WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.259 word. Second century Greek philosopher, Kelsus, was a staunch opponent of the church, 00:00:09.540 --> 00:00:17.600 and he made a career criticizing Jesus and his followers. He denied Jesus' virgin birth, 00:00:18.359 --> 00:00:24.000 disparaged his upbringing, and claimed that Jesus worked his miracles by sorcery. 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:29.260 It's interesting that he actually never denies that Jesus performed miracles. He just 00:00:29.260 --> 00:00:36.400 disputes how he performed these miracles. He mocked that Jesus' disciples amounted to, quote, 00:00:36.400 --> 00:00:44.300 10 boatmen and a couple of tax collectors who are not at all respectable. He disputed Jesus' 00:00:44.480 --> 00:00:50.700 resurrection by saying that the first report of Jesus' resurrection came from an unreliable, 00:00:50.880 --> 00:00:57.320 hysterical female. He was not the first critic of the church, 00:00:57.320 --> 00:01:06.239 not the first critic of Christ, nor was he the last. To this day, our world is full of people who 00:01:06.239 --> 00:01:16.539 deny, deride, and doubt Jesus Christ. But Luke teaches us in this passage that despite appearances 00:01:16.540 --> 00:01:25.000 to the contrary, the crucified Christ is the Lord and judge over all whom we should follow. That's the 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:29.260 main point of this passage. And we're going to go through each scene looking at the deniers, 00:01:29.680 --> 00:01:34.580 the deriders, and the doubters of Christ. It says in verse 54, 00:01:34.579 --> 00:01:52.400 And it's interesting that they don't take Jesus here to the temple courts because that's where the 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:57.739 formal proceedings, court proceedings are supposed to take place. Instead, they take him to the high 00:01:57.739 --> 00:02:04.359 priest's house. So this is a continuation of the shadowy operation that we've been witnessing of the 00:02:04.359 --> 00:02:11.299 Jewish leaders when they came at night in the cover of darkness with swords and clubs to secretly 00:02:11.299 --> 00:02:16.959 arrest Jesus because they didn't want the crowds to see and they didn't want to get in trouble. They 00:02:16.959 --> 00:02:21.539 didn't want to create an outcry. They wanted to do it in secret because they knew Jesus hadn't done 00:02:21.539 --> 00:02:26.859 anything warranting arrest and death. And as they seized Jesus and brought him to the high priest's 00:02:26.859 --> 00:02:33.219 house, it says that Peter was following at a distance. Remember that he had just impulsively cut 00:02:33.219 --> 00:02:38.879 off the ear of a servant of the high priest. He could have been charged for assault, but thankfully, 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:46.979 Jesus healed the servant. And so Peter is understandably apprehensive as he follows Jesus. He follows 00:02:46.979 --> 00:02:52.299 behind at a safe distance so that he can observe what's happening to Jesus, satisfy his curiosity 00:02:52.299 --> 00:02:59.939 without being detected, being identified. And from this, we can see that Peter's earlier bravado, 00:03:00.639 --> 00:03:07.139 that he said earlier in verse 33, when Jesus warned him that Satan was trying to destroy him, 00:03:07.699 --> 00:03:16.199 Peter said to Jesus, Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death. But now that earlier 00:03:16.199 --> 00:03:21.919 bravado is gone, Peter is no longer with Jesus, he now follows at a distance. 00:03:23.959 --> 00:03:27.699 And what Peter does in verse 55 is even more troubling. He says, 00:03:27.879 --> 00:03:34.599 when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:43.919 among them. Not only is Peter no longer with Jesus, he is now with them, the band that had come to arrest 00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:47.500 Jesus. The phrase in the middle of in that verse, the phrase in the middle of in that verse, 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:53.299 and the word among in that verse are actually different translations of the exact same Greek word. 00:03:54.099 --> 00:03:59.739 And so it's emphasized, repeated twice for emphasis. When they had kindled a fire in the midst of the 00:03:59.739 --> 00:04:05.599 courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down in the midst of them. Peter is not trying to blend in, 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:13.879 fit in, trying to pass as one of them. And since Jesus' arrest took place at night, Peter seems to 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:20.139 think that no one will be able to recognize him. But unfortunately, there's a servant girl 00:04:20.139 --> 00:04:29.319 who's very good with faces. It says in verse 56, then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light 00:04:29.319 --> 00:04:38.659 and looking closely at him, said, this man also was with him. When Peter sits by the fire to warm 00:04:38.659 --> 00:04:45.159 himself by the light of the fire, this girl notices a strangely familiar face and looking closely at him, 00:04:45.219 --> 00:04:51.800 she concludes, this man also was with Jesus. Remember, that's exactly what Peter had insisted 00:04:51.800 --> 00:04:59.240 before that he would do. I will go with you to prison and to death. And so you would expect him to now 00:04:59.240 --> 00:05:09.699 say, yes, I am with him. But it says in verse 57, he denied it, saying, woman, I do not know him. 00:05:11.280 --> 00:05:16.879 This is a heart-wrenching denial because it's the one that Peter most easily could have avoided. 00:05:17.879 --> 00:05:25.319 His accuser is a lowly servant girl who by virtue of her gender and her class in this ancient world 00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:32.159 had the lowest status in society. Her testimony was not even legally admissible in the courts. 00:05:33.279 --> 00:05:39.680 Not only that, Peter is not under threat of being arrested. The Jewish leaders have conspired to 00:05:39.680 --> 00:05:45.000 arrest Jesus only because they knew that by striking the shepherd, they will scatter all the sheep. 00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:51.719 We know from John 18 that John, another disciple, is already in the courtyard and he was familiar 00:05:51.720 --> 00:05:57.140 with the high priest and is able to go in and observe Jesus more closely. So we know that the 00:05:57.140 --> 00:06:04.080 disciples of Jesus are not under immediate threat. And even though Peter did assault that servant, 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:12.240 no one has identified him as that man and they're not accusing him of assault. Their accusation merely is, 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:19.620 this man also was with him. But Peter nevertheless succumbs under the pressure and says, 00:06:19.620 --> 00:06:30.420 I do not know him. Jewish synagogues, when they excommunicated members, kicked people out from 00:06:30.420 --> 00:06:34.680 membership in their synagogues, they would say, they would use this formula, they would formally 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:43.980 pronounce over them, we no longer know you. They're saying, we no longer have anything to do with you. 00:06:43.980 --> 00:06:53.700 And the phrasing of Peter's denial is very similar in content. I do not know him. I am not with him. I have 00:06:53.700 --> 00:07:00.900 nothing to do with that man. It's a blatant backpedaling from his earlier resolute commitment. 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:10.020 And it stems from his fierce desire to be counted among them. He's saying, I'm with you. I'm not with him. 00:07:10.019 --> 00:07:18.199 Associating with Jesus will bring embarrassment and persecution at times. 00:07:19.919 --> 00:07:23.620 You actually believe that God created the world? 00:07:25.819 --> 00:07:30.479 Do you not know that science has disproven the existence of God? 00:07:31.479 --> 00:07:37.579 Do you really believe that Jesus was a real human being that was crucified and then raised from the dead? 00:07:37.579 --> 00:07:41.919 Do you really believe that the Bible is the word of God? 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:48.740 What about all those regressive ethical standards and fantastical stories? 00:07:50.479 --> 00:07:58.019 Notice that all of those questions are merely accusations and not arguments. 00:07:58.019 --> 00:08:07.399 They're unargued assertions that are intended to create a feeling, a powerful feeling, 00:08:07.399 --> 00:08:11.919 that preys on people's insecurities and fears. 00:08:12.919 --> 00:08:19.199 They make you feel like what you believe is ridiculous without offering any proof that it is ridiculous. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:26.300 More often than not, when you actually start to reason with people who say such things 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:31.060 and press them on why they think that your beliefs are so far-fetched, 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:36.100 you find that they actually don't have good reasons, many of them, behind their assumptions. 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:43.559 Nowadays, too many so-called Christians compromise their convictions and lose their faith. 00:08:43.559 --> 00:08:52.199 Not after a careful examination of their beliefs, but out of fear, out of insecurity, 00:08:53.119 --> 00:08:59.399 out of a survival instinct to flee that which others consider regressive and ridiculous. 00:09:02.199 --> 00:09:03.619 Don't give in to that pressure. 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:06.639 Are you with Jesus? 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:10.279 Or do you want to belong to this world? 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:13.639 Do you want to fit in to this culture? 00:09:15.199 --> 00:09:18.319 Philippians 3.20 reminds us our citizenship is in heaven, 00:09:18.959 --> 00:09:22.620 and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:30.220 Just as every subsequent drink goes down more smoothly for an alcoholic, 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:34.600 every subsequent sin comes more easily to a sinner. 00:09:35.699 --> 00:09:37.019 Sin begets more sin. 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:38.679 It desensitizes our conscience. 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:42.839 And likewise, Peter's denial doesn't stop there. 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:44.219 It says in verse 58, 00:09:44.319 --> 00:09:47.639 And a little later, someone else saw him and said, 00:09:47.739 --> 00:09:49.739 You also are one of them. 00:09:50.839 --> 00:09:53.739 But Peter said, Man, I am not. 00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:57.399 The first accusation by the servant girl was, 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:59.099 This man also was with him. 00:09:59.659 --> 00:10:01.879 She was telling the other people in the crowd, 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:04.539 seated around the fire, that Peter was with Jesus. 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:07.679 And Peter denied that personal association with Jesus. 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:11.599 And this time, the accusation is posed directly at Peter. 00:10:11.839 --> 00:10:13.879 You also are one of them. 00:10:14.699 --> 00:10:18.759 And the accusation is that Peter belongs to the band of Jesus' followers, 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:21.659 that he's one of his disciples, which he is. 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:22.759 He's one of the 12 apostles. 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:26.720 But Peter, having already denied his allegiance to Jesus, 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:31.379 now denies his fellowship with other disciples as well. 00:10:32.319 --> 00:10:34.059 Man, I am not. 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:36.059 I am not one of them. 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:38.019 I'm one of you. 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:44.319 Sometimes we also can be tempted to distance ourselves 00:10:44.319 --> 00:10:48.559 from the fellowship of believers, the church. 00:10:51.620 --> 00:10:53.139 Oh, I'm not one of them. 00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:56.259 I'm not that kind of a Christian. 00:10:56.259 --> 00:11:00.740 I'm not one of those Bible-thumping Christians. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:03.580 I'm a red-letter Christian. 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:08.720 I only follow those red letters in the New Testament that Jesus said. 00:11:08.779 --> 00:11:10.179 I don't follow that other stuff in the Bible. 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:13.460 I'm a more rational kind of Christian. 00:11:13.600 --> 00:11:16.379 I believe the Bible is a collection of myths and stories 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:18.000 written to capture our imagination, 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:19.620 not a literal history. 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:23.279 I'm a more enlightened kind of Christian, 00:11:23.560 --> 00:11:26.039 more progressive kind of Christian. 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:31.460 People say these things as if it's an act of courage 00:11:31.460 --> 00:11:34.580 to disagree with the church's historic teachings, 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:39.399 much like a teenager that wears his rebellion against his parents 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:40.419 as a badge of honor. 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:44.480 But distancing yourselves from the church 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:47.680 in order to align yourself with the culture 00:11:47.680 --> 00:11:49.360 that is critical of the church 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:51.460 just like distancing yourself 00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:53.600 from your well-meaning family members 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:57.500 in order to get some street cred with your friends. 00:11:58.300 --> 00:12:00.320 It's not an act of courage. 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:03.860 It's self-serving cowardice. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:09.720 If we really care about the church of God, 00:12:09.820 --> 00:12:11.519 we should seek to reform it, 00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:14.080 not reject it or ridicule it. 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:18.800 To distance oneself from the church of God, 00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:21.659 which is the family of God and the bride of Christ, 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:24.419 is to distance oneself from Christ himself, 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:26.599 who is the head of the church. 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:32.639 Though our sinful flesh might crave the approval of the world, 00:12:32.719 --> 00:12:35.899 it's the people of God that we will spend eternity with, 00:12:36.319 --> 00:12:37.799 not the people of this world. 00:12:37.799 --> 00:12:41.199 I once met a chaplain. 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:44.279 It was at Harvard. 00:12:45.719 --> 00:12:46.699 There's a lot of chaplains. 00:12:46.779 --> 00:12:47.679 You'll never figure it out, 00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:49.379 so don't try to identify who this person is. 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:51.379 But I met a chaplain at Harvard. 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:53.799 He's supposed to be one of the Christian chaplains, 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:58.459 but he steadfastly refused to call himself a Christian 00:12:58.459 --> 00:13:04.859 because he didn't want to be identified with the term in any way. 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:09.339 Quite the contrast from the Christian man 00:13:09.339 --> 00:13:12.079 that was tortured for his faith in 2nd century, 00:13:13.459 --> 00:13:15.500 Christian pastor Irenaeus from the 2nd century 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:16.879 testifies about this man, 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:20.879 With such determination did he stand up to their onslaughts, 00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:22.799 he's being tortured for his faith, 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:26.879 that he would not tell them his own name, race, and birthplace, 00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:29.240 or whether he was slave or free. 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:32.360 To every question he replied in Latin, 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.379 I am a Christian. 00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:37.659 This he proclaimed over and over again. 00:13:37.980 --> 00:13:41.399 Instead of name, birthplace, nationality, and everything else, 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:44.379 and not another word did the heathen hear from him. 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:46.700 Before I am a Christian. 00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:50.519 Before I am Sean. 00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:56.639 Before I am a pastor of Trinity Cambridge Church. 00:13:57.179 --> 00:14:01.820 Before I am a husband to Hannah and father to Ine and Inji. 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:05.080 Before I am a graduate of Williams College 00:14:05.080 --> 00:14:06.620 or Gordon-Conwell Seminary. 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:08.759 Before I'm a Korean American. 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:11.279 Before all of that, I'm a Christian. 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:16.059 I'm a follower of Christ. 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:18.039 That's who I am. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:22.580 That's what is most fundamental to my identity. 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:27.299 And that's the name by which all my brothers and sisters in Christ 00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:29.220 in church history have been known. 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:33.960 We should not be ashamed of it. 00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:41.780 But Peter unfortunately denies his allegiance to Christ yet again. 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:44.879 Yes, I am not one of them. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:48.519 And he's still not done. 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:49.580 It says in verse 59, 00:14:49.580 --> 00:15:04.520 This third accuser is the most insistent. 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:04.940 He says, 00:15:04.940 --> 00:15:07.940 But certainly this man also was with him. 00:15:08.540 --> 00:15:10.360 For he too is a Galilean. 00:15:10.520 --> 00:15:15.460 Peter's appearance or accent has somehow betrayed his identity. 00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:20.920 But Peter doubles down on his denial in verse 60. 00:15:21.660 --> 00:15:24.760 Man, I do not know what you are talking about. 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:27.919 And immediately while he was still speaking, 00:15:28.319 --> 00:15:29.500 the rooster crowed. 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:35.319 That's in fulfillment of what Jesus said earlier in Luke 22, verse 34. 00:15:35.319 --> 00:15:38.100 He says in verses 61 to 62, 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:40.799 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:44.059 And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, 00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:45.480 how he had said to him, 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:47.319 Before the rooster crows today, 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:49.519 you will deny me three times. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:52.960 And he went out and wept bitterly. 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:54.580 The rooster crowed, 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:56.540 even as Peter was still speaking, 00:15:56.680 --> 00:15:58.220 to leave no doubt in his mind 00:15:58.220 --> 00:16:01.740 that this was in fulfillment of Jesus' prediction earlier. 00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:05.620 And remember, Peter, his name means rock. 00:16:06.300 --> 00:16:08.580 The name was given by Jesus himself. 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:10.019 But in this instance, 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.780 he crumbles under the pressure, 00:16:11.900 --> 00:16:13.340 not like a rock, 00:16:13.420 --> 00:16:15.100 but like a house of cards. 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.840 Wept bitterly. 00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:21.280 That refers not to a quiet sniffling, 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:23.299 but to an audible sob. 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:26.139 And in Peter's failure, 00:16:26.319 --> 00:16:28.919 we see Jesus is for knowledge. 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:33.419 We see that even though everything seems to be spiraling out of control, 00:16:33.839 --> 00:16:38.220 that Jesus is still in full command of the situation. 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:42.620 And that point is emphasized by the repetition of the word Lord. 00:16:43.319 --> 00:16:46.559 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:49.839 And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord. 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:53.659 The last time Peter called Jesus Lord was in verse 33, 00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:54.759 where he said, 00:16:55.239 --> 00:16:59.159 Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death. 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:05.399 But that same Lord to whom Peter had made such a blustering promise, 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:07.619 now turns and looks at him 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:10.879 as he is denying him, 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:16.600 reminding him through his gaze that he knows that Peter is denying him right now. 00:17:16.600 --> 00:17:22.100 And reminding him with his gaze that he had predicted that he would deny him, 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:27.940 reminding him through his gaze also of the comfort that he had given to Peter earlier. 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:30.600 Verse 31 and 32, 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:51.099 Jesus' gaze just melts Peter. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:54.659 And deducing from what we know about Jesus, 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:56.559 his character, his teachings, 00:17:56.559 --> 00:18:01.960 it was in all likelihood not a look of condemnation and disdain, 00:18:02.419 --> 00:18:04.319 but a look of compassion, 00:18:05.139 --> 00:18:05.500 love, 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:06.700 mercy. 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:10.159 And Peter can't handle it. 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:12.359 He goes out and weeps bitterly. 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:17.779 If you're a Christian who's serious about pleasing the Lord, 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:21.059 you have probably cried the bitter tears of Peter. 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:24.539 Literally or figuratively. 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:29.259 When you remember the saying of the Lord, 00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:34.179 when you were convicted of your unfaithfulness and sinfulness by the Holy Spirit, 00:18:34.179 --> 00:18:39.119 when you realize that you brought dishonor to your Lord and your Savior, 00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:41.879 but that bitter tear, 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.139 like Peter's, 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:45.639 shows that you still belong to Christ. 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:52.119 Because Peter still believed in Jesus 00:18:52.119 --> 00:18:54.500 and loved Jesus, 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:58.640 he was heartbroken that he had failed. 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:04.079 His denial was a temporary lapse in courage. 00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:07.539 It was not a permanent loss of conviction. 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:14.119 Remember when Peter first met Jesus earlier in the gospel, 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:17.799 he fell before him saying, 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:19.879 depart from me, 00:19:19.879 --> 00:19:22.740 for I am a sinful man, 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.480 O Lord. 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.799 And now, 00:19:26.879 --> 00:19:30.519 even after three years of following Jesus and ministering with him, 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:35.220 Peter's bitter tears testify that his confession hasn't changed. 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:41.019 Please don't misunderstand what I'm about to say. 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:46.120 Every true Christian grows in holiness with each passing year. 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:49.680 Every true Christian does. 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:53.539 That growth might be imperceptible in the short term, 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:56.500 but it is undeniable in the long term. 00:19:56.500 --> 00:20:01.059 But no matter how much progress we make in faith, 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:06.500 we always remain sinners saved by the grace of God. 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:12.900 No matter how mature we are, 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:16.019 we never stop needing God's mercy, 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.160 his forgiveness, 00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:19.259 until the day we die. 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:23.420 Because apart from the righteousness of Jesus credited to our account, 00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:25.680 we can only say, 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:26.980 depart from me, 00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:28.640 for I am a sinful man, 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:29.079 O Lord. 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:32.519 And that's exactly why Jesus came. 00:20:32.879 --> 00:20:34.240 To save sinners, 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:36.379 to atone for our sins, 00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:39.299 by dying on the cross for our sins, 00:20:39.379 --> 00:20:40.720 and being raised from the dead. 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.299 So, 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:44.279 if you're here this morning, 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:47.019 and you're heavy laden with guilt, 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.559 condemnation, 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:52.919 if you're crying bitter tears of failure and unfaithfulness, 00:20:53.139 --> 00:20:55.599 remember that it's not your performance. 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:59.440 It's not even the intensity, 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:03.279 your emotional intensity of remorse that you feel. 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:07.399 These are not the things that make you acceptable before God. 00:21:07.639 --> 00:21:09.759 What makes you right with God 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:12.419 does not reside in you. 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:14.480 It resides in Christ only, 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:17.200 and on what he has accomplished on the cross, 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.779 for you. 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:22.019 His sacrifice only. 00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:24.559 His righteousness only. 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:27.740 And remembering that truth will keep us humble, 00:21:28.080 --> 00:21:29.240 and dependent on him. 00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:31.299 It will make us watchful, 00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:32.160 and prayerful. 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:34.200 It will guard us from temptation. 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:36.440 But if we forget this truth, 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.080 we'll become, 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.480 like Peter was earlier, 00:21:38.580 --> 00:21:39.120 prideful, 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:40.919 self-sufficient, 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:43.139 and will lead to our failure. 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:47.699 And remember this comforting truth. 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:51.179 The Lord knew that Satan would tempt Peter. 00:21:51.699 --> 00:21:55.139 The Lord knew that Peter would deny him three times 00:21:55.139 --> 00:21:56.500 before the rooster crows. 00:21:56.500 --> 00:22:00.259 The Lord knew that ultimately Peter's faith would not fail 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:02.659 because he had prayed for him. 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:07.300 The Lord knew that Peter would turn back again. 00:22:08.100 --> 00:22:10.360 And so he had charged him ahead of time, 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:12.460 when you have turned again, 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:14.700 strengthen your brothers. 00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:16.560 This blows my mind. 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:22.859 If any failure is worth demoting somebody, 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:24.679 a disciple, 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:25.599 I mean, that's, 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:27.159 I think that warrants it. 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.799 It wasn't once, 00:22:29.899 --> 00:22:30.659 three times. 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:33.599 I mean, at least demote him a little bit, 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:34.460 you know, 00:22:34.679 --> 00:22:36.559 maybe make him like just one of the disciples, 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.980 but not the twelve apostles. 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:45.299 But Jesus, 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:49.279 does not dismiss 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:52.240 the disgraced leader of the twelve apostles. 00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:53.839 He restores him, 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:55.819 he reinstates him, 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:58.500 and entrusts to him 00:22:58.500 --> 00:23:00.139 the weighty task 00:23:00.139 --> 00:23:02.240 of strengthening his fellow brothers. 00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:06.460 That's the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:10.879 God knows all of your sins, 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:14.460 all of your sordid pasts, 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:16.180 our present failures, 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:19.120 our future sins. 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:22.220 That he doesn't look at you 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:23.100 and say, 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:25.000 oh, not worth saving, 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:27.840 not worth my time. 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:33.659 He so loves you 00:23:33.659 --> 00:23:35.720 that he sends his only son 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:38.019 to die as your substitute. 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:42.379 He eats the loss of your sin 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:43.879 and your debt himself. 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:46.939 He patiently endures your shortcomings 00:23:46.939 --> 00:23:49.119 and gently restores you. 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:54.259 and in spite of all of our demonstrated unreliability, 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:57.359 he gives us a sacred trust 00:23:57.359 --> 00:24:00.419 and sends us out as his ambassadors 00:24:00.419 --> 00:24:04.439 to share this precious good news of Jesus Christ 00:24:04.439 --> 00:24:05.459 with others. 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:08.700 What an amazing grace! 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:16.980 From the outside looking in, 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:20.279 Jesus looks totally pathetic 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:22.559 and pitiful in this scene. 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:27.759 betrayed by one of his 12 apostles, 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:31.179 denied by the leader of the 12 apostles, 00:24:31.679 --> 00:24:34.139 deserted, defied, derided, 00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:36.819 and doubted by the very people 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:38.440 he came to save. 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:43.039 But this narrative shows us 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:45.820 that despite appearances to the contrary, 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:48.960 the crucified Christ is the Lord 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:50.720 and judge over all 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.200 whom we should follow. 00:24:53.080 --> 00:24:55.240 It's all according to God's sovereign plan. 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:59.180 In addition to a denier, 00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:00.960 we meet those who deride Jesus 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:03.240 in verses 63 to 65. 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:04.759 It says, 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:07.539 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:10.640 were mocking him as they beat him. 00:25:13.400 --> 00:25:15.200 They also blindfolded him 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:16.460 and kept asking him, 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:17.640 Prophesy! 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:19.240 Who is it that struck you? 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:22.019 And they said many other things against him, 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:23.259 blaspheming him. 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:26.299 The men who were holding Jesus in custody 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.519 are likely the soldiers. 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:30.099 After an initial inquiry 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:31.779 at the high priest's house, 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:33.059 Jesus is now being detained 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:34.500 until the formal proceedings 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.819 of the Sanhedrin in the morning. 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:38.000 And during that time, 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:39.559 the guards who are holding Jesus 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.460 are bored 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:42.160 and they make sport of Jesus. 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:45.160 That kind of public abuse 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:46.319 was never legal. 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.240 It was never permitted. 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.559 It wasn't permitted 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.200 even for people 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:50.099 who had already been condemned. 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:51.039 But in this case, 00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:53.559 Jesus has not been proven guilty yet 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.859 and yet they abuse him 00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.859 in such a way. 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.960 Knowing that Jesus 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:00.700 had a reputation as a prophet, 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:02.759 the soldiers strike him 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:04.940 and then challenge him 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:05.660 to identify 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:06.980 who his abuser is. 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:07.940 Mocking him. 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.160 Blindfolding him. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:09.900 Who struck you? 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.879 If you're a prophet, 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.539 you should know. 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.900 What's his name? 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:15.299 Where is he standing? 00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:19.680 The irony of it all 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.079 is that 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:21.379 while the soldiers 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:22.720 are deriding him 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.579 and challenging him 00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.319 to prophesy, 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.740 they are themselves 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:27.819 fulfilling Jesus' prophecy 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.680 about himself. 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:30.160 He said earlier 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:31.060 in Luke 18 00:26:31.060 --> 00:26:32.580 verses 32 to 33, 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.380 for he will be delivered 00:26:34.380 --> 00:26:35.960 over to the Gentiles 00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:37.720 and will be mocked 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:39.440 and shamefully treated 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.880 and spit upon. 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:43.340 And after flogging him, 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:44.080 they will kill him 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:45.019 and on the third day 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:46.279 he will rise. 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.380 Jesus prophesied 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:50.039 that he would be mocked 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:51.360 and shamefully treated. 00:26:52.320 --> 00:26:53.340 And the soldiers 00:26:53.340 --> 00:26:55.180 are doing exactly that. 00:26:55.820 --> 00:26:57.180 And in mocking Jesus' 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:58.440 prophetic ability, 00:26:58.560 --> 00:26:59.539 they are proving 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:01.299 his prophetic powers. 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:03.380 Moreover, 00:27:03.580 --> 00:27:04.840 the Jewish leaders 00:27:04.840 --> 00:27:06.160 later accused Jesus 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:07.019 of blasphemy. 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:10.019 But Luke tells us here 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.920 in verse 65, 00:27:11.360 --> 00:27:12.180 it's not Jesus 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.160 who blasphemed. 00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:14.420 It's the men 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.940 who held Jesus in custody 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:17.519 who were blaspheming Jesus. 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.759 The Jewish leaders 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:21.600 acted like 00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:22.640 they were defending 00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:23.500 God's honor 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.620 by persecuting Jesus. 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.400 But in reality, 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.940 they were dishonoring God 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.720 because they were 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:29.580 blaspheming the Son of God. 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.920 The word blaspheme 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:32.900 can be used 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.940 in a generic sense 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:35.360 to slander someone 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:36.620 if the object 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.820 of the verb blaspheme 00:27:37.820 --> 00:27:38.900 is a human being. 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:42.600 But the word blaspheme 00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:44.019 is used most often 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:44.860 with God 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:45.740 as the object. 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.180 And it means 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:47.880 specifically 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:49.140 to misuse 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:50.279 God's name 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:51.620 or to belittle 00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:53.080 God's unique glory 00:27:53.080 --> 00:27:55.220 by speaking ill of Him 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.319 or by falsely 00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:57.759 making oneself 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:59.279 or another human being 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.279 to be God. 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.680 So in light of 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.960 Jesus' declaration 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.720 in verse 70 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.920 that He is the Son of God, 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:08.319 it's hard not to see 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:10.200 Jesus' divinity 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:11.160 implied here 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:12.000 in Luke's use 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.440 of the word blaspheme. 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:17.200 They're blaspheming God. 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:19.840 though humiliated 00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:21.140 and mocked, 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:22.720 Jesus is the Lord 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.220 of all. 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.539 And even though 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.840 Jesus might be 00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:27.660 blasphemed 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:29.420 by our friends, 00:28:29.580 --> 00:28:30.200 our family, 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:30.900 our neighbors, 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.680 He's the Son of God 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.920 whom we must follow. 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:39.640 And when day came, 00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:40.680 it says in verse 66, 00:28:40.840 --> 00:28:41.880 the assembly of the elders 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:42.500 of the people 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.440 gathered together, 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:45.039 both chief priests 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.940 and scribes, 00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:47.220 and they led Him 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:48.580 away to their council. 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.820 This council is, 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:52.440 like I mentioned earlier, 00:28:52.560 --> 00:28:53.259 probably the formal 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:54.519 gathering of the Sanhedrin, 00:28:54.860 --> 00:28:55.759 which is the highest 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:57.440 religious ruling body 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:58.240 of the Jews. 00:28:58.940 --> 00:29:00.220 And all Jews 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:01.300 with some religious 00:29:01.300 --> 00:29:02.080 standing have, 00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:03.120 it seems to have gathered, 00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:03.739 the elders, 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.479 the chief priests, 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:04.979 the scribes, 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.699 they've all gathered. 00:29:06.219 --> 00:29:07.259 And they asked Jesus 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:09.039 in verses 67 to 68, 00:29:09.219 --> 00:29:10.539 if you are the Christ, 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:11.259 tell us. 00:29:11.919 --> 00:29:12.959 But He said to them, 00:29:13.419 --> 00:29:14.439 if I tell you, 00:29:14.639 --> 00:29:15.779 you will not believe. 00:29:16.419 --> 00:29:17.519 And if I ask you, 00:29:17.699 --> 00:29:18.819 you will not answer. 00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:22.559 So here in this last scene, 00:29:22.659 --> 00:29:24.139 we encounter the doubters. 00:29:26.099 --> 00:29:27.399 The title Christ 00:29:27.399 --> 00:29:28.839 means anointed one, 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.839 the Messiah, 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:31.559 the promised king 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:32.859 from the line of David 00:29:32.859 --> 00:29:33.439 who is supposed 00:29:33.439 --> 00:29:34.579 to save God's people 00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:35.500 and usher in 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.359 the kingdom of God. 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.759 But the Sanhedrin 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.679 is not asking 00:29:38.679 --> 00:29:40.000 a sincere question here. 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:41.279 They're trying to frame Jesus 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.039 as we've seen 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:43.219 over and over again 00:29:43.219 --> 00:29:45.379 throughout chapters 20 and 21. 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:47.119 They're not interested 00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:47.779 in the truth. 00:29:47.899 --> 00:29:49.339 They have a settled judgment 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.059 about Jesus. 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:51.299 They're simply looking 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.000 for an excuse 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:52.759 to kill Him. 00:29:53.939 --> 00:29:55.439 And what Jesus says 00:29:55.439 --> 00:29:56.559 to them is insightful 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.759 because some people 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.579 make a virtue 00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.879 of skepticism. 00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:03.279 While there is 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:05.099 a fair-minded skepticism 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:07.039 that asks genuine questions 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:08.039 seeking truth, 00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:10.279 there's also a biased, 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:11.759 settled skepticism 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.480 that will admit 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.259 no evidence 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:14.059 that forces it 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:15.359 to change its position. 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:17.960 It's really the sin 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:19.359 of unbelief 00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:20.899 masquerading 00:30:20.899 --> 00:30:22.179 as virtue 00:30:22.179 --> 00:30:23.220 of thoughtfulness 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:24.860 and reasonableness. 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:28.220 And throughout 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.860 His ministry, 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:30.319 Jesus consistently 00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:32.220 refuses to indulge 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.920 such settled skeptics. 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.559 He said early 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.360 in Luke 11, 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.400 29 to 30, 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.420 this generation 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:40.180 is an evil generation. 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.920 He seeks for a sign, 00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:43.019 but no sign 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:43.960 will be given to it 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:45.039 except the sign 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:45.579 of Jonah. 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.720 For as Jonah 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:47.700 became a sign 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.839 to the people of Nineveh, 00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:50.180 so will the Son of Man 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:51.579 be to this generation. 00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:53.019 The sign of Jonah 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.559 that Jesus is referring to 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.420 in the context 00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:56.579 of the Gospel of Luke 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.859 is not His death 00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.379 and resurrection, 00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.240 which is the case 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:00.319 in the Gospel of Matthew, 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.160 but it's actually 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:01.799 the preaching, 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:03.420 the preaching of Jonah 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:04.720 to the people of Nineveh. 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.079 So likewise, 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.119 Jesus is saying here 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:07.720 to the people, 00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:09.079 my preaching, 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:10.259 my proclamation 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.180 of the Gospel 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:11.759 of the kingdom 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:13.980 is a sufficient sign. 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:16.119 No other sign 00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:16.859 will be given. 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:20.180 And Jesus responded 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:20.680 this way 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.660 because He knew 00:31:21.660 --> 00:31:22.579 that the people 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:23.679 seeking signs 00:31:23.679 --> 00:31:24.619 were already settled 00:31:24.619 --> 00:31:25.519 in their judgments. 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:27.720 That if they don't 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.720 believe His words, 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.740 they will not believe 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:31.019 His miraculous works. 00:31:32.379 --> 00:31:33.599 If I tell you, 00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:34.759 you will not believe. 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:36.339 And if I ask you, 00:31:36.399 --> 00:31:37.480 you will not answer. 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:41.159 If you consider yourself 00:31:41.159 --> 00:31:42.859 a skeptic about Jesus, 00:31:42.859 --> 00:31:46.259 do you think the burden 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.879 of proof 00:31:46.879 --> 00:31:49.019 is still on Christ 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.799 and His church? 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:54.119 Because God's Word 00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:54.839 tells us that 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:56.839 the ball is in your court. 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:02.319 Even this morning, 00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:04.399 you have heard about Jesus. 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:07.199 You have heard the good news 00:32:07.199 --> 00:32:08.379 of the kingdom of God, 00:32:08.380 --> 00:32:09.960 but will you believe Him? 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:16.700 But Jesus does remind 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.540 the Jewish council 00:32:17.540 --> 00:32:18.340 of this fact. 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:20.120 Though it appears 00:32:20.120 --> 00:32:21.160 as though they have 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:22.220 authority over Him, 00:32:23.780 --> 00:32:24.920 it appears as though 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:26.300 they have the upper hand, 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:28.100 true authority 00:32:28.100 --> 00:32:29.040 and power 00:32:29.040 --> 00:32:30.080 lie with Him. 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:32.740 And so Jesus says 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.500 in verse 69, 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:41.880 Jesus' reply here 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:43.380 combines two passages. 00:32:43.599 --> 00:32:44.660 First, Daniel 7, 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.779 13 to 14. 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:47.220 It's a messianic prophecy 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:48.460 that describes 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:50.220 one like a son of man 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:52.420 who will appear before God 00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:53.579 and receive dominion 00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:54.279 and glory 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:55.039 and a kingdom 00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:56.779 and all peoples, 00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:57.319 nations, 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:57.980 and languages 00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:59.160 should serve Him. 00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:01.099 And the second passage 00:33:01.099 --> 00:33:02.019 is Psalm 110, 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:03.079 which Jesus quoted 00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:04.439 earlier in Luke 20. 00:33:05.099 --> 00:33:06.339 It captures a dialogue 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:07.859 between the Lord God 00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:09.000 and the messianic king. 00:33:09.639 --> 00:33:11.240 The Lord says to my Lord, 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:13.339 sit at my right hand 00:33:13.339 --> 00:33:14.839 until I make your enemies 00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:15.659 your footstool. 00:33:15.939 --> 00:33:16.779 And it continues, 00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:18.899 the Lord is at your right hand. 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:20.659 He will shatter kings 00:33:20.659 --> 00:33:21.740 on the day of His wrath. 00:33:21.939 --> 00:33:23.279 He will execute judgment 00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:24.359 among the nations. 00:33:26.699 --> 00:33:28.059 According to Jewish 00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:29.259 rabbinic tradition, 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:32.099 only God sits in heaven. 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:36.379 everyone else must stand 00:33:36.379 --> 00:33:37.759 to worship, 00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:39.259 to wait on Him, 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:41.599 or prostrate themselves 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:43.399 before God. 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:46.259 Only the king 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:48.439 gets to sit in court. 00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.359 And so for Jesus 00:33:50.359 --> 00:33:52.000 to claim that He will 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:53.480 from now on, 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:55.879 referring to His impending death, 00:33:56.119 --> 00:33:56.480 resurrection, 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:57.439 and ascension, 00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.679 from now on, 00:33:58.699 --> 00:33:59.319 He'll be seated 00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:00.399 at the right hand 00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:01.880 of the power of God. 00:34:01.880 --> 00:34:03.120 It's tantamount 00:34:03.120 --> 00:34:03.980 to blasphemy. 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:05.880 That's of course 00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:07.320 if Jesus is not, 00:34:07.380 --> 00:34:07.880 in fact, 00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:08.900 the messianic king 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.599 and the son of God. 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:12.340 The Jewish council 00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:13.880 is incensed. 00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:16.300 They say in verse 70, 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:18.500 are you the son of God then? 00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:21.160 Do you really dare 00:34:21.160 --> 00:34:22.340 to claim to be God? 00:34:22.680 --> 00:34:23.920 Do you dare to claim 00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:24.920 the right hand 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:26.360 of the throne of God? 00:34:26.360 --> 00:34:27.820 to be seated 00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:28.900 by the ancient 00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:30.059 of days Himself? 00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:32.820 And Jesus responds, 00:34:33.160 --> 00:34:35.059 you say that I am. 00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:39.860 Now some revisionist historians 00:34:39.860 --> 00:34:40.800 like to use 00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:42.620 Jesus' response here 00:34:42.620 --> 00:34:43.320 to argue that 00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:44.579 Jesus never claimed 00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:45.480 to be the son of God. 00:34:46.200 --> 00:34:46.700 Hey, look, 00:34:46.740 --> 00:34:47.920 look at what Jesus says here. 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:48.480 He was just 00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:49.700 a religious reformer 00:34:49.700 --> 00:34:51.160 and a political revolutionary. 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:52.160 Look at what He says. 00:34:52.620 --> 00:34:53.019 He says, 00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:53.960 you said that I am. 00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:54.700 I didn't say that. 00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:58.439 But that interpretation 00:34:58.439 --> 00:35:00.500 simply can't overcome 00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:04.079 the very plain obstacle 00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:05.179 posed by the immediately 00:35:05.179 --> 00:35:05.939 following verse. 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.199 Then they said, 00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:10.179 what further testimony 00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:10.899 do we need? 00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:12.739 We have heard it 00:35:12.739 --> 00:35:15.419 from His own lips. 00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:19.179 The Jewish leaders 00:35:19.179 --> 00:35:19.899 are indignant 00:35:19.899 --> 00:35:21.219 because they think 00:35:21.219 --> 00:35:22.799 that Jesus has very 00:35:22.800 --> 00:35:24.920 obviously condemned 00:35:24.920 --> 00:35:25.519 Himself 00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:27.200 with His own lips 00:35:27.200 --> 00:35:28.519 by committing blasphemy. 00:35:29.180 --> 00:35:30.200 They don't think 00:35:30.200 --> 00:35:31.360 that Jesus denied 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:32.180 that claim. 00:35:38.140 --> 00:35:39.460 If Jesus was answering 00:35:39.460 --> 00:35:39.940 that question 00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:40.519 in the negative, 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:41.560 then that would have been 00:35:41.560 --> 00:35:42.780 the end of the Jesus movement 00:35:42.780 --> 00:35:44.920 because people were 00:35:44.920 --> 00:35:45.539 claiming Him 00:35:45.539 --> 00:35:46.680 to be the Messianic King. 00:35:50.100 --> 00:35:51.380 Jesus is not saying that. 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:52.840 You can find the same thing 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:54.260 in Matthew 26, 26. 00:35:54.720 --> 00:35:56.260 After Jesus predicts 00:35:56.260 --> 00:35:57.059 His betrayal, 00:35:57.820 --> 00:35:58.320 Judas, 00:35:58.700 --> 00:35:59.720 who would betray Him, 00:35:59.800 --> 00:36:00.519 answers Jesus 00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:01.220 asking Him, 00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:02.480 is it I, Rabbi? 00:36:03.300 --> 00:36:04.940 And Jesus responds to him 00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:06.099 with the same phrase. 00:36:06.200 --> 00:36:06.579 He says, 00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:07.840 you have said so. 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:10.220 That doesn't mean 00:36:10.220 --> 00:36:12.480 I didn't say that 00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:13.099 you said that. 00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:14.780 That means, 00:36:14.940 --> 00:36:15.220 yes, 00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:15.960 you are. 00:36:16.920 --> 00:36:18.300 What Jesus is saying here 00:36:18.300 --> 00:36:18.619 is, 00:36:18.760 --> 00:36:19.079 yes, 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:20.240 I am. 00:36:20.239 --> 00:36:23.199 at His birth, 00:36:23.279 --> 00:36:24.479 the angel declared 00:36:24.479 --> 00:36:25.759 that Jesus was born 00:36:25.759 --> 00:36:27.000 would be called Holy, 00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:28.079 the Son of God. 00:36:28.459 --> 00:36:29.539 At His baptism, 00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:29.799 God, 00:36:29.859 --> 00:36:30.939 the Father declared 00:36:30.939 --> 00:36:31.639 over Jesus, 00:36:32.019 --> 00:36:33.619 you are my beloved Son. 00:36:33.979 --> 00:36:35.299 And when He was transfigured 00:36:35.299 --> 00:36:37.000 to His glorious heavenly self 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:38.239 in Luke 9, 00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:39.719 the Father said again, 00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:41.279 this is my Son. 00:36:41.679 --> 00:36:42.419 And as a boy 00:36:42.419 --> 00:36:43.779 in the temple of God, 00:36:44.079 --> 00:36:44.699 Jesus said, 00:36:44.779 --> 00:36:45.559 I must be 00:36:45.559 --> 00:36:47.339 in my Father's house. 00:36:47.340 --> 00:36:48.820 And in Luke 10, 00:36:48.920 --> 00:36:49.480 Jesus said, 00:36:49.579 --> 00:36:50.920 all things have been handed 00:36:50.920 --> 00:36:53.000 to me by my Father, 00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:54.400 and no one knows 00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:55.280 who the Son is 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:56.620 except the Father, 00:36:56.820 --> 00:36:58.220 or who the Father is 00:36:58.220 --> 00:36:59.160 except the Son, 00:36:59.380 --> 00:37:00.420 and anyone to whom 00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:01.280 the Son chooses 00:37:01.280 --> 00:37:02.180 to reveal Him. 00:37:03.700 --> 00:37:05.059 Jesus has been saying 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:06.280 over and over again, 00:37:07.079 --> 00:37:09.820 I am the Son of God. 00:37:09.820 --> 00:37:13.860 And Jesus is reminding 00:37:13.860 --> 00:37:14.780 the Jewish leaders, 00:37:15.220 --> 00:37:16.420 you think that you are 00:37:16.420 --> 00:37:17.740 standing over judgment 00:37:17.740 --> 00:37:19.320 over me right now, 00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:20.460 but it is I 00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:21.300 who will be seated 00:37:21.300 --> 00:37:22.600 on judgment day. 00:37:22.980 --> 00:37:23.980 It is I 00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:25.559 whom your Lord 00:37:25.559 --> 00:37:26.660 and God, 00:37:26.740 --> 00:37:27.340 it is I 00:37:27.340 --> 00:37:29.140 whom you should bow down to 00:37:29.140 --> 00:37:30.300 and submit to, 00:37:31.059 --> 00:37:32.559 because despite appearances 00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:33.400 to the contrary, 00:37:33.519 --> 00:37:34.700 the crucified Christ 00:37:34.700 --> 00:37:35.900 is the Lord 00:37:35.900 --> 00:37:37.180 and judge over all. 00:37:37.179 --> 00:37:41.000 Some people 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:41.839 in our world 00:37:41.839 --> 00:37:42.940 are willing to concede 00:37:42.940 --> 00:37:43.759 that Jesus was 00:37:43.759 --> 00:37:44.579 a good person, 00:37:45.279 --> 00:37:46.579 a moral exemplar, 00:37:46.759 --> 00:37:47.719 a spiritual guru, 00:37:47.819 --> 00:37:49.000 but they stop at that. 00:37:50.500 --> 00:37:51.839 And that's a woefully 00:37:51.839 --> 00:37:53.219 inadequate acknowledgement. 00:37:55.099 --> 00:37:56.039 If you're going 00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:56.940 to come to terms 00:37:56.940 --> 00:37:58.319 with who Jesus is, 00:37:58.839 --> 00:38:00.119 at the very least, 00:38:00.759 --> 00:38:01.579 take into account 00:38:01.579 --> 00:38:02.739 what He said 00:38:02.739 --> 00:38:03.299 about Himself. 00:38:03.300 --> 00:38:06.400 He did not 00:38:06.400 --> 00:38:07.220 merely claim 00:38:07.220 --> 00:38:08.060 to be a good 00:38:08.060 --> 00:38:08.820 moral teacher. 00:38:09.080 --> 00:38:10.300 He claimed to be 00:38:10.300 --> 00:38:11.680 the Son of God. 00:38:12.220 --> 00:38:14.280 And if He is not God, 00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:17.740 but claimed to be God, 00:38:18.220 --> 00:38:18.920 He lied. 00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:20.880 He misled people. 00:38:22.440 --> 00:38:23.600 He was severely, 00:38:23.720 --> 00:38:24.940 or He was severely deluded. 00:38:27.380 --> 00:38:28.700 He could not possibly 00:38:28.700 --> 00:38:29.800 be a good moral teacher. 00:38:29.800 --> 00:38:33.360 But Jesus claimed 00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:34.539 to be the Son of God 00:38:34.539 --> 00:38:35.539 because that is 00:38:35.539 --> 00:38:36.519 who He is. 00:38:37.460 --> 00:38:38.240 He could have 00:38:38.240 --> 00:38:38.860 gotten Himself 00:38:38.860 --> 00:38:39.519 off the hook 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:41.260 with the simple denial. 00:38:41.680 --> 00:38:42.080 Oh no, 00:38:42.200 --> 00:38:43.260 I am not the Son of God. 00:38:43.660 --> 00:38:44.500 I'm not the Messiah. 00:38:44.600 --> 00:38:45.220 Oh, that's all 00:38:45.220 --> 00:38:46.640 just my crazy followers' 00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:47.440 wild claims. 00:38:48.660 --> 00:38:49.740 I had never said 00:38:49.740 --> 00:38:50.640 such things myself. 00:38:51.840 --> 00:38:52.620 But Jesus 00:38:52.620 --> 00:38:53.500 doesn't say that. 00:38:54.700 --> 00:38:55.580 Jesus could have 00:38:55.580 --> 00:38:56.380 remained silent 00:38:56.380 --> 00:38:58.080 when police officers 00:38:58.080 --> 00:38:58.820 interrogate 00:38:58.820 --> 00:38:59.740 criminals 00:38:59.740 --> 00:39:00.960 or accused criminals 00:39:00.960 --> 00:39:01.660 in our country. 00:39:02.580 --> 00:39:04.280 They read the Miranda rights. 00:39:05.559 --> 00:39:06.160 You have the right 00:39:06.160 --> 00:39:07.200 to remain silent. 00:39:08.240 --> 00:39:09.220 Anything you say 00:39:09.220 --> 00:39:10.140 can and will 00:39:10.140 --> 00:39:11.180 be used against you 00:39:11.180 --> 00:39:11.960 in a court of law. 00:39:13.420 --> 00:39:14.059 And sometimes 00:39:14.059 --> 00:39:15.039 people invoke 00:39:15.039 --> 00:39:15.620 that right 00:39:15.620 --> 00:39:16.720 to avoid 00:39:16.720 --> 00:39:18.600 incriminating themselves. 00:39:20.039 --> 00:39:20.880 Jesus didn't have 00:39:20.880 --> 00:39:21.700 Miranda rights. 00:39:22.000 --> 00:39:22.559 It's not 00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:23.640 the United States. 00:39:24.780 --> 00:39:25.960 But He could have 00:39:25.960 --> 00:39:26.660 remained silent. 00:39:26.659 --> 00:39:29.019 But He doesn't. 00:39:30.039 --> 00:39:30.539 He admits 00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:31.219 His lordship. 00:39:31.739 --> 00:39:32.299 He admits 00:39:32.299 --> 00:39:33.739 His divine sonship. 00:39:34.119 --> 00:39:34.819 And in so doing 00:39:34.819 --> 00:39:36.399 He condemns Himself 00:39:36.399 --> 00:39:38.579 before the Jewish council. 00:39:39.179 --> 00:39:39.440 Why? 00:39:39.579 --> 00:39:40.619 Because it's true. 00:39:41.440 --> 00:39:42.500 Because even now 00:39:42.500 --> 00:39:43.339 it's not the wicked 00:39:43.339 --> 00:39:44.199 Jewish rulers 00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:45.019 who are in charge 00:39:45.019 --> 00:39:46.159 of Jesus' situation. 00:39:46.480 --> 00:39:47.359 But it's Jesus 00:39:47.359 --> 00:39:48.239 who is in charge. 00:39:48.679 --> 00:39:49.319 And so He says 00:39:49.319 --> 00:39:50.179 in John 10 00:39:50.179 --> 00:39:52.159 verses 17 to 18, 00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:53.819 For this reason 00:39:53.819 --> 00:39:55.119 the Father loves me. 00:39:55.440 --> 00:39:56.619 Because I lay down 00:39:56.619 --> 00:39:57.279 my life 00:39:57.279 --> 00:39:57.719 that I may 00:39:57.719 --> 00:39:58.639 take it up again. 00:39:59.279 --> 00:40:00.019 No one 00:40:00.019 --> 00:40:01.139 takes it from me 00:40:01.139 --> 00:40:02.799 but I lay it down 00:40:02.799 --> 00:40:04.199 of my own accord. 00:40:04.519 --> 00:40:05.480 I have authority 00:40:05.480 --> 00:40:06.460 to lay it down 00:40:06.460 --> 00:40:07.500 and I have authority 00:40:07.500 --> 00:40:08.819 to take it up again. 00:40:09.239 --> 00:40:09.940 This charge 00:40:09.940 --> 00:40:10.779 I have received 00:40:10.779 --> 00:40:12.519 from my Father. 00:40:13.539 --> 00:40:14.659 Jesus is not 00:40:14.659 --> 00:40:16.059 a hapless individual 00:40:16.059 --> 00:40:17.039 that happened to be 00:40:17.039 --> 00:40:18.039 at the wrong place 00:40:18.039 --> 00:40:19.319 at the wrong time 00:40:19.320 --> 00:40:20.400 and was killed 00:40:20.400 --> 00:40:22.100 for the wrong reasons 00:40:22.100 --> 00:40:23.000 and then His followers 00:40:23.000 --> 00:40:24.500 made up this crazy story 00:40:24.500 --> 00:40:25.680 about how He died 00:40:25.680 --> 00:40:26.539 for their sins. 00:40:27.200 --> 00:40:28.559 That's not what happened. 00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:30.320 Jesus knew exactly 00:40:30.320 --> 00:40:31.340 what He was doing. 00:40:32.120 --> 00:40:33.620 He died for you. 00:40:35.220 --> 00:40:36.880 He incriminated Himself 00:40:36.880 --> 00:40:38.480 in the court of law 00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:40.200 because He knew 00:40:40.200 --> 00:40:41.420 He was laying down 00:40:41.420 --> 00:40:42.559 His own life 00:40:42.559 --> 00:40:44.940 to save His people. 00:40:44.940 --> 00:40:49.639 so that He could die 00:40:49.639 --> 00:40:50.280 on the cross 00:40:50.280 --> 00:40:52.280 with our criminal records 00:40:52.280 --> 00:40:52.960 on His back 00:40:52.960 --> 00:40:54.900 so that He could wipe 00:40:54.900 --> 00:40:55.840 our slate clean 00:40:55.840 --> 00:40:58.440 with His own blood. 00:41:04.039 --> 00:41:05.440 Many people have claimed 00:41:05.440 --> 00:41:05.960 to be God 00:41:05.960 --> 00:41:06.700 in human history. 00:41:07.300 --> 00:41:08.460 They all died 00:41:08.460 --> 00:41:09.900 and faded into oblivion. 00:41:11.519 --> 00:41:12.840 Only one person 00:41:12.840 --> 00:41:14.019 has claimed to be God 00:41:14.019 --> 00:41:15.119 has died 00:41:15.119 --> 00:41:16.280 and has been raised 00:41:16.280 --> 00:41:16.940 from the dead. 00:41:19.880 --> 00:41:21.139 Have you put your faith 00:41:21.139 --> 00:41:21.619 in Jesus? 00:41:26.519 --> 00:41:27.739 The world is full 00:41:27.739 --> 00:41:28.440 of deniers, 00:41:28.679 --> 00:41:29.159 deriders, 00:41:29.400 --> 00:41:29.900 and doubters 00:41:29.900 --> 00:41:31.159 but God's calling you 00:41:31.159 --> 00:41:32.039 this morning. 00:41:33.259 --> 00:41:34.780 Don't be a denier. 00:41:34.940 --> 00:41:36.239 Be a confessor. 00:41:38.880 --> 00:41:40.280 Don't be a derider. 00:41:40.440 --> 00:41:41.579 Be a worshiper. 00:41:41.579 --> 00:41:44.719 Don't be a doubter. 00:41:45.519 --> 00:41:46.639 Be a believer. 00:41:49.219 --> 00:41:50.340 Because despite 00:41:50.340 --> 00:41:51.980 appearances to the contrary, 00:41:53.360 --> 00:41:54.539 the crucified Christ 00:41:54.539 --> 00:41:56.000 is the Lord God 00:41:56.000 --> 00:42:00.840 whom we should follow, 00:42:01.420 --> 00:42:02.299 whom we should love, 00:42:02.860 --> 00:42:03.500 whom we should obey. 00:42:03.500 --> 00:42:13.460 Chelsea 00:42:13.460 --> 00:42:18.519 don't be a repres prolilar 00:42:23.420 --> 00:42:24.659 who fica or who 00:42:24.659 --> 00:42:25.039 ??