting. To get alarmed. But then I realized.

[23:17] That the smell. Was from me. And I had been burning. Weeds in the garden. Earlier in the day. And the smell. Of the burning. Was on my clothes. Now part of the miracle.

[23:30] Of Shadrach. Meshach. And Abednego. As recorded. In Daniel 3. Verse 27. Goes like this. They saw. They saw that the fire. Had not harmed their bodies.

[23:41] Nor was a hair of their heads singed. Their robes were not scorched. And miracle of miracles. There was no smell of fire on them. That is a miracle.

[23:55] But we also got the incredible. Courage of Elijah. Facing down. Evil King Ahab. And the prophets of Baal.

[24:05] On the top of Carmel. Rebuilding the altar of God. Getting water poured over the sacrifice. So much that it ran into the channel. Around the base of the altar.

[24:16] But then. After that demonstration of courage. He takes his eyes off Yahweh. He listens to Queen Jezebel's threats.

[24:27] Her fatwa against him. And then he runs the length of the country. In terror. And we know that twice. The Lord asked him that striking question.

[24:38] When he had reached Horeb. What are you doing here Elijah? He had an answer of sorts. As we know. But.

[24:52] Here in John 18. We could ask the same question. Of the Lord Jesus. What are you doing here?

[25:05] We have the hunted. The victim. Voluntarily. Going out to meet his Al-Qaeda equivalent. We often forget.

[25:16] Just how miraculously brave. Christ Jesus was. In those three years of his ministry. Well. We might say he was Jesus. But the miracle of the incarnation.

[25:29] Was not just. That God would come to earth. In the flesh. As a baby at Bethlehem. But that Jesus. Was fully.

[25:40] Man. As well. As fully. God. And as fully man. He was subject. To the same. Plethora of emotions. And stresses. That we are.

[25:52] Yet. Without sin. Quite a number of folk. This year. Have said to me. I suppose it was worse. For you going through surgery. Because.

[26:03] You knew. All. That it involved. Now if that was true. How much more. Did the Lord Jesus.

[26:14] Know. What was involved. As he went out. And asked them. Who is it. You want. Jesus. Facing down.

[26:24] Of this mob. Showed. Miraculous. Gravery. The next miracle. I think. Is a miracle. Of authority. Think about it.

[26:35] For a moment. We have. Here. A detachment. Of. Battle. Hardened. Roman soldiers. As well as some.

[26:46] Officials. From the chief priests. And Pharisees. And they were carrying. Torches. And lanterns. And weapons. And they were faced. By a single individual. The disciples.

[26:57] Were in the background. As was their want. So we have a single individual. Who stepped forward. And asked them. For whom they were looking. Jesus of Nazareth.

[27:08] They said. When Jesus said. I am he. They drew back. And fell to the ground. All of them. Now that is a miracle. Of inherent authority.

[27:20] In itself. But when Jesus spoke. What he said. Terrified the core. Of their evil souls. We translate it. In our Bibles.

[27:30] I am he. But what the Greek says. What Jesus said. Identified him as God. He said. Ego. I me. He said. I am. In the same way.

[27:43] He had previously said. Before Abraham was. I am. Thereby. Identifying himself. As divine. And prompting. And prompting attempts.

[27:53] By the Pharisees. To kill him. John 8. 48. He said. The words of God. In the wilderness. To Moses.

[28:04] Telling the Egyptians. I am. Has sent you. Remember all. Jesus. I am. Sayings. As we thought. This morning. The bread. I am the bread of life. The water of life.

[28:15] The door. The good shepherd. The light of the world. The resurrection. And the life. The true vine. The way. The truth. And the life. But summarized.

[28:27] All in a miracle. Of authority. In a single. Two word phrase. Of divine acclaim. I. Am. This divine authority.

[28:40] Empowered Jesus. To walk right through. The middle of those. Who would have thrown him. Over the precipice. In Nazareth. As we read this morning. And here in the garden. That same authority.

[28:52] Drives the Pharisees. Posse. Down on their faces. In the dust. We can't move on from this. Without remembering.

[29:04] That the I am. Which terrorized the soldiers. Was the same I am. That both terrified. And thrilled. The disciples hearts.

[29:15] In the storm. In the storm. In Galilee. When Jesus. Reassured them. What in our. Bible translations.

[29:27] Goes like. It is I. Don't be afraid. Actually. Literally. What it says is. I am. Don't be afraid.

[29:38] God. God. And Jesus. Jesus. With a word. Calmed the sea. And the wind. And the storm. There is a miracle of foreknowledge.

[29:51] Here too. I have already alluded to this. As Jesus wrestled in prayer. To his father. But we have stated with startling clarity. In verse 4.

[30:01] Jesus. Knowing. All that was going to happen to him. Went out. And asked them. Who is it you want?

[30:12] Knowing all that was going to happen. Does that not make the actions and behavior of our Lord. All the more astonishing. He knew the outcome. He knew the details.

[30:24] He knew what was ahead. In the next few darkest hours. He knew every one of his disciples. Would forsake him and flee. He knew what was at stake.

[30:35] He had you. And me. Before his mind's eye. He knew all that was going to happen. And in ways.

[30:46] Where we can only begin to acquire. An inkling. Of understanding. Jesus foreknew. Each aspect of the awfulness. Of the next few hours.

[30:58] Ahead. That held for him. He knew that. Without the shedding of blood. There could be no. Remission. Of sins.

[31:09] He knew perfectly. That Isaiah 53. Was going to be played out. In his own. Personal. Experience. Now.

[31:20] In Luke's gospel. Chapter 24. Verses 44 and 45. We're told that. After his resurrection. The Lord Jesus revealed. To his eleven disciples.

[31:31] Not just to the two. On the road to Emmaus. But to the eleven disciples. He opened. Their minds. So they could understand. The scriptures.

[31:41] The scriptures. Everything. Everything. Had to be fulfilled. That was written about him. In the law of Moses. The prophets. And the Psalms. That's what it says.

[31:52] But more than that. John. Places Jesus. Own words. On a par. With the scripture.

[32:03] And later. In chapter 18. That we read. In verse 32. He says. This took place. To fulfill. To fulfill. Fulfill. What Jesus.

[32:14] Had said. About the kind of death. He was going to die. This miracle. Of foreknowledge. Makes the miracles. Of bravery. And holy submission. All the more.

[32:26] Amazing. And the flip side. Of course. Of the miracle. Of foreknowledge. Is the miracle. Of fulfillment. Of prophecy. Our understandings.

[32:38] Are still not. What they should be. About how the Old Testament. Points continuously. To Christ coming. Pointing to the Messiah. Pointing to his death. And pointing to his resurrection.

[32:50] Pointing to the coming. Of the Holy Spirit. It also. Points. To Jesus. Coming again. In glory. This time. And that has not.

[33:01] Happened yet. But just as surely. As every word. Of scripture. Was fulfilled. In Jesus. First coming. So will his second coming. Be fulfilled. To the letter.

[33:12] In God's good time. Isaiah 53. And Psalm 22. That we sang together. Are but two examples. Of very clear prophecy.

[33:24] About Jesus. Suffering and death. There are hundreds. Of others. But Jesus. Own words. Were to be fulfilled too. And John reminds us.

[33:35] In verse 9. Of what was recorded. Earlier in Jesus ministry. John 6. 39. When he said. And this is the will. Of him who sent me. That I shall lose none. Of all those.

[33:46] He has given me. And again. In John 17. Jesus said. I will remain. In the world. No longer. But they.

[33:59] The disciples. Are still in the world. And I am coming to you. Holy Father. Protect them. By the power of. Your name. The name. You gave.

[34:11] Me. I am. So that they may be. One as we are. And that was fulfilled. In verses 8 to 14.

[34:21] Of John 18. Because the final miracle. Was a miracle. Of protection. For the disciples. Think about it.

[34:33] A detachment. Of soldiers. Has been sent. To arrest Jesus. These stragglers. Of disciples. With Jesus. Have turned nasty. One of them. Has cut off the ear.

[34:43] Of the high priest servant. Do you think. For an instant. For an instant. Human nature. Being what it is. That these Romans. Would then say. Oh sure. That's fine. It was only an ear.

[34:54] We just. We just want the main man here. No. They would have slaughtered. The disciples. Hardened Roman soldiers. Meeting violence. With overwhelming violence.

[35:04] Were it not. For Jesus intervention. We see here. A miracle. Of protection. In that not a hair. Of the disciples.

[35:15] Heads. Was harmed. If you are looking for me. Said Jesus. Let these men go. And as verse 9 continues.

[35:26] And we have already said. This happened. So that the words. He had spoken. Would be fulfilled. And as we reflect. On scripture.

[35:36] More widely. We. We see. And read about. Miracles of protection. Everywhere. We. We've got Moses. So beautifully. Hidden in the cleft. Of the rock.

[35:46] We've got. David. We've got. David. Protected from Saul. On so many occasions. We've got Daniel. And Shadrach. Meshach. And Abednego. Protected from.

[35:57] Ferocious lions. And the ravages of fire. We've got Paul's. Catalogue of disasters. From which he was protected. In 2 Corinthians 11. We've got. Sam upon Sam.

[36:08] Telling us. The same message. Psalm 23. 27. 61. For you have been. My refuge. We have the very army. Of the Lord of hosts. Protecting us.

[36:19] As Elisha could see. In 2 Kings 6 and 17. The hill full of horses. And chariots of fire. All around Elisha. Very reminiscent. I may say. Of John G.

[36:30] Paton's experience. With the cannibals. In the New Hebrides. Finding out later. That when he might have been. Attacked and killed. The would-be attackers. Were frightened away. By a similar.

[36:41] Angelic army. Have you been aware. Of miracles. Of protection. In your own life. I have. One example.

[36:53] Was when I was in my. Late 20s. And we were expecting. Our first child. I was taking home. A couple of old ladies. From Govan Hill Free Church.

[37:04] Who had been for supper. It was about 10 o'clock. At night. And I was just holding open. The door. Of our new. Nissan cherry. Do you remember those? Some of the more. Mature members.

[37:14] Of the congregation. Will remember Miss and cherries. This wee car. Had only gone 38 miles. And a drunk driver. Came slewing.

[37:25] Around the corner. Accelerated down the road. Outside our house. And he hit. At high speed. The door. Whose handle. I was holding.

[37:36] If the door. If the door. Had been propelled. Into me. I would have been killed. Instead. The door. Was whipped. Out of my hand. And demolished.

[37:46] The front wing. Of the car. A worldly person. Would say. Oh. What good luck. It's the way. The cards were dealt. How foolish. How unutterably foolish.

[37:58] God's hand. Of protection. A miracle. Of protection. Was what I experienced. In that instant. That night. Which is one reason. Why I'm here.

[38:09] Just now. Psalm 42. Verse 5. Tells us. You. Have multiplied. Oh Lord. My God. Your wondrous. Deeds.

[38:20] And your thoughts. Towards us. None. Can compare. With you. I will proclaim. And tell of them. Yet. They are more.

[38:31] Than can be told. We've thought this evening. About miracles. In the garden. Miracles. Of healing.

[38:43] Miracles. Of holy submission. Of courage. Of authority. Of foreknowledge. Of fulfillment. Of prophecy. And of protection. Of Jesus' loved ones.

[38:55] But from start to finish. In today's passage. We read about that. About part of the miracle. Of grace. Which is God's gift.

[39:05] To us. The well-known mnemonic. For grace. Is God's riches. At Christ's expense. That could never be truer. Than in what we have just thought about.

[39:17] This evening. The greatness. The greatness. The greatness. Of the riches. The greatness. Of the cost.

[39:28] And how we should. Worship him. Just like the healed leper. Throwing ourselves. At his feet. In adoration. Love. And praise. For such great salvation.

[39:39] Salvation for us. Salvation. Which Jesus purchased. At such. A personal cost. And it is. Personal to him.

[39:51] As we confront. His truth. This evening. As we confront. Him. I'd like to. Finish.

[40:02] By reading. One or two. Little verses. Of scripture. Which help us. In this regard. We've got.

[40:15] Job. In chapter five. Saying. As for me. I would seek God.

[40:27] And to God. Would I commit my cause. Who does great things. And unsearchable. Marvelous things. Without number. Psalm 77.

[40:42] We've. Sung. A part of that. But when you are. In dire straits. And the message. From scripture. Tells you. You are the God.

[40:53] Who performs miracles. How can your heart. Not be lifted up. But I'd like to finish. With. Isaiah.

[41:04] 35. Reading a few. Verses there. Strengthen. The weak hands. And make firm. The feeble knees. Say to those.

[41:16] Who have an anxious heart. Which of us. Does not have an anxious heart. Be strong. Fear not. Behold.

[41:26] Your God. Will come with vengeance. With the recompense. Of God. He will come. And save you. Then the eyes. Of the blind. Shall be opened.

[41:37] And the ears. Of the deaf. Unstopped. Then shall the lame man. Leap like a deer. And the tongue. Of the mute. Sing for joy. For waters. Break forth.

[41:47] In the wilderness. And streams. In the desert. The burning sand. Will become a pool. And the thirsty ground. Springs of water. In the haunt of jackals. Where they lie down.

[41:57] The grass. Shall become reeds. And rushes. And a highway. Shall be there. And it shall be called. The way. Of holiness. The unclean.

[42:08] Shall not pass over it. It shall belong. To those. Who walk on the way. Even if they are fools. They shall not go astray. No lion.

[42:18] Shall be there. Nor shall any ravenous beast. Come up on it. They shall not be found there. But the redeemed. Shall walk there.

[42:29] And the ransomed. Of the Lord. Shall return. And come to Zion. With singing. Everlasting joy. Shall be upon their heads.

[42:42] They shall obtain. Gladness. And joy. And sorrow. And sighing. Shall flee away. Such was the prospect.

[42:54] Our Lord saw before him. And such is the prospect. He has prepared for us. Let us worship him. With our lives.

[43:05] With a willing sacrifice. Let's pray together. Heavenly Father. Thank you for the Lord Jesus.

[43:15] Thank you for his love. And his miraculous. strength. And power. And obedience.

[43:27] And commitment. To sinners. If he had not died. For us father. We would have no hope. But now we have a living hope.

[43:40] Thank you. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for his blood. Shed for us on Calvary. Thank you for this prospect. Of a day coming. When there will be no more sorrow.

[43:50] Or sighing. Or tears. When we will be with our Saviour. And we shall see him as he is. And we shall spend eternity. Praising the Lamb. Worthy as the Lamb.

[44:03] Thank you for providing. Such great salvation. Bless our hearts tonight. We pray father. As we part. Take us safely to our homes. And help us to think much.

[44:15] On these things. In Jesus name. Amen.