WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.719 Well, good evening. Can I welcome all of you to our service this evening and also those who are joining us online. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:09.779 ! It's good that we can gather to worship God together. 00:00:10.599 --> 00:00:19.760 You'll have seen the notices sheet. I don't think there's much that really needs additional attention, but we'll be praying through some of the items that are mentioned there later in the service. 00:00:20.379 --> 00:00:25.480 Let's begin our worship tonight, praising God from Psalm 96a. 00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:30.039 This is in Sing Psalms, page 126 of the Blue Book. 00:00:30.039 --> 00:00:31.039 Amen. 00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:31.039 00:01:00.039 --> 00:01:07.519 We're going to sing through to verse 10, so six stanzas, and we'll stand to sing. 00:01:07.519 --> 00:01:28.560 Let's pray. 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:38.560 His salvation, giving, let all the earth proclaim. 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:52.000 His glory and his mighty deeds to every hand he quail. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:02:05.180 And greater awesome is the Lord, within the gods of him. 00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:19.139 One other cross, the wooden stone, the Lord made heaven's night. 00:02:19.139 --> 00:02:32.239 All power and majesty are his, he dwells in glorious light. 00:02:32.619 --> 00:02:44.899 All nations do the Lord astray, the glory that is true. 00:02:44.900 --> 00:02:57.900 Glory and strength has cried to God, and places in the new. 00:02:59.560 --> 00:03:10.900 Enter his course with joy and ring, and offering with you. 00:03:10.900 --> 00:03:24.900 Worship the Lord in holy fear, all earth before him power. 00:03:24.900 --> 00:03:36.900 Tell every man the Lord is king, he stannishes the air. 00:03:38.020 --> 00:03:49.900 And cannot move, the Lord will judge, the people's in his truth. 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:58.120 Well, let us bow our heads in prayer to God. 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:17.199 Our heavenly Father, we gather this evening with an intention to declare to every land your glory and your mighty deeds. 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:35.819 Father, that tonight ought to lead us to a place of recognition of the greatness of Jesus as we gather in worship. 00:04:35.819 --> 00:04:43.040 And so I pray tonight, as we gather, that you would help us to guard our hearts. 00:04:44.180 --> 00:04:55.399 Help us to examine ourselves and to purge away and push out of our attention and our thoughts all of the things that so often clamor for our attention. 00:04:55.399 --> 00:05:04.939 Help us to imagine all of the things that we would sacrifice much, because in our hearts we would make gods of all manner of things in our lives. 00:05:06.479 --> 00:05:09.459 Help us instead to see who our God truly is. 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:14.439 And help us to worship tonight in spirit and in truth. 00:05:15.919 --> 00:05:18.000 Help us therefore to see the glory of Jesus. 00:05:19.039 --> 00:05:23.839 Help us to see what the writers of the Gospels wanted us to see. 00:05:23.839 --> 00:05:28.539 Help us to see the marvel of a Savior who died for sinners. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:37.060 And we ask and pray that you would bless us in this way of revealing yourself to us in Christ Jesus. 00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:39.639 Hear our confession of sin. 00:05:40.059 --> 00:05:43.219 We acknowledge, Lord, that we sin daily in our thoughts and words and actions. 00:05:44.359 --> 00:05:50.339 And as we sing a psalm which is full of significance in the passage that we're going to study tonight. 00:05:50.339 --> 00:06:00.639 And as we sing a psalm that is full of a recognition of the great and enormous cost that our sin had to bear at the cross. 00:06:01.599 --> 00:06:06.359 We pray that we tonight would therefore not hide from you our sin and iniquity. 00:06:06.459 --> 00:06:10.979 That we would confess what is often even the private things of our own hearts. 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:15.680 But things which we must repent of and confess before you nonetheless. 00:06:16.460 --> 00:06:23.600 Doing so remembering that we have in Christ Jesus a great high priest who will take away that sin from us. 00:06:24.460 --> 00:06:25.879 And so hear our confession of sin. 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:28.040 We ask in Jesus' name. 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:28.939 Amen. 00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:34.579 We're going to continue singing to God's praise this time from Psalm 22. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:39.279 Again in Sing Psalms page 25 in the psalm book. 00:06:42.779 --> 00:06:44.620 The tune is Finart. 00:06:44.620 --> 00:07:00.660 As we sing we'll acknowledge the, in this psalm we acknowledge the significance of the psalm in John's thoughts. 00:07:00.840 --> 00:07:04.519 Particularly in the passage we're looking at tonight in John's gospel. 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:10.160 John goes to great pains to link in the events of the cross directly to the psalm. 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:11.519 It's clearly a messianic psalm. 00:07:11.519 --> 00:07:21.159 It talks of the sufferings of the saviour and we know that this is very much a psalm written by David but with the experience of Jesus in mind. 00:07:21.859 --> 00:07:24.939 And as we sing it we need to remember that this is what our sin deserves. 00:07:25.639 --> 00:07:30.759 That this is a psalm that is about the awfulness of the consequences of sin. 00:07:31.779 --> 00:07:34.959 And as we sing it we ought to do so with repentant hearts. 00:07:35.539 --> 00:07:41.000 Hearts that confess and acknowledge our need for cleansing before our God and what that cleansing cost. 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:45.000 In terms of the work of Jesus at the cross for us. 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:48.120 So we're going to sing from the beginning of the psalm through to verse 8. 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:52.099 My God, my God, oh why have you forsaken and abandoned me? 00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:56.560 Why are you far from giving help, from listening to my anguished plea? 00:07:57.180 --> 00:07:58.979 My God, I cry to you by day. 00:07:59.579 --> 00:08:01.459 You do not hear when I complain. 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:04.359 I call to you throughout the night in silence. 00:08:04.959 --> 00:08:06.219 I cannot remain. 00:08:06.479 --> 00:08:08.959 We'll stand and sing then verses 1 to 8 to God's praise. 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:31.519 My God, my God, oh why have you forsaken and abandoned me? 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:49.860 Why are you far from giving help, from listening to my anguished plea? 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:59.860 My God, I cry to you by day. 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:08.860 You do not hear when I complain. 00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:10.860 I call to you by day. 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:21.860 I call to you throughout the night in silence. 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:51.860 I call to you across the voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voy 00:09:51.860 --> 00:10:06.440 The power is good, they're just, a trusted hand where God is own. 00:10:06.440 --> 00:10:25.540 They've all done due deliverance, you listen to them when they cry. 00:10:25.539 --> 00:10:43.539 Our fathers were not good to share, because on you they had relied. 00:10:43.539 --> 00:11:02.740 But I have worked and not a man, I give the storm reproach my own. 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:20.740 And those who see me shake their heads, they stare at me and ask it all. 00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:38.740 This man was trusted in the Lord, so let him save him from his life. 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:56.379 Now let his God deliver him, because in him he takes to hide. 00:11:56.379 --> 00:12:11.039 Let's turn and read in our Bibles, in John's Gospel, chapter 19. 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:12.439 We're going to read it, verse 16. 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:33.960 Just immediately prior to this reading, Jesus has been on trial. 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:39.379 Pontius Pilate has been greatly conflicted, trying to release Jesus, 00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:41.960 and says to the Jews, don't you want your king? 00:12:42.580 --> 00:12:49.379 And the Jews respond, whipped up as a mob, saying, we have no king but Caesar. 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:53.340 And that kind of feeds into the sign that Pilate puts on the cross, 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:54.320 which we'll read of in just a moment. 00:12:54.320 --> 00:12:56.540 So let's take up a reading in the middle of verse 16. 00:12:56.620 --> 00:13:00.840 So they took Jesus, and he went out bearing his own cross 00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:03.980 to the place called the place of a skull, 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:07.660 which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:12.160 There they crucified him, and with him two others, 00:13:12.280 --> 00:13:15.040 one on either side, and Jesus between them. 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:19.900 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. 00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:24.120 It read, Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews. 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:26.900 Many of the Jews read this inscription, 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:30.800 for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, 00:13:31.400 --> 00:13:35.280 and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:38.200 And the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, 00:13:38.660 --> 00:13:42.080 do not write the king of the Jews, but rather this man said, 00:13:42.520 --> 00:13:43.879 I am the king of the Jews. 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:48.160 But Pilate answered, what I have written, I have written. 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:51.299 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, 00:13:51.839 --> 00:13:54.259 they took his garments and divided them into four parts, 00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:59.259 but one part for each soldier, also his tunic. 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:03.519 But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:05.559 And so they said to one another, 00:14:05.699 --> 00:14:10.220 let us not tear it, but cast lots to see whose it shall be. 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:13.679 This was to fulfill the scripture which says, 00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:16.100 they divided my garments among them, 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:19.000 and for my clothing they cast lots. 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:21.639 So the soldiers did these things, 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:24.120 but standing by the cross of Jesus, 00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:25.980 were his mother and his mother's sister, 00:14:26.700 --> 00:14:29.019 Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:31.740 When Jesus saw his mother, 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:34.840 and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:36.220 he said to his mother, 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:38.659 woman, behold your son. 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:41.699 Then he said to the disciple, 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.679 behold your mother. 00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.419 And from that hour, 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:48.779 the disciple took her to his own home. 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:50.279 Amen. 00:14:50.439 --> 00:14:53.339 This is God's word to us. 00:14:54.699 --> 00:14:57.519 Well, let's bow our heads in prayer once again to God. 00:15:02.579 --> 00:15:05.360 Heavenly Father, we bow before you this evening. 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:08.460 We give you thanks that we are tonight 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:12.019 able to gather as a church in freedom and liberty, 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:15.039 able to worship your name, 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:17.919 able to read the Bible, 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:19.539 and able to pray together. 00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:22.320 We thank you for the great privileges that are ours. 00:15:22.440 --> 00:15:24.740 We were thinking of some of these things this morning, 00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:26.080 and we thank you for that attention 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:27.379 that we have drawn to this, 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:30.800 to the great privilege and the gift of prayer together, 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:33.680 the gift of fellowship and the word of God. 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:37.079 And we rejoice that this is the lot of your people, 00:15:37.459 --> 00:15:39.359 that this is the good things that you have given us, 00:15:39.459 --> 00:15:41.919 and these things are meant for our encouragement. 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:43.819 And so we pray that tonight, 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:44.819 as we gather in worship, 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:46.199 we would indeed be encouraged. 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:48.259 There are many things, Lord, 00:15:48.319 --> 00:15:49.659 which discourage us along the way, 00:15:49.739 --> 00:15:51.659 and Satan often tempts us, 00:15:51.719 --> 00:15:52.819 we know, to despair, 00:15:53.719 --> 00:15:56.259 leaving us uncertain of the truth, 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:59.099 uncertain of our place in fellowship 00:15:59.099 --> 00:16:00.620 and the love that we would receive 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.740 from those around us, 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:04.139 even uncertain perhaps at times, 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:05.820 that there is a God who even listens 00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:07.120 to what we have to say, 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:08.360 that Satan would tempt us 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:10.440 in these three areas. 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:12.519 And so we pray that our gathering tonight 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.820 would be an encouragement to one another, 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:16.100 that we would build one another up 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:18.180 as we address one another 00:16:18.180 --> 00:16:20.320 in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:22.299 that we would encourage one another 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:24.159 on the way of pilgrims in this world, 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:26.419 recognizing that this is not our home, 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:29.979 but that we belong to an eternal city, 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:32.979 which has been fashioned by not human hands, 00:16:33.079 --> 00:16:34.000 but by God himself. 00:16:34.959 --> 00:16:36.039 We pray tonight, Father, 00:16:36.099 --> 00:16:37.159 for those who are grieving. 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.899 We remember the families that are mentioned, 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:41.079 the notes and others as well. 00:16:41.959 --> 00:16:43.159 We ask and pray, Father, 00:16:43.199 --> 00:16:44.259 that you would surround them 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.799 with your love and comfort, 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:48.059 that you would uphold them 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:49.259 in times of grief, 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:50.939 that you would help them 00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:54.380 in the dignity of laying loved ones to rest. 00:16:54.940 --> 00:16:55.580 And we think, Father, 00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:58.100 of the witness that these things are as well 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:58.880 in our communities, 00:16:59.420 --> 00:17:00.380 that there is a witness 00:17:00.380 --> 00:17:03.540 to the sensitivity that we play around death, 00:17:03.640 --> 00:17:04.900 giving thanks for the lives 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:06.360 of those who have parted from us, 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:07.980 but also, Lord, 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:10.080 a testimony to the love of God 00:17:10.080 --> 00:17:11.340 that sustains us 00:17:11.340 --> 00:17:13.120 and the mercy of God 00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:13.840 that is available 00:17:13.840 --> 00:17:16.600 to those who are without hope in this world. 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:18.480 We do pray, Father, 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:21.440 that through the witness of the church 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:23.339 and the way in which we minister 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:25.120 to those in times of grief and sorrow 00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:27.640 would truly be a blessing as well. 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:28.980 We pray, Father, 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:30.259 for your blessing 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:32.640 on the young people of our church. 00:17:33.120 --> 00:17:34.140 And we thank you for them. 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:35.400 We thank you for the number 00:17:35.400 --> 00:17:37.120 that there are in Sunday school, 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:38.240 for the number of young people 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:40.839 in the various youth clubs 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:41.839 that the church runs. 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:44.200 All of these great opportunities, Lord, 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.000 where we're building 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:48.680 the foundation of the truth 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:49.779 in these lives. 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.440 We pray that that would continue, 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:52.680 not just in the work of the church, 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:53.819 but in the work of families. 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:56.019 We pray for parents 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:57.440 who have responsibilities 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:59.059 in bringing their children up 00:17:59.059 --> 00:17:59.839 to know the Lord. 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.460 And we pray, Father, 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:03.599 for that place of witness 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.559 in the family home, 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:06.220 that it would be a real blessing 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.339 in the lives of young folk 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:08.660 growing up in these days. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:10.519 We pray for wisdom for parents 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:12.099 because the day in which we live 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:13.379 is a complicated day. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.719 There are complicated issues 00:18:15.719 --> 00:18:18.339 that are presented in education, 00:18:18.899 --> 00:18:19.980 in our schools, 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:20.779 but also, Lord, 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:22.819 even in just the social settings 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:23.519 that our young people 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.219 find themselves. 00:18:25.419 --> 00:18:26.439 Challenges we know, Father, 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.199 in so many ways. 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:28.899 And we pray that you would help 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:30.619 and equip and bless parents 00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:32.079 in these days. 00:18:32.219 --> 00:18:32.939 We pray for the witness 00:18:32.939 --> 00:18:33.839 of the church in this, 00:18:33.919 --> 00:18:34.740 that you would help us 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:37.319 as we seek to equip young people 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:39.599 as they go on in life. 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.439 And we pray for the way 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:42.440 in which we give wisdom 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:43.680 and impart that to them. 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:44.779 We think that, Lord, 00:18:44.820 --> 00:18:45.920 of the camps especially 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:47.420 where young lives 00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:48.279 are given an opportunity 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.140 to put together 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:50.500 the pieces of the gospel 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:52.180 in a unique way. 00:18:52.840 --> 00:18:54.039 And we pray your blessing 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:54.840 on that this summer. 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.160 And we pray, Father, 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:57.700 for alongside the work 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.700 of our camps though as well, 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.519 we pray for the work 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:02.140 of our young youth fellowships 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:03.320 and all the leaders there 00:19:03.320 --> 00:19:05.000 who are seeking by their witness 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:07.080 to give an instruction 00:19:07.080 --> 00:19:08.400 to young lives as well. 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.880 And we pray for wisdom for them, 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:11.520 that you would help them 00:19:11.520 --> 00:19:13.060 and bless them 00:19:13.060 --> 00:19:15.060 in the life that they live. 00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:17.000 It's so clearly seen 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.920 by young people. 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.340 And so any time 00:19:19.340 --> 00:19:20.000 where there is anything 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:20.900 inauthentic, 00:19:21.100 --> 00:19:21.660 where there's anything 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:24.140 that is full of hypocrisy, 00:19:24.340 --> 00:19:25.900 it's so quickly found. 00:19:26.560 --> 00:19:27.380 And so we pray, Father, 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:28.140 that you would guard 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:29.700 the witness of those 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:31.440 who are working among young folk 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:32.760 in our church as well. 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.800 We want to pray tonight, Lord, 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:36.420 for the work of the gospel 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.800 to the ends of the earth. 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:39.980 We give you thanks for Roddy 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:41.159 who was with us on Wednesday night. 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.039 We thank you for the work 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.899 of Mission International. 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:44.879 We pray your blessing on that work. 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:46.720 We think of all the different places 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:48.099 that Roddy brought to our attention 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:50.740 and all the different situations 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:52.319 where that organization 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.799 are able to work and minister, 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:56.619 the folk that they're able to support. 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:57.919 We ask and pray 00:19:57.919 --> 00:20:00.419 that you would bless these ministries, 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:01.720 that you would continue 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:03.299 to set them, Lord, 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:05.599 as a witness to the power 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:06.299 of the gospel, 00:20:06.719 --> 00:20:07.740 that message, Lord, 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.619 of reconciliation 00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:10.779 in places like Rwanda and Haiti, 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.879 that message of hope 00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:14.899 in such dark places of the world 00:20:14.899 --> 00:20:15.719 like South Sudan 00:20:15.719 --> 00:20:17.819 where there is enormous persecution 00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:18.740 against your people. 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.240 And we thank you, Father, 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:21.619 that you sustain the church 00:20:21.619 --> 00:20:22.319 in these places. 00:20:23.159 --> 00:20:23.959 And we ask and pray 00:20:23.959 --> 00:20:25.319 that you would continue to do so. 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:26.899 We remember, Lord, 00:20:26.939 --> 00:20:28.359 the persecuted church tonight. 00:20:29.459 --> 00:20:30.679 Roddy didn't really focus 00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:31.619 on that so much. 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:33.359 Lord, I'm sure he was being sensitive 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:35.859 for very practical and good reasons. 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:37.119 But, Lord, we do pray 00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:38.139 for the persecution 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:39.779 that arises against the church 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.419 in these places. 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.559 That you would, oh, Lord, 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:43.199 be gracious 00:20:43.199 --> 00:20:44.500 and remember your people. 00:20:44.939 --> 00:20:46.240 That you would uphold them. 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:47.519 That you would mold 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.259 and shape them 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:49.179 through these trials 00:20:49.179 --> 00:20:49.939 and sufferings. 00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:51.399 That they would become 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:52.799 like Jesus more and more. 00:20:53.199 --> 00:20:54.319 That ongoing work 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:55.199 of sanctification 00:20:55.199 --> 00:20:56.179 in their experience. 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.959 As we long for the same 00:20:57.959 --> 00:20:59.039 in our own experience, Lord. 00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:00.699 That all of the experiences 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.759 we have in life 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.920 would shape us 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.680 and make us 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:05.720 not like the world around us, 00:21:06.340 --> 00:21:07.720 but rather than being conformed 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:08.100 to the world, 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:08.980 we would be renewed 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.779 in our minds. 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:11.180 Made like Jesus. 00:21:11.840 --> 00:21:13.580 Made and remade 00:21:13.580 --> 00:21:14.319 more and more 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.200 in his image. 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.680 And shaped to be like him. 00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:17.580 And so, Father, 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.500 help us tonight 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:20.640 as that is our great goal. 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:22.200 As we place ourselves 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.180 under the authority 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:23.920 of your word. 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.360 Help us, Lord, 00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:26.039 to be shaped 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:27.779 by what the word says to us. 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:28.940 By the truth of scripture. 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:30.299 And help us, Lord, 00:21:30.360 --> 00:21:31.600 to therefore be blessed 00:21:31.600 --> 00:21:33.240 with that transformation 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.779 in our lives. 00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:36.059 That sanctifying work 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:36.720 of your word. 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:38.600 We ask this in Jesus' name 00:21:38.600 --> 00:21:39.480 and for his sake. 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.559 Amen. 00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:42.880 Well, before we turn 00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:43.360 to that word, 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:44.360 we're going to sing again 00:21:44.360 --> 00:21:44.960 to God's praise 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:46.080 in Psalm 119. 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.740 This again is in 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.500 Sing Psalms, 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:53.519 page 165. 00:21:58.940 --> 00:22:01.480 verse 129. 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:04.059 The tune is Walton. 00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:07.460 I have to apologize 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:07.940 to James. 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.759 I was kind of stretching 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.440 the presenter tonight 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.259 with two long meters 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.259 and part of the service. 00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.600 But there you go. 00:22:12.860 --> 00:22:13.840 Your statutes, Lord, 00:22:13.900 --> 00:22:14.420 are wonderful, 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.539 so I obey them 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.279 from my heart. 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.600 Your words, 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:18.420 as they unfold, 00:22:18.620 --> 00:22:19.200 give light 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:20.100 and truth 00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:21.220 to simple minds 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.279 impart. 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.240 With open mouth 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:24.320 I pant and yearn 00:22:24.320 --> 00:22:25.700 to know the laws 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.539 that you proclaim. 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:27.779 Show me the mercy 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:28.480 you extend 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.960 to those who love 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:31.359 and praise your name. 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:32.379 We rejoice that God 00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:33.619 does indeed show us 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:34.879 the way in which 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:35.519 we should live 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:37.079 and we should sing 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:37.519 these words 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.079 with that sense 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:38.960 of expectation 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.539 as we come to God's word. 00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:41.500 Your statutes, Lord, 00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:42.599 are wonderful, 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.539 so I obey them 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:44.519 from my heart. 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.319 Let's stand to sing. 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.319 Amen. 00:22:57.779 --> 00:23:10.519 singing singing 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.519 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:15.519 The Lord has been unfulfilled, 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:19.519 In light and truth, 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:27.519 To simple light divine. 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:32.519 With hope and light, 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:36.519 I can't adhere 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:45.519 To know the laws that you proclaim. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:54.519 Show me the mercy you extend 00:23:54.519 --> 00:24:04.519 To those who love and praise your name. 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:13.519 I pray, my good, said till you heard, 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:22.519 Let's sing not only in this dream, 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:31.519 From man's oppression set me free, 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:40.519 That you, O God, thy name obey. 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:50.519 Upon your step and shine your face, 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:59.519 Teach me the sound to do the day. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:08.519 My eyes shed strength of bitter tears, 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:18.519 Because your love is not to me. 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:30.519 Now please turn with me in your Bibles, 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:33.519 Back to that passage that we've read. 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:42.519 John 19, verse 16, 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:44.519 So they took Jesus, 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:46.519 And he went out bearing his own cross 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:48.519 To a place called the place of a skull, 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:52.519 Which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:59.519 There they crucified him. 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:02.519 Let's bow in prayer to God. 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:03.519 Heavenly Father, 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:08.519 As we just now turn our attention for a short time to your word, 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:11.519 We do pray, Lord, that you would help and bless us. 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:16.519 We need to know what Jesus did for us. 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:20.519 We need to know the manner of it, 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:22.519 And we need to know the significance of it. 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:28.519 And we thank you that that's why John wrote these words. 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:32.519 He wrote them so that we would believe. 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:38.519 And we ask and pray tonight that you would therefore stir up faith in us. 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:41.519 I want to pray especially tonight, Lord, 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:46.519 For anyone here who doesn't yet know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:51.519 Those who are still watching on from the outside. 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:57.519 We pray that you would bring them into the knowledge of your love, 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:59.519 And your compassion, 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:02.519 And your salvation for sinners. 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:06.519 Each one of us tonight need that grace. 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:13.519 And so we pray that we would see clearly the grace of God in all that we see. 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:15.519 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:17.519 Amen. 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:22.519 So, John's Gospel, 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:29.519 If you've read it at all, you'll be familiar with the pattern of it. 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:34.519 He begins telling us about this person, 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:37.519 What he calls the Logos, the Word, 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:42.519 Who was made flesh to dwell among us. 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.519 And says, 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:46.519 We have seen his glory. 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:49.519 And it's very clear that as John goes through his Gospel, 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:57.519 That appearance of the glory of Jesus is not something that John focuses on at the Mount of Transfiguration. 00:27:57.519 --> 00:28:04.519 It's not somewhere where Jesus is transformed before them and they see his radiance and the brightness of his divinity shining through. 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:08.519 But for John, the focus of it, along with all the other Gospel writers, 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:12.519 The focus of the glory of Jesus is really the cross. 00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:22.519 And as John now takes us to the cross as the climax of the ministry and the work of Jesus, 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:30.519 He's deliberately using language that echoes back to the earlier parts of his Gospel, 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:41.519 Showing us how this whole book kind of fits together and works and combines together to give a unified whole. 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:45.519 And so the language that John uses, although it's incredibly simple, 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:51.519 Right throughout the Gospel he uses very, very simple Greek in what he's writing. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:55.519 The language points us towards some really significant things. 00:28:55.519 --> 00:29:00.519 It's important as well just to remember some of the simple details of this passage 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:05.519 Before we get into a few of the finer points of that language that John's using. 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:12.519 But just to remember the events, Jesus at this point is handed over by the Praetorian, 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:18.519 The guards of the governor in the centre of Jerusalem in the governor's palace. 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:21.519 He's handed over to a four-man execution squad. 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:28.519 And we know it's a four-man execution squad, partly because we know from history that that would have been the case. 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:38.519 And when they come to dividing up the clothing and the garments of the crucified victims, Jesus included, they divide them into four parts. 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:48.519 So there's probably a junior Roman non-commissioned officer along with a four-man squad who are there exercising this duty. 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:52.519 And they're being led up to this place called Golgotha. 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:55.519 It's a hill just outside Jerusalem. 00:29:55.519 --> 00:30:01.519 And there they force him to carry his own cross. 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:04.519 We know from the other Gospels that it's not possible for Jesus to do this. 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:09.519 He has been so badly beaten by this point that he needs assistance. 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:14.519 And so Joseph of Arimathea has been compelled to help. 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:20.519 But they carry the cross up to the hill and there they crucify him. 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:25.519 One of the things that really strikes me in all of the Gospels is the simplicity of that statement. 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:29.519 I was chatting with somebody about this yesterday actually. 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:37.519 It seems to me very interesting that in the world in which John and the other Gospel writers lived, 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:44.519 the reality of crucifixion was something which was known to them in its full awfulness. 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:51.519 And so they didn't need depictions of crucifixion to help them understand what was being done. 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:54.519 They didn't need John to go into the gory details of it. 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:58.519 And sometimes we maybe feel like we need that. 00:30:58.519 --> 00:31:00.519 We need attention drawn to the details. 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:06.519 And that's what inspires people like Mel Gibson, for example, to make films of this. 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:12.519 We should always remember the reality of it was far worse than anything we can depict in art. 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:17.519 And for the Gospel writers, that comes across in the simplicity simply of the statement, 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:21.519 there they crucified him. 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:23.519 People knew what that meant. 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:25.519 They knew it was awful. 00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:29.519 And the reality of it was not lost on them. 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:37.519 We should have, therefore, a degree of reverence and trembling as we come to these passages. 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:43.519 Not a grisly fascination with the reality of the death itself, 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:48.519 but with the awfulness of what happens. 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:55.519 But underlying it, the simple fact that God is in control. 00:31:55.519 --> 00:32:05.519 And that's because the signs and the language and the vocabulary and the events of everything that takes place around the crucifixion 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:10.519 are entirely predetermined. 00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:15.519 The Roman soldiers might think, for example, that they know what they're doing. 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:20.519 The Roman soldiers are very casual about dividing the clothing. 00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:25.519 And yet they're fulfilling prophecy. 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:34.519 Pontius Pilate might think that he has been particularly humiliating to the Jewish people by creating this sign, 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:37.519 the King of the Jews. 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:45.519 And yet that too is fulfilling God's purposes in all of these things. 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:55.519 And even, in fact, the tender moment at the end of this passage that we've read where Jesus addresses his mother 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:59.519 and assigns her care to John the apostle. 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:05.519 That too is fulfilling a purpose of God's making. 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:12.519 That God is in complete control of these events. 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:17.519 And tonight, that's what we need to stress and I think focus on. 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:22.519 And where our faith needs to be nourished and fed. 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:26.519 That in the reality of the cross, nothing happens by accident. 00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:33.519 There's nothing to take away from the significance of what is going on here. 00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:36.519 And so there's three things that I want to draw your attention to. 00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:40.519 The sign that Pontius Pilate arranges to display. 00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:42.519 It's significant. 00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:49.519 The seamless garment that is gambled for by the soldiers. 00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:52.519 It is significant. 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:57.519 And the son's love as he talks to his mother. 00:33:57.519 --> 00:34:00.519 It is also significant. 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:05.519 The sign wasn't used in every crucifixion. 00:34:05.519 --> 00:34:10.519 But sometimes if there was a significant crime committed. 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:15.519 And the Romans wanted to make an example of that particular crime. 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:18.519 And the criminal in person. 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:21.519 They would put a sign above them on the cross. 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:28.519 But also that sign would be carried before them as they made their way to the crucifixion. 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:32.519 That actual pathway of journeying towards their cross. 00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:36.519 Towards their place of execution was very much part of the humiliation itself. 00:34:36.519 --> 00:34:38.519 That's why they have to carry the cross beam themselves. 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:41.519 It's all designed to humiliate and punish. 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:48.519 And bring evidence of the wrath of Rome upon those who are so deserving. 00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:54.519 So this sign would have been carried before Jesus as he made his way up to the hill. 00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:56.519 The route today is one that's maybe celebrated. 00:34:56.519 --> 00:35:01.519 If you've been to Jerusalem perhaps you've gone on the route of what's called the Via Dolorosa. 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:03.519 The Way of Sorrows. 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:05.519 Almost certainly not the route Jesus took. 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:09.519 Because Jerusalem was practically demolished by the Romans in AD 70. 00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:11.519 And again in AD 129. 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:14.519 And the city has been rebuilt many times in between. 00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:16.519 So the route itself probably not the same one. 00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:23.519 But nevertheless it was a place of profound sorrow. 00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:28.519 And has in some way therefore survived as a place of pilgrimage for people today. 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:41.519 But more interesting than the post Christian era. 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:43.519 Or the immediate era of the apostles. 00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:47.519 More interesting than the traditions that we have built up around it. 00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:51.519 It's interesting to think about what Jesus himself would have known. 00:35:51.519 --> 00:35:54.519 Going up on this particular route. 00:35:54.519 --> 00:36:02.519 Jerusalem is likely built on the same place that Abraham went to. 00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:03.519 To Mount Moriah. 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:06.519 It's very likely the same hill. 00:36:06.519 --> 00:36:13.519 And so the route that Jesus took as he goes out of Jerusalem to a place of sacrifice. 00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:15.519 Which he knows. 00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:19.519 Takes him back to the story I'm sure of Abraham and his son Isaac. 00:36:19.519 --> 00:36:21.519 Isaac. 00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:25.519 Isaac who also carried wood up that hill. 00:36:25.519 --> 00:36:27.519 To a place of sacrifice. 00:36:27.519 --> 00:36:34.519 And then you've got the path to of exile. 00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:36.519 Jewish tradition. 00:36:36.519 --> 00:36:41.519 The Jews firmly believed in fact that Jerusalem and the mountain where the temple was in the heart of Jerusalem. 00:36:41.519 --> 00:36:42.519 Jerusalem. 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:45.519 What was in fact the location of the Garden of Eden itself. 00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:51.519 That this was in fact the place where God had put the first man. 00:36:51.519 --> 00:36:53.519 It was the place, the site of creation. 00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:55.519 Now whether that's true or not we don't know. 00:36:55.519 --> 00:36:59.519 But it was Jewish tradition certainly that that was the case. 00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:12.519 And therefore the path that Jesus takes is one which again leads them to a place of understanding of exile. 00:37:12.519 --> 00:37:21.519 That Adam and Eve when they're cast out of the garden they follow a path as it were away from the city of God's presence. 00:37:21.519 --> 00:37:27.519 That they're going away from peace with God. 00:37:27.519 --> 00:37:32.519 To a place outside where they'll know sorrow and suffering and exile. 00:37:32.519 --> 00:37:37.519 And this is what Jesus is now doing. 00:37:37.519 --> 00:37:46.519 He's going outside the city to this place of great insecurity. 00:37:46.519 --> 00:37:55.519 We know that great insecurity is expressed for us in the words of Psalm 22. 00:37:55.519 --> 00:37:59.519 It's echoed in the words of Jesus at the cross later on when he says, 00:37:59.519 --> 00:38:02.519 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:07.519 It's a place of great and profound sorrow. 00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:17.519 And it's along this path that a sign goes proclaiming in the language of the people. 00:38:17.519 --> 00:38:22.519 In the language of both the Jewish people and the Romans. 00:38:22.519 --> 00:38:24.519 In Aramaic and Latin. 00:38:24.519 --> 00:38:26.519 And also the language of the wider world. 00:38:26.519 --> 00:38:27.519 In Greek as well. 00:38:27.519 --> 00:38:31.519 The language of commerce and trade and international relations. 00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:33.519 The language that everyone speaks. 00:38:33.519 --> 00:38:38.519 There is this language that Pilate has proclaimed a sign. 00:38:40.519 --> 00:38:42.519 The king of the Jews. 00:38:43.519 --> 00:38:47.519 And Pilate is telling us in his own way. 00:38:47.519 --> 00:38:49.519 He's wanting to tell us how much he hates the Jews. 00:38:49.519 --> 00:38:52.519 He wants to talk about how much he despises them. 00:38:52.519 --> 00:38:54.519 And that's what this sign is really saying. 00:38:54.519 --> 00:38:58.519 It's Pilate's way of humiliating the Jewish people. 00:38:58.519 --> 00:38:59.519 This is your king. 00:38:59.519 --> 00:39:03.519 And this is what happens to those who would proclaim themselves. 00:39:03.519 --> 00:39:04.519 Kings. 00:39:04.519 --> 00:39:09.519 Away from the authority of Caesar. 00:39:09.519 --> 00:39:13.519 But see, Pilate is also doing something. 00:39:13.519 --> 00:39:18.519 He's reminding us of something in God's control. 00:39:18.519 --> 00:39:22.519 And without irony. 00:39:22.519 --> 00:39:25.519 The person being led out of the city. 00:39:25.519 --> 00:39:28.519 The person being led up the path. 00:39:28.519 --> 00:39:30.519 To the place called Golgotha. 00:39:31.519 --> 00:39:32.519 He is truly. 00:39:32.519 --> 00:39:34.519 The king of the Jews. 00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:39.519 He is the one who is there to inherit. 00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:41.519 The throne of David. 00:39:41.519 --> 00:39:44.519 And more than that. 00:39:44.519 --> 00:39:45.519 He is the son of promise. 00:39:45.519 --> 00:39:47.519 The seed of Abraham. 00:39:47.519 --> 00:39:50.519 Through whom the whole world will be blessed. 00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:53.519 He's the son of promise. 00:39:53.519 --> 00:39:56.519 The promise that was given to Adam and Eve. 00:39:56.519 --> 00:39:57.519 As they were cast out of the garden. 00:39:57.519 --> 00:40:00.519 That one day there would be a seed. 00:40:00.519 --> 00:40:03.519 Who would bruise the head of the serpent. 00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:07.519 Who would deliver a fatal blow. 00:40:07.519 --> 00:40:09.519 To the origin of sin. 00:40:09.519 --> 00:40:11.519 And sin's grip on them. 00:40:11.519 --> 00:40:14.519 And would therefore deliver them. 00:40:14.519 --> 00:40:17.519 And so you see Pilate in this situation. 00:40:17.519 --> 00:40:18.519 He thinks. 00:40:18.519 --> 00:40:20.519 That by setting up this sign. 00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:24.519 And by showing the brutality of the Roman regime. 00:40:24.519 --> 00:40:26.519 And leading the anointed Messiah. 00:40:26.519 --> 00:40:27.519 Out of the city. 00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:30.519 To a place of crucifixion and rejection. 00:40:30.519 --> 00:40:32.519 To a place of damnation really. 00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:36.519 You think Pilate thinks he's in control. 00:40:36.519 --> 00:40:41.519 And yet that's nothing can be further from the truth. 00:40:41.519 --> 00:40:45.519 The signs message. 00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:48.519 It says God is in control here. 00:40:48.519 --> 00:40:52.519 God's eternal purposes are here. 00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:54.519 Being met and fulfilled. 00:40:54.519 --> 00:40:58.519 God's plan is being implemented. 00:40:58.519 --> 00:41:04.519 And interestingly when Pilate puts the sign up. 00:41:04.519 --> 00:41:07.519 He means for it to be a sign that is read and understood. 00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:09.519 He means for it to be communication. 00:41:09.519 --> 00:41:12.519 If you can think of it this way. 00:41:12.519 --> 00:41:15.519 This is Pilate's word. 00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:17.519 Pilate's logos. 00:41:17.519 --> 00:41:22.519 And yet the person who is here. 00:41:22.519 --> 00:41:24.519 Is the eternal logos. 00:41:24.519 --> 00:41:26.519 The eternal word of God. 00:41:26.519 --> 00:41:28.519 The eternal word of God. 00:41:28.519 --> 00:41:29.519 Made flesh. 00:41:29.519 --> 00:41:31.519 Who dwells among us. 00:41:31.519 --> 00:41:34.519 Revealing his glory. 00:41:34.519 --> 00:41:39.519 And so what Pilate means is a sign of humiliation. 00:41:39.519 --> 00:41:44.519 And what Paul talks about when he writes to the churches later on. 00:41:44.519 --> 00:41:47.519 And says that to the Romans and to the Greeks. 00:41:47.519 --> 00:41:50.519 This crucified God is a great sign of weakness. 00:41:50.519 --> 00:41:55.519 It is in fact the glory of God manifested for us. 00:41:55.519 --> 00:41:58.519 This is what John is writing about. 00:41:58.519 --> 00:42:01.519 This is the king of the Jews. 00:42:01.519 --> 00:42:02.519 God's anointed. 00:42:02.519 --> 00:42:04.519 The heir of David. 00:42:04.519 --> 00:42:06.519 Going to the cross. 00:42:06.519 --> 00:42:13.519 Going to the most significant event possible. 00:42:13.519 --> 00:42:18.519 The king of the Jews. 00:42:18.519 --> 00:42:25.519 The reason the sign is there. 00:42:25.519 --> 00:42:28.519 Is not because Pilate wants to humiliate. 00:42:28.519 --> 00:42:31.519 But because God does not want us. 00:42:31.519 --> 00:42:35.519 To be in any uncertainty. 00:42:35.519 --> 00:42:37.519 About who is dying for us. 00:42:37.519 --> 00:42:38.519 That day. 00:42:38.519 --> 00:42:43.519 The simple application for us is this. 00:42:43.519 --> 00:42:46.519 God wants you and I. 00:42:46.519 --> 00:42:47.519 To know. 00:42:47.519 --> 00:42:50.519 Who died for sinners. 00:42:50.519 --> 00:42:54.519 Who died for you. 00:42:54.519 --> 00:42:56.519 Who died for you. 00:42:56.519 --> 00:42:58.519 Who died for you. 00:42:58.519 --> 00:43:02.519 And tonight if you are a Christian. 00:43:02.519 --> 00:43:04.519 The answer to that question. 00:43:04.519 --> 00:43:06.519 Maybe sometimes too casually trips off our tongue. 00:43:06.519 --> 00:43:07.519 Jesus. 00:43:07.519 --> 00:43:08.519 Jesus. 00:43:08.519 --> 00:43:11.519 Jesus is the one who died for me. 00:43:11.519 --> 00:43:13.519 Jesus is the one who took my sin. 00:43:16.519 --> 00:43:17.519 And yet. 00:43:17.519 --> 00:43:20.519 We come back to these simple words. 00:43:21.519 --> 00:43:22.519 There. 00:43:22.519 --> 00:43:24.519 They crucified him. 00:43:24.519 --> 00:43:29.519 And this is what your sin and my sin tonight deserves. 00:43:29.519 --> 00:43:33.519 It deserves the brokenness of the body of Jesus. 00:43:35.519 --> 00:43:38.519 So marred in fact that he was beyond human recognition. 00:43:38.519 --> 00:43:40.519 I think what that phrase means in Isaiah. 00:43:40.519 --> 00:43:41.519 Is that. 00:43:41.519 --> 00:43:45.519 That he is marred beyond recognition as someone human. 00:43:45.519 --> 00:43:47.519 So brutalized was his body. 00:43:47.519 --> 00:43:52.519 He is there for us. 00:43:52.519 --> 00:43:54.519 And he dies. 00:43:54.519 --> 00:43:56.519 In our place. 00:43:56.519 --> 00:43:58.519 As the one who dies. 00:43:58.519 --> 00:44:00.519 For sinners. 00:44:00.519 --> 00:44:06.519 He is speaking therefore tonight to you. 00:44:06.519 --> 00:44:10.519 God is speaking therefore tonight to you. 00:44:10.519 --> 00:44:11.519 Of his love. 00:44:11.519 --> 00:44:12.519 For rebels. 00:44:12.519 --> 00:44:17.519 He is speaking in the language. 00:44:17.519 --> 00:44:21.519 Of all of humanity. 00:44:21.519 --> 00:44:25.519 In a language that all of us can understand. 00:44:25.519 --> 00:44:28.519 That says. 00:44:28.519 --> 00:44:32.519 There really was a punishment taking place at the cross. 00:44:32.519 --> 00:44:36.519 A punishment really was being implemented and executed. 00:44:36.519 --> 00:44:37.519 Someone special. 00:44:37.519 --> 00:44:39.519 The son of David. 00:44:39.519 --> 00:44:40.519 The heir of David. 00:44:40.519 --> 00:44:42.519 The king of the Jews. 00:44:42.519 --> 00:44:48.519 The word of God made flesh dwelling among us. 00:44:48.519 --> 00:44:50.519 The great I am. 00:44:50.519 --> 00:44:52.519 Of the Old Testament. 00:44:52.519 --> 00:44:53.519 That person. 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:56.519 He goes to the cross. 00:44:56.519 --> 00:44:59.519 And God is speaking to us to say. 00:44:59.519 --> 00:45:00.519 Sin. 00:45:00.519 --> 00:45:01.519 Deserves. 00:45:01.519 --> 00:45:03.519 What is about to happen. 00:45:03.519 --> 00:45:08.519 Sin deserves this punishment. 00:45:08.519 --> 00:45:12.519 It may be that we can say. 00:45:12.519 --> 00:45:13.519 Well. 00:45:13.519 --> 00:45:14.519 There is a great injustice there. 00:45:14.519 --> 00:45:16.519 Because Jesus does not deserve that punishment. 00:45:16.519 --> 00:45:18.519 He was a righteous person. 00:45:18.519 --> 00:45:19.519 It is so terrible. 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:20.519 It is a great. 00:45:20.519 --> 00:45:21.519 Act of. 00:45:21.519 --> 00:45:23.519 As some people have even called it. 00:45:23.519 --> 00:45:25.519 An act of cosmic child abuse. 00:45:25.519 --> 00:45:27.519 To speak this way. 00:45:27.519 --> 00:45:28.519 God the father. 00:45:28.519 --> 00:45:31.519 Inflicting this on his son. 00:45:31.519 --> 00:45:34.519 How dreadful an image is that. 00:45:36.519 --> 00:45:37.519 And yet we need to remember. 00:45:37.519 --> 00:45:38.519 That all of this. 00:45:38.519 --> 00:45:40.519 Is substitutionary. 00:45:42.519 --> 00:45:43.519 What draws us to that. 00:45:43.519 --> 00:45:44.519 Is. 00:45:45.519 --> 00:45:47.519 The reality of this cross. 00:45:49.519 --> 00:45:50.519 The reality is. 00:45:50.519 --> 00:45:51.519 This was not the cross of Jesus. 00:45:52.519 --> 00:45:53.519 The day before. 00:45:53.519 --> 00:45:54.519 The day before. 00:45:54.519 --> 00:45:55.519 When this piece of wood. 00:45:55.519 --> 00:45:56.519 Was prepared. 00:45:56.519 --> 00:45:57.519 To go up to Golgotha. 00:45:57.519 --> 00:45:58.519 It wasn't prepared. 00:45:58.519 --> 00:46:00.519 For Jesus of Nazareth. 00:46:00.519 --> 00:46:02.519 That may be another thing. 00:46:02.519 --> 00:46:04.519 That Pilate is drawing attention to. 00:46:05.519 --> 00:46:06.519 This is not. 00:46:06.519 --> 00:46:07.519 Barabbas. 00:46:07.519 --> 00:46:09.519 Who goes to this cross. 00:46:10.519 --> 00:46:11.519 Jesus has taken. 00:46:12.519 --> 00:46:13.519 Someone's place. 00:46:14.519 --> 00:46:16.519 And so a clear declaration. 00:46:16.519 --> 00:46:17.519 Needs to be made. 00:46:17.519 --> 00:46:18.519 This is not the person. 00:46:18.519 --> 00:46:19.519 Who was meant to die. 00:46:19.519 --> 00:46:20.519 Who is dying. 00:46:20.519 --> 00:46:22.519 But someone is substituted for him. 00:46:22.519 --> 00:46:25.519 It is Jesus of Nazareth. 00:46:25.519 --> 00:46:26.519 Who dies here. 00:46:26.519 --> 00:46:27.519 Not Barabbas. 00:46:27.519 --> 00:46:29.519 The insurrectionist. 00:46:29.519 --> 00:46:31.519 And so when they take Jesus. 00:46:31.519 --> 00:46:33.519 Up to the top of the hill. 00:46:33.519 --> 00:46:35.519 And there they crucify him. 00:46:35.519 --> 00:46:37.519 He's crucified with two others. 00:46:37.519 --> 00:46:38.519 Probably co-conspirators. 00:46:38.519 --> 00:46:39.519 With Barabbas. 00:46:39.519 --> 00:46:41.519 Who are crucified either side of him. 00:46:41.519 --> 00:46:42.519 On his left and his right hand side. 00:46:42.519 --> 00:46:45.519 And again. 00:46:45.519 --> 00:46:46.519 And again. 00:46:46.519 --> 00:46:47.519 This sign. 00:46:47.519 --> 00:46:48.519 It points us to. 00:46:48.519 --> 00:46:50.519 A tiny little bit of prophecy. 00:46:53.519 --> 00:46:55.519 Isaiah 53 verse 9. 00:46:55.519 --> 00:46:57.519 He made his grave with the wicked. 00:46:57.519 --> 00:46:58.519 Psalm 22. 00:46:58.519 --> 00:47:00.519 Probably the most important prophecy. 00:47:00.519 --> 00:47:02.519 For this section of John's gospel. 00:47:02.519 --> 00:47:03.519 There's about four or five. 00:47:03.519 --> 00:47:04.519 Potential points. 00:47:04.519 --> 00:47:06.519 Where John is deliberately drawing us. 00:47:06.519 --> 00:47:07.519 To Psalm 22. 00:47:07.519 --> 00:47:08.519 Psalm 22. 00:47:08.519 --> 00:47:09.519 He's there. 00:47:09.519 --> 00:47:10.519 Crucified. 00:47:10.519 --> 00:47:11.519 Among. 00:47:11.519 --> 00:47:12.519 Sinners. 00:47:12.519 --> 00:47:13.519 Among the wicked. 00:47:13.519 --> 00:47:14.519 What's happening. 00:47:14.519 --> 00:47:17.519 What's happening. 00:47:17.519 --> 00:47:19.519 Is what John was talking about. 00:47:19.519 --> 00:47:20.519 Right at the beginning. 00:47:20.519 --> 00:47:23.519 The word was made flesh. 00:47:23.519 --> 00:47:26.519 And he came. 00:47:26.519 --> 00:47:27.519 And dwelt among us. 00:47:27.519 --> 00:47:30.519 To the point of his death. 00:47:30.519 --> 00:47:35.519 Among us. 00:47:35.519 --> 00:47:42.519 He was surrounded by the mass of humanity. 00:47:42.519 --> 00:47:44.519 That there at the cross. 00:47:44.519 --> 00:47:45.519 Everyone is represented. 00:47:45.519 --> 00:47:47.519 The Romans. 00:47:47.519 --> 00:47:48.519 The Romans. 00:47:48.519 --> 00:47:49.159 Represented. 00:47:50.159 --> 00:47:51.719 The Roman civilized world. 00:47:51.860 --> 00:47:53.300 The Jewish religious world. 00:47:53.780 --> 00:47:55.960 The gravity of the sinners who are crucified. 00:47:56.139 --> 00:47:56.840 Either side of them. 00:47:57.099 --> 00:47:58.599 One of whom goes on to confess. 00:47:58.920 --> 00:48:00.139 We deserve this. 00:48:01.039 --> 00:48:02.420 Although this man does not. 00:48:05.059 --> 00:48:08.079 All of humanity is present at this moment. 00:48:09.599 --> 00:48:12.159 And Jesus is there among us. 00:48:13.179 --> 00:48:16.719 The word made flesh dwelling among us. 00:48:16.719 --> 00:48:19.099 And enduring the shame. 00:48:19.619 --> 00:48:20.379 And the derision. 00:48:20.919 --> 00:48:21.859 And the scorn. 00:48:22.119 --> 00:48:24.439 And the horror of Golgotha. 00:48:25.599 --> 00:48:27.480 And God in all of this is saying. 00:48:28.000 --> 00:48:30.819 I did not spare my only son. 00:48:32.679 --> 00:48:33.699 This is what Paul tells us. 00:48:33.759 --> 00:48:35.199 Romans 8 verse 32. 00:48:35.379 --> 00:48:37.159 He who did not spare his only son. 00:48:37.279 --> 00:48:39.759 But gave him up for us all. 00:48:40.599 --> 00:48:42.659 How will he not also with him. 00:48:42.839 --> 00:48:44.559 Graciously give us all things. 00:48:44.559 --> 00:48:48.059 This is where salvation is found. 00:48:48.279 --> 00:48:49.759 It's where salvation was purchased. 00:48:49.940 --> 00:48:51.400 It's where salvation is finalized. 00:48:51.400 --> 00:48:54.400 This is the blood signed testimony. 00:48:55.519 --> 00:48:56.940 Of the will of God. 00:48:57.000 --> 00:48:59.739 Of God's eternal provision for our salvation. 00:49:00.179 --> 00:49:01.239 The Lamb's book of life. 00:49:01.299 --> 00:49:03.500 That was written before the foundation of the world. 00:49:03.579 --> 00:49:04.519 All of that stuff. 00:49:04.980 --> 00:49:06.400 It's found certain. 00:49:07.019 --> 00:49:07.880 And made certain. 00:49:08.119 --> 00:49:09.659 Here at the cross. 00:49:09.659 --> 00:49:14.259 Because there was a man called Jesus of Nazareth. 00:49:14.779 --> 00:49:16.539 Who was the king of the Jews. 00:49:17.379 --> 00:49:18.879 Who went and died. 00:49:19.679 --> 00:49:20.420 For us. 00:49:27.059 --> 00:49:28.159 The sign. 00:49:28.759 --> 00:49:29.839 Is significant. 00:49:29.840 --> 00:49:33.480 So too though. 00:49:33.559 --> 00:49:35.500 Is the seamless garment. 00:49:36.400 --> 00:49:37.400 I say this more briefly. 00:49:37.559 --> 00:49:39.160 The tunic that Jesus wore. 00:49:40.500 --> 00:49:41.800 No doubt by this point. 00:49:41.860 --> 00:49:43.260 It's probably already. 00:49:43.400 --> 00:49:44.539 Along with his other clothes. 00:49:44.780 --> 00:49:45.780 Stained in blood. 00:49:46.900 --> 00:49:48.260 These blood stained garments. 00:49:48.680 --> 00:49:50.100 Are virtually worthless. 00:49:50.760 --> 00:49:51.519 And yet still. 00:49:51.660 --> 00:49:52.760 The Roman soldiers say. 00:49:53.100 --> 00:49:53.620 Ours. 00:49:53.619 --> 00:49:56.420 They share them out. 00:49:56.500 --> 00:49:57.940 They divide them into four parts. 00:49:58.039 --> 00:49:59.019 One for each member. 00:49:59.639 --> 00:50:00.960 Of the execution detail. 00:50:01.839 --> 00:50:02.460 But his tunic. 00:50:02.519 --> 00:50:03.960 It's impossible to split it up this way. 00:50:04.000 --> 00:50:04.819 They can't tear it up. 00:50:05.279 --> 00:50:07.139 It's just one singular piece of cloth. 00:50:08.239 --> 00:50:10.119 There's maybe some significance in that. 00:50:11.079 --> 00:50:13.000 There's certainly a significant record. 00:50:13.000 --> 00:50:14.859 That Jewish mothers. 00:50:15.159 --> 00:50:16.759 When their sons would leave home. 00:50:16.920 --> 00:50:19.920 They would prepare a single woven cloak. 00:50:20.139 --> 00:50:20.779 For them to wear. 00:50:22.119 --> 00:50:23.599 Maybe this is that cloak. 00:50:23.619 --> 00:50:25.279 Precious to Mary. 00:50:25.980 --> 00:50:26.539 As well. 00:50:28.460 --> 00:50:31.159 Maybe she draws John's attention to it. 00:50:31.920 --> 00:50:32.420 Perhaps. 00:50:34.659 --> 00:50:37.579 Others have pointed to the high priest's tunic. 00:50:38.679 --> 00:50:39.679 That priestly garment. 00:50:39.819 --> 00:50:40.759 And certainly there is a. 00:50:41.000 --> 00:50:43.859 A priestly activity taking place here. 00:50:46.799 --> 00:50:47.920 But I don't. 00:50:48.239 --> 00:50:48.699 Myself. 00:50:48.799 --> 00:50:50.480 I don't think the text draws our attention. 00:50:50.480 --> 00:50:51.679 To either of these things. 00:50:51.679 --> 00:50:53.940 Instead. 00:50:55.539 --> 00:50:56.039 John. 00:50:56.980 --> 00:50:58.839 Places significance on the tunic. 00:50:59.480 --> 00:51:00.139 Because. 00:51:00.339 --> 00:51:01.159 Of the soldiers. 00:51:02.599 --> 00:51:03.779 So you go back to John 20. 00:51:03.899 --> 00:51:05.219 To Psalm 22 again. 00:51:05.299 --> 00:51:05.799 Verse 18. 00:51:06.639 --> 00:51:08.579 And they divided my garments among them. 00:51:08.819 --> 00:51:09.739 And for my clothing. 00:51:09.879 --> 00:51:11.119 They cast lots. 00:51:13.940 --> 00:51:14.179 And the. 00:51:14.179 --> 00:51:16.419 The one simple implication here. 00:51:16.419 --> 00:51:17.819 Is that Jesus was stripped naked. 00:51:17.819 --> 00:51:18.739 And put on the cross. 00:51:20.139 --> 00:51:21.219 And left to die. 00:51:24.359 --> 00:51:26.619 Surrounded by absolute indignity. 00:51:27.179 --> 00:51:28.000 And shame. 00:51:28.000 --> 00:51:33.000 But what we see though. 00:51:33.119 --> 00:51:35.420 Is an echo of John's writing elsewhere. 00:51:36.920 --> 00:51:37.960 On Wednesday night. 00:51:38.019 --> 00:51:38.320 Roddy. 00:51:38.900 --> 00:51:40.519 Read this passage for us. 00:51:42.340 --> 00:51:43.980 He was talking about how Jesus. 00:51:45.260 --> 00:51:47.280 At one of the crucial points in John's gospel. 00:51:47.539 --> 00:51:48.340 Remember John 12. 00:51:48.400 --> 00:51:48.739 13. 00:51:48.739 --> 00:51:49.939 Jesus. 00:51:50.579 --> 00:51:51.759 Comes with the disciples. 00:51:52.299 --> 00:51:53.539 To the upper room. 00:51:54.859 --> 00:51:56.099 And when they arrive in the upper room. 00:51:56.219 --> 00:51:56.619 Jesus. 00:51:57.259 --> 00:51:58.019 Strips off. 00:51:58.219 --> 00:51:59.139 His outer garment. 00:52:00.039 --> 00:52:01.739 And the word that John uses there. 00:52:01.839 --> 00:52:02.659 For the outer garment. 00:52:02.759 --> 00:52:04.179 Is the same word that the soldiers. 00:52:04.559 --> 00:52:04.779 For the. 00:52:04.779 --> 00:52:05.819 The item of clothing. 00:52:05.899 --> 00:52:06.959 The soldiers are now gambling. 00:52:08.599 --> 00:52:09.039 And. 00:52:09.599 --> 00:52:10.919 Because John is so. 00:52:11.119 --> 00:52:12.500 Precise with his language. 00:52:12.500 --> 00:52:13.579 Because John is so. 00:52:14.299 --> 00:52:14.859 Straightforward. 00:52:14.979 --> 00:52:16.119 In the use of language. 00:52:16.119 --> 00:52:18.159 There isn't. 00:52:18.339 --> 00:52:19.299 It's not a stretch. 00:52:19.420 --> 00:52:21.159 To say that John is giving us. 00:52:21.539 --> 00:52:22.299 A pointer. 00:52:22.599 --> 00:52:23.859 Back to that passage. 00:52:24.380 --> 00:52:25.039 Where Jesus. 00:52:25.380 --> 00:52:26.599 Strips off his outer garment. 00:52:27.159 --> 00:52:28.619 And he takes on. 00:52:28.960 --> 00:52:31.079 The role of the humblest of servants. 00:52:31.719 --> 00:52:32.179 Washing. 00:52:33.739 --> 00:52:34.940 The dust. 00:52:35.839 --> 00:52:37.859 And the animal excrement. 00:52:38.079 --> 00:52:38.679 The crap. 00:52:38.679 --> 00:52:40.679 Off the feet of the disciples. 00:52:41.199 --> 00:52:42.940 When they go into the upper room. 00:52:42.940 --> 00:52:46.300 And the humility. 00:52:47.019 --> 00:52:48.200 That that took. 00:52:49.780 --> 00:52:50.860 And yet the identity. 00:52:50.860 --> 00:52:51.659 Of the person. 00:52:51.800 --> 00:52:52.760 Who is exercising. 00:52:52.760 --> 00:52:53.679 That humility. 00:52:54.139 --> 00:52:55.179 Is none other than. 00:52:55.960 --> 00:52:56.900 The son of God. 00:52:57.820 --> 00:52:59.059 The divine I am. 00:52:59.780 --> 00:53:01.119 The king of the Jews. 00:53:02.679 --> 00:53:03.860 And there he is. 00:53:03.960 --> 00:53:05.480 Washing the disciples feet. 00:53:06.179 --> 00:53:07.720 And taking care of them. 00:53:07.780 --> 00:53:08.599 In that setting. 00:53:08.599 --> 00:53:11.099 And it's not beyond. 00:53:11.599 --> 00:53:13.440 Therefore the realm of possibility. 00:53:14.059 --> 00:53:14.920 And sensible. 00:53:15.539 --> 00:53:16.019 Exegesis. 00:53:16.199 --> 00:53:16.639 To say. 00:53:17.000 --> 00:53:18.179 John is pointing us back. 00:53:18.239 --> 00:53:19.219 To that identity. 00:53:19.940 --> 00:53:20.920 And reminding us. 00:53:20.980 --> 00:53:22.679 That the person now on the cross. 00:53:22.880 --> 00:53:24.119 Is the same one. 00:53:24.319 --> 00:53:26.319 And is doing the same thing. 00:53:27.420 --> 00:53:28.920 That the one at the cross. 00:53:28.920 --> 00:53:29.699 Is here. 00:53:30.440 --> 00:53:31.000 Bearing. 00:53:32.679 --> 00:53:33.239 Sin. 00:53:36.519 --> 00:53:37.000 Humbly. 00:53:38.599 --> 00:53:40.920 That he's doing it. 00:53:41.279 --> 00:53:41.599 Taking. 00:53:42.380 --> 00:53:43.119 The lowest. 00:53:43.579 --> 00:53:44.019 Place. 00:53:45.460 --> 00:53:47.059 The place of a substitute. 00:53:50.380 --> 00:53:51.579 It harks back then. 00:53:51.639 --> 00:53:52.239 To the language. 00:53:52.239 --> 00:53:53.279 Of the Old Testament. 00:53:53.460 --> 00:53:54.519 To the Day of Atonement. 00:53:55.460 --> 00:53:57.319 When substitutionary lambs. 00:53:57.380 --> 00:53:58.039 Are chosen. 00:53:59.039 --> 00:53:59.779 Two jobs. 00:53:59.779 --> 00:54:00.559 Have to be done. 00:54:00.619 --> 00:54:02.019 By the substitutionary lamb. 00:54:02.139 --> 00:54:03.759 But you can't do two jobs. 00:54:03.759 --> 00:54:04.420 Because one of them. 00:54:04.500 --> 00:54:05.159 Has been slain. 00:54:05.380 --> 00:54:06.339 And having your blood. 00:54:06.460 --> 00:54:07.360 Sprinkled on the altar. 00:54:07.360 --> 00:54:08.140 The other one. 00:54:08.200 --> 00:54:09.700 Has been led outside the camp. 00:54:10.079 --> 00:54:10.860 Taken far. 00:54:11.039 --> 00:54:11.559 Far away. 00:54:11.880 --> 00:54:12.780 So that your sin. 00:54:12.920 --> 00:54:14.180 Is symbolically. 00:54:14.180 --> 00:54:15.460 Taken out of sight. 00:54:15.640 --> 00:54:16.880 And away forever. 00:54:18.760 --> 00:54:20.519 And that's what Jesus is doing. 00:54:20.880 --> 00:54:21.680 And that's what John. 00:54:21.740 --> 00:54:22.740 Is pointing us towards. 00:54:24.980 --> 00:54:25.500 This. 00:54:26.180 --> 00:54:26.700 Role. 00:54:26.780 --> 00:54:27.200 That Jesus. 00:54:27.340 --> 00:54:28.360 Takes upon himself. 00:54:29.099 --> 00:54:30.900 To be the substitutionary. 00:54:31.019 --> 00:54:31.460 Atoning. 00:54:31.700 --> 00:54:32.260 Sacrifice. 00:54:32.260 --> 00:54:33.099 For us. 00:54:33.099 --> 00:54:34.900 The one who takes our sin. 00:54:34.940 --> 00:54:35.519 On himself. 00:54:37.699 --> 00:54:38.960 He empties himself. 00:54:39.119 --> 00:54:39.519 Paul says. 00:54:39.599 --> 00:54:40.139 This is the language. 00:54:40.259 --> 00:54:40.839 Paul uses. 00:54:42.219 --> 00:54:42.659 Himself. 00:54:42.839 --> 00:54:43.679 He emptied. 00:54:44.519 --> 00:54:45.480 Taking the form. 00:54:45.539 --> 00:54:46.099 Of a servant. 00:54:46.539 --> 00:54:47.360 And then following. 00:54:47.480 --> 00:54:48.360 That trajectory. 00:54:48.739 --> 00:54:49.920 All the way. 00:54:50.139 --> 00:54:50.960 To the cursed. 00:54:51.380 --> 00:54:51.699 Death. 00:54:51.759 --> 00:54:52.519 Of the cross. 00:54:52.739 --> 00:54:53.480 He assumes. 00:54:53.619 --> 00:54:54.440 The lowest. 00:54:54.839 --> 00:54:55.239 Place. 00:54:55.239 --> 00:54:58.759 So that our sin. 00:54:58.859 --> 00:54:59.679 Can be dumped. 00:54:59.679 --> 00:55:00.399 Upon him. 00:55:01.339 --> 00:55:02.479 And our guilt. 00:55:02.639 --> 00:55:03.439 Can be borne. 00:55:03.559 --> 00:55:04.059 By him. 00:55:05.159 --> 00:55:06.059 And we. 00:55:06.299 --> 00:55:07.039 Can be. 00:55:07.439 --> 00:55:07.799 Freed. 00:55:11.399 --> 00:55:12.719 And the soldiers. 00:55:13.579 --> 00:55:14.019 Gambled. 00:55:15.399 --> 00:55:16.559 For his cloak. 00:55:22.159 --> 00:55:23.159 It would be wrong. 00:55:23.239 --> 00:55:23.500 For us. 00:55:23.579 --> 00:55:24.159 To focus. 00:55:25.239 --> 00:55:26.219 On the soldiers. 00:55:26.219 --> 00:55:26.959 Casual. 00:55:26.959 --> 00:55:27.399 Everyday. 00:55:27.399 --> 00:55:28.000 Act. 00:55:28.000 --> 00:55:28.819 Of brutality. 00:55:29.419 --> 00:55:30.259 And just. 00:55:30.500 --> 00:55:30.859 Miss. 00:55:31.059 --> 00:55:32.019 What it tells us. 00:55:32.019 --> 00:55:33.219 About our savior. 00:55:35.139 --> 00:55:36.439 He dies. 00:55:36.719 --> 00:55:37.379 For us. 00:55:38.459 --> 00:55:39.079 In an act. 00:55:39.079 --> 00:55:40.019 Of profound. 00:55:40.619 --> 00:55:41.319 Self. 00:55:41.819 --> 00:55:42.579 Humiliation. 00:55:45.739 --> 00:55:47.199 Because he is indeed. 00:55:47.199 --> 00:55:48.339 The king of the Jews. 00:55:50.579 --> 00:55:51.739 But he is there. 00:55:51.879 --> 00:55:52.439 Raised up. 00:55:52.500 --> 00:55:53.239 And suspended. 00:55:53.239 --> 00:55:54.179 Between heaven. 00:55:54.179 --> 00:55:54.779 And earth. 00:55:55.239 --> 00:55:56.739 For our. 00:55:56.739 --> 00:55:56.759 For our. 00:55:57.119 --> 00:55:57.659 Salvation. 00:56:02.819 --> 00:56:04.039 The language. 00:56:04.759 --> 00:56:05.519 Matters. 00:56:07.819 --> 00:56:08.979 And the question. 00:56:09.159 --> 00:56:09.619 For us. 00:56:10.079 --> 00:56:10.619 Remains. 00:56:10.819 --> 00:56:11.500 What therefore. 00:56:11.659 --> 00:56:13.099 Do we make of this man? 00:56:14.759 --> 00:56:15.879 What do we think. 00:56:15.879 --> 00:56:17.000 Of what he has done. 00:56:17.339 --> 00:56:18.839 For sinners like us. 00:56:19.899 --> 00:56:20.819 Do we think. 00:56:20.879 --> 00:56:21.759 Oh well that's nice. 00:56:21.760 --> 00:56:25.320 Do we think. 00:56:25.320 --> 00:56:25.780 Well that's. 00:56:25.780 --> 00:56:26.740 Interesting. 00:56:27.840 --> 00:56:29.900 Or do you tonight. 00:56:30.240 --> 00:56:30.700 Stop. 00:56:31.020 --> 00:56:31.480 Pause. 00:56:32.040 --> 00:56:32.520 Halt. 00:56:34.260 --> 00:56:36.040 And merely marvel. 00:56:37.180 --> 00:56:38.200 And wonder. 00:56:39.020 --> 00:56:40.360 At this display. 00:56:40.560 --> 00:56:41.540 Of grace. 00:56:42.540 --> 00:56:43.940 This display. 00:56:44.180 --> 00:56:45.020 Of the mercy. 00:56:45.020 --> 00:56:45.840 Of God. 00:56:46.340 --> 00:56:47.820 For sinners like us. 00:56:47.820 --> 00:56:51.000 Where he does it all. 00:56:52.140 --> 00:56:53.760 And takes our guilt away. 00:56:57.360 --> 00:56:59.059 We need to stop and reflect. 00:56:59.240 --> 00:57:01.059 That God comes down among us. 00:57:02.500 --> 00:57:04.180 And dies in our place. 00:57:04.179 --> 00:57:10.599 There is one final little picture. 00:57:10.719 --> 00:57:11.199 Here again. 00:57:12.079 --> 00:57:12.919 I think again. 00:57:12.980 --> 00:57:14.019 The language is significant. 00:57:14.179 --> 00:57:14.879 It takes us back. 00:57:14.960 --> 00:57:16.139 To an earlier chapter. 00:57:16.679 --> 00:57:17.699 Of John's. 00:57:18.359 --> 00:57:18.799 Writing. 00:57:20.359 --> 00:57:21.359 And it's the care. 00:57:21.440 --> 00:57:22.419 That he has for his mother. 00:57:25.539 --> 00:57:26.059 There's a. 00:57:26.679 --> 00:57:27.699 Human element to this. 00:57:27.779 --> 00:57:28.480 A human level. 00:57:28.619 --> 00:57:28.859 That we. 00:57:28.940 --> 00:57:29.719 We shouldn't miss. 00:57:29.719 --> 00:57:33.319 It is that as he goes to the cross. 00:57:33.619 --> 00:57:34.980 Who is on his mind. 00:57:36.219 --> 00:57:37.000 His mother. 00:57:39.219 --> 00:57:39.619 And that. 00:57:40.000 --> 00:57:40.439 Alone. 00:57:41.139 --> 00:57:41.599 Dispels. 00:57:41.939 --> 00:57:43.059 So many of the. 00:57:44.279 --> 00:57:44.679 Frankly. 00:57:45.199 --> 00:57:45.719 Absurd. 00:57:46.039 --> 00:57:47.539 Claims that are made about Jesus. 00:57:50.819 --> 00:57:51.299 That. 00:57:51.539 --> 00:57:51.980 Somehow. 00:57:52.119 --> 00:57:52.819 He was involved. 00:57:53.039 --> 00:57:53.279 As. 00:57:54.059 --> 00:57:55.779 Some of the apocryphal gospels. 00:57:55.919 --> 00:57:56.439 Would suggest. 00:57:56.579 --> 00:57:57.619 That he was involved in a. 00:57:57.980 --> 00:57:58.679 An illicit. 00:57:58.679 --> 00:58:00.219 Sexual liaison. 00:58:00.519 --> 00:58:01.379 With Mary Magdalene. 00:58:03.039 --> 00:58:04.119 Or that he was somehow. 00:58:04.219 --> 00:58:04.859 Perhaps even. 00:58:05.119 --> 00:58:05.319 Gay. 00:58:05.419 --> 00:58:06.019 In some way. 00:58:07.639 --> 00:58:08.519 And the person he. 00:58:08.639 --> 00:58:09.579 He thinks about. 00:58:09.980 --> 00:58:10.699 At the cross. 00:58:10.759 --> 00:58:11.619 And talks about. 00:58:11.719 --> 00:58:12.460 To his apostles. 00:58:13.319 --> 00:58:13.980 Is his mother. 00:58:16.719 --> 00:58:17.819 And he commits her. 00:58:17.899 --> 00:58:18.440 Into the care. 00:58:18.480 --> 00:58:19.559 Of one of his closest friends. 00:58:23.039 --> 00:58:24.299 The thoughts of Jesus. 00:58:24.299 --> 00:58:24.980 At this moment. 00:58:25.679 --> 00:58:26.379 They don't betray. 00:58:26.379 --> 00:58:27.719 Some secret knowledge. 00:58:27.719 --> 00:58:29.679 About special secret identities. 00:58:29.679 --> 00:58:30.019 Or. 00:58:30.759 --> 00:58:31.819 Secrets that are going on. 00:58:31.879 --> 00:58:32.859 In his private life. 00:58:33.859 --> 00:58:34.679 They tell us. 00:58:34.799 --> 00:58:35.980 What's ordinary about him. 00:58:36.980 --> 00:58:37.779 He was a man. 00:58:37.839 --> 00:58:38.779 Who cared about his mom. 00:58:44.059 --> 00:58:44.500 Yet. 00:58:44.699 --> 00:58:46.199 There's more going on here too. 00:58:48.539 --> 00:58:48.980 Because. 00:58:48.980 --> 00:58:51.539 Again. 00:58:51.539 --> 00:58:52.719 There's two things. 00:58:52.719 --> 00:58:54.059 That are a bit strange. 00:58:55.559 --> 00:58:56.400 One is simply. 00:58:56.500 --> 00:58:57.219 The fact that Jesus. 00:58:57.219 --> 00:58:58.340 Had brothers and sisters. 00:58:59.679 --> 00:59:00.679 And so the question. 00:59:00.780 --> 00:59:01.240 Almost is. 00:59:01.360 --> 00:59:01.420 Well. 00:59:01.480 --> 00:59:02.699 Why doesn't he commit. 00:59:03.019 --> 00:59:04.119 His mother's care. 00:59:04.320 --> 00:59:05.000 To one of them. 00:59:05.079 --> 00:59:05.199 I mean. 00:59:05.199 --> 00:59:06.380 He's the oldest son. 00:59:07.340 --> 00:59:08.320 And he can pass. 00:59:08.320 --> 00:59:09.119 The responsibility. 00:59:09.119 --> 00:59:10.059 For her to. 00:59:10.559 --> 00:59:11.539 His next eldest brother. 00:59:11.639 --> 00:59:12.519 Probably James. 00:59:14.019 --> 00:59:14.240 And say. 00:59:14.280 --> 00:59:14.480 James. 00:59:14.539 --> 00:59:15.539 You take care of mom now. 00:59:16.039 --> 00:59:17.079 I'm not going to be able to. 00:59:17.079 --> 00:59:17.440 Obviously. 00:59:17.579 --> 00:59:18.440 I've been putting a cross. 00:59:19.659 --> 00:59:20.679 But it's not James. 00:59:20.679 --> 00:59:21.960 That he gives the responsibility to. 00:59:22.059 --> 00:59:22.819 It's his friend. 00:59:22.960 --> 00:59:23.259 John. 00:59:24.199 --> 00:59:25.460 So that's a little bit intriguing. 00:59:25.559 --> 00:59:26.480 And we need to think about that. 00:59:28.460 --> 00:59:29.799 But there's also the language. 00:59:29.799 --> 00:59:30.619 That's used. 00:59:31.920 --> 00:59:33.239 And the language again. 00:59:33.340 --> 00:59:34.420 Because John is so. 00:59:34.860 --> 00:59:35.940 Precise with his language. 00:59:35.940 --> 00:59:36.679 Because he's so. 00:59:37.360 --> 00:59:37.840 Simplistic. 00:59:37.940 --> 00:59:38.519 And straightforward. 00:59:38.519 --> 00:59:39.539 With his language. 00:59:39.900 --> 00:59:40.699 That when he uses. 00:59:40.940 --> 00:59:42.579 A peculiar word. 00:59:42.739 --> 00:59:43.319 In a setting. 00:59:43.719 --> 00:59:44.699 We need to again think. 00:59:44.779 --> 00:59:44.880 Well. 00:59:44.980 --> 00:59:46.440 Where does that come from? 00:59:46.440 --> 00:59:48.460 And so when he addresses his mother. 00:59:48.700 --> 00:59:49.360 He says. 00:59:49.880 --> 00:59:50.260 Woman. 00:59:50.860 --> 00:59:51.800 Behold your son. 00:59:53.360 --> 00:59:55.000 And if you've read John's gospel. 00:59:55.179 --> 00:59:55.619 You remember. 00:59:55.740 --> 00:59:56.960 There's a time previously. 00:59:56.960 --> 00:59:58.179 Where he said that word. 00:59:59.780 --> 01:00:00.740 His first miracle. 01:00:00.900 --> 01:00:01.420 Where he first. 01:00:01.700 --> 01:00:02.599 As John tells us. 01:00:02.619 --> 01:00:04.019 He first revealed his glory. 01:00:05.079 --> 01:00:06.480 Back at the wedding in Canaan. 01:00:07.300 --> 01:00:08.179 And Mary comes to him. 01:00:08.220 --> 01:00:08.559 And says. 01:00:08.880 --> 01:00:09.900 They've run out of wine. 01:00:10.480 --> 01:00:11.579 What are we going to do? 01:00:12.159 --> 01:00:12.720 And she knows. 01:00:12.800 --> 01:00:13.700 Jesus can do something. 01:00:13.699 --> 01:00:16.480 And Jesus looks at her. 01:00:16.579 --> 01:00:16.980 And says. 01:00:17.719 --> 01:00:18.199 Woman. 01:00:18.799 --> 01:00:20.219 What is this to do with me? 01:00:20.219 --> 01:00:21.319 My hour. 01:00:21.579 --> 01:00:22.699 Is not yet come. 01:00:24.279 --> 01:00:24.980 And the hour. 01:00:25.059 --> 01:00:26.019 Is clearly now come. 01:00:26.119 --> 01:00:26.939 It's at the cross. 01:00:27.719 --> 01:00:28.859 And Mary is present. 01:00:28.960 --> 01:00:29.839 At the hour. 01:00:31.119 --> 01:00:31.559 And. 01:00:31.719 --> 01:00:33.159 And Jesus addresses her. 01:00:33.239 --> 01:00:33.659 The same. 01:00:33.859 --> 01:00:34.919 With the same title. 01:00:35.399 --> 01:00:35.759 Woman. 01:00:36.939 --> 01:00:38.319 It's an interesting word. 01:00:38.480 --> 01:00:38.739 In. 01:00:38.739 --> 01:00:39.079 In. 01:00:39.079 --> 01:00:39.359 In. 01:00:39.960 --> 01:00:40.239 In. 01:00:40.239 --> 01:00:40.639 Greek. 01:00:40.799 --> 01:00:40.979 And. 01:00:41.579 --> 01:00:41.899 Presumably. 01:00:42.459 --> 01:00:43.179 John's reflecting. 01:00:43.179 --> 01:00:44.219 Something of the Aramaic. 01:00:44.299 --> 01:00:44.899 That's been spoken. 01:00:45.019 --> 01:00:45.379 At the time. 01:00:45.459 --> 01:00:45.839 As well. 01:00:46.739 --> 01:00:47.599 In that the word. 01:00:47.639 --> 01:00:48.219 That he uses. 01:00:48.219 --> 01:00:48.779 Is one of. 01:00:49.059 --> 01:00:50.099 Great reverence. 01:00:51.299 --> 01:00:52.459 It's not as dismissive. 01:00:52.539 --> 01:00:52.679 You know. 01:00:52.739 --> 01:00:53.699 If we were to speak. 01:00:53.699 --> 01:00:54.500 To somebody that way. 01:00:54.519 --> 01:00:55.079 If I was to speak. 01:00:55.079 --> 01:00:55.599 To my mother. 01:00:55.699 --> 01:00:55.859 And say. 01:00:55.939 --> 01:00:56.139 Woman. 01:00:56.279 --> 01:00:56.739 What are you doing? 01:00:57.199 --> 01:00:57.619 You would think. 01:00:57.679 --> 01:00:59.059 I'm being very dismissive of her. 01:01:00.019 --> 01:01:00.959 But that's not the way. 01:01:00.959 --> 01:01:01.639 Jesus speaks. 01:01:01.679 --> 01:01:02.000 It's actually. 01:01:02.159 --> 01:01:03.639 A phrase of great. 01:01:04.839 --> 01:01:05.199 Affection. 01:01:05.419 --> 01:01:06.519 And respect. 01:01:08.119 --> 01:01:08.819 It's like that. 01:01:08.820 --> 01:01:09.240 The way. 01:01:10.019 --> 01:01:10.620 I often. 01:01:10.880 --> 01:01:11.500 The way. 01:01:11.600 --> 01:01:12.420 I would kind of describe it. 01:01:12.480 --> 01:01:12.800 As the way. 01:01:13.240 --> 01:01:14.680 Folks from the southern states. 01:01:15.180 --> 01:01:15.440 In. 01:01:15.500 --> 01:01:15.700 In. 01:01:15.800 --> 01:01:16.360 In America. 01:01:16.680 --> 01:01:17.480 Would address women. 01:01:17.539 --> 01:01:17.760 They'd say. 01:01:17.860 --> 01:01:18.220 Mom. 01:01:19.860 --> 01:01:21.000 It's very respectful. 01:01:22.860 --> 01:01:24.380 And that's the same language. 01:01:24.380 --> 01:01:25.620 That Jesus now uses. 01:01:25.740 --> 01:01:26.860 When he points to his mother. 01:01:28.000 --> 01:01:28.620 And John. 01:01:28.700 --> 01:01:28.980 He's. 01:01:28.980 --> 01:01:29.980 He's drawing us back. 01:01:29.980 --> 01:01:30.519 Then I think. 01:01:30.600 --> 01:01:31.840 With the use of that language. 01:01:32.600 --> 01:01:34.260 Like bookending the gospel. 01:01:35.600 --> 01:01:36.420 Just as in fact. 01:01:36.500 --> 01:01:37.280 The story of Mary. 01:01:37.840 --> 01:01:38.200 Bookends. 01:01:38.199 --> 01:01:39.219 The life of Jesus. 01:01:40.519 --> 01:01:41.699 Remember the magnificat. 01:01:41.759 --> 01:01:42.439 There at the beginning. 01:01:43.639 --> 01:01:44.739 And now Jesus. 01:01:45.159 --> 01:01:46.159 Taking care of her. 01:01:46.359 --> 01:01:47.199 At his death. 01:01:48.339 --> 01:01:49.319 And giving responsibility. 01:01:49.319 --> 01:01:50.099 For her care. 01:01:50.239 --> 01:01:50.799 To John. 01:01:52.960 --> 01:01:54.139 It points us back. 01:01:54.219 --> 01:01:55.480 To the glory of Jesus. 01:01:55.480 --> 01:01:56.119 That John. 01:01:56.119 --> 01:01:57.219 Wanted us to see. 01:01:57.699 --> 01:01:58.139 And presumably. 01:01:58.339 --> 01:01:58.619 Jesus. 01:01:58.619 --> 01:01:59.639 Wanted his disciples. 01:01:59.639 --> 01:02:00.219 To see. 01:02:01.059 --> 01:02:01.819 Back at the. 01:02:02.980 --> 01:02:03.879 Back at the wedding. 01:02:03.980 --> 01:02:04.379 In Canaan. 01:02:04.380 --> 01:02:07.420 Back at the wedding. 01:02:07.420 --> 01:02:07.860 At Canaan. 01:02:07.980 --> 01:02:08.900 Where Mary. 01:02:10.039 --> 01:02:10.960 Expresses faith. 01:02:12.440 --> 01:02:13.180 Where Mary. 01:02:13.320 --> 01:02:13.680 Says. 01:02:13.880 --> 01:02:14.780 To the servants. 01:02:15.440 --> 01:02:16.680 Whatever he tells you to do. 01:02:16.760 --> 01:02:17.119 Do it. 01:02:17.880 --> 01:02:18.539 Even though Jesus. 01:02:18.539 --> 01:02:19.240 Has basically said. 01:02:19.320 --> 01:02:19.960 You can't tell me. 01:02:20.019 --> 01:02:20.599 To do this. 01:02:21.820 --> 01:02:22.260 Mary says. 01:02:22.320 --> 01:02:23.119 Whatever he says. 01:02:23.200 --> 01:02:23.599 Do it. 01:02:23.780 --> 01:02:24.880 Because she trusted him. 01:02:24.940 --> 01:02:25.780 She believed. 01:02:26.340 --> 01:02:26.619 In him. 01:02:28.039 --> 01:02:28.640 The reason. 01:02:28.760 --> 01:02:29.559 Jesus commits her. 01:02:29.619 --> 01:02:30.420 Into John's care. 01:02:30.480 --> 01:02:30.960 Is the same. 01:02:30.960 --> 01:02:31.960 It's because of Mary's. 01:02:32.360 --> 01:02:32.679 Faith. 01:02:36.480 --> 01:02:36.820 You see. 01:02:36.940 --> 01:02:37.619 At this point. 01:02:38.260 --> 01:02:39.159 Jesus' brothers. 01:02:40.780 --> 01:02:41.699 And Mary's. 01:02:41.740 --> 01:02:42.300 Other children. 01:02:42.420 --> 01:02:42.679 Therefore. 01:02:44.039 --> 01:02:45.300 They don't believe. 01:02:46.639 --> 01:02:47.480 John's already. 01:02:47.480 --> 01:02:48.000 Told us. 01:02:48.139 --> 01:02:48.400 In fact. 01:02:48.559 --> 01:02:49.159 His brothers. 01:02:49.400 --> 01:02:50.139 Scorned his. 01:02:50.940 --> 01:02:51.300 Ministry. 01:02:53.720 --> 01:02:54.440 They thought. 01:02:54.500 --> 01:02:55.019 He was mad. 01:02:57.059 --> 01:02:57.659 They thought. 01:02:57.720 --> 01:02:58.720 He's off his head. 01:02:58.719 --> 01:03:01.599 And now. 01:03:01.719 --> 01:03:02.000 Jesus. 01:03:02.159 --> 01:03:03.099 Is about to die. 01:03:04.399 --> 01:03:05.659 As the substitute. 01:03:05.919 --> 01:03:07.079 The atoning sacrifice. 01:03:08.439 --> 01:03:09.939 And he wants his mother. 01:03:12.439 --> 01:03:13.939 To survive this. 01:03:16.119 --> 01:03:17.039 Not just. 01:03:17.419 --> 01:03:18.500 At a personal level. 01:03:18.659 --> 01:03:19.579 But he cares about. 01:03:19.779 --> 01:03:20.399 Her faith. 01:03:21.199 --> 01:03:22.339 He doesn't want. 01:03:22.419 --> 01:03:23.239 To bruise. 01:03:23.559 --> 01:03:24.519 Her faith. 01:03:25.699 --> 01:03:26.459 And so. 01:03:26.679 --> 01:03:27.579 He makes. 01:03:27.579 --> 01:03:29.119 Her immediate care. 01:03:29.799 --> 01:03:30.719 The responsibility. 01:03:32.159 --> 01:03:33.460 Of one of the disciples. 01:03:35.460 --> 01:03:36.019 In fact. 01:03:36.099 --> 01:03:37.059 Probably the closest. 01:03:37.059 --> 01:03:37.920 Of his disciples. 01:03:39.319 --> 01:03:40.099 Not merely. 01:03:40.099 --> 01:03:40.519 Because. 01:03:40.940 --> 01:03:41.460 He trusts. 01:03:41.460 --> 01:03:41.779 John. 01:03:41.860 --> 01:03:42.179 And knows. 01:03:42.279 --> 01:03:43.440 John will take care of her. 01:03:43.519 --> 01:03:43.719 And because. 01:03:43.840 --> 01:03:44.340 John's presumably. 01:03:44.579 --> 01:03:45.599 Able to take care of her. 01:03:48.500 --> 01:03:49.199 But because. 01:03:49.319 --> 01:03:49.980 John will be able. 01:03:50.219 --> 01:03:51.119 Not only to take care of her. 01:03:51.360 --> 01:03:52.159 Practical needs. 01:03:52.759 --> 01:03:53.940 But John will very. 01:03:54.179 --> 01:03:54.579 Quickly. 01:03:55.099 --> 01:03:56.480 Be able to take care of her. 01:03:56.480 --> 01:03:57.920 Her spiritual need as well. 01:03:59.780 --> 01:04:01.199 He'll take care of her. 01:04:01.400 --> 01:04:01.800 Faith. 01:04:02.940 --> 01:04:04.360 He will pastor her. 01:04:05.480 --> 01:04:06.880 He will minister to her. 01:04:06.880 --> 01:04:07.740 Spiritual need. 01:04:08.860 --> 01:04:10.920 And I find that really. 01:04:11.699 --> 01:04:12.159 Compelling. 01:04:14.360 --> 01:04:15.340 That Jesus. 01:04:15.579 --> 01:04:16.400 When he dies. 01:04:16.400 --> 01:04:19.900 He doesn't want. 01:04:19.900 --> 01:04:19.940 He doesn't want. 01:04:19.940 --> 01:04:20.700 Mary's. 01:04:21.220 --> 01:04:21.619 Faith. 01:04:22.360 --> 01:04:23.720 To be undermined. 01:04:25.000 --> 01:04:25.780 He wants. 01:04:25.920 --> 01:04:27.320 Somebody to be near to her. 01:04:27.420 --> 01:04:28.460 To explain to her. 01:04:29.320 --> 01:04:29.780 Mary. 01:04:29.940 --> 01:04:30.240 Remember. 01:04:30.360 --> 01:04:31.800 This is why your son died. 01:04:33.380 --> 01:04:34.200 He wants someone. 01:04:34.320 --> 01:04:35.220 To remind her. 01:04:35.340 --> 01:04:36.059 Of the significance. 01:04:36.059 --> 01:04:37.340 Of what happens here. 01:04:37.860 --> 01:04:38.660 He wants somebody. 01:04:38.660 --> 01:04:39.720 To speak to her. 01:04:39.880 --> 01:04:41.220 And into her grief. 01:04:41.500 --> 01:04:42.599 And into her sorrow. 01:04:42.900 --> 01:04:44.099 And to remind her. 01:04:44.180 --> 01:04:44.539 And say. 01:04:44.539 --> 01:04:46.139 He did this for you. 01:04:47.579 --> 01:04:48.960 As John clearly does. 01:04:49.039 --> 01:04:49.860 Come to understand. 01:04:51.039 --> 01:04:51.940 Very quickly. 01:04:52.099 --> 01:04:52.420 In fact. 01:04:55.519 --> 01:04:56.619 What Jesus did. 01:04:56.659 --> 01:04:57.300 At his death. 01:04:57.400 --> 01:04:58.480 Was he was thinking. 01:04:59.239 --> 01:05:00.420 About the faith. 01:05:01.380 --> 01:05:01.759 Of. 01:05:02.340 --> 01:05:03.199 His loved ones. 01:05:03.199 --> 01:05:05.399 And tonight. 01:05:05.480 --> 01:05:06.019 That includes. 01:05:06.119 --> 01:05:06.559 You and I. 01:05:08.679 --> 01:05:09.279 And so. 01:05:09.779 --> 01:05:10.960 The implication of this. 01:05:11.039 --> 01:05:12.480 And the application of this. 01:05:12.519 --> 01:05:13.159 Is a simple one. 01:05:13.179 --> 01:05:13.960 Just to conclude on. 01:05:14.579 --> 01:05:16.699 Is that when we go into times. 01:05:16.859 --> 01:05:17.199 Of. 01:05:18.159 --> 01:05:18.639 Profound. 01:05:19.179 --> 01:05:19.480 Sorrow. 01:05:20.480 --> 01:05:21.719 When we face things. 01:05:21.719 --> 01:05:22.639 That are difficult. 01:05:23.799 --> 01:05:25.460 When we have to face. 01:05:26.119 --> 01:05:26.599 Hard. 01:05:27.399 --> 01:05:27.839 Bitter. 01:05:28.179 --> 01:05:28.699 Experiences. 01:05:28.699 --> 01:05:31.839 We should not forget. 01:05:33.119 --> 01:05:35.139 That Jesus still loves us. 01:05:36.079 --> 01:05:38.419 And that Jesus still cares for us. 01:05:39.519 --> 01:05:40.899 That he loves you. 01:05:41.659 --> 01:05:43.439 That the king of the Jews. 01:05:45.119 --> 01:05:47.879 Who humbly took our sin upon himself. 01:05:49.759 --> 01:05:51.219 Wants your faith. 01:05:52.159 --> 01:05:53.079 To be. 01:05:53.739 --> 01:05:54.139 Nourished. 01:05:54.139 --> 01:05:57.339 He wants your faith. 01:05:57.440 --> 01:05:58.460 To be cared for. 01:05:59.679 --> 01:06:00.759 He wants your. 01:06:01.599 --> 01:06:02.000 Affection. 01:06:02.500 --> 01:06:02.980 For him. 01:06:03.059 --> 01:06:04.099 And your love for God. 01:06:04.159 --> 01:06:04.900 And your obedience. 01:06:05.639 --> 01:06:06.480 To God. 01:06:07.440 --> 01:06:08.480 And the exercise. 01:06:08.480 --> 01:06:09.519 Of your faith. 01:06:09.579 --> 01:06:10.219 In your life. 01:06:10.339 --> 01:06:11.119 He wants your. 01:06:11.400 --> 01:06:12.460 Your priorities. 01:06:12.460 --> 01:06:13.420 To continue. 01:06:13.659 --> 01:06:14.420 To be shaped. 01:06:14.759 --> 01:06:15.699 By this. 01:06:18.099 --> 01:06:18.940 That you're. 01:06:20.719 --> 01:06:21.920 That you're loved. 01:06:21.920 --> 01:06:24.800 That God himself. 01:06:24.800 --> 01:06:26.180 Went to the cross. 01:06:26.500 --> 01:06:27.780 To experience. 01:06:28.340 --> 01:06:28.800 Death. 01:06:29.400 --> 01:06:29.760 For. 01:06:30.280 --> 01:06:30.539 You. 01:06:32.820 --> 01:06:33.920 And he did it. 01:06:33.980 --> 01:06:34.920 Because he loves you. 01:06:36.740 --> 01:06:38.159 And he wants you. 01:06:38.820 --> 01:06:39.500 To thrive. 01:06:40.519 --> 01:06:41.559 He wants you. 01:06:41.619 --> 01:06:42.059 To flourish. 01:06:43.200 --> 01:06:44.059 He wants you. 01:06:44.119 --> 01:06:44.599 To grow. 01:06:46.619 --> 01:06:47.960 That bruised reed. 01:06:48.220 --> 01:06:49.420 He is not going to break it. 01:06:49.420 --> 01:06:51.720 That tiny. 01:06:52.079 --> 01:06:52.559 Little. 01:06:52.760 --> 01:06:53.139 Ember. 01:06:53.139 --> 01:06:53.760 Of faith. 01:06:53.980 --> 01:06:54.820 When sometimes you feel. 01:06:54.900 --> 01:06:56.039 That's all that's left. 01:06:56.980 --> 01:06:58.340 He isn't going to quench that out. 01:07:00.159 --> 01:07:01.300 He loves you. 01:07:02.320 --> 01:07:03.680 And he will lift you up. 01:07:04.599 --> 01:07:06.039 And he will care for you. 01:07:06.900 --> 01:07:08.079 And carry you on. 01:07:11.720 --> 01:07:12.519 The king. 01:07:12.659 --> 01:07:13.340 Of the Jews. 01:07:15.139 --> 01:07:16.659 Who died for sinners. 01:07:16.659 --> 01:07:19.399 But who loved his own. 01:07:20.899 --> 01:07:22.079 To the very last. 01:07:23.099 --> 01:07:23.659 Let's pray. 01:07:30.739 --> 01:07:31.399 Heavenly Father. 01:07:31.519 --> 01:07:32.559 We thank you for Jesus. 01:07:32.739 --> 01:07:33.759 We thank you for his love. 01:07:34.779 --> 01:07:35.899 We thank you for the love. 01:07:36.059 --> 01:07:36.719 That he. 01:07:36.920 --> 01:07:37.819 He was able. 01:07:37.940 --> 01:07:38.879 Therefore to endure. 01:07:40.179 --> 01:07:40.960 The shame. 01:07:41.059 --> 01:07:41.619 And the derision. 01:07:41.699 --> 01:07:42.399 Of the cross. 01:07:43.000 --> 01:07:44.059 And all of the humility. 01:07:44.059 --> 01:07:44.940 That went with it. 01:07:44.940 --> 01:07:46.639 That he accepted. 01:07:46.639 --> 01:07:47.340 These things. 01:07:47.500 --> 01:07:48.380 For us. 01:07:49.579 --> 01:07:50.820 And we therefore tonight. 01:07:52.159 --> 01:07:53.559 We owe him our allegiance. 01:07:54.200 --> 01:07:54.900 We owe him our love. 01:07:55.019 --> 01:07:55.940 We owe him our attention. 01:07:57.820 --> 01:07:58.380 But Lord. 01:07:58.460 --> 01:07:59.800 Help us simply to glorify him. 01:07:59.880 --> 01:08:00.500 To praise him. 01:08:02.000 --> 01:08:03.539 To rejoice in the glory. 01:08:03.539 --> 01:08:04.260 That he has shown. 01:08:04.360 --> 01:08:05.619 The grace that has been revealed. 01:08:05.619 --> 01:08:06.119 To us. 01:08:06.200 --> 01:08:06.940 Help us Lord. 01:08:07.019 --> 01:08:07.380 Tonight. 01:08:08.220 --> 01:08:09.220 To love him more. 01:08:10.980 --> 01:08:12.119 And to rejoice. 01:08:12.119 --> 01:08:13.759 In the salvation. 01:08:14.000 --> 01:08:15.279 That he has purchased for us. 01:08:16.019 --> 01:08:16.979 And the freedom. 01:08:17.140 --> 01:08:17.920 That we therefore have. 01:08:18.920 --> 01:08:20.559 We ask this in Jesus name. 01:08:21.199 --> 01:08:21.460 Amen. 01:08:25.260 --> 01:08:26.460 We're going to conclude. 01:08:28.460 --> 01:08:29.439 Singing in Psalm. 01:08:30.739 --> 01:08:31.260 103. 01:08:33.619 --> 01:08:34.960 In the Scottish Psalter. 01:08:36.500 --> 01:08:38.180 Page 370. 01:08:38.819 --> 01:08:39.460 In the blue book. 01:08:42.119 --> 01:08:49.899 And we're going to sing from verse 13. 01:08:50.800 --> 01:08:51.739 Four stanzas. 01:08:51.840 --> 01:08:52.779 Through to verse 17. 01:08:52.920 --> 01:08:54.380 Such pity as a father hath. 01:08:54.920 --> 01:08:56.199 Unto his children dear. 01:08:56.760 --> 01:08:58.399 Like pity shows the Lord. 01:08:58.880 --> 01:09:00.619 To such as worship him in fear. 01:09:00.699 --> 01:09:02.180 For he remembers we are dust. 01:09:02.739 --> 01:09:04.140 And he are frame well knows. 01:09:04.840 --> 01:09:05.420 Frail man. 01:09:05.519 --> 01:09:07.059 His days are like the grass. 01:09:07.680 --> 01:09:08.979 As flower and field he grows. 01:09:09.099 --> 01:09:10.239 For over it the wind doth pass. 01:09:10.279 --> 01:09:11.039 And out of ways gone. 01:09:11.039 --> 01:09:13.319 And of the place where once it was. 01:09:13.420 --> 01:09:14.579 It shall no more be known. 01:09:15.199 --> 01:09:17.260 But unto them that do him fear. 01:09:17.380 --> 01:09:18.979 God's mercy never ends. 01:09:19.920 --> 01:09:21.680 And to their children's children still. 01:09:21.800 --> 01:09:22.880 His righteousness extends. 01:09:24.279 --> 01:09:24.840 We should remember. 01:09:24.939 --> 01:09:26.239 This is the character of our God. 01:09:26.960 --> 01:09:29.439 That he loves us to the last. 01:09:30.359 --> 01:09:30.800 Completely. 01:09:31.500 --> 01:09:33.939 And he will never abandon or forsaken us. 01:09:33.939 --> 01:09:36.139 So let's stand and give praise to him. 01:09:36.699 --> 01:09:38.179 Such pity as a father hath. 01:09:38.259 --> 01:09:39.139 Unto his children dear. 01:09:39.140 --> 01:09:46.619 Like pity shows the Lord. 01:09:46.619 --> 01:09:50.420 The father hath. 01:09:50.420 --> 01:09:58.079 Unto his children dear. 01:09:58.079 --> 01:10:04.779 Like pity shows the Lord. 01:10:04.779 --> 01:10:09.319 For he remembers we are dust. 01:10:09.319 --> 01:10:15.399 And he our faith well knows. 01:10:15.399 --> 01:10:23.359 For he remembers we are dust. 01:10:23.359 --> 01:10:31.359 And he our faith well knows. 01:10:31.359 --> 01:11:01.359 Will the heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly 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heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly heavenly 01:11:01.359 --> 01:11:21.599 is gone, and of the place where once it was, it shall know or be known. 01:11:21.600 --> 01:11:38.960 But to them, I do them fear, God's mercy never ends. 01:11:38.960 --> 01:11:55.300 And to their children, children still, is my chosen place then. 01:11:56.520 --> 01:12:03.880 Now the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of God the Holy Spirit be with each one of you now and always. Amen. 01:12:08.960 --> 01:12:09.960 Amen.