WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.339 a person with malicious and malevolent intent 00:00:03.339 --> 00:00:06.100 drove an aircraft at speed into the ground. 00:00:07.740 --> 00:00:09.640 There was no hope of survival. 00:00:10.740 --> 00:00:12.939 He calmly ended his own life. 00:00:13.759 --> 00:00:18.199 He killed 149 other random people who got dressed that morning 00:00:18.199 --> 00:00:21.039 and boarded an aircraft that he was responsible to fly. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:27.019 He ignored the impassioned pleading and demands of the captain 00:00:27.019 --> 00:00:29.160 who was trying to rescue the situation. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.420 He turned a deaf ear to the terrified screams of his passengers. 00:00:36.119 --> 00:00:39.380 It was an act of unspeakable evil. 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:43.240 It was conceived in the mind of a person. 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:48.760 It was enacted with callous disregard for anybody else. 00:00:50.539 --> 00:00:54.079 And I don't think it sits easily with us as human beings this morning 00:00:54.079 --> 00:00:57.120 that another human being would carry out such wickedness. 00:00:57.119 --> 00:01:03.679 What a horror that another person would disregard your life or mine. 00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:08.439 Today is Good Friday. 00:01:09.700 --> 00:01:16.159 We've just read John's account of the trial, crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ. 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:22.039 The ultimate expression of human evil. 00:01:23.479 --> 00:01:27.280 And the scale of the act is defined by who the victim is. 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:32.939 So if I was killed by a Viking gang bullet in Chatswood in the next couple of days, 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:34.159 and may that not be true, 00:01:35.260 --> 00:01:39.260 it would be newsworthy for a couple of days, maybe even a week. 00:01:40.299 --> 00:01:43.780 If it happened to Tony Abbott, it would be newsworthy for years. 00:01:45.079 --> 00:01:51.240 If it did happen to Jesus, and his death still matters this morning because of who he is. 00:01:51.239 --> 00:01:59.739 John 19 verse 7 tells us that people want him dead because he made himself the son of God. 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:04.939 His accusers are certain that Jesus was an imposter. 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:07.759 John tells us he is no imposter. 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:09.240 He is God in the flesh. 00:02:09.319 --> 00:02:10.439 He is the real deal. 00:02:11.620 --> 00:02:16.699 When you read John's gospel, you don't read every bit of gore that the other gospels reveal. 00:02:16.699 --> 00:02:23.319 He tells us enough to reveal an act of unspeakable evil is being carried out. 00:02:24.060 --> 00:02:28.919 A plan which is conceived in the hearts of the religious aristocracy, the God-men, 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:32.579 the men who controlled the temple and the worship of God's people. 00:02:34.560 --> 00:02:41.459 And John lays out a series of carefully chosen signs to prove that Jesus is the son of God. 00:02:41.460 --> 00:03:05.680 The religious leaders have all seen those signs, and they have drawn their own conclusions. 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:12.840 And after Jesus lovingly raised Lazarus to life, the leaders just could not cope. 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:14.099 They went into meltdown. 00:03:14.200 --> 00:03:17.280 Their whole religious view of the world was threatened. 00:03:18.460 --> 00:03:20.020 And so they made a decision. 00:03:20.140 --> 00:03:22.460 We're going to kill Lazarus, and we're going to kill Jesus. 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:27.600 In fact, Caiaphas, the high priest, said in John chapter 11, 00:03:27.599 --> 00:03:44.699 So the leaders determined that God's son would die. 00:03:44.699 --> 00:03:53.659 You almost need to be an alien, somebody from outside this world, 00:03:53.839 --> 00:03:57.879 to understand just how evil this act is. 00:03:59.639 --> 00:04:03.819 There's a story of an alien who came to Earth, and he landed in Sydney, 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:08.780 and he talked to a young couple in Pitt Street Mall, trying to understand where he was. 00:04:09.639 --> 00:04:10.759 And he said to them, 00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:13.060 Tell me something special about planet Earth. 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:15.920 And they said, 00:04:15.979 --> 00:04:18.360 Well, our cities emit so much light, 00:04:18.980 --> 00:04:20.240 they light up the sky, 00:04:20.339 --> 00:04:22.720 and they can be seen from the International Space Station. 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:25.939 And the alien said, 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:27.740 Well, I've just come from the Crab Nebula, 00:04:28.100 --> 00:04:33.639 which has a total luminosity of 75,000 times your sun. 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:41.540 Well, we've got aircraft that can travel up to five times the speed of sound. 00:04:43.060 --> 00:04:49.139 I've just travelled 4.2 light years from Alpha Centauri in the last 10 minutes. 00:04:51.699 --> 00:04:54.939 Tell me something that's really special, that's different. 00:04:56.560 --> 00:04:59.120 And the couple stopped and they thought for a moment, 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:05.899 the creator God of the universe came and visited us. 00:05:08.639 --> 00:05:11.120 And the alien was wide-eyed in amazement. 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:15.040 We've never met our creator. 00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:17.139 What was he like? 00:05:18.100 --> 00:05:19.280 When did he come? 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:20.780 What did he do? 00:05:20.920 --> 00:05:22.079 What's happened to him? 00:05:22.079 --> 00:05:28.699 And the Aussie couple dropped their eyes to the ground and they said, 00:05:29.219 --> 00:05:31.759 We killed him. 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:43.699 The crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:47.279 is the ultimate expression of human evil. 00:05:48.420 --> 00:05:52.719 It is an act where we are completely and utterly culpable 00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:57.920 and we have no defence and no one else to blame. 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:06.180 But the really strange, if not amazing thing, 00:06:06.340 --> 00:06:08.800 is that despite our malevolence, 00:06:09.060 --> 00:06:12.400 God was achieving an act of unfathomable love. 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:16.779 Jesus is never out of control. 00:06:17.899 --> 00:06:22.319 He voluntarily gave himself to God's mission in the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:06:22.479 --> 00:06:23.799 He knew the dread, 00:06:24.599 --> 00:06:28.699 but he also trusted his Father for the good that would be achieved. 00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:32.500 Father, take this cup from me, 00:06:32.620 --> 00:06:35.239 but not my will, but yours be done. 00:06:38.799 --> 00:06:40.679 And in the trial before Pilate, 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:44.199 James has already said this morning, 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:45.060 but Pilate says, 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:47.920 Do you refuse to speak to me? 00:06:48.840 --> 00:06:52.939 Do you realise that I have power either to free you or to crucify you? 00:06:54.720 --> 00:06:56.079 And Jesus answered, 00:06:56.680 --> 00:07:00.540 You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. 00:07:04.280 --> 00:07:06.939 See, there is a much bigger play going on here 00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:09.000 than what is merely happening at a human level. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:13.180 These events have been anticipated for more than a thousand years. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:16.480 When the soldiers cast lots for Jesus' clothing, 00:07:16.660 --> 00:07:19.199 John sees that as the fulfilment of Psalm 22. 00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:23.740 When the soldiers pierced his side and didn't break his legs, 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:28.060 John sees that as the fulfilment of Numbers 9 and Psalm 34, 00:07:28.519 --> 00:07:32.680 where the Passover lamb was not to have any of its bones broken. 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:35.100 In verse 28, 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:37.120 Jesus knew that everything was accomplished. 00:07:37.319 --> 00:07:41.259 He fulfilled Psalm 69 by receiving sour wine. 00:07:42.340 --> 00:07:44.840 And in Psalm 69, if you read that in detail, 00:07:44.960 --> 00:07:47.939 you see that the afflicted one is actually setting a table 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:50.199 that will become a snare to his enemies. 00:07:53.460 --> 00:07:56.860 John is very careful not to say that Jesus died. 00:07:56.860 --> 00:07:59.680 Yes, he did die, but he's very careful not to say it. 00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:02.180 He tells us that he gave up his spirit. 00:08:03.080 --> 00:08:04.680 He relinquished his life. 00:08:04.939 --> 00:08:06.639 He yielded himself to death. 00:08:07.020 --> 00:08:08.920 Life was not taken from him. 00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:11.280 And even as he dies, 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:14.199 he is exercising control over his circumstances. 00:08:14.500 --> 00:08:15.319 Seems ridiculous. 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:18.199 A condemned man in control, 00:08:18.420 --> 00:08:19.439 even as he dies, 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:21.759 and then he dies with this triumphant cry, 00:08:22.060 --> 00:08:22.939 it is finished. 00:08:26.339 --> 00:08:27.219 It's finished. 00:08:27.339 --> 00:08:28.879 I've run the race before me. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:29.920 Mission accomplished. 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:33.500 And straight away, 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:35.480 my mind goes back to John 12, 00:08:35.580 --> 00:08:36.500 where Jesus says, 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:38.799 now is the time for judgment on this world, 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:41.960 and now the prince of this world will be driven out, 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:44.600 but I, when I am lifted up from the earth, 00:08:44.679 --> 00:08:46.639 will draw all people to myself. 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:53.740 C.S. Lewis draws a dramatic picture of the crucifixion 00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:56.000 in the line, the witch, and the wardrobe. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:59.120 The hounds of hell and every baying creature of evil 00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:02.879 are salivating at the demise of the lion king, Aslan. 00:09:04.220 --> 00:09:07.840 And he humbly and nobly walks into their domain 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:09.100 and into their abode. 00:09:09.939 --> 00:09:11.799 They scream for his blood. 00:09:12.059 --> 00:09:13.659 They go berserk with joy 00:09:13.659 --> 00:09:16.620 as the wicked queen drives a dagger into his heart. 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:21.399 And at the very moment 00:09:21.399 --> 00:09:23.639 when evil seems to have totally triumphed, 00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:26.639 God wins a magnificent victory 00:09:27.199 --> 00:09:30.340 and evil does not even know that it is defeated. 00:09:37.439 --> 00:09:40.039 Now is the time for judgment on this world. 00:09:40.500 --> 00:09:43.259 Now the prince of this world will be driven out, 00:09:43.259 --> 00:09:45.960 but I, when I am lifted up from the earth, 00:09:46.019 --> 00:09:47.559 will draw all people to myself. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:54.360 The crucifixion of Jesus is a divine drama 00:09:54.360 --> 00:09:56.259 which is played out in a heavenly realm. 00:09:58.100 --> 00:10:00.299 Satan throws every bit of malevolence 00:10:00.299 --> 00:10:01.840 that he can muster at God, 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:04.980 and God stares him down 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:09.360 and he responds with the most amazing sacrificial love. 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:11.280 He trumps evil with love. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:16.779 So this is not cosmic child abuse. 00:10:16.919 --> 00:10:18.539 This is God, the Son, 00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:19.879 stepping up to the mark 00:10:19.879 --> 00:10:22.579 and ripping Satan's domain away from him 00:10:22.579 --> 00:10:23.659 with great power. 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:27.439 And our great enemy's sin and death 00:10:27.439 --> 00:10:28.439 totally defeated, 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:30.240 conquered in such a way 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:31.339 that we can be forgiven 00:10:31.339 --> 00:10:33.120 and safe with Jesus forever 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:34.339 and ever and ever. 00:10:34.340 --> 00:10:39.379 John told us near the beginning 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:40.519 what this was all about. 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:42.060 John 3.16, 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:43.920 For God so loved the world 00:10:43.920 --> 00:10:46.780 that he gave his one and only Son 00:10:46.780 --> 00:10:48.639 that whoever believes in him 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:51.560 would not perish but have eternal life. 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:57.040 The mission of God is driven by his love for us. 00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:00.920 Jesus went to his death 00:11:00.920 --> 00:11:02.360 trusting his Father for victory. 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:04.680 When he raised Lazarus, 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:05.800 he said, 00:11:06.100 --> 00:11:08.019 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:11:08.460 --> 00:11:10.440 Whoever believes in me will live 00:11:10.440 --> 00:11:12.080 even though he dies 00:11:12.080 --> 00:11:14.360 and whoever lives and believes in me 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:15.399 will never die. 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:22.680 This great drama, 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:24.720 the crucifixion of Jesus, 00:11:25.620 --> 00:11:27.980 is a very personal expression 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:29.340 of God's love for you 00:11:29.340 --> 00:11:30.220 and also for me. 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:34.300 Hopefully, 00:11:34.519 --> 00:11:36.460 none of us will ever do anything 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:38.779 as unspeakably evil 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:40.879 as the German pilot did last week. 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:46.300 But evil is still personal 00:11:46.300 --> 00:11:48.060 and it's at hand in all of us 00:11:48.060 --> 00:11:50.680 and it's seen any time 00:11:50.680 --> 00:11:51.960 that we say to God, 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:53.080 stay out of my life, 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:56.320 it becomes an expression 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:58.000 of rejecting our creator. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:00.500 it is ultimately an expression of evil. 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:04.100 Leave me alone. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:06.019 I don't want God interfering 00:12:06.019 --> 00:12:07.100 in my relationships. 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:09.779 Leave me alone. 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:11.100 I have my own plan. 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:13.240 Leave me alone. 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:15.279 I don't want to say sorry to anybody 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:16.779 even though I know I've hurt them. 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:18.779 Leave me alone. 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:19.720 It's my wealth. 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:20.480 Leave me alone. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:21.460 They're my possessions. 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:29.379 It's a remarkable end to John 19. 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:31.160 The resurrection hasn't yet happened. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.180 Come back on Sunday. 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:34.879 But there's great grief 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:36.940 and there is devastation 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:37.940 for Jesus' followers. 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:39.580 They can't see the end game yet. 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:40.840 We can. 00:12:42.280 --> 00:12:43.840 But two believers come forward, 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:45.400 Joseph of Arimathea 00:12:45.400 --> 00:12:46.340 and Nicodemus 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:47.340 and they're Pharisees. 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:49.600 They're Bible men. 00:12:49.680 --> 00:12:50.280 They're God men. 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:52.639 They're members 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:54.299 of the Jewish religious elite. 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:57.259 And they have believed 00:12:57.259 --> 00:12:58.679 in Jesus in secret. 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.459 Nicodemus was the man 00:13:01.459 --> 00:13:02.399 who had come to Jesus 00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:03.919 clandestinely at night 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:05.620 to suss him out. 00:13:07.079 --> 00:13:08.819 He wasn't bold back then 00:13:08.819 --> 00:13:10.339 but now he is emboldened. 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:12.720 And these guys 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:14.259 effectively out themselves. 00:13:14.439 --> 00:13:16.500 They show what they believe 00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:17.620 by their actions. 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:20.100 And their response 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:20.980 to the wickedness 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:22.159 of Jesus' execution 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:23.399 is to step forward 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:25.600 and to identify with him 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:27.500 and to stand effectively 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:28.879 against this injustice 00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:30.519 which has just been done to him. 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:34.120 Their faith becomes public 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:36.519 as they ask for Jesus' body 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:37.740 and they bury him 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.500 with great care 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:40.600 and with great dignity. 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:45.779 Friends, I don't know 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:46.639 what brought you to church 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:47.100 this morning 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:48.200 but I'm really glad you're here. 00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:49.120 We're glad you're here. 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:52.240 I hope that you can see 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:53.820 that there is something 00:13:53.820 --> 00:13:54.580 magnificent 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:55.759 and triumphant 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:57.320 in the darkness 00:13:57.320 --> 00:13:58.259 of Good Friday. 00:13:58.259 --> 00:14:01.919 This is not evil 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:02.860 out of control. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.179 Rather, the creator 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.139 God of the universe 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:07.059 stood in the midst 00:14:07.059 --> 00:14:08.139 of great evil. 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:09.620 He stared it in the face 00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:11.939 with astonishing love. 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:15.539 His love triumphed 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:16.220 over evil. 00:14:17.819 --> 00:14:18.960 And Jesus said 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:19.779 in John 12, 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:21.340 but I, when I am lifted up 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:21.860 from the earth, 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:23.080 will draw all people 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:23.799 to myself. 00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:29.899 It's a wonderful expression 00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:30.620 where we see 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.519 that God is not 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:32.179 in the business 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:33.719 of driving people away. 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.859 He is standing 00:14:35.859 --> 00:14:36.919 with steadfast 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:38.659 and unfathomable love 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:39.679 and he is calling 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:41.219 everybody to himself. 00:14:43.859 --> 00:14:44.919 He has seen 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:46.199 the worst of our evil, 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.719 the darkest recesses 00:14:48.719 --> 00:14:49.539 of our hearts 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:51.620 and he has responded 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.219 with love. 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:57.299 So you may have lived 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:59.099 a very dark life 00:14:59.099 --> 00:15:00.399 running away 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.159 from Christ 00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:04.839 and at the cross 00:15:04.839 --> 00:15:05.679 today 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:08.319 he looks into your eyes 00:15:08.319 --> 00:15:09.500 with amazing love 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:11.699 and he calls you 00:15:11.699 --> 00:15:12.399 to himself. 00:15:16.299 --> 00:15:17.099 So friends, 00:15:17.219 --> 00:15:18.019 stop telling God 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:19.079 to get out of your life. 00:15:21.599 --> 00:15:23.120 Turn to our wonderful 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:24.179 Saviour King 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:26.240 and thank him 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:27.340 for drawing you near. 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:30.399 What a wonderful way 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:31.460 to respond to the love 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.279 of God today, 00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:33.259 this Good Friday. 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:35.940 Amen.