WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:20.760 Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy. Cast off that I might be brought in. Trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend. Surrendered to hell's worst that I might attain heaven's best. 00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:29.980 ! Stripped that I might be clothed. Wounded that I might be healed. Thirsty that I might be healed. 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:45.840 Drink. Tormented that I might be comforted. Made ashamed that I might inherit glory. Entered darkness that I might have eternal life. My Saviour wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes. 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:59.840 Growned that I might have endless song. Endured all pain that I might have unfading health. Bore a thorned crown that I might have a glory diadem. 00:00:59.840 --> 00:01:14.939 Bowed his head that I might lift mine. Experienced reproach that I might receive welcome. Closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness. 00:01:16.320 --> 00:01:19.300 Died that I might forever live. 00:01:19.299 --> 00:01:25.340 That is the message of John 19. It's a message beyond comprehension. 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:32.379 Of a king who is stripped that you might have clothes. Of a king who is rich beyond our wildest imaginations. 00:01:33.079 --> 00:01:35.780 And yet is made poor so that we may be made rich. 00:01:36.519 --> 00:01:39.959 A king who is fullness himself. Empties himself. 00:01:40.479 --> 00:01:43.019 That he might fulfil us. It is the king's execution. 00:01:43.019 --> 00:01:47.640 And I want you to see that beyond any doubt. That is what John wants you to see. 00:01:47.719 --> 00:01:49.379 So can you turn back to John chapter 18. 00:01:50.619 --> 00:01:53.819 And you will see as we go to that passage. Over and over and over again. 00:01:54.819 --> 00:01:56.159 Jesus is called king. 00:01:56.560 --> 00:01:57.920 This word keeps coming back. 00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:01.579 It keeps coming up in the narrative. I wonder what you think of Jesus. 00:02:01.979 --> 00:02:03.060 It builds momentum. 00:02:03.859 --> 00:02:05.280 And it pushes the plot on. 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:08.079 So it's there in chapter 18 and verse 33. 00:02:08.979 --> 00:02:10.319 Pilate says to Jesus. 00:02:10.539 --> 00:02:12.439 Are you the king of the Jews? 00:02:13.020 --> 00:02:14.659 And then you look at verse 36. 00:02:15.380 --> 00:02:16.180 Jesus answered. 00:02:16.520 --> 00:02:20.660 My kingdom is not of this world. 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:23.580 If my kingdom were of this world. 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:25.040 My sermons would have been fighting. 00:02:25.360 --> 00:02:26.920 That I might not be delivered over the Jews. 00:02:27.180 --> 00:02:29.580 But my kingdom is not of this world. 00:02:29.620 --> 00:02:31.219 Look at verse 37. It's there. 00:02:31.420 --> 00:02:32.260 So are you a king? 00:02:32.260 --> 00:02:33.060 Pilate says. 00:02:34.020 --> 00:02:34.939 It's there in verse 39. 00:02:36.740 --> 00:02:39.620 Do you want me to release you the king of the Jews? 00:02:40.600 --> 00:02:42.879 And then on to chapter 19 and verse 3. 00:02:43.020 --> 00:02:44.300 They came up to him saying. 00:02:44.420 --> 00:02:46.219 Hail king of the Jews. 00:02:46.420 --> 00:02:47.400 Verse 12. 00:02:49.500 --> 00:02:50.780 If you release me this man. 00:02:50.820 --> 00:02:51.780 You are not Caesar's friend. 00:02:52.100 --> 00:02:54.480 Everyone who makes himself a king. 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:56.040 Opposes Caesar. 00:02:56.560 --> 00:02:57.080 14. 00:02:59.660 --> 00:03:00.760 He said to the Jews. 00:03:00.840 --> 00:03:01.580 Behold your king. 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:03.060 Verse 15. 00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:05.140 Pilate said. 00:03:05.200 --> 00:03:06.939 Then shall I crucify your king? 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:08.159 King. 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:08.439 King. 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:08.719 King. 00:03:09.060 --> 00:03:09.439 King. 00:03:09.939 --> 00:03:10.199 King. 00:03:10.900 --> 00:03:11.939 It's about royalty. 00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:15.219 And the momentum is building as we approach the cross. 00:03:15.539 --> 00:03:16.419 We are seeing the king. 00:03:16.740 --> 00:03:17.719 And in our own passage. 00:03:17.859 --> 00:03:19.919 Written in capital letters in verse 19. 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:21.159 Jesus of Nazareth. 00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:22.579 Verse 19. 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:24.259 The king of the Jews. 00:03:26.020 --> 00:03:28.000 And then there is an argument about his identity. 00:03:28.300 --> 00:03:28.900 Is he a king? 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:30.539 Or does he just claim to be a king? 00:03:30.539 --> 00:03:34.179 And John is wanting us to see very clearly. 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:35.459 At the moment. 00:03:35.979 --> 00:03:38.219 Of Jesus' crucifixion. 00:03:39.060 --> 00:03:40.599 Jesus is the king. 00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:43.019 At the cross. 00:03:43.579 --> 00:03:45.759 Jesus is God's king. 00:03:46.799 --> 00:03:48.239 Now the first point is this. 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:50.560 He is this king. 00:03:51.579 --> 00:03:53.079 In the midst of his power. 00:03:53.780 --> 00:03:55.359 But that power and majesty. 00:03:55.539 --> 00:03:56.099 In the midst of that. 00:03:56.180 --> 00:03:57.039 The king is passive. 00:03:57.319 --> 00:03:58.239 The king is passive. 00:03:58.240 --> 00:03:58.800 Is it passive? 00:03:58.900 --> 00:04:00.320 Have a look at the end of verse 16. 00:04:02.300 --> 00:04:04.000 So the soldiers. 00:04:05.120 --> 00:04:06.320 Took charge of him. 00:04:07.960 --> 00:04:09.640 So he delivered him over. 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:11.460 To them to be crucified. 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:12.879 So they took Jesus. 00:04:12.980 --> 00:04:13.439 More literally. 00:04:13.740 --> 00:04:14.900 They took charge of Jesus. 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:16.500 That's not how you treat a king is it? 00:04:17.300 --> 00:04:18.600 No you treat them with honour. 00:04:18.860 --> 00:04:20.040 No they treat charge of him. 00:04:20.100 --> 00:04:21.439 Look at verse 18. 00:04:22.620 --> 00:04:24.620 There they crucified him. 00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:27.079 Within two others. 00:04:27.180 --> 00:04:27.920 One on either side. 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:29.180 And Jesus between them. 00:04:29.400 --> 00:04:30.199 The king appears. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:31.220 Doesn't he to be weak. 00:04:31.480 --> 00:04:32.199 And vulnerable. 00:04:32.439 --> 00:04:33.020 And feeble. 00:04:33.280 --> 00:04:34.379 He is passive. 00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:36.060 As his hands. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:36.879 And as his feet. 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:38.300 Are nailed to the cross. 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:39.600 The king is passive. 00:04:39.800 --> 00:04:40.900 In his crucifixion. 00:04:41.280 --> 00:04:42.080 He is passive. 00:04:42.200 --> 00:04:43.040 In his argument. 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:44.080 That goes on. 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:45.000 About his identification. 00:04:45.400 --> 00:04:46.460 Who is this man? 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:48.319 And Pilate says. 00:04:48.540 --> 00:04:49.379 I'm going to write. 00:04:49.580 --> 00:04:50.439 On the sign. 00:04:50.540 --> 00:04:51.939 That you are the king of the Jews. 00:04:52.300 --> 00:04:53.220 Jesus of Nazareth. 00:04:53.520 --> 00:04:54.300 But the chief priests. 00:04:54.379 --> 00:04:54.939 Don't like it. 00:04:54.980 --> 00:04:56.520 And they bat it back and forth. 00:04:56.519 --> 00:04:58.859 And there is debate about who he is. 00:04:58.979 --> 00:05:00.139 And what is his identity. 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:02.759 And what does Jesus say in the midst of that? 00:05:03.379 --> 00:05:03.680 Nothing. 00:05:05.259 --> 00:05:06.099 He is silent. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:09.500 As a sheep before the sheers. 00:05:09.839 --> 00:05:12.500 As a lamb before his executioners. 00:05:12.859 --> 00:05:13.740 He is passive. 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:15.120 And again he is stripped. 00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:18.240 His clothes are taken from him. 00:05:18.459 --> 00:05:19.299 Even his garment. 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:20.799 Which was seamlessly woven. 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:22.819 From one piece to the top or the bottom. 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:25.079 It's taken by the soldiers. 00:05:25.180 --> 00:05:26.660 And what does Jesus do about it? 00:05:26.699 --> 00:05:27.300 In his defence. 00:05:27.420 --> 00:05:28.020 He does nothing. 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:29.980 He is passive. 00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:32.100 The king is passive. 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:33.000 Vulnerable. 00:05:33.379 --> 00:05:33.780 Weak. 00:05:34.520 --> 00:05:34.920 Feeble. 00:05:36.220 --> 00:05:37.280 Before the whole world. 00:05:40.060 --> 00:05:41.319 You've got that wonderful scene of you. 00:05:41.400 --> 00:05:42.060 In the book of the lion. 00:05:42.139 --> 00:05:42.900 The witch and the wardrobe. 00:05:44.900 --> 00:05:46.199 Where Aslan is tied up. 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:47.780 You've seen that film. 00:05:47.779 --> 00:05:49.439 And he's hauled onto the stone. 00:05:50.679 --> 00:05:52.259 And his mane is shorn off. 00:05:53.319 --> 00:05:54.779 And his enemies laugh at him. 00:05:54.919 --> 00:05:55.739 You are not a king. 00:05:55.819 --> 00:05:57.039 You're just a big cat. 00:05:57.219 --> 00:05:57.939 That we can kill. 00:05:59.259 --> 00:06:01.179 And that is the scene we read of here. 00:06:01.299 --> 00:06:02.139 At least on the surface. 00:06:03.359 --> 00:06:04.259 At least on the surface. 00:06:04.359 --> 00:06:05.399 We see a king who is passive. 00:06:05.659 --> 00:06:07.179 But we also see a king who is public. 00:06:08.219 --> 00:06:10.579 A king who is very, very openly public. 00:06:10.879 --> 00:06:12.319 The execution is taking place. 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:13.119 Think of the timing. 00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:15.459 When did the cross happen? 00:06:15.559 --> 00:06:16.699 When did Good Friday happen? 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:18.360 It happened at the Passover. 00:06:18.779 --> 00:06:20.939 One of the main festivals of the Jews. 00:06:21.779 --> 00:06:23.860 Jews have flocked from all around Israel. 00:06:24.219 --> 00:06:24.719 To Jerusalem. 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:26.860 The execution is a public execution. 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:28.259 Now where is it taking place? 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:29.279 In verse 20. 00:06:30.980 --> 00:06:33.439 Where Jesus was crucified near the city. 00:06:34.620 --> 00:06:35.560 If you look at the maps. 00:06:35.639 --> 00:06:36.599 You'll see that Golgotha. 00:06:36.860 --> 00:06:39.459 Was just outside the city walls. 00:06:40.419 --> 00:06:41.259 We think, don't we? 00:06:41.379 --> 00:06:42.360 Outside of the city. 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:44.159 As kind of Hem of Hemset. 00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:45.960 Or high wicked. 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:46.700 Or something like that. 00:06:46.740 --> 00:06:47.380 But it's not like that. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:48.540 Get that out of your mind. 00:06:49.880 --> 00:06:51.540 How do we know that it wasn't far? 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:54.420 Well, you can carry the cross to it. 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:57.540 It's close enough to have walked his cross. 00:06:57.620 --> 00:06:58.520 From Pilate's palace. 00:06:58.600 --> 00:06:59.960 Having been beaten and whipped. 00:07:00.200 --> 00:07:01.440 It wouldn't have been far. 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:04.040 So in terms of time in Passover. 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:06.540 The greatest time for all the Jews to come together. 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:07.819 In terms of location. 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:09.959 It's right there at the city gate for all to see. 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:11.519 And in terms of the sign. 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:12.519 Have a look at the sign. 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:15.560 It's written in three languages. 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:16.120 Isn't it? 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:16.660 Verse 20. 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:19.100 It is written in Aramaic. 00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:20.120 In Latin. 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:21.379 And in Greek. 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:23.920 Why is it written in those three languages? 00:07:24.060 --> 00:07:24.720 Have you thought about that? 00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:29.380 Because Pilate wants to make sure that everyone understands it. 00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:31.680 Aramaic was the language of the people in those days. 00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:34.180 Latin was the language of the Romans. 00:07:34.900 --> 00:07:36.020 The Roman centurions. 00:07:36.160 --> 00:07:37.620 The Roman army that was there. 00:07:37.900 --> 00:07:39.600 And Greek was the trading language. 00:07:39.940 --> 00:07:41.780 And Jerusalem would be filled with traders. 00:07:42.880 --> 00:07:44.020 Three different languages. 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:45.680 Just in case anyone missed it. 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:48.440 This is the king who is publicly being displayed. 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:51.160 This is the king who is vulnerable. 00:07:51.400 --> 00:07:52.100 And who is weak. 00:07:52.440 --> 00:07:53.460 Who is passive. 00:07:53.780 --> 00:07:54.440 And public. 00:07:54.720 --> 00:07:57.480 In the midst of his execution. 00:07:57.740 --> 00:07:58.500 Now before we go on. 00:07:58.540 --> 00:07:59.960 Let me just answer something here. 00:08:00.760 --> 00:08:02.260 There's a conspiracy theory. 00:08:02.320 --> 00:08:02.620 Isn't that? 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:03.240 That exists. 00:08:03.580 --> 00:08:04.200 Out there. 00:08:04.520 --> 00:08:05.680 About the crucifixion. 00:08:06.660 --> 00:08:07.620 You've probably heard it. 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:09.100 Many Muslims believe this. 00:08:09.780 --> 00:08:11.700 But it wasn't actually Jesus that was crucified. 00:08:12.940 --> 00:08:14.860 And it wasn't Jesus who was put up on the cross. 00:08:14.920 --> 00:08:15.940 It was Simon Cyrene. 00:08:16.300 --> 00:08:16.980 It was another man. 00:08:17.020 --> 00:08:18.820 The man who helped Jesus carry the cross. 00:08:18.820 --> 00:08:20.540 We read about him in Matthew, Mark and Luke. 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:22.780 To carry the cross. 00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:23.480 Simon Cyrene. 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:26.340 And there's this belief that somehow Jesus managed to get away. 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:28.879 He managed to run away. 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:31.020 And the Roman soldiers, they got the wrong person. 00:08:31.140 --> 00:08:33.279 And they nailed Simon Cyrene to the cross. 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:36.759 It's the belief actually that's popularised in the Monty Python. 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:37.680 The life of Brian. 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:39.759 That it's not Jesus on the cross. 00:08:39.800 --> 00:08:40.580 It's someone else. 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:43.580 We'll just look at this passage. 00:08:43.580 --> 00:08:45.379 And take this passage seriously. 00:08:46.900 --> 00:08:48.440 John claims to be an eyewitness. 00:08:48.580 --> 00:08:49.700 He claims that he was there. 00:08:49.800 --> 00:08:50.520 And he saw it. 00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:53.460 Now looking at this passage. 00:08:53.560 --> 00:08:55.280 There's one major problem. 00:08:55.540 --> 00:08:58.180 That answers this conspiracy theory. 00:08:59.180 --> 00:09:00.460 And that problem is the chief priest. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:04.980 These chief priests were close enough to the cross. 00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:07.200 To be able to read the inscription. 00:09:08.519 --> 00:09:09.580 Above Jesus' head. 00:09:10.700 --> 00:09:12.320 So I can just about. 00:09:12.519 --> 00:09:15.039 Well I can see the no entry sign in the back of the door. 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:15.800 Can you do that? 00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:18.139 Can you chin around and see the no entry sign? 00:09:18.200 --> 00:09:18.700 Can you see that? 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:20.139 The green sign right at the back door. 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:23.939 I suspect that is the distance. 00:09:25.100 --> 00:09:25.919 Now you can see that. 00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:27.639 You can see that. 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:30.659 And the chief priests were close enough to be able to read the inscription. 00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:34.899 They weren't standing miles away. 00:09:35.179 --> 00:09:37.840 They weren't kind of standing on the other side of Drayton Green. 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:40.199 Reading the inscription. 00:09:40.539 --> 00:09:42.199 They would have been able to see Jesus' face. 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:45.399 Like I can see David Jones' face in the back. 00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:46.439 Turn around and see David Jones. 00:09:46.539 --> 00:09:47.559 It's a wonderful face to see. 00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:49.519 But you can see it. 00:09:51.139 --> 00:09:52.639 Now these are chief priests aren't they? 00:09:52.699 --> 00:09:54.419 They are begging for Jesus' blood. 00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:57.639 He's been a thawed in their side from the beginning of his ministry. 00:09:58.539 --> 00:10:00.480 And surely wouldn't they have pointed it out? 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:02.340 Wouldn't they have said you've got the wrong man Pilate? 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:05.279 Would they not have stopped it? 00:10:05.299 --> 00:10:06.080 You've got the wrong guy. 00:10:06.159 --> 00:10:06.960 This isn't Jesus. 00:10:07.460 --> 00:10:09.720 This isn't the one we put on trial 24 hours ago. 00:10:09.860 --> 00:10:12.259 This isn't the one we've been trying to kill from months on end. 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:13.779 Why didn't they stop the execution? 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:17.139 And then you've also got Jesus' family. 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:18.220 In verse 25. 00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:23.840 But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister Mary. 00:10:24.300 --> 00:10:25.879 The wife of Cleopas and Mary Magdalene. 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:31.879 How did they manage to watch if they've got the wrong man on the cross? 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:34.759 What do you make of that? 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:37.600 I think it's very, very hard. 00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:41.539 I think it's impossible to hold that conspiracy theory and take this passage seriously. 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:46.580 John is wanting you to think very clearly this morning about the cross. 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:47.820 It is passive. 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:48.860 Jesus is passive. 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:50.679 And it is publicly being executed. 00:10:50.679 --> 00:10:55.500 But when we look at the passage and we go just a little bit beneath the surface. 00:10:56.819 --> 00:11:00.579 We see that Jesus being passive is not just quite what we think it is. 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:04.559 We find actually that Jesus is fully engaged. 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:07.739 Every step of the way in his own execution. 00:11:08.319 --> 00:11:10.159 Jesus is walking through his passion. 00:11:10.519 --> 00:11:13.279 And he is bringing about the events that lead to his death. 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:16.139 So we see that it is passive. 00:11:16.439 --> 00:11:17.000 It is public. 00:11:17.179 --> 00:11:18.839 We see that Jesus is active. 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:21.000 Can you look at that verse 17? 00:11:22.699 --> 00:11:24.339 He walks to the cross. 00:11:24.459 --> 00:11:26.399 Who is carrying the cross in verse 17? 00:11:26.679 --> 00:11:27.939 Jesus is carrying the cross. 00:11:28.939 --> 00:11:31.439 It's interesting John doesn't mention Simon of Cyrene. 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:33.400 Why? 00:11:35.180 --> 00:11:35.580 Why? 00:11:37.580 --> 00:11:40.640 Well because the emphasis is on Jesus walking to his death. 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:44.360 And as we saw in John 12 last Palm Sunday. 00:11:44.680 --> 00:11:46.580 We saw Jesus has been waiting for the hour. 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:48.740 Over and over again John has been saying. 00:11:49.180 --> 00:11:50.340 Jesus talks of the hour. 00:11:50.660 --> 00:11:51.440 This is my hour. 00:11:51.540 --> 00:11:53.040 This is my hour of glorification. 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:54.520 This is the hour of my death. 00:11:54.800 --> 00:11:57.000 The reason I've been born is for this reason. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:57.880 This is the hour. 00:11:58.180 --> 00:11:59.000 This is the moment. 00:11:59.520 --> 00:12:01.300 And Jesus is lifted up on the cross. 00:12:01.640 --> 00:12:03.560 And it's at that point we see the king crowned. 00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:06.020 We are witnessing a coronation. 00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:09.720 Jesus is active in his crucifixion. 00:12:11.060 --> 00:12:13.040 And he is active in his identification. 00:12:15.540 --> 00:12:17.480 So we're thinking of this notice aren't we? 00:12:17.520 --> 00:12:20.020 The notice in three languages that is put above his head. 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:26.220 Now I know nothing about launching a product. 00:12:27.400 --> 00:12:29.140 I got sent a book this week. 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:32.939 Somebody obviously for a joke has sent me a book about marketing the church. 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:33.980 If I find out who it is. 00:12:34.319 --> 00:12:36.319 I'm going to put them on the church discipline or something like that. 00:12:37.340 --> 00:12:38.939 But I know nothing about marketing. 00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:41.159 And no church should be into marketing. 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:44.699 But if you're going to launch a product. 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:46.219 Let's say we're going to launch a product. 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:47.679 That you're trying to sell. 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:50.339 I think you'd think of these three things. 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:52.959 You would think very hard about when to do it. 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:55.939 You'd think very hard about when to do it. 00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:58.419 About the timing of when you'd launch a product. 00:12:59.079 --> 00:13:01.360 You wouldn't launch Cadbury's cream eggs. 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:03.120 Two weeks before Christmas would you? 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:04.759 You'd launch them before Easter. 00:13:05.079 --> 00:13:06.100 You'd think when to do it. 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:07.620 But you'd also think where to do it. 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:10.100 Where to do it. 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:10.540 Location. 00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:14.860 And you'd think what words do I use? 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:18.040 What language do I use to launch that product? 00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:20.959 Do you notice they're all there aren't they? 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:26.039 The perfect time for most people to be in Jerusalem. 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:27.259 Is the time of the Passover. 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.579 The perfect place. 00:13:30.339 --> 00:13:32.099 Was just outside the city wall. 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:34.639 And the language. 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:35.699 Well the wording. 00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:36.399 Three languages. 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:39.039 So that the whole of the civilised world can see what is going on. 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:42.919 Yes a sign about Jesus' head. 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:43.899 In a sense it's a warning. 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:45.199 The Romans are saying. 00:13:45.599 --> 00:13:45.879 Aren't they? 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:47.339 Yes if you mess with us. 00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:48.759 If you screw with us. 00:13:48.800 --> 00:13:49.820 This is what happens to you. 00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:51.920 Yes the sign above Jesus' head. 00:13:52.040 --> 00:13:54.200 Is Pilate's revenge on the chief priest. 00:13:54.420 --> 00:13:55.540 He's humiliating them. 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:57.220 Calling Jesus the king of the Jews. 00:13:57.840 --> 00:13:59.160 And they feel the sting of that. 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:01.320 But ultimately the sign above Jesus' head. 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:02.100 Is a declaration. 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:04.340 It is a proclamation. 00:14:04.780 --> 00:14:06.000 For the whole world to see. 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:07.240 This is the king. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:09.019 This is God's king. 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:10.500 This is the king of the Jews. 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:14.139 Pilate Jesus' enemy. 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:16.300 Is serving Jesus' cause unwittingly. 00:14:16.400 --> 00:14:16.600 Isn't he? 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:19.500 People say to me. 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:19.840 They say. 00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:21.780 Look if Jesus came today. 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:23.220 If he came in the 21st century. 00:14:23.440 --> 00:14:24.440 And he died on the cross. 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:25.800 And he rose again from the tomb. 00:14:26.940 --> 00:14:28.300 And if they videoed the whole thing. 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:29.139 And they put it on YouTube. 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.120 Surely. 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.740 That would reach more people. 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:35.660 Surely there would be more chance of people believing. 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:36.019 Isn't it? 00:14:36.040 --> 00:14:37.100 If he came today. 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.560 And it was all over the news. 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:39.440 And they stuck it on YouTube. 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:39.800 YouTube. 00:14:40.300 --> 00:14:41.460 Well what I want to say to you. 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:42.120 Is John 19. 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:44.380 Is the 21st century equivalent of that. 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:46.500 They didn't have YouTube then. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:50.740 But Jesus is broadcasting his crucifixion. 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:51.460 To the masses. 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:54.200 On this day. 00:14:54.520 --> 00:14:55.460 In this place. 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.420 In this way. 00:14:56.419 --> 00:15:00.839 And Jesus is actively engaged in his identification. 00:15:01.339 --> 00:15:04.339 And he's actively engaged in the fact that he is stripped. 00:15:04.599 --> 00:15:06.099 His clothes are taken from him. 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:07.259 Do you see that in verse 24? 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:09.779 The soldiers are there. 00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:10.799 They've taken his clothes. 00:15:11.079 --> 00:15:11.799 Perhaps his belt. 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:12.360 His sandals. 00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:13.299 His cloak. 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:14.139 His headdress. 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.500 But now they've got the garment. 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:15.939 And they say. 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:17.019 Let's not tear it. 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:18.799 Let's decide. 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:19.980 By lot who will get it. 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:21.539 Well why did they do that? 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:22.279 Why did that happen? 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.899 Can you see that in verse 24? 00:15:25.699 --> 00:15:28.519 This happens so that the scriptures might be fulfilled. 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:34.980 Which scriptures? 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:36.779 Psalm 22. 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:40.080 They divided my garments among them. 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:42.080 And they cast lots of my clothing. 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:44.460 And so that is what the soldiers did. 00:15:45.680 --> 00:15:50.560 So we see Jesus' enemies unwittingly aligning themselves with God's plan. 00:15:51.540 --> 00:15:52.720 A prophecy of prediction. 00:15:52.900 --> 00:15:55.200 Which was made hundreds of years before. 00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:55.900 Coming true. 00:15:56.160 --> 00:15:59.340 As Jesus' enemies do exactly as God had predicted. 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:01.420 Jesus is in complete control. 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:03.100 So you see the word fulfillment. 00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:04.580 Comes up three and four times. 00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:04.920 Doesn't it? 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:05.900 By implication. 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:06.420 Just look. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.560 It's there in verse 24. 00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:11.100 This was the fulfillment of what the scripture says in the middle. 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:13.480 It's there in verse 28. 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:19.159 To fulfill the scripture. 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:21.100 It's there in verse 36. 00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:26.360 They took place so that the scripture might be fulfilled. 00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:28.420 And it's there in verse 37. 00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:29.840 And then the scripture says. 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:33.300 There are so many illusions and echoes of Psalm 22. 00:16:34.800 --> 00:16:37.060 Jesus' hands and feet were pierced. 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:39.379 As predicted in Psalm 22. 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:41.100 Jesus was thirsty. 00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:42.720 As predicted in Psalm 22. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:45.100 Not a bone of Jesus was broken. 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.860 As was predicted in Psalm 22. 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:50.200 There are three other Old Testament quotations. 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:51.679 In this passage alone. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:52.480 Fulfillment. 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:53.379 After fulfillment. 00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:54.559 After fulfillment. 00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:57.639 After fulfillment. 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.039 You see. 00:16:58.360 --> 00:17:00.120 This is not Jesus out of control. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:02.720 This is Jesus active. 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:06.259 This is Jesus actively engaged. 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:08.859 As he walks through the carnage. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.339 Of his own execution. 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.779 So the king is active. 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:16.279 The king is in complete control. 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.839 The king is in control. 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:19.299 He is active. 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.839 The king is passive. 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.960 The king is public. 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:25.480 But amazingly and wonderfully. 00:17:25.620 --> 00:17:27.000 The king is personal this morning. 00:17:28.620 --> 00:17:30.019 In the midst of his agony. 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:30.960 In this anguish. 00:17:31.100 --> 00:17:31.440 Anguish. 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.840 We see Jesus reaching out. 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:34.579 And personally loving his people. 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:36.200 Do you see it there in verse 26? 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:40.960 In verse 26. 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:45.799 When Jesus saw his mother. 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.980 And the disciple. 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.700 Whom he loved. 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.240 Standing nearby. 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.460 He said to his mother. 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:53.420 Woman. 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.039 Behold your son. 00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:57.299 And then he said to his disciple. 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.340 Behold your mother. 00:17:59.059 --> 00:17:59.759 And from that hour. 00:17:59.840 --> 00:18:01.759 The disciple took her to his own home. 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:02.980 That disciple is John. 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.440 We cannot imagine. 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:06.860 Can we. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:09.180 What has been going through Mary's mind. 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:12.740 I tried to read a little bit. 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:14.500 About the Korean ferry disaster. 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:14.900 I don't know. 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:16.640 Whether you saw those text messages. 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:20.120 From the young lad on the boat. 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.240 To his parents. 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:23.240 Heart rending. 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:25.259 Heart rending. 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:27.900 What must have been going through Mary's mind. 00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:30.940 Every material instinct. 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:31.640 Is to protect. 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.319 And to care for. 00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:33.319 And love her son. 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:35.440 So what must have been going through Mary's mind. 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.279 As she witnessed him. 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:37.880 Being treated in such a brutal way. 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.700 And feeling. 00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:40.900 Utterly help her. 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:42.000 You and I. 00:18:42.140 --> 00:18:43.040 Cannot understand. 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.180 The sadness of your mind. 00:18:44.280 --> 00:18:45.860 Some of you have lost children here. 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:48.360 And you know more of what that is like. 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:50.960 Her world shattered. 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.860 And falling apart. 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.140 You know what that's like. 00:18:55.360 --> 00:18:56.340 But I want to say to you. 00:18:56.380 --> 00:18:57.180 It is amazing. 00:18:57.320 --> 00:18:58.200 That in that context. 00:18:58.320 --> 00:19:00.040 Jesus reaches out to the grieving. 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:02.680 And he does. 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.100 What does he do? 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:04.940 He provides her. 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:05.420 Dear woman. 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.259 Here is your son. 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:09.120 Her world is falling apart. 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:11.079 But Jesus is putting her back together again. 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:14.059 And here is someone to look after you. 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:14.839 Living in his home. 00:19:14.899 --> 00:19:16.039 And he is caring for his disciple. 00:19:16.199 --> 00:19:16.439 John. 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:16.859 John. 00:19:17.219 --> 00:19:18.479 This disciple whom he loved. 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:19.819 His world is falling apart. 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.739 And you see this friendship. 00:19:22.219 --> 00:19:23.679 Being treated in this way. 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:26.620 When you see a friend. 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.320 Who you love. 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:27.700 Suffering. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.279 What do you feel? 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:30.160 Surely you long to help them. 00:19:31.860 --> 00:19:33.180 And yet you have in your own heart. 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.180 A fear for your own life. 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.200 And so you feel guilt. 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:35.779 And what do you do? 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:36.840 What is Jesus doing? 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:37.920 He is protecting him. 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.320 There is a sense. 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:39.640 Isn't there? 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.779 Where Jesus is saying. 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:42.360 Verses 26 and 27. 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:43.960 He is reaching out. 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:44.240 And saying. 00:19:44.320 --> 00:19:45.680 I am in control Mary. 00:19:46.340 --> 00:19:47.779 And I am in control John. 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:51.399 Don't worry about serving me. 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:53.379 Don't worry about protecting me. 00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:54.920 Don't worry about loving me. 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.039 I am in control. 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:57.519 I am loving you. 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.740 Accept my love. 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:00.039 And it is breast chicken. 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:03.779 When you think of the context. 00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:07.839 Let me use the words of Psalm 22. 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:10.059 About what Jesus is going through. 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:12.220 Jesus is there on the cross. 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:15.220 And he is surrounded by many bulls. 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:17.480 Wild oxen. 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:19.059 With sharp horns. 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:20.680 And they are circling around him. 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.420 There are roaring lions. 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:24.720 Who have torn the flesh of their prey. 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:27.000 And they are waiting to tear his flesh. 00:20:27.399 --> 00:20:29.539 Jesus is poured out like water. 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:31.899 All his bones are out of joint. 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:34.399 His heart is melting like wax. 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:36.339 Dogs have surrounded him. 00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:39.000 A band of evil men has encircled him. 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.859 And it is in the midst of all that. 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.759 That he reaches out. 00:20:41.899 --> 00:20:43.700 And he loves his people. 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:47.319 And as the king is weighed down. 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:49.220 By the weight of people's sin upon his shoulders. 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:51.940 As he is crushed by the father's anger. 00:20:52.080 --> 00:20:53.900 Against men and women's sin. 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:56.400 He reaches out in the midst of that agony. 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.200 In the midst of that brutality. 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:59.740 And terror and violence. 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.920 And he reaches out. 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:01.900 And he loves. 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:04.559 And he provides for his people. 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.480 Isn't that breathtaking? 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:10.380 That this is your God. 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:12.400 The servant king. 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:15.740 That is Jesus loving each one of us. 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:17.200 Offering himself up for us. 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:19.079 Now why did he allow himself to go through that? 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.720 The answer is. 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:25.400 Is he allowed himself to go through that. 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.779 To allow himself to be strict. 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:28.360 That he might clothe us in love. 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:32.579 He allowed himself to be humiliated. 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:35.299 That we might become sons of the father. 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.700 That he might build us up. 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:39.079 And reach out to one of us. 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:40.720 And it rings bells for another story. 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:41.079 Doesn't it? 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:45.000 It echoes for another story in the Bible. 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:46.920 Children. 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:48.700 See if you can work out who this is. 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:51.099 There's a man whose robe. 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.200 Whose tunic. 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:54.940 Was ripped. 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:58.860 A man whose father loved him. 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:02.500 A man whose brothers hated him. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.299 Anybody got it? 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:06.579 That's right. 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:09.579 They hated him because he was his father's favourite. 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:12.159 They were jealous and they were envious. 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.619 So they ripped his robe off. 00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:14.759 His robe with many colours. 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:17.519 They ripped it off and they threw him into a well. 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:19.139 And they sold him into slavery. 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:20.240 And he was taken away. 00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:22.720 And he was taken to a far away land. 00:22:23.379 --> 00:22:24.519 And as far as they were concerned. 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.500 He was dead and forgotten. 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:26.879 But we know the story don't we? 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:29.100 We know the story of Joseph. 00:22:29.260 --> 00:22:30.560 We know that God was in control. 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:35.840 That Joseph trusted God in the midst of his anguish and agony. 00:22:36.300 --> 00:22:37.900 And God knew what was going on. 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:41.340 And God sent Joseph to a far away land. 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:43.360 That he might lift him up and exalt him. 00:22:43.360 --> 00:22:47.800 That Joseph might be there ready to welcome his brothers back. 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:50.660 To forgive them and to provide for them. 00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:53.380 What a great picture of what Jesus is doing here. 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.920 His tunic is ripped for him. 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:59.779 He is abandoned by his brothers. 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:04.740 And Jesus is going to the far away land where he is to be exalted. 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:09.220 Where he will provide for and forgive each one of his people. 00:23:09.320 --> 00:23:11.380 And he will welcome them to his table. 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:13.220 To his banquet. 00:23:13.360 --> 00:23:14.420 That is what is going on here. 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:18.620 I wonder whether you have heard the story of Simon. 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:21.340 Simon is a young man. 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:22.320 He decides to leave home. 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:24.220 And say goodbye to his mum and his dad. 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:26.080 And seek his fortune. 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.720 So he goes off to the big city. 00:23:29.380 --> 00:23:30.400 To make his fortune. 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:32.240 As he goes into the city. 00:23:32.320 --> 00:23:33.380 He sees two street vendors. 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.940 And he turns to the first street vendor. 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:36.519 And he sees a tall slender woman. 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:39.060 With a kind of dark grey drab coat on. 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.259 And he looks at her. 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:43.220 And he sees her complexion is hard. 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:44.660 And there is kind of mud on her face. 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:46.259 He looks at her fingernails. 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:48.019 And he sees there is dirt under them. 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:49.019 And to be honest. 00:23:49.100 --> 00:23:51.400 There is nothing attractive about this woman at all. 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:54.019 And as he looks down at her store. 00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:55.019 To see what she is selling. 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.299 She is selling fruit. 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:58.259 Or at least what used to be fruit. 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:01.559 There are grapes that are shriveled up. 00:24:01.600 --> 00:24:02.740 That look more like raisins. 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:04.420 There are apples and pears. 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.259 That have been bruised. 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:06.980 And are starting to give off a stench. 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.339 And Simon to be honest. 00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:09.559 Recoils from the woman. 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.579 And his stall. 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:12.720 And he turns around to the other street vendor. 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:14.360 And his breath is taken away. 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:16.819 As he looks at a woman who is beauty personified. 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:20.680 It's a woman who is tall and is slender. 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:23.100 Whose hair is as black as raisins. 00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:25.339 Whose skin is as smooth as oil. 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:28.480 A woman who is tall and slender as well. 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:32.019 Whose words are like butter. 00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:35.279 And she speaks to him words of flattery. 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.819 She is clothed in a robe. 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:40.039 But it is a luxurious thick velvet robe. 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:42.059 And as he looks down at what she is selling. 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:45.319 He is dazzled by her goods. 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:48.299 He is dazzled by the brightness of the jewels. 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.819 By the gold and the silver. 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:51.740 By the sparkle in the midday sun. 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:53.400 And she says to him. 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.279 Come home with me. 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:55.220 Come home with me. 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:58.660 And I will show you some more of the things that I have to sell. 00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:00.440 And Simon is enchanted. 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:02.759 He is captivated by her presence. 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:05.200 And he follows her home through the alleyways. 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:06.259 And the streets of the city. 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:09.000 And he walks down the steps after her. 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:09.680 Into a basement. 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.319 And before he knows it. 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.620 She has opened the door. 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.880 And he has gone in. 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:15.759 And she has shut the door behind him. 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.819 And turned the key in the lock. 00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.299 And walked away. 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:22.420 And Simon is left in the darkness. 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:23.900 Alone and empty. 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:26.119 And ashamed and vulnerable. 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:29.539 He has fallen for the oldest trick in the book. 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:32.059 All that glitters is gold. 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:37.759 The things of this world will fill you. 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:40.599 And bring you meaning. 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:42.599 And satisfaction. 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.559 And significance. 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:47.440 And Simon has fallen for that trick. 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:50.879 And let me say this. 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.940 I have fallen for that trick. 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:53.980 Many, many, many times. 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.759 Over and over. 00:25:57.659 --> 00:25:58.639 And over again. 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:01.339 The things of this world. 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.319 Will bring you meaning. 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.299 And significance. 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:04.799 And they will satisfy you. 00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:05.799 And make you happy. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.059 And Good Friday. 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.559 Screams at you. 00:26:09.659 --> 00:26:11.480 And this table screams at you. 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:11.899 And says. 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:14.419 Don't go with that woman. 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:19.679 Because you'll end up in a place of emptiness. 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:20.639 And loneliness. 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:23.119 And shame of nakedness. 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:24.339 Longing to be clothed. 00:26:26.139 --> 00:26:27.299 It's very interesting isn't it. 00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:28.000 In Joseph's story. 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:29.440 It takes a famine for his brothers. 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.980 To come to their senses. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.220 And go to Egypt. 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:34.039 And get their food. 00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:34.819 It takes a famine. 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.919 Empty stomachs. 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.899 Before they go to Egypt. 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.700 And beg for food. 00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:41.259 And God often sends famine into our lives. 00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:41.640 Doesn't it? 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:44.120 It might be an emotional famine. 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:47.319 It might be a famine in the middle of your life. 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:48.920 A crisis. 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:50.920 A material famine. 00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:52.500 A period of unemployment. 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.900 A disaster in the family. 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:55.920 And God sends these famines. 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:57.240 To bring us to our knees. 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:59.539 So that we will go to Jesus. 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.460 To be clothed. 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:01.680 And filled. 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.559 So my question for you this morning. 00:27:03.620 --> 00:27:04.440 As if you're not a Christian. 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:05.819 Is why wait for some famine? 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:09.859 Why wait for that moment of lowness. 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.599 And emptiness. 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:12.519 Jesus is there on the cross. 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:15.579 The king has been stripped. 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:17.299 That he might clothe you with love. 00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:20.039 He is there. 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:22.220 He is cast out. 00:27:22.379 --> 00:27:23.980 So that we would receive a welcome. 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:25.680 At his father's home. 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:28.299 And he welcomes. 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.759 To the banqueting table. 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.659 Why wait for the famine? 00:27:34.639 --> 00:27:35.779 Christ was all anguish. 00:27:35.879 --> 00:27:36.879 That I might be all joy. 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:38.940 Cast off. 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.240 That I might be brought in. 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:43.460 Trodden down as an enemy. 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:44.980 That I might be welcomed as a friend. 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.879 Surrendered to hell's worst. 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:49.420 That I might attain heaven's best. 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:50.940 Stripped that I might be clothed. 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.240 Wounded that I might be healed. 00:27:52.360 --> 00:27:53.620 A thirst that I might drink. 00:27:54.120 --> 00:27:55.740 Tormented that I might be comforted. 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:58.460 Made ashamed that I might inherit glory. 00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:01.480 Entered darkness that I might have eternal life. 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.500 My saviour wept. 00:28:03.560 --> 00:28:05.539 That all tears might be wiped from my eyes. 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:07.680 Groaned that I might have endless song. 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.519 Endured all pain. 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:11.240 That I might have unfading health. 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.340 Bore a thorned crown. 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:15.680 That I might have a glory diadem. 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.300 Bowed his head. 00:28:17.300 --> 00:28:18.680 That I might lift up mine. 00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:20.580 Experienced reproach. 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.840 That I might receive welcome. 00:28:22.340 --> 00:28:24.299 Closed his eyes in death. 00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:27.340 That I might gaze on unclouded brightness. 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.860 Expired. 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:31.320 That I might live forever. 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:33.159 Let's sing. 00:28:33.159 --> 00:28:33.439 Let's sing. 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:33.439