WEBVTT 00:00:00.540 --> 00:00:08.480 Well, good morning everyone. Are we well? Excellent. Thank you so much to everyone who's participated so far in the service. What a week. 00:00:09.519 --> 00:00:19.039 It's a week, I don't know about you, but if anyone saw that video, it's a week where I learnt that I can fully trust the Lothian bus drivers to get me wherever I'm trying to go on time and safely. 00:00:19.160 --> 00:00:21.940 Did anyone see that video? Quite remarkable, wasn't it? 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:28.620 Love this week. Also, my funniest thing of this week was the ski centre down in Kent that had to close because of excess snow. 00:00:28.620 --> 00:00:30.440 Loved that headline then when I saw that one. 00:00:31.140 --> 00:00:41.179 But what a week. But we turn to God's Word, God's never-changing inspired Word, which I hope he's going to do just that to us this morning as God by his Spirit works amongst us. 00:00:41.240 --> 00:00:45.820 So why don't we pray, let's just pause and let's still our hearts as we come to this passage in Luke 22. 00:00:51.900 --> 00:00:54.500 Psalm 119 verse 105. 00:00:54.500 --> 00:01:24.480 Psalm 119 verse 105. 00:01:24.500 --> 00:01:27.280 Let me pray all these things in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:30.900 So just to kick us off this morning, I wonder if anyone's seen this film? 00:01:32.599 --> 00:01:33.320 Some of us. 00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:37.140 The Bucket List starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:38.960 If you've not seen it, it's all right. 00:01:40.740 --> 00:01:42.280 Not going to go right home about it. 00:01:42.920 --> 00:01:48.020 But we watched this recently, Alex and I, The Bucket List on Amazon Prime because we had nothing else to do one evening. 00:01:48.099 --> 00:01:49.299 So we chucked on The Bucket List. 00:01:49.299 --> 00:02:03.219 And essentially it's a film about two terminally ill men who meet each other in hospital and who set about coming up with a list of things that they want to do before they die. 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:04.340 Okay. 00:02:04.399 --> 00:02:10.039 And I think they call it The Bucket List because it's the things they want to do because before they hit the bucket, that's where they get the name from. 00:02:10.039 --> 00:02:11.500 So they call it The Bucket List. 00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:14.959 The things that they want to do before they die. 00:02:15.079 --> 00:02:18.959 So here's what I want to do this morning just to get us thinking and trying to get us into this passage. 00:02:19.099 --> 00:02:20.959 Turn to your neighbor for 30 seconds. 00:02:21.659 --> 00:02:24.560 What are the things that would be on your bucket list? 00:02:25.519 --> 00:02:25.699 Okay. 00:02:25.900 --> 00:02:29.259 30 seconds just to get a bit of volume in the room and then we'll kick on. 00:02:29.340 --> 00:02:29.439 Okay. 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:31.020 What would be the things in your bucket list? 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:34.079 Okay. 00:02:36.079 --> 00:02:36.479 Excellent. 00:02:36.599 --> 00:02:40.379 Well, here are the top five entries on the website. 00:02:40.719 --> 00:02:44.199 I believe there is a website called this bucketlist.net. 00:02:44.460 --> 00:02:44.740 Okay. 00:02:44.740 --> 00:02:49.579 Here are the top five things that the people in our world want to do before they die. 00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:50.340 Here's number one. 00:02:50.439 --> 00:02:52.039 See if anyone had this one. 00:02:52.079 --> 00:02:52.599 Northern Lights. 00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:54.780 Somebody has probably actually seen it. 00:02:55.979 --> 00:02:56.620 Chris, have you seen it? 00:02:57.060 --> 00:02:57.360 Brilliant. 00:02:57.659 --> 00:02:57.979 There you go. 00:02:58.099 --> 00:02:58.479 Northern Lights. 00:02:58.479 --> 00:02:59.120 Number two. 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:01.560 Go skydiving? 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:03.240 No? 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:04.659 Some of us. 00:03:04.740 --> 00:03:04.979 Okay. 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:05.900 Here's the third one. 00:03:06.400 --> 00:03:06.979 Get a tattoo. 00:03:09.180 --> 00:03:10.240 Number four. 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:12.039 Now, I was surprised at this one. 00:03:12.079 --> 00:03:13.419 We'll see because I think that's a great idea. 00:03:13.620 --> 00:03:14.219 Go on a cruise. 00:03:15.219 --> 00:03:16.079 Stage of life I'm at. 00:03:16.139 --> 00:03:16.960 I would love a cruise. 00:03:17.479 --> 00:03:17.939 There we go. 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:19.000 Number five. 00:03:19.379 --> 00:03:20.099 Swim with dolphins. 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:23.300 So there we go. 00:03:23.340 --> 00:03:26.659 The things that people in our world would want to do with the lights before they die. 00:03:27.400 --> 00:03:28.960 And here's what we're going to do this morning. 00:03:30.099 --> 00:03:33.740 We're going to spend some time with a man who's in the final days of his life. 00:03:33.740 --> 00:03:38.560 And here is Jesus in the final days of his life. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:41.740 And he's got sacrifice on his mind. 00:03:41.740 --> 00:03:48.120 And he's got sacrifice on his mind because the cross, the place as we journey through Luke's gospel, 00:03:48.200 --> 00:03:53.100 the place that he's repeatedly told his disciples where he is going, the place where his life is going, 00:03:53.600 --> 00:03:56.500 the cross is no longer just a point on the horizon. 00:03:56.620 --> 00:03:57.980 The cross is imminent. 00:03:57.979 --> 00:04:02.659 Let me just help us see the rough timeline of events here. 00:04:02.780 --> 00:04:06.339 Very rough timeline as Luke requires them just so we can see where we are in the story. 00:04:07.339 --> 00:04:12.239 So Jesus entered Jerusalem at chapter 9 verse 28 on the Sunday. 00:04:12.240 --> 00:04:19.160 On the Monday, chapter 19 of verse 45, roughly, he's in the temple. 00:04:19.840 --> 00:04:20.699 And he's in the temple. 00:04:20.840 --> 00:04:25.220 He's driving out those who had turned God's house into a marketplace. 00:04:25.220 --> 00:04:33.460 On the Tuesday, chapters 20 and 21, roughly, he's back in the temple. 00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:36.440 And he's challenging the religious leaders. 00:04:37.400 --> 00:04:41.760 He's clarifying the future of this whole temple business. 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:52.719 And so here we are today, chapter 22, looking at the Wednesday and the Thursday before it all kicks off on Good Friday. 00:04:54.039 --> 00:05:00.519 So here we are today, and Jesus, in the final few days of his life, with a cross just around the corner, 00:05:01.539 --> 00:05:03.159 has got sacrifice on his mind. 00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:07.180 But I wonder if you've ever asked yourself why. 00:05:08.860 --> 00:05:11.480 Why does Jesus have sacrifice on his mind? 00:05:11.480 --> 00:05:11.819 Why? 00:05:12.759 --> 00:05:15.360 It's my three-year-old daughter's favorite question at the minute. 00:05:16.160 --> 00:05:17.259 And it starts off cute. 00:05:18.920 --> 00:05:19.439 Why? 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:23.100 Why does Jesus have sacrifice on his mind? 00:05:24.420 --> 00:05:30.400 Canadian novelist and artist Douglas Copeland was asked recently in an interview what his greatest fear was in life. 00:05:31.040 --> 00:05:32.340 I wonder how you'd answer that question. 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:34.759 What is your greatest fear in life? 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:43.279 He said that his greatest fear in life is that God exists, but he doesn't care much for human beings. 00:05:44.459 --> 00:05:47.279 Now, if that's true, that is a legitimate fear. 00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:49.259 That God doesn't care. 00:05:49.719 --> 00:05:52.180 That God created this world, and then off he went. 00:05:52.180 --> 00:05:55.000 God doesn't care much for human beings. 00:05:56.300 --> 00:05:59.639 And perhaps you're here this morning, and that's where you are on this whole God thing. 00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:03.220 Does God care about my life? 00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:06.540 How do I know that God cares about my life? 00:06:06.540 --> 00:06:09.580 It's a great question to be asking yourself. 00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:19.340 Well, as we see Jesus here, let me invite you, as we see God's Son, as we see God in the flesh in action here, ask yourself, 00:06:19.339 --> 00:06:21.699 what does this tell us? 00:06:22.419 --> 00:06:24.899 What does this tell you about God? 00:06:25.679 --> 00:06:28.239 And what does this tell you about you? 00:06:29.659 --> 00:06:32.199 Jesus has got sacrifice on his mind. 00:06:32.539 --> 00:06:36.139 And sacrifice, as we just quickly, briefly follow through these verses, 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:39.879 sacrifice is going to mean three things for Jesus. 00:06:40.019 --> 00:06:42.599 Here's the first thing, verses 1 to 6 of chapter 22. 00:06:43.579 --> 00:06:46.799 It's sacrifice for Jesus will mean surrendering. 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:50.639 So here we are on the Wednesday of Easter week. 00:06:51.420 --> 00:06:53.520 Jesus is about 33 years of age. 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:56.500 He's been in the public eye now for about two or three years. 00:06:56.900 --> 00:06:59.819 And he is becoming, and we've seen this over the last few weeks, 00:07:00.220 --> 00:07:03.560 extraordinarily popular with the people. 00:07:04.100 --> 00:07:04.920 They love Jesus. 00:07:06.280 --> 00:07:11.199 But as time has gone on, and particularly now that Jesus is on the temple turf, so to speak, 00:07:12.100 --> 00:07:15.420 the religious leaders in Jerusalem have had about enough of him. 00:07:15.420 --> 00:07:20.319 Because they resent his popularity, they are suspicious of his motives, 00:07:21.100 --> 00:07:23.960 and they fear the power that he has. 00:07:24.460 --> 00:07:28.120 And so all of this is added up to mean simply, pure and simply, in their minds, 00:07:28.200 --> 00:07:29.220 that Jesus has to go. 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:30.660 Jesus has to be crushed. 00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:32.639 Jesus has to be exterminated. 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:35.900 And so we pick it up here, verses 1 and 2. 00:07:35.980 --> 00:07:40.100 The only question in the minds of the chief priests and the teachers of the law 00:07:40.100 --> 00:07:41.560 is how are we going to do it? 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:43.500 How are we going to do it? 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:47.019 The people are not on their side, 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:50.639 and the calendar is not on their side either. 00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:53.879 Because you see it, detail in the text, it's Passover. 00:07:54.600 --> 00:07:58.740 One of the great moments of the Jewish religious year. 00:07:58.840 --> 00:08:03.019 It's a festival with both national and religious elements to it. 00:08:03.019 --> 00:08:06.859 I guess it's something akin to what we do as we do Christmas, 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:08.680 and as we do Remembrance Day. 00:08:09.219 --> 00:08:10.199 It's that kind of thing. 00:08:11.019 --> 00:08:13.519 National tones, religious tones to the Passover. 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:17.659 And Passover means that Jerusalem is rammed full of people. 00:08:18.699 --> 00:08:20.519 And so if they were to try and arrest Jesus, 00:08:21.339 --> 00:08:22.659 then that is way too risky. 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:25.519 So something needs to give. 00:08:26.180 --> 00:08:27.779 So here they are, verses 1 and 2. 00:08:28.620 --> 00:08:29.919 They're scratching their heads. 00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:31.199 How are we going to do it? 00:08:32.319 --> 00:08:34.340 And they could not have imagined, 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:36.679 in all their wildest dreams, 00:08:37.299 --> 00:08:39.980 that it would get as good as it was about to get. 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:41.480 Now here it is. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:43.779 This is what my gran, my grandpa, 00:08:44.079 --> 00:08:45.019 one of the two, maybe the two, 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:48.360 they used to call it a never-look-a-gift-horse-in-the-mouth moment. 00:08:50.699 --> 00:08:51.639 Judas walks in. 00:08:51.639 --> 00:08:55.199 And when you think about it, 00:08:56.360 --> 00:09:01.000 Judas is the perfect solution to their problem. 00:09:01.659 --> 00:09:04.399 Because Judas isn't just a follower of Jesus. 00:09:05.559 --> 00:09:06.939 Judas is one of the twelve. 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:10.279 Now no one is suspicious of Judas at this point. 00:09:10.340 --> 00:09:12.759 It's not like some of the TV crime dramas that we watch. 00:09:13.939 --> 00:09:15.120 And there's a mole in the ranks, 00:09:15.179 --> 00:09:16.700 and everybody knows that there's a mole in the ranks. 00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:18.419 Nobody is suspicious of Judas here. 00:09:19.419 --> 00:09:20.179 Judas is trusted. 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:23.039 And Judas knows where Jesus hangs out. 00:09:23.599 --> 00:09:25.339 And to top it all off, 00:09:25.939 --> 00:09:27.739 it's not like they tapped him up. 00:09:28.299 --> 00:09:30.819 It's not like they sent him a private message on Facebook 00:09:30.819 --> 00:09:31.879 and offered him a bit of money 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:33.919 if he would only come and talk to them. 00:09:34.219 --> 00:09:36.339 Judas, of his own accord, goes to them. 00:09:38.319 --> 00:09:42.299 Now exactly when and why Judas' heart towards Jesus changed, 00:09:42.339 --> 00:09:43.259 we can't be sure. 00:09:43.259 --> 00:09:46.299 But Luke wants us to know, 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:47.259 in the text, 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:49.500 that there are two factors in play here. 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:51.179 Now firstly, 00:09:52.340 --> 00:09:52.759 Satan. 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:56.480 Don't miss the importance of that. 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:57.319 That the one who, 00:09:57.460 --> 00:09:59.500 from the very beginning of the Bible story, 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:02.319 is set on thwarting God's purposes. 00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:05.059 In Luke's gospel, 00:10:05.220 --> 00:10:06.679 we last read of Satan, 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:08.340 back in chapter 4, verse 13, 00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:11.800 when he tempted Jesus during his 40 days in the wilderness. 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:15.480 And after it had become clear that Jesus would not succumb, 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:17.540 Luke tells us, rather, 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:20.840 that Satan disappeared until an opportune time. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:23.800 Well, here is his opportune time. 00:10:25.060 --> 00:10:27.060 Judas is his opportune time. 00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:29.159 So Satan's at play here. 00:10:29.239 --> 00:10:29.839 Second factor, 00:10:29.979 --> 00:10:30.919 money's at play here. 00:10:31.959 --> 00:10:32.500 Verse 4, 00:10:32.599 --> 00:10:34.659 they agreed to give him money. 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:38.659 I think we're meant to understand that Judas went to them, 00:10:38.739 --> 00:10:39.979 and he asked for money. 00:10:41.479 --> 00:10:42.500 So there they are. 00:10:42.579 --> 00:10:43.039 They're here. 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:43.679 They're plotting. 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:45.500 They're meeting. 00:10:48.059 --> 00:10:50.819 Ideas as to how to catch Jesus are being shared. 00:10:51.699 --> 00:10:55.500 Before Judas returns to Jesus and the other 11 disciples, 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:57.840 and he waits to make his move. 00:10:59.620 --> 00:11:00.860 Now, for all intents and purposes, 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:03.460 it looks like forces are conspiring here, 00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:07.019 behind Jesus' back, 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:12.480 to ensure that the wheels are about to well and truly come off the Jesus bandwagon. 00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:14.480 The religious leaders are in on it. 00:11:15.059 --> 00:11:15.980 Judas is in on it. 00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:18.179 Satan is in on it. 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:19.720 The question is, 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:20.700 who's in control here? 00:11:21.659 --> 00:11:22.399 Who's in control? 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:25.740 Well, it might not look like it, 00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:27.159 but Jesus is in control. 00:11:27.439 --> 00:11:28.939 He's in full control here. 00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:33.579 He's been telling his disciples that this will happen all the way through the gospel. 00:11:33.939 --> 00:11:34.539 This gospel, 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:35.399 if you want to check it out, 00:11:35.459 --> 00:11:36.059 chapter 18, 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:36.779 verse 32. 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:38.480 This is the most recent one we have of this. 00:11:39.799 --> 00:11:40.519 He said, 00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:41.299 plainly, 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:44.899 that he was about to be delivered over to the religious leaders, 00:11:45.439 --> 00:11:47.779 and ultimately to the Gentiles. 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:50.819 This is what he said all the way along in this gospel. 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:51.740 This is going to happen. 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:53.620 And so these background events, 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:54.600 these dodgy deals, 00:11:54.660 --> 00:11:57.320 which we'll see Jesus eventually handed over to be crucified, 00:11:58.220 --> 00:11:59.920 they're all part of God's plan. 00:12:01.180 --> 00:12:02.740 All part of God's plan. 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:05.340 Jesus is one completely in control. 00:12:07.300 --> 00:12:10.440 It was about this time last year where I first learned to play chess. 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:11.860 Never learned to play chess before. 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:14.740 Upstairs in Basics Bank, 00:12:14.800 --> 00:12:16.380 it's the only time I've ever played chess. 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:19.220 There's one guy called John who taught me how to play chess, 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:22.080 and he's literally taught me everything I know about the game. 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:24.720 And he taught me one thing when I started. 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:25.120 He said, 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:25.340 Graham, 00:12:25.399 --> 00:12:28.360 a good chess player doesn't just think one move ahead. 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:31.059 A good chess player thinks five moves ahead. 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:33.519 And I have no idea if that's true or not. 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:33.860 As I say, 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:34.919 I've learned everything from him. 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:38.700 But a good chess player thinks five moves ahead. 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:41.360 Here's what we need to understand about Jesus. 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:43.919 He's not thinking one move ahead. 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:46.259 You're not just thinking five moves ahead. 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:47.439 Actually, 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.839 what's going on down here 00:12:48.839 --> 00:12:51.379 is the plan 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:54.519 since before the foundation of the world. 00:12:55.059 --> 00:12:57.059 And it's going down exactly 00:12:57.059 --> 00:12:59.120 as God ordains it to go down. 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:02.039 God's master plan of redemption, 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:03.879 the grand weaver of history, 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:04.759 here he is, 00:13:04.959 --> 00:13:06.959 his plan to rescue his people 00:13:06.959 --> 00:13:10.599 by sending his son to die in their place. 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:13.759 Now that is a wonderful truth about the God of the Bible 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:14.779 that's so sovereign 00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:16.639 and so in control is he 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:18.940 that even the world's worst 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:22.060 turns out to be nothing other than a plan 00:13:22.060 --> 00:13:23.960 that plays into his best. 00:13:25.060 --> 00:13:27.080 This is the kind of God that we're dealing with here. 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:30.040 Here is a Christ who is in control. 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:32.240 And here is a Christ 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:34.420 who is choosing the cross. 00:13:35.420 --> 00:13:35.560 You see, 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:36.759 in the final days of his life, 00:13:36.840 --> 00:13:37.440 here is Jesus. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.620 What has he got in his mind? 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:40.779 He's got sacrifice on his mind. 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:44.000 And sacrifice means surrendering. 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:45.179 Here's the second thing it means, 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:46.519 verses 7 to 23. 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:48.860 Sacrifice means suffering. 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:52.179 Luke tells us that the day 00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:54.259 that the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:55.279 is here, 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:58.560 which means that it's now Thursday of Passion Week. 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:02.139 And Jesus wants to eagerly eat 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:03.879 the Passover meal with his disciples. 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:05.399 Notice that word eagerly there. 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.960 He's been waiting for this. 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:07.879 This is it. 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:08.639 This is the climax. 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:11.660 You'll see that Luke mentions the Passover there 00:14:11.660 --> 00:14:13.560 five times in those seven verses, 00:14:13.740 --> 00:14:14.080 I think. 00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:15.100 Five times. 00:14:15.400 --> 00:14:16.800 He wants us to see the connection 00:14:16.800 --> 00:14:18.220 between what is going on here 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:19.639 with Jesus and the Passover. 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:22.780 Again, see how Jesus is in control. 00:14:22.900 --> 00:14:24.060 I love how Luke records this. 00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:25.139 Peter and John ask where? 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:27.720 Jesus doesn't just give them the where. 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:29.160 He gives them the where, 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:29.440 the who, 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:29.720 the how, 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.139 and the what. 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:31.379 Follow with me. 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.800 They're to go into the city. 00:14:33.700 --> 00:14:35.460 They'll meet a man carrying a jar of water. 00:14:35.460 --> 00:14:37.840 They have to follow him to a furnished house. 00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:38.960 And there, 00:14:39.040 --> 00:14:41.080 they are to make preparations for the meal. 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:41.920 Verse 13, 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:45.879 it happened just as Jesus said. 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:48.580 Here is a Christ who is in control. 00:14:49.920 --> 00:14:50.820 Verse 14, 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:53.379 eating the Passover meal together. 00:14:55.160 --> 00:14:56.879 It was a meal of celebration, 00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:59.000 looking back the way 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:01.180 to the time when God delivered 00:15:01.180 --> 00:15:03.320 their forefathers from Egypt. 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:05.360 But it was also a meal 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:06.760 that looked forward, 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:09.660 that had anticipation to it, 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:10.600 looking forward to the day 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:12.360 when God would ultimately 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:14.840 win freedom for his people. 00:15:15.180 --> 00:15:16.860 And the centerpiece of this meal 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:17.560 was a lamb. 00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:20.720 As the people remembered 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:23.500 how God had spoken 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:25.820 to these people, 00:15:25.920 --> 00:15:26.560 their ancestors, 00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:28.020 who were slaves in Egypt 00:15:28.020 --> 00:15:29.200 and who had told them 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:30.020 to take a lamb 00:15:30.020 --> 00:15:30.880 and to kill it. 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:33.159 And to put its blood 00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:34.200 on the doorframe 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:34.919 of their houses 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:36.259 so that the angel of the Lord 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.240 would not kill 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:39.460 the firstborn of the family. 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:40.960 To get it in their minds 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:42.159 that they lived this. 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:44.220 That the lamb died 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:45.480 in their place. 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.899 And its blood 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:48.799 was the thing 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:49.639 that stood 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:51.539 between them and death. 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:52.980 The lamb died 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:55.179 so that they didn't have to. 00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:57.179 And God provided 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:58.039 these lambs. 00:15:58.039 --> 00:16:01.319 And so at this Passover meal, 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.740 each family's Passover lamb 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:04.079 was killed the night before 00:16:04.079 --> 00:16:05.339 and eaten at this meal 00:16:05.339 --> 00:16:05.980 as the people, 00:16:06.099 --> 00:16:06.659 the nation, 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:07.459 came together, 00:16:07.599 --> 00:16:08.120 looked back, 00:16:08.219 --> 00:16:08.759 looked forward, 00:16:09.339 --> 00:16:10.199 took this meal 00:16:10.199 --> 00:16:11.399 and declared together 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:14.899 that this is our God. 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.539 This is our God. 00:16:19.319 --> 00:16:20.299 So this meal 00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:21.599 that Jesus and his disciples 00:16:21.599 --> 00:16:22.459 are eating together, 00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:24.339 just like every other Passover meal, 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:26.480 except 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:28.840 Jesus takes 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:30.680 everything that it symbolized 00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:32.240 and he gives it 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.420 not just a new meaning, 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:34.740 but he gives it 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.980 its full meaning. 00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:39.200 Jesus takes the bread, 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:40.100 verse 19, 00:16:40.280 --> 00:16:40.840 what does he say? 00:16:40.920 --> 00:16:41.660 This represents 00:16:41.660 --> 00:16:43.379 my body 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.960 which will be broken 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:46.980 for you. 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:51.259 Jesus then takes 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:51.920 the cup, 00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:52.680 verse 20, 00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:53.159 and says, 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:54.440 this represents 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:55.420 my blood 00:16:55.420 --> 00:16:56.399 which will be poured 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:58.779 out for you. 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:02.080 Interesting to note 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:02.580 that Luke 00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:03.580 and the other 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:04.380 gospel writers, 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:05.019 as you read them, 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:05.579 record this, 00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:06.700 they mention nothing 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.740 about there being 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.599 a Passover lamb 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.160 on the table. 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.860 Nothing about there being 00:17:10.860 --> 00:17:11.559 a Passover lamb 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:12.059 on the table. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.420 Surely the connection 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:15.079 that we readers 00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:16.960 are meant to realize, 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.759 is that the focus 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.400 isn't meant to be 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:20.360 on the Passover lamb 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:21.259 on the table. 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.700 Our focus is to be 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:24.620 on the Passover lamb 00:17:24.620 --> 00:17:25.500 who is seated 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:26.400 at the table. 00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:28.860 Jesus was about 00:17:28.860 --> 00:17:29.660 to stand in 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.860 and be the real, 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:31.460 the true, 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:33.400 the promised Passover lamb 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:34.599 whose body would be broken 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:35.259 and whose blood 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:35.880 would stand 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:36.640 in the defense 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:37.860 of his people. 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:39.279 And what does Jesus say 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:40.220 at the end of verse 19? 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.319 Do this 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:43.240 in remembrance 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:44.620 of me. 00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:46.239 Do this 00:17:46.239 --> 00:17:46.959 in remembrance 00:17:46.959 --> 00:17:47.500 of me. 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.319 That word remembrance 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:49.699 is an active word. 00:17:51.159 --> 00:17:51.639 Remembering, 00:17:51.719 --> 00:17:52.619 bringing something 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:53.219 to mind. 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:53.919 So there's something 00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:54.839 about this meal 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:56.759 that as the disciples 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:58.079 take it from now on 00:17:58.079 --> 00:18:00.139 and as the church 00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:01.059 down the ages 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:02.239 has taken it together 00:18:02.239 --> 00:18:04.099 and as we 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:05.179 as a body 00:18:05.179 --> 00:18:05.799 of believers 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:06.359 this morning 00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:07.239 take communion 00:18:07.239 --> 00:18:08.599 together this morning, 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.839 something about this meal 00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:12.059 is supposed 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:12.839 to help 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:13.559 God's people 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.859 remember. 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.439 I don't know 00:18:17.439 --> 00:18:17.939 how you are 00:18:17.939 --> 00:18:19.220 at remembering things. 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:20.220 I'm terrible 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.359 at remembering things. 00:18:22.199 --> 00:18:23.259 I've got a diary, 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:25.659 I've got an app 00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:27.279 and I've got an iPhone 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:29.240 and I still forget things. 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:31.000 Still forget things. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.119 But you see, 00:18:32.179 --> 00:18:32.959 Jesus is talking 00:18:32.959 --> 00:18:33.679 about a different 00:18:33.679 --> 00:18:35.019 kind of remembering here. 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:36.639 So this meal 00:18:36.639 --> 00:18:37.019 is not 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:40.240 supposed to get them 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.660 to remember 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:41.180 that the cross 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:42.059 just happened. 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.700 It's supposed 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.720 to help us 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.180 remember 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:45.960 what the cross 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.779 means. 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.880 Looking back 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:49.359 the way 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:51.440 that the Lamb 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.559 took the hit 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:54.380 that I deserve 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:55.920 for my sin 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:57.380 so that I can 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:57.920 go free. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.099 I remember 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:00.539 going to see 00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.180 a preacher 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:01.920 called 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:03.680 Rico Tice 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.200 down in London 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:05.019 a few years ago 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:06.779 and he walked 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.680 up to the stage 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:10.160 and he said, 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.720 let me tell you 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.120 what happened 00:19:11.120 --> 00:19:11.859 to me this week 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:13.799 and he was holding 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.519 a smashed up 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.120 bike helmet 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:16.240 and everyone's 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:16.420 thinking, 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:16.880 has he lost 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:17.420 the plot here? 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.000 What's going on? 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.019 Walks onto stage 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.799 with a smashed up 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:20.359 bike helmet 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:21.900 and he puts it 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:22.420 next to him 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:23.140 and he said, 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:24.799 I was riding 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.720 my bike this week 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:27.460 at speed 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:29.019 and a bus 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.940 ever so slightly, 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.779 he was sent 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.140 to London, 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.640 a bus ever so slightly 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:33.660 knocked me off balance 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.859 and down I went 00:19:34.859 --> 00:19:36.559 and I'm sitting there 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.819 as I'm falling 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.379 in my mind 00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:39.339 thinking this is it, 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:40.579 this is it, 00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:41.099 I think at the time 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:41.639 he was just newly 00:19:41.639 --> 00:19:42.259 married as well 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.339 thinking this is it 00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:45.439 and down he went 00:19:45.439 --> 00:19:46.980 and he said, 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:47.619 I fell 00:19:47.619 --> 00:19:49.299 and the helmet 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.500 took the hit 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:52.079 so that I can 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:52.740 have life. 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.019 The helmet 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.000 took the hit 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:55.960 so that I can 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:56.439 go free. 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.019 The helmet 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:57.639 died 00:19:57.639 --> 00:19:59.119 so that I don't 00:19:59.119 --> 00:19:59.899 have to. 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:00.839 The helmet 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.720 got death, 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:03.319 I got life. 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:05.539 That's what 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.079 Jesus has done 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:06.700 on the cross. 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.639 For those of us 00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:09.480 here this morning 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:11.139 and maybe this is 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:11.879 what I was feeling 00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:13.480 as I was praying 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.179 through this passage 00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:14.619 this week, 00:20:14.679 --> 00:20:15.220 for those of us 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:15.839 here this morning 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.679 feeling weighed 00:20:16.679 --> 00:20:19.279 down and beaten 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:21.279 up by our guilt 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.599 and our sin 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:24.659 and what a wonderful 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:25.879 morning to stop 00:20:25.879 --> 00:20:26.619 as a family 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:27.240 and that is all 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:27.740 of us isn't it, 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.339 feeling weighed 00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:29.099 down by our sin 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:31.000 to stop and to 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:32.819 remember what the 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.740 lamb has done 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.339 for us and to 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:35.220 allow that to 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:35.960 sink in. 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:38.139 I've never seen 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:38.980 so much snow 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.639 in my life 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.220 as I have this 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.500 week. 00:20:41.419 --> 00:20:42.299 Never seen so 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:42.779 much snow. 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.099 When I was 00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:44.799 walking to work 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.500 on Thursday 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.879 traipsing through, 00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:47.559 love that word 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.059 traipsing, 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.879 traipsing through 00:20:48.879 --> 00:20:50.279 the snow and I 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:50.659 come to the 00:20:50.659 --> 00:20:51.220 meadows and I'm 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:51.779 walking across 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:53.019 the meadows and 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.639 I'm looking at it 00:20:53.639 --> 00:20:54.159 it's about half 00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:54.500 eight in the 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:54.679 morning, 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.480 nobody's touched 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:57.859 the meadows and 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:58.460 I look at it 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.039 pristine, 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:00.799 untouched, 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:02.700 pearly white snow 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:02.980 and do you 00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.360 know what song 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:03.720 is in my 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.019 head? 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.920 Let it snow, 00:21:06.080 --> 00:21:06.240 let it snow, 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:06.559 no it wasn't 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:06.799 that one. 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:08.799 It was Jesus 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:10.860 paid it all and 00:21:10.860 --> 00:21:11.740 all to him I 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:11.980 owe. 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:14.420 Sin had left a 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:16.460 crimson stain but 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.640 he washed it white 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:18.080 as snow. 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.420 This is the 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:21.240 gospel, the meal 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:22.220 that helps us 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:23.799 communion, look 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:25.700 back the way and 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.319 the meal that 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.200 helps us look 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:28.400 forward to the 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.080 day when the 00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:30.140 slain lamb 00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:31.160 returns and he 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:31.860 will return as a 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.879 victorious king 00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:33.579 and we will 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.219 eat this meal 00:21:34.219 --> 00:21:34.939 together with 00:21:34.939 --> 00:21:36.019 him in his 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.319 kingdom. 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.659 So we come 00:21:37.659 --> 00:21:38.359 together this 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.079 morning as one 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:39.819 family and we 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:42.259 declare that this 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.039 is our God, 00:21:43.679 --> 00:21:45.299 this is our God, 00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:46.599 this is what he's 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:47.399 done for us, 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.559 this is the 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.419 gospel and this 00:21:49.419 --> 00:21:51.199 truly is good 00:21:51.199 --> 00:21:52.379 news. 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.619 And from that 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:57.919 high, Jesus 00:21:57.919 --> 00:21:58.959 proceeds to drop 00:21:58.959 --> 00:21:59.759 the bombshell at 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.439 verse 21. 00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:02.579 that one of 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:04.899 them at this 00:22:04.899 --> 00:22:08.099 table will 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:08.839 betray him. 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.539 So Jesus has 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:13.259 done all this in 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:15.119 serving and 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:15.899 remember who else 00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:16.519 is at the table. 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:17.319 Judas is at the 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.819 table here. 00:22:17.919 --> 00:22:18.399 What must be 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:18.959 going through his 00:22:18.959 --> 00:22:19.519 mind here? 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:22.579 You can imagine, 00:22:22.659 --> 00:22:23.019 can't you, the 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:23.879 disciples looking at 00:22:23.879 --> 00:22:24.459 each other at this 00:22:24.459 --> 00:22:25.359 point, giving each 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:26.500 other ugly, squinting 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.159 their eyes at each 00:22:27.159 --> 00:22:27.859 other, trying not to 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:28.639 swallow in case that 00:22:28.639 --> 00:22:29.159 makes them look 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:29.480 guilty. 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:31.160 Which one of 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:31.779 them would do 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:33.080 such a thing to 00:22:33.080 --> 00:22:33.420 Jesus? 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.220 Which one of 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.620 them would have 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:36.440 the audacity to 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:37.120 do this, having 00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:38.600 seen him all these 00:22:38.600 --> 00:22:39.460 couple of years do 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.200 all these wonderful 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:40.860 things? 00:22:41.800 --> 00:22:42.720 Of course, it's not 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:44.160 news to Jesus, is 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:44.300 it? 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.500 Here is a Christ who 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:48.259 is in control and 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:49.420 here is a Christ who 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:50.279 is choosing the 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:50.759 cross. 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:52.580 In the final days of 00:22:52.580 --> 00:22:53.700 his life, Jesus has 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:55.680 got sacrifice on his 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:56.060 mind. 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:57.399 sacrifice will mean 00:22:57.399 --> 00:22:58.879 suffering, sacrifice 00:22:58.879 --> 00:23:03.639 will mean surrendering, 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:04.799 sacrifice will mean 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.659 suffering, and 00:23:05.659 --> 00:23:06.980 thirdly, verses 24 to 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.240 39, sacrifice will 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:08.799 mean serving. 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:11.240 It's not difficult to 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:11.899 imagine, is it, how 00:23:11.899 --> 00:23:13.240 the disciples get from 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:13.940 talking about how 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:15.240 great their faith is. 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.059 Do you see it? 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:17.139 Who is the greatest 00:23:17.139 --> 00:23:17.619 there? 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:19.119 How it would never be 00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:20.159 them who would betray 00:23:20.159 --> 00:23:21.220 Jesus, to talking about 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.299 verse 24, which to 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:22.960 them is the greatest. 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.339 And Jesus, he hears 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.419 this bickering going 00:23:26.419 --> 00:23:27.679 on and he breaks in 00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:28.639 with a timely word 00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:29.500 about the life and 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.359 the soul of his 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:30.759 kingdom. 00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:32.799 He says to his 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.679 disciples that you're 00:23:33.679 --> 00:23:35.759 thinking, you're 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.839 thinking how the world 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.399 thinks. 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:39.399 You're thinking about 00:23:39.399 --> 00:23:40.939 position, you're 00:23:40.939 --> 00:23:41.980 thinking about promotion, 00:23:42.199 --> 00:23:42.959 you're thinking about 00:23:42.959 --> 00:23:44.000 how others can serve 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.459 you. 00:23:45.659 --> 00:23:46.699 But if you want to 00:23:46.699 --> 00:23:47.579 follow me, do you 00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:48.059 see at the end of 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:50.419 verse 27, you need to 00:23:50.419 --> 00:23:51.720 start thinking service. 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:54.579 You see, here is 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.680 Jesus saying that his 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:57.839 people are to be 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:59.200 marked by a radical 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:00.100 other people 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:01.079 centeredness. 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:03.240 That their lives are 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.779 to be about not being 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:06.539 served, but serving. 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.680 I was so encouraged 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.480 this week to read the 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:11.700 reports of people, 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:13.039 Christians, out on the 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.920 streets helping this 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.160 week. 00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:16.519 Bethany, food banks, 00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:18.079 care vans, you name it, 00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:19.319 the rest of it, helping. 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:20.559 It's wonderful to see. 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.599 An example of how 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.939 Jesus has been serving 00:24:23.939 --> 00:24:25.779 these disciples. 00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:26.839 Do you see how Jesus 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.639 has been spending 00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:28.759 himself praying for 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.019 Peter? 00:24:30.299 --> 00:24:31.819 We read often in Luke 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.659 how Jesus would 00:24:32.659 --> 00:24:33.819 retreat to quiet 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:35.279 places to spend time 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:35.759 praying. 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.039 And amazingly, 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.659 amongst other things, 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:40.740 he's been praying for 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.079 Peter. 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.599 Peter's probably even 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:44.839 seen him do it. 00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:47.319 What a wonderful thing 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:48.519 for Peter to know that 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.819 Jesus is a saviour who 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:51.000 is spending himself 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:52.059 praying for him. 00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:54.480 Of course, Jesus is 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.539 doing exactly the same 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.500 thing now for us. 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.859 Except he's not doing 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.660 it on earth, he's doing 00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:01.619 it at the right hand of 00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.779 the Father in heaven, 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:04.059 interceding for his 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:05.240 people, praying for his 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.460 sheep. 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.480 This is the kind of 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.359 saviour that we have. 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:09.940 What do we sing? 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.940 Before the throne of 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.940 God above, I have a 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:13.019 strong, a perfect 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.379 pre, a great high 00:25:14.379 --> 00:25:15.420 priest whose name is 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:17.220 love, who ever lives 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.380 and pleads for me. 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.360 What a wonderful 00:25:19.360 --> 00:25:20.240 truth for some of us 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.299 to comprehend, all of 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.220 us to comprehend this 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.539 morning. 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.339 You know, it was 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:25.059 Scottish minister 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:26.100 Robert Murray McShane 00:25:26.100 --> 00:25:26.860 who used to say, 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:28.140 if I could hear Christ 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:29.160 praying for me in the 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:30.720 next room, I would 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:31.700 fear not a million 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.279 enemies. 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.579 Yet distance makes no 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.120 difference. 00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:37.039 Christ is praying for 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.339 me. 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.660 But what has Jesus 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.319 been praying for 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:41.640 Peter? 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.360 Verse 31. 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:44.559 that his faith would 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:45.159 not fail. 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:48.179 And not only does 00:25:48.179 --> 00:25:49.559 Jesus know that Peter 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:52.240 will fail, but he's 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.199 even talking about the 00:25:53.199 --> 00:25:54.479 love and the welcoming 00:25:54.479 --> 00:25:55.379 grace that he will 00:25:55.379 --> 00:25:57.339 show Peter when Peter 00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:58.359 comes back to Jesus. 00:26:00.219 --> 00:26:01.259 Peter understandably 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:02.079 responds that he would 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:03.119 never do such a thing, 00:26:03.199 --> 00:26:04.059 but Jesus knows. 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:07.339 Here is a Christ who is 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:08.139 in control. 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:09.419 Before the cock crows 00:26:09.419 --> 00:26:10.559 three times, three times 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.219 you will deny knowing 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:11.680 me, Peter. 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.460 Love it. 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:15.319 Peter's song in these 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:16.519 verses here must have 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.960 been, how great is my 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.660 faith. 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:20.960 Give it a few days 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:21.160 later. 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:21.900 He will not be singing 00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:22.240 that. 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.279 Give it a few days after 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:26.140 that, when he comes back 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:26.960 to Jesus, he will be 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:28.000 singing, how great is my 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.299 God. 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:30.240 How great is my God. 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:31.880 Is it not a wonderful 00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:32.920 thought, friends, that 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:34.039 Jesus is not like a 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:34.920 baseball umpire? 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:37.140 This is not strike one, 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:39.240 strike two, strike three, 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:39.960 and you're out of here. 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:41.340 Praise God that that's 00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:41.640 true. 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.620 None of us would stand, 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.519 even for a week, would 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:44.680 we? 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:47.279 He is not like a baseball 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.880 umpire, but Jesus, 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:51.279 failures like Peter and 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.640 failures like me, when we 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:53.960 come to him and fall at his 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:55.340 feet, confessing our sin, 00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:57.019 we are met with abundant 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:59.200 forgiveness, with mountains 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:01.360 of mercy, and with the 00:27:01.360 --> 00:27:02.920 depths of the storehouses of 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:03.799 grace and restoration. 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.079 This is the kind of Jesus 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:05.799 that we're dealing with 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.059 here. 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:09.079 And if life following 00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:10.399 Jesus has been rosy up to 00:27:10.399 --> 00:27:11.339 now for the disciples, 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.919 because of their 00:27:12.919 --> 00:27:14.339 association with Jesus, 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.240 they've been met with 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.639 people's affection, they've 00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:17.799 been met with people's 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:19.700 attention, well now Jesus 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:21.159 is symbolically telling them 00:27:21.159 --> 00:27:23.359 that life following him is 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.639 about to get really hard. 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.960 The way of the master is 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.839 going to be the way of the 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:30.539 servant, that Jesus is about 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:32.679 to suffer, and it means that 00:27:32.679 --> 00:27:33.960 they can expect to suffer 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:34.340 too. 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:38.059 But what a comfort to know. 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:39.759 Luke wants us to know that 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:41.100 here is a Christ who is in 00:27:41.100 --> 00:27:43.299 control, and here is a 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:44.559 Christ who is choosing the 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:46.759 cross, and in the final few 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:48.059 days of his life, Jesus has 00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:49.819 got sacrifice on his mind. 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:52.559 You know, just as we close 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.559 this morning, I remember my 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:56.240 gran used to take me and my 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:57.660 brother on walks to Victoria 00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:58.640 Park in Glasgow. 00:27:59.400 --> 00:28:00.539 She used to take us there as we 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:02.019 went fishing for minnows, a 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.600 dying art. 00:28:02.599 --> 00:28:05.199 But as we would walk across 00:28:05.199 --> 00:28:06.399 the fields going there, now 00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:07.619 and again she would stop and 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.599 she'd pick up a daisy. 00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.879 And after putting it under a 00:28:10.879 --> 00:28:11.959 chin to see if we like butter 00:28:11.959 --> 00:28:14.719 or not, she proceeded to pick 00:28:14.719 --> 00:28:15.379 off its petals. 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:18.319 Maybe you did this when you 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:19.019 were a child, I don't know. 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.619 He loves me. 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.199 He loves me not. 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.659 He loves me. 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.059 He loves me not. 00:28:24.459 --> 00:28:25.079 He loves me. 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.579 He loves me not. 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:30.019 Friends, in the final few days 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.339 of his life here, as we see 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:33.900 Jesus choosing the cross with 00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:35.440 one thing in his mind, one 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.799 thing on his bucket list. 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:40.240 Choosing the cross, intent on 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.839 going there to die for our sin, 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:42.859 to deal with our biggest 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:43.440 problem. 00:28:44.619 --> 00:28:45.859 That should leave us in no 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:48.019 doubt at all that Jesus loves 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.460 us. 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.980 Let me finish with these words 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:53.519 from 1 John chapter 4. 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:55.099 This is how God showed his love 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:55.700 among us. 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:58.420 He sent his one and only son 00:28:58.420 --> 00:28:59.940 into the world that we might 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:01.639 live through him. 00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:04.180 This is love. 00:29:05.139 --> 00:29:08.680 Not that we loved God, but that 00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:13.660 he loved us and sent his son as 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:17.240 an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.400 This is our God. 00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:20.579 Let's pray together. 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:27.259 And maybe just in the quietness 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.819 of your own heart this morning, 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:30.200 maybe as God's word has been 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:32.920 doing its work in your life this 00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:34.359 morning, especially when it comes 00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:37.019 to forgiveness and coming back 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:40.480 to Jesus and experiencing and 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:41.240 knowing his grace. 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:42.619 And maybe now is the time to offer 00:29:42.619 --> 00:29:43.400 your prayer to him. 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:49.680 And so, Father God, we thank you 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:50.619 so much for this morning. 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:53.500 And we pray that you would help 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:55.619 us all to have a fresh appreciation 00:29:56.399 --> 00:30:00.979 and a fresh affection for your son, 00:30:01.099 --> 00:30:01.339 Jesus. 00:30:02.399 --> 00:30:03.879 Thank you so much for your word, 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:05.419 Father God, that has spoken to us 00:30:05.419 --> 00:30:05.899 this morning. 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:08.000 And thank you this morning that we 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:09.339 have the opportunity to take 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:10.099 communion together. 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:12.159 And so, Lord, would it come with a 00:30:12.159 --> 00:30:13.739 real freshness this morning, we ask. 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:16.439 Thank you that you are our great God. 00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:18.559 And we pray all these things in 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.919 Jesus' wonderful name. 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:20.879 Amen.