WEBVTT 00:00:00.720 --> 00:00:06.379 Well, good morning everyone. As some of you will be aware, I've been away on long service 00:00:06.379 --> 00:00:15.000 leave and this is the first time I've preached since June. That could be dangerous. But to 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:21.160 come back in, in this series and to preach in this series at the most crucial point of 00:00:21.160 --> 00:00:29.980 it, I consider to be a great joy and privilege. I was listening to Dennis earlier, I was listening 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:36.939 earlier, coming to Christ in his 20s. I was 23 when I discovered the answer to the crucial 00:00:36.939 --> 00:00:43.120 question that we are looking at today. When I looked at this text, there's multiple different 00:00:43.120 --> 00:00:48.400 angles that you could take on it. I considered maybe doing a sermon on political power, given 00:00:48.400 --> 00:00:54.120 that we were at elections yesterday and I've considered a whole range of different things. 00:00:54.120 --> 00:00:59.780 But the crucial question of this passage is why did Jesus of Nazareth have to die? 00:00:59.979 --> 00:01:07.640 Why did he have to die? And I was 23 when I discovered the answer to that question for the first 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:16.099 time. I had grown up attending churches like potentially you. I had read the Bible, in fact, 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:23.560 a number of times up to the age of 23. I knew a bunch of Christian practices and rituals. 00:01:23.560 --> 00:01:35.900 I knew many Christian truths. And I knew that Jesus was central to everything. But my overall 00:01:35.900 --> 00:01:50.900 impression was that if I served Jesus, then Jesus would serve me. If I approved of him, he 00:01:50.900 --> 00:02:00.160 would approve of me. If I said sorry to him, then he would forgive me. And if I kept saying sorry to 00:02:00.160 --> 00:02:08.099 him and providing at the point of my death, I'd said sorry more than I'd had sins, then I would be okay. 00:02:08.099 --> 00:02:25.599 I was 23, sitting in a scenario not unlike this, and I discovered for the first time in my life, 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:36.139 it was actually about him and not about me. It was all about what he had done and not what I was trying 00:02:36.139 --> 00:02:44.459 to do. So what we're looking at over the next three Sundays is what is central to the Christian faith. 00:02:45.959 --> 00:02:53.079 And I make no assumptions whatsoever, at all. You could have walked into this building for the first time, 00:02:53.419 --> 00:02:59.619 or you could have been sitting in a building like this all of your life, and you still may not get it. 00:02:59.620 --> 00:03:11.020 Why did Jesus have to die? That's the crucial question. Lord Tennyson, the 19th century English 00:03:11.020 --> 00:03:20.060 poet, described Jesus' life as more beautiful than the greatest of his miracles. Very few people in 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:27.340 history have ever dared to question the outstanding nature of the character of Jesus of Nazareth. 00:03:27.340 --> 00:03:34.980 And on top of an exemplary life, his teaching gave rise to the values of Western civilization and have 00:03:34.980 --> 00:03:44.680 impacted virtually every culture across the globe for over 2,000 years. Transforming lives and cultures. 00:03:45.259 --> 00:03:49.199 Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Love your neighbor as yourself. 00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:58.959 Love your neighbor as yourself. His influence is without doubt greater than any other human being that has ever lived. 00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:12.379 So why did Jesus of Nazareth end his life on a Roman cross like a hardened criminal? 00:04:14.280 --> 00:04:24.160 It makes no sense. And it's the answer to that question that drives us to the very heart of the Christian faith, 00:04:24.160 --> 00:04:32.760 the heart of this church, and why we declare that we treasure Jesus above all else. 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:38.200 So I've got three points on this sermon on the St. Paul's app. 00:04:38.300 --> 00:04:41.140 The wickedness of humanity, the will of God, and the willingness of Jesus. 00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:43.320 That's the trajectory for us today. 00:04:44.180 --> 00:04:47.600 These words in front of us are the account of the Apostle John, 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:51.060 one of Jesus' closest followers. 00:04:51.980 --> 00:04:55.680 They are an eyewitness account of his trial and his death. 00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:58.800 One of the noticeable differences with John's gospel, 00:04:59.180 --> 00:05:01.120 Passion of the Christ, 00:05:01.840 --> 00:05:05.379 noticeable in his, compared to Matthew, Mark and Luke, 00:05:05.939 --> 00:05:08.180 is how much time 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:11.340 John gives to the recording, 00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:13.840 the actual trial of Jesus. 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:19.979 And scholars say the difference with John and the others 00:05:19.979 --> 00:05:24.239 is that John wants to put an awful lot of focus 00:05:24.239 --> 00:05:28.419 in implicating all of humanity 00:05:28.419 --> 00:05:31.639 in the crucifixion of Jesus. 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:38.459 First half of chapter 18, 00:05:38.799 --> 00:05:41.419 Judas betrays Jesus out of greed. 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:44.480 In the middle of chapter 18, 00:05:44.580 --> 00:05:47.020 the disciples desert him out of cowardice 00:05:47.020 --> 00:05:48.840 and disillusionment. 00:05:50.540 --> 00:05:51.759 Chapter 19, 00:05:51.900 --> 00:05:54.580 the religious authorities murder him out of envy. 00:05:55.780 --> 00:05:57.920 The soldiers torture and mock him 00:05:57.920 --> 00:06:01.020 out of heartless ignorance. 00:06:02.280 --> 00:06:04.200 And Pilate washes his hands of him 00:06:04.200 --> 00:06:06.620 in order to please his constituents. 00:06:06.620 --> 00:06:09.420 Greed, 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:10.680 envy, 00:06:11.399 --> 00:06:12.220 cowardice, 00:06:13.780 --> 00:06:16.259 people-pleasing, 00:06:17.699 --> 00:06:19.800 holding Jesus at arm's length. 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:24.379 Everyone here is implicated in his death 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:26.879 despite the fact that his innocence 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:28.759 is without doubt. 00:06:29.480 --> 00:06:30.379 Three times, 00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:32.740 which if you know biblical language, 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:34.079 three times is a word, 00:06:34.220 --> 00:06:34.899 is an emphasis. 00:06:34.899 --> 00:06:37.679 Three times, 00:06:37.819 --> 00:06:39.839 Pilate insists that Jesus is innocent. 00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:41.239 1838, 00:06:41.359 --> 00:06:44.019 I find no basis for a charge against him. 00:06:44.099 --> 00:06:44.719 1904, 00:06:44.799 --> 00:06:47.299 I find no basis for a charge against him. 00:06:47.959 --> 00:06:48.759 1906, 00:06:49.239 --> 00:06:53.079 I find no basis for a charge against him. 00:06:54.239 --> 00:06:56.919 The innocence of Jesus is beyond doubt. 00:06:56.920 --> 00:06:57.920 1906, 00:06:57.920 --> 00:07:01.060 but also through this account, 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:03.000 as we've seen through the rest of John, 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:06.280 the status of Jesus is well attested. 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:09.800 From the very first chapter of this gospel, 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:13.160 he's been declared as the creator God 00:07:13.160 --> 00:07:15.319 entering this world to fix it. 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:19.040 He's healed the sick. 00:07:19.139 --> 00:07:20.579 He's turned water into wine. 00:07:20.659 --> 00:07:21.560 He's raised the dead. 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:22.439 He's fed the hungry. 00:07:22.540 --> 00:07:23.459 He's walked on water. 00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:25.620 At every point, 00:07:26.659 --> 00:07:29.319 his words are not mumbled at all. 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:31.759 He declares himself equal with God. 00:07:32.759 --> 00:07:34.800 He says that he and the father are one 00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:37.840 and that anyone who has seen him 00:07:37.840 --> 00:07:40.139 has seen God himself. 00:07:41.340 --> 00:07:42.699 He declares that he is the way, 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:43.800 the truth and the life. 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:46.000 And despite the evidence of his life 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:47.259 and his works, 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:50.400 everyone joins together 00:07:50.400 --> 00:07:52.580 to rid the earth of him. 00:07:54.180 --> 00:07:54.780 For instance, 00:07:54.900 --> 00:07:55.740 the religious elite 00:07:55.740 --> 00:07:57.780 do what the religious establishment 00:07:57.780 --> 00:08:00.019 over the world always do. 00:08:00.139 --> 00:08:02.019 And that is they maintain the status quo. 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:04.019 They're interested in their power 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:04.899 and their influence. 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:07.439 Their hypocrisy is revealed 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:08.779 as they cry out, 00:08:08.919 --> 00:08:10.180 we have no king. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:11.500 We have no lord. 00:08:11.599 --> 00:08:12.620 We have no master, 00:08:12.899 --> 00:08:14.139 but Caesar himself. 00:08:14.299 --> 00:08:15.439 They hated Caesar. 00:08:19.219 --> 00:08:20.560 They are jealous 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:22.579 that more and more people 00:08:22.579 --> 00:08:24.319 are turning their allegiance to Jesus. 00:08:25.019 --> 00:08:26.759 And so they wanted him dead. 00:08:29.159 --> 00:08:31.039 They are told quite clearly by Pilate 00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:31.779 that he's innocent. 00:08:31.779 --> 00:08:35.379 Pilate offers us to release him 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:36.360 in verse 29, 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:37.419 verse 39, 00:08:38.179 --> 00:08:39.659 and they demand instead 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:41.759 the release of a convicted criminal. 00:08:43.579 --> 00:08:44.139 Barabbas, 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:46.399 much more than some translations say 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:47.199 he was a robber. 00:08:47.539 --> 00:08:50.419 He was much more than a robber. 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:51.980 He's guilty of insurrection. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:54.839 He has led an uprising 00:08:54.839 --> 00:08:57.299 against the Roman Empire. 00:08:57.299 --> 00:08:59.439 He wanted to be king himself 00:08:59.439 --> 00:09:02.319 and he's got blood on his hands. 00:09:02.439 --> 00:09:04.259 He committed murder in the process. 00:09:06.759 --> 00:09:08.899 The soldiers here treat Jesus 00:09:08.899 --> 00:09:11.099 as a comic figure to be ridiculed, 00:09:11.219 --> 00:09:12.719 nothing more than a swear word 00:09:12.719 --> 00:09:15.839 when things don't go white. 00:09:17.199 --> 00:09:18.779 Pilate does what politicians 00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:20.039 the world overdo. 00:09:20.579 --> 00:09:22.339 He knew Jesus was innocent 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:23.879 and at the end of the day 00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:25.460 his reputation was more 00:09:25.460 --> 00:09:25.980 that was things 00:09:25.980 --> 00:09:27.139 that was on the line for him. 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:27.980 That's the thing 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:28.920 that he cared about. 00:09:29.220 --> 00:09:31.720 When expedience demanded otherwise, 00:09:32.160 --> 00:09:33.399 he caved in. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:35.259 He abandoned principle 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:36.200 for popularity. 00:09:38.480 --> 00:09:39.660 He's a people pleaser. 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:43.759 He knew what truth is 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:46.759 but showed he hated truth 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:47.940 and sided with a false head 00:09:47.940 --> 00:09:50.720 because truth was going to cost him too much. 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:56.080 John is trying to help us see here 00:09:56.080 --> 00:10:02.080 if we were there, 00:10:02.900 --> 00:10:06.060 we would have joined in too. 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:11.120 That's what John wants us to see. 00:10:13.620 --> 00:10:16.680 You and I are as guilty as they. 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:22.280 And the dark secret 00:10:22.280 --> 00:10:25.660 that is being pointed to here 00:10:25.660 --> 00:10:31.040 is that it was the wickedness of humanity 00:10:31.040 --> 00:10:33.120 that resulted in the death of Jesus. 00:10:35.820 --> 00:10:38.620 There is something in every one of us 00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:41.780 that is unable to side with truth 00:10:41.780 --> 00:10:42.700 and righteousness 00:10:42.700 --> 00:10:45.560 at the crucial moments in life. 00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:48.539 You see, the death of Jesus 00:10:48.539 --> 00:10:52.459 reveals the deepest, darkest secrets of us all. 00:10:54.219 --> 00:10:56.599 John mentioned it really clearly 00:10:56.599 --> 00:10:58.579 back in chapter 3, verse 19. 00:10:59.359 --> 00:11:00.819 This is the verdict, 00:11:00.979 --> 00:11:01.959 talking about Jesus. 00:11:02.959 --> 00:11:05.159 Light has come into the world 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:20.500 of all the world 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:20.939 of all the world views 00:11:20.939 --> 00:11:22.600 that exist in our world. 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:24.139 The Christian faith presents 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:26.899 the most negative of the human condition. 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:30.220 The most negative. 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:33.899 Another part of the New Testament 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:34.899 puts it like this. 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:36.659 Ephesians chapter 2. 00:11:37.059 --> 00:11:37.819 As for you, 00:11:37.939 --> 00:11:38.759 you were dead 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:41.059 in your transgressions and sins 00:11:41.059 --> 00:11:42.480 in which you used to live 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:44.179 when you followed the ways of this world 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:46.519 and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:47.959 the spirit who is now at work 00:11:47.959 --> 00:11:49.299 in those who are disobedient, 00:11:49.559 --> 00:11:51.500 all of us who lived among them 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:52.659 at one time, 00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:55.519 gratifying the cravings of our flesh 00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:58.120 and following its desires and thoughts. 00:11:59.179 --> 00:12:00.379 That's the human condition. 00:12:00.779 --> 00:12:01.759 Spiritually dead. 00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:03.500 Not dying, not crippled. 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:04.240 Dead. 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:06.139 Unable to do anything 00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:07.919 to help ourselves. 00:12:09.339 --> 00:12:10.339 And it's universal. 00:12:10.719 --> 00:12:12.159 All, it says there. 00:12:13.959 --> 00:12:15.779 He's not describing here 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:18.459 some decadent, depraved segment 00:12:18.459 --> 00:12:19.959 of society, 00:12:19.960 --> 00:12:22.139 but all of humanity 00:12:22.139 --> 00:12:23.320 from top to bottom. 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:27.280 All, spiritually dead 00:12:27.280 --> 00:12:28.940 apart from Jesus. 00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:31.379 What does it mean 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:33.720 to be dead in transgressions and sins? 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:35.960 Well, I would suggest here 00:12:35.960 --> 00:12:36.820 from Ephesians 2, 00:12:36.920 --> 00:12:38.000 it means to be enslaved. 00:12:38.460 --> 00:12:39.780 Notice the word followed there 00:12:39.780 --> 00:12:41.080 in verse 2 and verse 3. 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:45.940 The word means mastered 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:49.800 to be controlled by something. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:53.340 The reason we are dead 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:55.420 in transgressions and sins 00:12:55.420 --> 00:12:58.440 is that we are as helpless 00:12:58.440 --> 00:13:01.840 as a dead body. 00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:05.280 Completely controlled. 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:07.360 Completely mastered. 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:09.360 Unable to move. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:12.580 Unable to act on our own. 00:13:14.180 --> 00:13:15.019 The key idea, 00:13:15.160 --> 00:13:16.100 it's there in verse 3, 00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:17.460 gratifying the cravings 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:18.139 of our flesh 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:19.960 and following its desires 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:20.720 and thoughts. 00:13:20.800 --> 00:13:21.820 The term our flesh 00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:23.420 in verse 3 00:13:23.420 --> 00:13:25.980 is literally referring to 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:29.240 not bones and skin and stuff, 00:13:29.400 --> 00:13:31.840 but it's referring to 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:35.160 self-centered human nature. 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:38.919 That's the thing that drives us. 00:13:38.919 --> 00:13:40.639 That's the thing that masters us 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.679 and controls us. 00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:43.500 According to the Bible, 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:45.620 the reason we are dead 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:47.259 in transgressions and sins, 00:13:47.339 --> 00:13:49.699 the reason we are slaves to sin, 00:13:49.959 --> 00:13:52.240 the reason we are bound by sin, 00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:54.259 is because the human heart 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:56.639 is profoundly centered upon itself 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:59.699 and not its creator. 00:14:00.699 --> 00:14:02.519 The 16th century church reformer 00:14:02.519 --> 00:14:03.740 and theologian Martin Luther 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:05.539 put the condition of the heart 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.639 quite succinctly. 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:08.159 He described it 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:11.080 as curved in on itself. 00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:16.259 Luther said that our nature 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:18.580 is so deeply curved in on itself 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:20.279 that it wickedly, 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:21.460 curvedly, 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:23.139 and viciously 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.500 seeks to use 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:25.540 all things 00:14:25.540 --> 00:14:26.660 and all people, 00:14:26.800 --> 00:14:28.240 even God himself, 00:14:29.780 --> 00:14:31.440 for its own sake. 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:34.940 Now it's pretty obvious 00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:37.660 when you listen to that statement 00:14:37.660 --> 00:14:38.900 from Luther 00:14:38.900 --> 00:14:41.040 that self-centeredness 00:14:41.040 --> 00:14:42.940 can make you into a cruel person. 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:45.940 It's not hard to identify 00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:46.600 the dictators, 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.820 the tyrants in history. 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:51.520 They want to get things done their way 00:14:51.520 --> 00:14:53.020 and they'll do whatever it takes, 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:55.220 even immoral things, 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.720 in order to make sure 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:58.560 that they consistently stay on top. 00:14:59.520 --> 00:15:01.840 What is less obvious for us 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:03.100 is that self-centeredness 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:05.180 also makes us, 00:15:05.400 --> 00:15:06.500 for the majority of us, 00:15:07.020 --> 00:15:07.960 moral people. 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:12.460 If everything is about 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:14.260 my need to feel good about myself, 00:15:14.380 --> 00:15:15.220 there's no better way 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.180 to feel good about yourself 00:15:16.180 --> 00:15:17.200 than to be a good person. 00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:20.060 Self-centeredness 00:15:20.060 --> 00:15:21.580 drives most people 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.240 into being good, 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:23.740 trying hard to serve the needy, 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:25.900 being a good child 00:15:25.900 --> 00:15:26.600 to a parent 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:27.860 or a good parent 00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:28.440 to children, 00:15:29.060 --> 00:15:30.020 a good friend 00:15:30.020 --> 00:15:31.000 that is always there 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.600 to assist 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:33.120 whenever I'm needed. 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:35.360 What lies beneath 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.020 all of that 00:15:36.020 --> 00:15:37.600 is a self-centeredness 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:39.280 where the driving motive 00:15:39.280 --> 00:15:40.060 of the heart 00:15:40.060 --> 00:15:41.580 is I am trying 00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:42.900 to make myself 00:15:42.900 --> 00:15:43.860 feel good. 00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:48.960 I want to receive 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.680 the applause 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:50.320 of others 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:51.400 or I want to fill 00:15:51.400 --> 00:15:52.720 this aching void 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:54.440 in my heart. 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.280 But here's the other one 00:15:59.280 --> 00:15:59.800 for us. 00:16:00.800 --> 00:16:01.640 Self-centeredness 00:16:01.640 --> 00:16:03.560 could also make you 00:16:03.560 --> 00:16:05.120 quite a religious person. 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:07.620 We can devote ourselves 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.620 to obeying God 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.700 and turning up to church, 00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:10.399 reading the Bible, 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:10.820 praying, 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:11.580 giving and doing 00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:12.480 the sort of things 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.720 that we are doing 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.620 right now. 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:18.899 Did you see the irony 00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:20.019 and the hypocrisy 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:20.620 at the beginning 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.700 of what was just read out 00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:22.360 to us by Aidan? 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:24.720 Chapter 18, 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:25.740 verse 28, 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:27.340 the religious leaders 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:29.220 won't go into the palace, 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:30.500 a Gentile palace. 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:33.419 They wanted to hand 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:34.980 Jesus over 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:36.159 to the Gentiles 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:36.879 so that they could 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:38.039 rush off to church. 00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:40.919 You kill him, 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:43.100 we've got some 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.240 ceremonies to do, 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:44.779 we've got some 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:45.879 religion to practice. 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:52.080 Their lives are about 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:52.879 rules in order 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.779 to please God, 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.919 all good and right 00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:55.620 things to do. 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:57.360 Religion is about 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:59.139 doing good things 00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:01.240 and expecting God 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:02.100 to come through 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:02.779 for you 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:04.019 in the way 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:05.059 you want him to. 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:07.079 Religion puts you 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:07.639 at the centre 00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:08.379 and leaves God 00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:09.220 to one side. 00:17:10.639 --> 00:17:11.619 It's so ironic 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:14.180 that so many people 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:16.599 even get into 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:17.940 the Christian faith 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:19.859 in order to have 00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:21.160 God serve them 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:22.660 rather than 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.980 for them to serve God. 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:25.539 How do you know? 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:27.500 When things don't 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.039 work out, 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.500 before them too, 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:33.639 you draw back 00:17:33.639 --> 00:17:34.200 from God. 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:39.259 And yet Christianity 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:41.359 is the only 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:42.119 world religion 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:43.019 that has 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.839 as a central 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:44.539 belief, 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.819 we don't do 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:48.420 anything for salvation, 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.359 he's done it all 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.059 for us. 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:53.299 And self-centeredness 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:54.180 clicks to every 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:55.139 aspect of your 00:17:55.139 --> 00:17:55.659 life. 00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:55.759 life. 00:17:57.300 --> 00:17:58.060 And if you see 00:17:58.060 --> 00:17:58.960 any of it in your 00:17:58.960 --> 00:17:59.380 heart, 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.279 it's a revelation 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:01.100 of just deeply 00:18:01.100 --> 00:18:01.680 how wicked 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.560 the human heart 00:18:02.560 --> 00:18:03.080 is. 00:18:04.100 --> 00:18:04.720 C.S. Lewis, 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:05.240 the Oxford 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:06.060 professor and author, 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:06.420 wrote, 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:07.840 there is nothing 00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:09.400 more enslaving 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:10.279 and miserable 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.820 than self-centeredness. 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:14.180 He wrote that 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:15.040 it is hell 00:18:15.040 --> 00:18:16.360 which has begun 00:18:16.360 --> 00:18:17.279 in us 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:18.620 that will 00:18:18.620 --> 00:18:19.140 ultimately 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:19.740 take us 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.320 to hell. 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:23.759 So why did 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.399 Jesus have 00:18:24.399 --> 00:18:24.939 to die? 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:27.059 Because of the 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:27.720 wickedness of 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.240 humanity. 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:30.039 And we need to 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:30.720 see ourselves 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.700 in this narrative. 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:37.900 But secondly, 00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:39.559 Jesus also 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.319 died because of 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:40.740 the will 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.380 and the purpose 00:18:41.380 --> 00:18:41.920 of God. 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:43.080 The narrative 00:18:43.080 --> 00:18:43.680 of John's 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.519 gospel is 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:45.100 that Jesus 00:18:45.100 --> 00:18:46.000 suffered as 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.759 God's royal 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.819 king and 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.240 that it was 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:49.100 God's intention 00:18:49.100 --> 00:18:49.720 for Jesus 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.340 to die 00:18:50.340 --> 00:18:51.160 on the cross. 00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:52.680 That is, 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.380 the crucifixion 00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:53.880 of Jesus 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:55.000 is not a 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:56.640 travesty 00:18:56.640 --> 00:18:57.380 of justice 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:58.400 or he was 00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:58.759 in the wrong 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.259 place at the 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:00.120 wrong time. 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:00.759 It was no 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:01.519 mere accident 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:02.039 of human 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:02.519 history. 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.419 It was the 00:19:03.419 --> 00:19:04.599 climactic hour. 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:05.479 It was the 00:19:05.479 --> 00:19:06.579 crowning purpose, 00:19:06.959 --> 00:19:07.779 the moment 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.739 of Jesus' 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.619 glory and 00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:10.059 of God's 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:10.419 glory. 00:19:10.979 --> 00:19:11.479 That's what 00:19:11.479 --> 00:19:11.979 it was. 00:19:12.959 --> 00:19:13.519 In John 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:13.879 12, 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.599 he speaks 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:14.939 of the 00:19:14.939 --> 00:19:15.459 hour of 00:19:15.459 --> 00:19:16.119 his death 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:16.759 and he 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.419 indicates 00:19:17.419 --> 00:19:17.759 that he 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.079 will be 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:18.739 lifted up 00:19:18.739 --> 00:19:19.019 on a 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.379 cross 00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:20.179 for which 00:19:20.179 --> 00:19:20.659 he says 00:19:20.659 --> 00:19:20.919 will be 00:19:20.919 --> 00:19:21.419 the hour 00:19:21.419 --> 00:19:21.739 of my 00:19:21.739 --> 00:19:22.139 glory. 00:19:23.679 --> 00:19:24.099 It will 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.399 be the 00:19:24.399 --> 00:19:24.899 moment 00:19:24.899 --> 00:19:25.679 where the 00:19:25.679 --> 00:19:26.559 magnificence 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.439 and the 00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:27.859 beauty 00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:28.739 and the 00:19:28.739 --> 00:19:29.199 worth 00:19:29.199 --> 00:19:29.799 and the 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.220 character 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:30.819 of God 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:31.440 would be 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:31.980 on full 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.539 display. 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.259 It's going 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:33.460 to go 00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:34.200 viral in 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:34.700 this moment. 00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:34.960 You want 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:35.139 to know 00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:35.720 who God 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:36.099 is? 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.579 You will 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:36.960 see him 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.180 on a 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:37.559 cross. 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:39.119 You want 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:39.319 to know 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:39.700 what he's 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.019 like? 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.279 You'll 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:40.599 see him 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:40.819 on a 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.279 cross. 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.279 John 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:44.839 13, 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:45.460 he washes 00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:45.919 the feet 00:19:45.919 --> 00:19:46.180 of his 00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:46.680 disciples 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:47.220 and tells 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.759 them that 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.099 he will 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:48.819 die out 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:49.379 of love 00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:49.859 for the 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.079 whole 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:50.399 world. 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:50.680 John 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.159 17, 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:51.799 as he 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:52.339 speaks 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:52.619 of his 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:52.960 death, 00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:54.039 he declares 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:54.460 again, 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:54.859 it will be 00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:55.399 the hour 00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:55.859 of his 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.500 glory. 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:57.759 John 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.599 18, 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.740 as the 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.059 soldiers 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:00.500 come to 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.079 arrest him, 00:20:01.419 --> 00:20:02.059 the soldiers 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:02.719 themselves, 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:03.399 did you notice 00:20:03.399 --> 00:20:03.959 this last 00:20:03.959 --> 00:20:04.319 week? 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:05.179 The soldiers 00:20:05.179 --> 00:20:05.659 themselves, 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.000 when he 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.259 says, 00:20:06.459 --> 00:20:07.039 I am the 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:07.419 one you're 00:20:07.419 --> 00:20:08.019 looking for, 00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:09.339 they bowed 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:10.279 down in 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:10.819 front of him 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.459 immediately. 00:20:13.459 --> 00:20:14.339 Get up, 00:20:14.459 --> 00:20:14.639 guys, 00:20:14.679 --> 00:20:15.039 you've got to 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:15.839 arrest me. 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:16.519 That's what 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:16.899 you're here 00:20:16.899 --> 00:20:17.259 for. 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:23.019 he shows 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.599 himself to 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:24.079 be one 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:25.119 of absolute 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.000 authority 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:27.759 over all, 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.420 including the 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:29.920 arresting 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:30.319 party. 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:33.059 And yet, 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.460 he allows 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:35.740 them to 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.180 bind him. 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:39.000 And as we 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.759 just read in 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.480 John 19, 00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:41.160 Jesus says 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:41.720 to Pilate, 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.440 you have no 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:43.160 power over 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:44.619 me if it 00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:44.940 were not 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:46.819 given to 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:47.299 you from 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:47.819 above. 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.339 Pilate, 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:50.139 the 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:50.819 representative 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:53.399 of the 00:20:53.399 --> 00:20:54.139 largest 00:20:54.139 --> 00:20:54.679 empire, 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.019 the most 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.339 powerful 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:55.819 empire in 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.059 the world 00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:56.279 at the 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:56.539 time. 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.319 As you 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:00.799 read through 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.720 the Gospels, 00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:02.319 you see 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.200 again and 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:03.960 again that 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:04.700 Jesus heads 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.099 to his 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:05.460 death, 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:06.039 knowing it 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:06.460 is the 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.099 purpose and 00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:07.439 the will 00:21:07.439 --> 00:21:08.019 of God. 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.500 It was 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.319 the deliberate 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:11.559 desire of 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:12.919 God throughout 00:21:12.919 --> 00:21:14.139 history that 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:14.879 his son, 00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:15.399 Jesus, 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:16.420 would come 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:17.060 into his 00:21:17.060 --> 00:21:17.900 creation and 00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:18.560 suffer and 00:21:18.560 --> 00:21:19.300 die and 00:21:19.300 --> 00:21:20.019 rise and 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:20.400 reign. 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.500 It was no 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.019 mistake. 00:21:22.280 --> 00:21:23.080 It wasn't a 00:21:23.080 --> 00:21:23.580 tragedy. 00:21:24.060 --> 00:21:24.820 God's intention 00:21:24.820 --> 00:21:25.519 was for his 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:26.880 glory to be 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:27.720 displayed through 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.360 the wicked 00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:29.080 plans of 00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:30.060 humanity to 00:21:30.060 --> 00:21:30.960 nail Jesus 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.540 upon a 00:21:31.540 --> 00:21:32.380 Roman cross. 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:36.080 In chapter 00:21:36.080 --> 00:21:36.640 19, 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.580 verse 5, 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:38.900 Pilate thought 00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:39.800 Jesus was a 00:21:39.800 --> 00:21:40.280 joke, 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.080 made a 00:21:42.080 --> 00:21:42.519 spectacle, 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.460 dressed him 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.819 up. 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:44.759 And when 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.180 he brought 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:45.480 Jesus, 00:21:45.620 --> 00:21:46.140 when Jesus 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:46.900 came out 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:47.680 wearing the 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.160 crown of 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:49.299 thorns and 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:49.920 the purple 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:50.460 robe, 00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:51.819 Pilate said 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:53.079 to them, 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:53.539 to the 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:53.880 gathering 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:54.360 crowd, 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:56.480 not, 00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:57.700 here's your 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.140 man, 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:00.500 here is 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.960 the man. 00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:05.420 Definite 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:05.880 article, 00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:07.180 the man. 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:11.840 Pilate's 00:22:11.840 --> 00:22:12.700 mocking Jesus 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.060 to the 00:22:13.060 --> 00:22:13.600 crowd, 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.560 dressed up 00:22:14.560 --> 00:22:14.840 with all 00:22:14.840 --> 00:22:15.299 these fake 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.539 robe, 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.460 look at 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:17.720 the man, 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:18.480 the 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.539 quintessential 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:21.060 human being. 00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:22.360 And then 00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.180 in verses 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:24.120 13 and 00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:24.500 14, 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:25.180 the drama 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:25.860 concludes, 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.420 out on the 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:26.740 pavement, 00:22:27.360 --> 00:22:28.279 Pilate takes 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:28.940 the official 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.460 seat, 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.120 declaring his 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:31.759 judgment on 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.480 behalf of the 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.400 Roman Empire, 00:22:33.600 --> 00:22:34.180 and what 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:34.960 comes out of 00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.640 his mouth? 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:38.540 your king. 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:43.040 Not this 00:22:43.040 --> 00:22:43.759 pathetic loser, 00:22:44.100 --> 00:22:45.380 your king. 00:22:46.780 --> 00:22:47.680 At every 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:48.320 point here, 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:49.380 Jesus is in 00:22:49.380 --> 00:22:49.900 control. 00:22:50.620 --> 00:22:51.240 We are told 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.020 his final 00:22:52.020 --> 00:22:52.700 pronouncement 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.680 came at 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:54.340 the sixth 00:22:54.340 --> 00:22:54.960 hour, that 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.560 is Pilate's 00:22:55.560 --> 00:22:56.340 final pronouncement, 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.300 on the eve 00:22:57.300 --> 00:22:57.540 of the 00:22:57.540 --> 00:22:58.040 Passover, 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.280 the very 00:23:00.280 --> 00:23:01.060 hour, 00:23:02.020 --> 00:23:03.420 the very 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.180 hour that 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:04.740 the priest 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.620 began to 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.219 slaughter the 00:23:06.219 --> 00:23:06.679 Paschal 00:23:06.679 --> 00:23:07.259 lambs, 00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:09.079 the Passover 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.679 lambs at 00:23:09.679 --> 00:23:10.139 the temple. 00:23:14.639 --> 00:23:15.119 Jesus, 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:15.699 the king of 00:23:15.699 --> 00:23:16.079 the Jews, 00:23:16.199 --> 00:23:16.639 the son of 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:16.959 God, 00:23:17.239 --> 00:23:17.619 the lamb 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.000 of God, 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.419 who takes 00:23:18.419 --> 00:23:18.839 away the 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:19.139 sin of 00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:19.619 the world, 00:23:20.199 --> 00:23:21.679 timed his 00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:23.000 condemnation to 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.819 his death 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.479 and to 00:23:24.479 --> 00:23:24.839 death 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:26.000 perfectly. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.000 God's 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.000 will be 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.000 saved. 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:30.579 They were 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.079 all 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:31.539 poor 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:34.680 in God's 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.480 great drama 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.220 to save 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:36.700 the world. 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:38.940 As 1 Timothy 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:39.660 tells us, 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.099 here is a 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.440 trustworthy 00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:41.079 saying that 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:41.660 deserves full 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.279 acceptance. 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:43.740 Christ Jesus 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.400 came into the 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:45.000 world to save 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.339 sinners. 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:48.339 Jesus died 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:48.939 because of the 00:23:48.939 --> 00:23:49.500 wickedness of 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:49.980 humanity. 00:23:50.899 --> 00:23:51.399 He died 00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:51.899 because of 00:23:51.899 --> 00:23:52.159 the will 00:23:52.159 --> 00:23:52.779 of God. 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:54.659 Yet those 00:23:54.659 --> 00:23:55.799 two observations 00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.759 don't get to 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.339 the deepest 00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:58.059 answer. 00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:03.759 The 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.500 willingness of 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:06.359 Jesus out 00:24:06.359 --> 00:24:06.859 of love for 00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:07.359 humanity. 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.779 To get to the 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.259 heart of the 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:11.059 issue, I want 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:11.740 to turn to a 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.399 passage in the 00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:12.939 first part of 00:24:12.939 --> 00:24:13.339 the Bible. 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:14.659 It's 00:24:14.659 --> 00:24:15.279 repeatedly 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:16.139 pointed to 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:16.439 for an 00:24:16.439 --> 00:24:17.259 explanation of 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:17.539 Jesus' 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.099 death. 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.579 Isaiah 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:21.039 chapter 53. 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:22.759 It's 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.359 writing, this 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:23.959 is Isaiah, 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:25.119 seven centuries 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:25.879 before the 00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:26.639 crucifixion of 00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:27.099 Jesus. 00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:28.480 Isaiah 53 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.279 verse 4. 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.500 Surely he 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.159 took up our 00:24:31.159 --> 00:24:31.919 pain and 00:24:31.919 --> 00:24:32.399 bore our 00:24:32.399 --> 00:24:33.439 suffering, yet 00:24:33.439 --> 00:24:34.279 we considered 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:34.980 him punished 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.619 by God, 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:36.599 stricken by 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:36.919 him and 00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:37.439 afflicted. 00:24:37.699 --> 00:24:38.059 He was 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:38.639 pierced for 00:24:38.639 --> 00:24:38.919 our 00:24:38.919 --> 00:24:39.619 transgressions, 00:24:39.699 --> 00:24:40.000 he was 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.899 crushed for 00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:41.980 our iniquities. 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:42.720 The punishment 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.759 that brought 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.539 us peace 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:44.960 was on 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.500 him and 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.039 by his 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.680 wounds we 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.420 are healed. 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:48.920 We all 00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:49.480 like sheep 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:49.880 have gone 00:24:49.880 --> 00:24:50.519 astray, but 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.079 each has 00:24:51.079 --> 00:24:51.559 turned to 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:51.960 our own 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:53.180 way and 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.539 the Lord 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.000 has laid 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.559 on him 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.900 the iniquity 00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:56.360 of us 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:56.700 all. 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:59.120 What we 00:24:59.120 --> 00:24:59.460 have in 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.819 Isaiah 53 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:02.039 is 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:03.620 substitutionary 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:04.259 language. 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:05.759 Did you 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.259 see it? 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.180 Pierced 00:25:08.180 --> 00:25:09.160 for our 00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:10.120 transgressions, 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.360 crushed for 00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:12.299 our 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:13.179 iniquities. 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:13.819 The 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.259 punishment 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:14.539 that's 00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:14.899 brought us 00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:15.439 peace was 00:25:15.439 --> 00:25:16.399 on him 00:25:16.399 --> 00:25:17.179 and by 00:25:17.179 --> 00:25:18.219 his wounds 00:25:18.219 --> 00:25:19.219 we are 00:25:19.219 --> 00:25:19.579 healed. 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.379 The Lord 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:20.839 has laid 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.579 on him 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.779 the iniquity 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.379 of us 00:25:23.379 --> 00:25:24.019 all. 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.159 And did 00:25:26.159 --> 00:25:26.500 you see 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.479 the language 00:25:27.479 --> 00:25:28.019 of God's 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.599 purposes and 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.099 plan in 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.459 this? 00:25:30.399 --> 00:25:30.799 Yet we 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.519 considered him 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.279 punished by 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.019 God, stricken 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.559 by him and 00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.099 afflicted. 00:25:34.919 --> 00:25:35.439 We all, 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:35.919 that is you 00:25:35.919 --> 00:25:36.459 and me as 00:25:36.459 --> 00:25:37.139 well, like 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:37.639 sheep have 00:25:37.639 --> 00:25:38.319 gone astray, 00:25:38.459 --> 00:25:38.939 each to his 00:25:38.939 --> 00:25:39.619 own, turned 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:40.139 to our own 00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:40.659 way, and 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.180 the Lord 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:41.800 has laid 00:25:41.800 --> 00:25:42.480 on him 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:44.540 the iniquity 00:25:44.540 --> 00:25:44.820 of us 00:25:44.820 --> 00:25:45.060 all. 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.380 The word 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:48.200 transgression 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:49.620 is a word 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.140 that means 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:50.980 willful 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:52.060 rebellion 00:25:52.060 --> 00:25:53.160 against God. 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:54.940 Iniquity 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.680 is a word 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.220 that means 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:57.040 to bend, 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:59.019 to bend 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.740 over, to 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.360 contort. 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.640 It's referring 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.200 to the 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:03.040 brokenness 00:26:03.040 --> 00:26:04.759 of humanity. 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:09.480 Jesus is 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.079 carrying 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:11.339 God's 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:12.019 just 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:13.059 punishment, 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.539 his just 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.200 judgment 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:15.940 for our 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.779 human 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.579 rebellion 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.500 and iniquity 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:19.359 and sin 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:19.720 to the 00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.180 cross. 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.640 That is 00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:21.980 Jesus' 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.819 trades place 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.480 with us. 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.259 When 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.680 John 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.660 first points 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.619 to the 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:29.140 person of 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:29.480 Jesus, 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.140 as he 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:31.599 comes, 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:32.599 the very 00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:33.180 first time 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:33.539 he gets 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.200 to identify 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.720 the person 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.060 of Jesus 00:26:35.060 --> 00:26:35.380 in this 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:35.720 gospel. 00:26:36.120 --> 00:26:36.539 In chapter 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:37.060 one, he 00:26:37.060 --> 00:26:37.320 says, 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.220 behold, 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.640 the Lamb 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:40.299 of God 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:40.920 who takes 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.380 away the 00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:41.820 sin of the 00:26:41.820 --> 00:26:42.200 world. 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.000 That is a 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.500 reference to 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.039 this passage 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.700 in Isaiah 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:47.519 where Jesus 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.299 likened to 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:48.759 the sheep 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.240 going to 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.799 the slaughter. 00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:51.220 He takes 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:51.840 upon himself 00:26:51.840 --> 00:26:52.420 God's 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.100 judgment 00:26:53.100 --> 00:26:53.900 for our 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.279 sin. 00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:56.259 Jesus, 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:58.180 fully God, 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.580 fully man, 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:00.900 Jesus, 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.640 having lived 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:02.140 a perfect 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:02.500 life, 00:27:02.600 --> 00:27:03.080 goes to 00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:03.740 death on 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.340 a cross 00:27:04.340 --> 00:27:05.519 and carries 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.140 God's 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.940 just judgment 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.799 for every 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.900 wrong, 00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:11.779 every wrong 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:12.340 thing that you 00:27:12.340 --> 00:27:12.740 and I have 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.400 ever done 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:14.120 or thought 00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:16.560 and also 00:27:16.560 --> 00:27:17.040 for all the 00:27:17.040 --> 00:27:17.580 right things 00:27:17.580 --> 00:27:18.000 that we have 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.540 failed to 00:27:18.540 --> 00:27:18.840 do, 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:19.720 such as 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.019 love the 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:20.320 Lord your 00:27:20.320 --> 00:27:20.680 God with 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:20.860 all your 00:27:20.860 --> 00:27:21.080 heart, 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.440 soul and 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:21.720 mind. 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.000 And we 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:25.480 get a glimpse 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:25.900 of what he 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:26.640 does for us 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:27.420 in this 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:27.980 passage. 00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:30.860 He trades 00:27:30.860 --> 00:27:31.519 place with 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.040 Barabbas. 00:27:38.040 --> 00:27:38.600 Barabbas was 00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:39.440 the only man 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:40.080 in history 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:41.039 who could 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.779 ever see, 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:42.519 say, 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.899 Jesus has 00:27:43.899 --> 00:27:44.659 taken my 00:27:44.659 --> 00:27:45.019 place 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:45.480 physically. 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.980 But in 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.319 that, 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:52.079 we're 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:52.679 revealed here 00:27:52.679 --> 00:27:53.139 that Jesus 00:27:53.139 --> 00:27:53.759 takes our 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.139 place 00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:54.639 spiritually. 00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:59.319 Barabbas was 00:27:59.319 --> 00:27:59.879 condemned to 00:27:59.879 --> 00:28:01.399 die and he 00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:01.779 was set 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.119 free. 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.559 I'm the 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.019 one who 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.919 deserves to 00:28:05.919 --> 00:28:06.379 be on that 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:06.740 cross. 00:28:07.139 --> 00:28:07.619 I'm the 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:07.960 one who 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.859 deserves God's 00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:09.519 just anger. 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.440 I deserve 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.119 eternal 00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:12.200 punishment for 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:12.839 my rebellion 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.680 against God. 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.220 And Jesus 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.119 instead was 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.639 delivered up 00:28:16.639 --> 00:28:16.980 for my 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.400 offenses. 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.099 He was 00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:19.079 handed over 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:20.819 to judgment 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.319 for my 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:21.720 sin. 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.319 Jesus 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:23.960 Christ is 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:24.160 my 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:24.619 substitute. 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.079 He was 00:28:27.079 --> 00:28:27.779 satisfying 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.920 the debt 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.639 of divine 00:28:29.639 --> 00:28:30.599 justice and 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.019 holiness. 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:34.200 The 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:34.559 innocent 00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:35.180 one was 00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:35.779 bound 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:37.559 and now 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:37.920 to the 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:38.319 cross. 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:39.940 condemned 00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:40.519 to death 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:42.059 so that 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:42.500 the guilty 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.879 one deserving 00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.500 of death 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.519 might go 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:45.839 free. 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:49.900 It's why 00:28:49.900 --> 00:28:51.980 John 3 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:53.960 16 is 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.379 the most 00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:55.599 famous of 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.220 Bible verses 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.680 in this 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:57.039 world. 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.819 God so 00:28:58.819 --> 00:28:59.220 loved the 00:28:59.220 --> 00:28:59.599 world that 00:28:59.599 --> 00:28:59.920 he gave 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.359 his one 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:00.980 and only 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:02.200 son that 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:02.460 whoever 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:03.259 believes in 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.700 him shall 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.240 not perish 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.559 but have 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.440 eternal life. 00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:07.240 For God 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.019 did not send 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.639 his son into 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.299 the world to 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:10.079 condemn the 00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:11.500 world but to 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.079 save the 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:13.240 world through 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:13.619 him. 00:29:14.899 --> 00:29:15.399 Such is 00:29:15.399 --> 00:29:15.720 love. 00:29:17.819 --> 00:29:18.420 The 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:18.980 wickedness of 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.519 humanity, 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:22.079 the will of 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:22.519 God, 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:24.440 the willingness 00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.080 of Jesus 00:29:25.080 --> 00:29:25.640 out of 00:29:25.640 --> 00:29:26.100 love, 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.539 declares 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:29.740 that you 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.740 and I 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:32.019 are more 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:33.220 sinful and 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.180 deserving of 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:34.740 wrath, 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:37.360 more deeply 00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:38.480 broken and 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.519 damaged than 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.340 we would ever 00:29:40.340 --> 00:29:41.500 allow ourselves 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.440 to contemplate. 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:45.500 And yet at 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.559 the same time 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.820 we are more 00:29:47.820 --> 00:29:48.600 loved and 00:29:48.600 --> 00:29:49.980 affirmed than 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:50.720 we could ever 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:52.100 possibly dream.