WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.780 You may be seated. 00:00:02.800 --> 00:00:03.640 Good morning. 00:00:05.280 --> 00:00:09.460 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:12.919 and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:13.480 --> 00:00:16.899 A special welcome if you are new or visiting with us. 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:21.879 We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:22.580 --> 00:00:25.260 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:26.140 --> 00:00:30.980 And as we follow Jesus together, we've become convinced there's no one so good, 00:00:31.040 --> 00:00:34.560 they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:39.240 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in his word. 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:44.040 We're returning now to our series in the Gospel of Mark, 00:00:44.120 --> 00:00:51.120 and you'll remember that the Gospels tell the story of Jesus and his life and his death and his resurrection. 00:00:51.119 --> 00:00:55.899 And when we left off in Mark a few weeks ago, we were in Mark chapter 14, 00:00:56.579 --> 00:01:00.140 we got hit from both sides in the passage that we looked at. 00:01:00.239 --> 00:01:05.099 You'll remember we were looking at this passage where Jesus was anointed at Bethany, 00:01:05.340 --> 00:01:08.719 but before and after he was anointed, we sort of had this bookend, 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:11.819 there's a plot that's going on to take his life. 00:01:12.539 --> 00:01:16.000 And at the same time, he's being anointed for his burial. 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:20.900 So there's an anointing for burial, and there's a betrayer that's at work. 00:01:20.939 --> 00:01:26.060 We've already seen that Judas is getting to work to hand Jesus over. 00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:27.159 That's where we left off. 00:01:27.219 --> 00:01:31.400 And so it's with that in mind that we then proceed to this next section. 00:01:31.560 --> 00:01:34.620 That's what sets the stage for us. 00:01:34.620 --> 00:01:41.099 And we're just going to see a couple of simple reminders in this passage of things that the Bible tells us over and over again, 00:01:41.099 --> 00:01:45.919 which is Jesus' control and Judas' warning, 00:01:46.459 --> 00:01:48.939 which is a way of saying we're going to talk about the beauty of Jesus, 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:52.039 and then we're going to talk about the danger of sin. 00:01:53.319 --> 00:01:54.959 We're going to talk about the beauty of Jesus. 00:01:55.539 --> 00:01:58.840 We're going to talk about the danger of sin. 00:01:58.959 --> 00:02:03.579 And so without any delay, then I invite you to turn with me to this passage. 00:02:03.699 --> 00:02:05.679 You can turn with me in your Bible. 00:02:05.819 --> 00:02:07.340 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:02:07.419 --> 00:02:09.780 You can turn on your phone, no matter where you turn. 00:02:09.780 --> 00:02:11.939 Remember that this is God's Word, 00:02:12.240 --> 00:02:15.140 and God tells us that His Word is more precious than gold, 00:02:15.740 --> 00:02:18.439 even the finest gold, and it's sweeter than honey, 00:02:19.060 --> 00:02:21.139 even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:02:21.780 --> 00:02:26.259 And so that's why we read now Mark 14, starting at verse 12. 00:02:27.639 --> 00:02:32.039 And on the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:33.780 His disciples said to Him, 00:02:34.300 --> 00:02:37.719 Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover? 00:02:37.719 --> 00:02:41.280 And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, 00:02:42.060 --> 00:02:46.500 Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. 00:02:47.199 --> 00:02:47.840 Follow him. 00:02:48.479 --> 00:02:51.639 And wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 00:02:52.120 --> 00:02:53.219 the teacher says, 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:58.259 Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? 00:02:59.000 --> 00:02:59.719 Verse 15. 00:02:59.719 --> 00:03:03.939 And He will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. 00:03:04.680 --> 00:03:06.020 There prepare for us. 00:03:06.759 --> 00:03:09.400 And the disciples set out and went to the city, 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:11.539 and found it just as He had told them, 00:03:11.979 --> 00:03:13.659 and they prepared the Passover. 00:03:14.900 --> 00:03:15.759 Verse 17. 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:18.680 And when it was evening, He came with the twelve. 00:03:19.340 --> 00:03:21.659 And as they were reclining at table and eating, 00:03:21.900 --> 00:03:22.520 Jesus said, 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:23.939 Truly I say to you, 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:26.039 one of you will betray Me, 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:28.099 one who is eating with Me. 00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:32.500 They began to be sorrowful and say to Him one after another, 00:03:32.659 --> 00:03:33.199 Is it I? 00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:35.299 He said to them, 00:03:36.060 --> 00:03:37.259 It is one of the twelve, 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:40.299 one who is dipping bread into the dish with Me. 00:03:41.099 --> 00:03:43.979 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of Him. 00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:48.879 But woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. 00:03:49.879 --> 00:03:54.620 It would have been better for that man if he had not been born. 00:03:54.620 --> 00:03:59.140 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's Word. 00:04:01.500 --> 00:04:02.580 Our Father in Heaven, 00:04:02.700 --> 00:04:06.800 we thank You for the riches and the treasure that You have given us. 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:08.200 In Your Word, 00:04:08.659 --> 00:04:14.180 we thank You for the pictures and stories You present to us of Jesus over and over again. 00:04:14.259 --> 00:04:16.280 And we ask that You would help us this morning, 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:17.160 that You do that again, 00:04:17.160 --> 00:04:22.460 that You would put a spotlight on Jesus and His love, 00:04:23.320 --> 00:04:23.920 His care, 00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:24.740 His control. 00:04:25.140 --> 00:04:27.200 You'd help us to see Him more clearly 00:04:27.200 --> 00:04:31.060 than when we came in to worship this morning. 00:04:31.900 --> 00:04:33.500 So we ask that You'd encourage us. 00:04:33.720 --> 00:04:35.780 And we also ask that You'd challenge us 00:04:35.780 --> 00:04:38.760 with the example and the warning of Judas. 00:04:39.220 --> 00:04:39.900 Most of all, 00:04:39.960 --> 00:04:42.320 You'd remind us of Your grace 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:44.139 and how You provide for us 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:45.439 and our needs in the Gospel. 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:46.860 We thank You 00:04:46.860 --> 00:04:48.939 that we can come with boldness 00:04:48.939 --> 00:04:50.379 to ask You for these things 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:53.459 because we're not afraid of whether we've earned them or deserve them. 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:55.759 We know quite simply that we haven't. 00:04:56.319 --> 00:04:56.939 But instead, 00:04:57.100 --> 00:04:58.199 we simply ask them 00:04:58.199 --> 00:05:00.500 in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:01.459 Amen. 00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:06.659 You'll remember that 00:05:06.659 --> 00:05:09.300 we are now in the midst of the week 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:11.060 leading up to Jesus' death 00:05:11.060 --> 00:05:11.839 and His resurrection. 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:13.100 And Jesus has come, 00:05:13.399 --> 00:05:14.819 as many of the Jews have come, 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:16.480 for the celebration of the Passover. 00:05:16.780 --> 00:05:18.620 And so there are thousands, 00:05:18.899 --> 00:05:21.120 tens of thousands of more people in Jerusalem 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:22.379 than there would normally be. 00:05:22.459 --> 00:05:23.899 This city is packed, 00:05:23.980 --> 00:05:25.040 like you might expect, 00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:27.060 for an incredibly large conference 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:28.079 or sporting event 00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:29.759 because people have gathered 00:05:29.759 --> 00:05:32.579 from all over the Jewish world 00:05:32.579 --> 00:05:35.819 to celebrate this festival together. 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:38.019 And that's what we see in verse 12. 00:05:38.019 --> 00:05:39.399 On the first day of unleavened bread, 00:05:39.399 --> 00:05:42.079 when they sacrificed the Passover lamb. 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:44.120 It's important then for us 00:05:44.120 --> 00:05:46.299 to be reminded of what exactly it is 00:05:46.299 --> 00:05:47.219 that they're celebrating 00:05:47.219 --> 00:05:48.639 when we talk about the Passover. 00:05:49.019 --> 00:05:51.019 If you're familiar with the story 00:05:51.019 --> 00:05:52.739 of God's people in the Old Testament, 00:05:52.739 --> 00:05:55.099 you'll remember in Exodus chapter 12, 00:05:55.359 --> 00:05:57.060 they need to leave Egypt 00:05:57.060 --> 00:05:58.719 where they've been kept as slaves. 00:05:59.139 --> 00:06:01.259 And God has performed a variety of miracles 00:06:01.259 --> 00:06:03.899 on judgments on the people of Egypt. 00:06:03.899 --> 00:06:05.719 And the last one he performs 00:06:05.719 --> 00:06:09.539 is to kill the firstborn of every family in Egypt 00:06:09.539 --> 00:06:12.019 because they will not let his people go. 00:06:12.679 --> 00:06:15.560 But he sets up a practice for God's people, 00:06:15.639 --> 00:06:16.459 for the Jewish people, 00:06:16.459 --> 00:06:18.799 to protect their own firstborns. 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:19.819 What they're supposed to do, 00:06:19.879 --> 00:06:21.000 what God instructs them to do 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:22.620 is to have this meal 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:24.859 where they have a lamb that's sacrificed. 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:27.060 And they take the blood of this lamb 00:06:27.060 --> 00:06:29.939 and they paint it on the doorframes of their house. 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:33.839 And so as the spirit of the Lord goes through Egypt, 00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:36.519 it passes through Egypt, 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:38.639 taking the lives of the firstborn 00:06:38.639 --> 00:06:39.959 of the Egyptian families, 00:06:40.300 --> 00:06:44.160 but it passes over God's people, 00:06:44.980 --> 00:06:46.720 the ones who have marked their doors 00:06:46.720 --> 00:06:47.839 with the blood of the lamb. 00:06:48.159 --> 00:06:50.100 And so that's quite simply why it's called Passover. 00:06:50.279 --> 00:06:53.100 It's when God passed over his people. 00:06:53.259 --> 00:06:54.300 And he gives this to them 00:06:54.300 --> 00:06:56.680 as something they celebrate every year 00:06:56.680 --> 00:06:59.439 as a remembrance of his faithfulness and goodness. 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:00.579 and deliverance, 00:07:00.719 --> 00:07:04.199 that they are covered by the blood of the lamb. 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:07.899 That helps us to understand the incredible symbolism 00:07:07.899 --> 00:07:09.219 of what's occurring here 00:07:09.219 --> 00:07:11.920 because Jesus is going to be the final 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:15.980 and ultimate lamb whose blood is shed. 00:07:16.659 --> 00:07:19.399 We don't celebrate Passover anymore as Christians 00:07:19.399 --> 00:07:22.740 because we are covered by Jesus' blood. 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:25.480 He's the ultimate Passover sacrifice. 00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:27.740 We'll talk about that even more next week, 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:30.319 but that helps us understand how powerful this is 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:33.060 that Jesus is going to celebrate Passover 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:34.220 with his disciples. 00:07:34.439 --> 00:07:36.079 They're going to slaughter this lamb 00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:40.360 as he is going forward to be the final lamb. 00:07:41.480 --> 00:07:43.660 He's gonna provide an even greater blood, 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:45.280 an even greater covering, 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:47.639 that not just the people of God in Egypt, 00:07:47.639 --> 00:07:51.460 but we are passed over by God's judgment 00:07:51.459 --> 00:07:54.199 because of Jesus' blood. 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:56.639 With all that in mind, 00:07:56.919 --> 00:07:59.419 this text doesn't just remind us of that. 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:01.079 It raises some questions. 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:05.279 Verse 12, again, there's this great feast that's at hand. 00:08:05.419 --> 00:08:06.680 And what's important to know 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:09.899 is that you can't just celebrate Passover anywhere. 00:08:10.279 --> 00:08:13.579 It has to be celebrated within the walls of Jerusalem. 00:08:14.099 --> 00:08:15.799 You may remember I've told you over and over 00:08:15.799 --> 00:08:18.859 that Jesus and his disciples are commuting in from Bethany. 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:20.699 That's where he's staying during this time. 00:08:21.080 --> 00:08:23.560 And so he's constantly traveling from the east 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:25.120 towards the west into Jerusalem. 00:08:25.540 --> 00:08:27.639 Jesus has a commute every day, 00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:29.060 in other words, during this week. 00:08:29.819 --> 00:08:32.080 But now it's come time for something 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:34.399 that cannot be celebrated at Bethany. 00:08:34.539 --> 00:08:37.000 And you can imagine it just would be true today 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:40.279 if there was a major conference or sporting event, 00:08:40.680 --> 00:08:42.379 something where lots of people are gathering 00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:43.360 into another city, 00:08:43.500 --> 00:08:45.960 accommodations are gonna get snapped up just like that. 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:49.019 The best Airbnbs in Jerusalem 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:50.860 are not gonna be available for Jesus 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:52.120 and his disciples forever. 00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:53.500 It is important for them 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:55.720 to have made preparations in advance. 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:57.980 And so we can understand this question 00:08:57.980 --> 00:08:59.720 that the disciples have in verse 12, 00:09:00.180 --> 00:09:01.560 where will you have us go 00:09:01.560 --> 00:09:04.580 and prepare for you to eat the Passover? 00:09:06.060 --> 00:09:08.440 It's a little late, by the way, to be making plans. 00:09:09.700 --> 00:09:12.019 You don't book a room the day of the conference. 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:14.779 You book it months in advance. 00:09:15.179 --> 00:09:16.819 We have a conference that happens 00:09:16.819 --> 00:09:19.240 for pastors and elders in our denomination, 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:21.460 and there's like a flurry when the rooms open up. 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:23.639 And if you don't book it the day they open up, 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:25.379 at this point, you don't get a room. 00:09:26.199 --> 00:09:27.480 And so there's all this drama, right, 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:29.579 of trying to stay on top of when they're let out. 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:31.220 It's surprising in a sense 00:09:31.220 --> 00:09:33.860 that Jesus' disciples don't know what the plan is. 00:09:34.439 --> 00:09:37.340 How is it that they can't be aware of it 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:38.399 until this point? 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:42.120 It is too late for them to make new arrangements 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:43.319 to be in Jerusalem. 00:09:43.459 --> 00:09:46.279 There are tens of thousands of out-of-towners here. 00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:49.299 And so it's good news that we find out 00:09:49.299 --> 00:09:51.740 that Jesus has, in fact, made a plan. 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:57.679 But why has Jesus not told them about his plan? 00:09:58.879 --> 00:10:00.759 Why has he kept this a secret from them? 00:10:01.319 --> 00:10:03.620 And why, when they ask him, 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:06.779 does he continue to keep it a secret? 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:09.379 Watch this with me. 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:11.480 He doesn't tell them the answer. 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:13.120 So verse 12, they ask. 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:16.720 Verse 13, he has this whole code set up. 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:18.720 So he sends out two of his disciples. 00:10:18.819 --> 00:10:19.620 He doesn't send them all. 00:10:19.860 --> 00:10:21.100 He says, you're gonna go prepare, 00:10:21.199 --> 00:10:23.299 but I'm not gonna tell you where you're going to end up. 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:26.199 You have to go and identify this man 00:10:26.199 --> 00:10:27.539 who's carrying a jar of water, 00:10:27.579 --> 00:10:28.439 and he's gonna meet you. 00:10:28.699 --> 00:10:30.579 Now, this might seem like a strange sign, 00:10:30.659 --> 00:10:32.839 but you have to understand that in the ancient times, 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:35.379 a man would not have carried a jar of water. 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:38.100 He would have carried a skin of water. 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:39.899 Women carried the pots or the jars. 00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:41.000 Men carried the skins. 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:42.820 Why that is, don't ask me. 00:10:43.500 --> 00:10:45.500 But one person's explained it this way. 00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:46.840 It would be like Jesus said, 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:50.139 go and find the man who has the pink purse. 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:53.659 That's the man you're supposed to meet. 00:10:54.019 --> 00:10:56.120 And so this isn't as confusing as we might think, 00:10:56.179 --> 00:10:58.720 but Jesus has set up this kind of coded system. 00:10:58.939 --> 00:11:00.279 So they're gonna meet the man. 00:11:00.580 --> 00:11:01.679 He's got the pink purse, 00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:04.239 but he's not gonna tell them where they're going. 00:11:05.199 --> 00:11:07.339 He's going to lead them to the spot, right? 00:11:07.339 --> 00:11:09.339 And then they're going to get to the house. 00:11:09.459 --> 00:11:11.459 Verse 14, and wherever he enters, 00:11:11.959 --> 00:11:13.839 then say to the master of the house, 00:11:14.479 --> 00:11:16.620 the teacher says, where is my guest room? 00:11:17.859 --> 00:11:20.120 In other words, Jesus has not forgotten 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:21.639 about arrangements for the Passover. 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:25.779 Jesus has actually arranged a very complicated strategy 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:26.859 far in advance. 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:29.439 He set up a messenger with a special signal. 00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:31.940 This messenger is gonna take them to the safe house 00:11:31.940 --> 00:11:33.420 where he's gonna celebrate Passover. 00:11:33.660 --> 00:11:35.920 They're not gonna know what's going on until they get there. 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:37.980 And then Jesus himself is gonna make sure 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:40.080 none of the other disciples know what's going on 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:40.780 until they get there. 00:11:40.900 --> 00:11:43.720 Verse 16, the disciples set out and went to the city 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:46.140 and found it just as he has told them. 00:11:46.180 --> 00:11:47.860 And they prepared the Passover. 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:51.780 Why all the secrecy? 00:11:53.880 --> 00:11:56.480 Well, remember what I reminded you of the beginning. 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:58.340 There's two things from the previous passage, 00:11:58.340 --> 00:11:59.340 and I'm gonna add a third. 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:02.780 Chapter 14, verse one, we found out the chief priests 00:12:02.780 --> 00:12:05.120 and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:06.780 by stealth and kill him. 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:10.480 Jesus has people who are out for his life. 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:12.800 And we learned that they were cautious 00:12:12.800 --> 00:12:13.960 about doing it with the crowds. 00:12:14.060 --> 00:12:15.200 They kind of need to do it secretly, 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:17.000 but that problem's solved by Judas. 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:18.460 Judas is going to help them out. 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:21.100 Verses 10 and 11, the chief priests and Judas 00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:23.720 have this gathering and there's money that's offered. 00:12:23.820 --> 00:12:25.879 And so we're told, and he sought an opportunity 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:26.960 to betray him. 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:29.439 So Jesus has people who are out for his life. 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:32.080 He has someone who's an insider, 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:34.100 who's going to give up the goods. 00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:37.700 On top of that, we learn in the gospel of John, 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:40.519 chapter 11, the chief priests and the Pharisees 00:12:40.519 --> 00:12:43.220 had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:47.399 he should let them know so that they might arrest him. 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:50.419 The point is this. 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:56.340 Jesus is a master of operational security. 00:12:57.799 --> 00:12:57.959 Okay? 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:03.799 Jesus knows that this plan could be easily sabotaged. 00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:07.240 He knows that Judas is seeking for an opportunity 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:08.019 to betray him. 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:12.259 And so none of the other disciples can even know 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:13.480 where the meeting is happening. 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:18.019 It is not an exaggeration, an overstatement to say, 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:20.159 Jesus has set up a safe house 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:23.240 so he can celebrate Passover without being killed. 00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:28.200 That's why all these steps have been taken. 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:32.460 Somehow, without consulting any of the disciples, 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:34.080 Jesus has set all this up. 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:39.980 Jesus is going to allow himself to be arrested, right? 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:41.460 We know that if you're familiar with the story, 00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:44.300 but his time has not yet come. 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:46.200 Why? 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:52.259 Jesus needs to instruct his disciples. 00:13:53.659 --> 00:13:56.680 Jesus has more than he needs to share 00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:59.279 with those who love him and follow him. 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:04.279 Jesus still needs to establish their celebration 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:05.200 of the Lord's Supper. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:09.080 He still has his time of prayer 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:10.600 that he's going to invite them into 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:12.080 that we'll see in a few weeks. 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.520 In other words, 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:19.740 Jesus is in control of everything 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:23.020 at this very point of his arrest 00:14:23.020 --> 00:14:27.900 for the sake of those he loves. 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:32.480 He's arranging detail after detail. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:37.019 He is meticulous and careful in every step 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:39.920 so that he can care for them. 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:41.740 I'm going to call your attention 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:43.300 to this quote on page seven, 00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:43.680 which says, 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:45.840 a God who is in control 00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:48.899 when the foundations of his own earthly existence 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:49.860 are crumbling 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:54.000 is a God who can be trusted to sustain us 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:57.820 when it appears our life is tumbling in. 00:14:57.820 --> 00:15:01.440 Remember I told you at the beginning, 00:15:01.540 --> 00:15:02.420 we're going to do two things. 00:15:02.520 --> 00:15:03.700 We're going to look at the beauty of Jesus 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:05.440 and we're going to be warned 00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:07.060 about the dangers of sin. 00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:09.680 And so just pause with me for a minute 00:15:09.680 --> 00:15:10.480 and let's look, 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:13.620 meditate on the beauty of Jesus. 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:18.360 Jesus is in the most painful week of his life. 00:15:20.300 --> 00:15:22.160 And in the midst of that painful week, 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:24.060 his thoughts are not with himself, 00:15:24.180 --> 00:15:26.020 but with his disciples who follow him. 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:29.379 Jesus in the midst of this painful week 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:31.819 controls every detail. 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:35.679 He's planned out every detail in advance 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:38.720 so that he can be with them. 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:45.299 Jesus continues to arrange the world 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:47.360 so that his people are cared for. 00:15:48.199 --> 00:15:50.740 What he is most concerned about 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:54.579 is making sure his disciples receive 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:56.700 the shepherding they need. 00:15:57.720 --> 00:15:59.580 He's concerned that they receive 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:02.080 the care that they need. 00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:04.980 Brothers and sisters, 00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:07.460 the same is true for us. 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:12.660 God arranges and controls 00:16:12.660 --> 00:16:16.440 the tiniest details of this world 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:19.259 for the sake of his people. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:25.259 That is his heart and his concern. 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:28.600 Jesus cares for you 00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:30.980 at great cost, 00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:34.600 arranging all things. 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:38.840 Jesus arranges all things 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:42.340 when you're diagnosed with cancer. 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:46.759 Jesus arranges all things 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:49.139 when your child is ill. 00:16:51.160 --> 00:16:53.160 Jesus arranges all things 00:16:53.160 --> 00:16:55.300 when the culture and the world around you 00:16:55.300 --> 00:16:57.259 appear to become more evil every day. 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:01.000 And when you PCS and move 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:02.560 from one station to another, 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:06.079 Jesus arranges all things. 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:07.079 Jesus arranges all things. 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:11.919 So just look with me at Jesus. 00:17:13.879 --> 00:17:16.199 His plans are never foiled. 00:17:18.939 --> 00:17:20.839 He already has it all figured out. 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.960 That's true here 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:25.919 as he's on his way to his death 00:17:25.919 --> 00:17:27.799 and he's caring for his disciples. 00:17:28.939 --> 00:17:30.559 And it's true for you 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:32.779 this week and last week 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:34.240 and next month and next year 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.960 for the rest of your life. 00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:39.220 That is the glory 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:41.120 and the beauty of Jesus. 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:44.079 Remember the famous words 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:45.220 of Gandalf to Frodo 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:45.680 when he said, 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.920 a wizard is never late 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.720 nor is he early. 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:50.680 He arrives precisely 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:51.500 when he means to. 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:54.319 Brothers and sisters, 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:56.440 the same is true of our God 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:58.940 as he works in our lives. 00:17:58.940 --> 00:18:02.980 That is the beauty 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:04.279 and glory 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.980 of Jesus Christ. 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.759 We don't just see 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:11.140 Jesus' control here though. 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:12.920 We also have a sobering 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:13.460 warning 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.900 from Judas. 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:16.940 Notice what happens 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:18.000 at this meal. 00:18:18.860 --> 00:18:19.700 Jesus is eating. 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:20.500 He's here 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.799 with the twelve 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:24.200 and he drops 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:25.680 this truth bomb on them. 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:26.480 Verse 18, 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:28.519 Truly I say to you, 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:30.079 one of you will betray me, 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:32.720 one who is eating with me. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:34.720 Did you notice 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.620 how the disciples 00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:36.759 responded to that? 00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:40.700 They didn't respond 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:42.079 with indignation. 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.299 In fact, 00:18:44.360 --> 00:18:45.420 we see in verse 19, 00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:46.200 they began 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:47.460 to be sorrowful 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:49.059 and to say to him 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:49.940 one after another, 00:18:50.360 --> 00:18:50.960 is it I? 00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:54.039 The disciples 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:54.940 grieve 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:57.539 at the very thought 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:59.200 that they might 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.059 hurt Jesus. 00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:04.100 Just to think 00:19:04.100 --> 00:19:05.220 about such a thing, 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:07.120 just to imagine 00:19:07.120 --> 00:19:08.220 such a thing 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:09.319 is enough 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.740 to make them sad. 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:11.240 There's a 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:12.200 sweetness, 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:14.900 there's an innocence 00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:15.720 to the disciples' 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.720 posture here 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:18.039 that I don't want 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:18.620 you to miss. 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.660 They don't say 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:22.240 I would never 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:22.819 do that. 00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:24.620 Peter is going 00:19:24.620 --> 00:19:25.259 to say that later. 00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:26.900 But they don't say 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.180 that here. 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:27.640 They don't say 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.100 I would never 00:19:28.100 --> 00:19:28.579 do that. 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:29.840 No, 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:30.279 they say, 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:32.079 I hope it's not me. 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:35.440 I hope I'm not 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:36.039 the one 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:37.680 who betrays 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:39.700 our beautiful Lord. 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.519 And so we have 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:44.559 this example 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.519 from the disciples 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.740 of what a 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.920 tender heart, 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:48.860 a godly heart 00:19:48.860 --> 00:19:49.559 looks like. 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:52.360 someone who's 00:19:52.360 --> 00:19:53.180 close to God 00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:53.799 and moved 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:55.100 by his things 00:19:55.100 --> 00:19:56.200 is sorrowful 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.539 even at the 00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.039 thought 00:19:58.039 --> 00:20:00.340 of betraying 00:20:00.340 --> 00:20:00.759 Jesus. 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.720 Christian, 00:20:05.380 --> 00:20:07.880 is that 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:08.559 your heart? 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.799 Are you sad 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:15.279 even at the 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:15.720 thought 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:17.720 of hurting 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.559 our Father God? 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:21.980 are you sorrowful 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.659 even at the 00:20:22.659 --> 00:20:23.000 thought 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.859 of damaging 00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.759 the community 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.679 that you love 00:20:25.679 --> 00:20:26.700 through your words? 00:20:29.179 --> 00:20:30.299 Are you sorrowful 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.099 even at the 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:31.480 thought 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.179 that you might 00:20:32.179 --> 00:20:32.899 be at risk 00:20:32.899 --> 00:20:33.980 of giving in 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:35.240 to materialism 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:36.679 rather than 00:20:36.679 --> 00:20:37.200 generosity? 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:41.200 Are you sorrowful 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:42.259 even to think 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:45.759 about wallowing 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.399 around in 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.100 sexual sin? 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:49.960 Do those 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.680 things grieve 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:50.960 you? 00:20:52.820 --> 00:20:53.519 Because they 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.019 grieve the 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:54.800 disciples here. 00:20:57.300 --> 00:20:57.800 Yes, 00:20:57.900 --> 00:20:58.440 the disciples 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:59.360 are mistaken 00:20:59.360 --> 00:21:00.340 at many points 00:21:00.340 --> 00:21:02.060 and they 00:21:02.060 --> 00:21:03.380 love Jesus. 00:21:05.380 --> 00:21:05.920 And so 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.360 even the 00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:06.720 thought 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.880 of hurting 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.500 him in this 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.180 way makes 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.759 them sorrowful. 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:13.220 I'm going 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:13.460 to call 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:13.859 your attention 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:14.900 to page 00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:15.400 eight of 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:15.779 your worship 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.220 guide where 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:16.559 there's this 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:17.259 beautiful quote 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.640 from the 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:18.980 Puritan 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.740 Richard Sibbes 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.079 who I've been 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:20.660 quoting for a 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.200 while now. 00:21:22.379 --> 00:21:22.680 He says, 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.440 true humility 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.319 quakes at the 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:26.019 threats as the 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:27.160 very frowns of a 00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:27.680 father will 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.400 distress a 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.220 dutiful child. 00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:31.180 Carnal 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:31.539 people, 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.059 he means 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:33.180 fleshly people, 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:33.519 people who 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.279 don't walk in 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:34.920 the Holy Spirit, 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:35.940 are like men 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.339 that hearing 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:37.059 thunderclaps 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.779 afar off are 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.460 never a whit 00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:38.859 moved. 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:40.019 But when it 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.539 is present 00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:41.000 over their 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.379 heads, 00:21:41.419 --> 00:21:41.919 then they 00:21:41.919 --> 00:21:42.359 tremble. 00:21:43.179 --> 00:21:44.019 So hypocrites 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:44.899 care not for 00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:45.579 judgments that 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:46.459 are afar off. 00:21:48.439 --> 00:21:49.099 In other words, 00:21:49.179 --> 00:21:50.319 hypocrites don't 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:51.240 care about sin 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:52.019 until they have 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.539 to face its 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.119 consequences. 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:55.719 God's people 00:21:55.719 --> 00:21:57.099 hate sin even 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:57.879 when they see 00:21:57.879 --> 00:21:58.779 the clouds 00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.659 on the distance. 00:22:01.479 --> 00:22:02.339 That's what is 00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:03.119 true of the 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:03.599 disciples. 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.859 Does that 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:07.500 describe you? 00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:11.779 do you have 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.139 a tender 00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:12.519 heart? 00:22:15.399 --> 00:22:16.219 A heart 00:22:16.219 --> 00:22:16.740 that is 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.679 moved even 00:22:17.679 --> 00:22:18.919 at the 00:22:18.919 --> 00:22:19.500 thought of 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:19.779 sin. 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.219 We certainly 00:22:27.219 --> 00:22:27.659 want to have 00:22:27.659 --> 00:22:28.319 tender hearts, 00:22:28.419 --> 00:22:29.219 especially because 00:22:29.219 --> 00:22:30.259 Judas provides 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:31.439 us with a 00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:33.199 very sobering 00:22:33.199 --> 00:22:33.639 warning. 00:22:34.219 --> 00:22:34.619 He gives us 00:22:34.619 --> 00:22:35.379 an example of 00:22:35.379 --> 00:22:35.919 what a hard 00:22:35.919 --> 00:22:36.939 heart looks 00:22:36.939 --> 00:22:37.399 like, and he 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.560 shows us how 00:22:38.560 --> 00:22:38.860 we get 00:22:38.860 --> 00:22:39.140 there. 00:22:41.600 --> 00:22:42.960 Judas is 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:44.000 already in 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.460 the midst of 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.320 finding time to 00:22:45.320 --> 00:22:45.960 betray Jesus. 00:22:46.080 --> 00:22:46.340 Remember, 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.040 verse 11, 00:22:47.840 --> 00:22:48.560 he sought an 00:22:48.560 --> 00:22:49.960 opportunity to 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.620 betray him. 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.100 And then Jesus 00:22:52.100 --> 00:22:52.680 just says it 00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:53.040 outright. 00:22:53.780 --> 00:22:54.519 Truly I say 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.259 to you, one 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:55.740 of you will 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.860 betray me, one 00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:57.540 who is eating 00:22:57.540 --> 00:22:58.000 with me. 00:22:58.940 --> 00:22:59.420 Eleven 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.560 disciples have a 00:23:00.560 --> 00:23:01.160 tender heart. 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.259 Sad at even 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.040 the thought of 00:23:03.040 --> 00:23:04.000 betraying Jesus. 00:23:04.820 --> 00:23:05.900 One disciple 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:07.120 is not. 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:09.980 Which reminds 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.880 us of this, 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:11.880 it is possible 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:13.820 to physically 00:23:13.820 --> 00:23:14.780 be close to 00:23:14.780 --> 00:23:16.840 Jesus and 00:23:16.840 --> 00:23:17.980 spiritually be 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.560 far, far 00:23:18.560 --> 00:23:19.040 away. 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.040 It is 00:23:22.040 --> 00:23:22.880 possible to 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:23.900 be deeply 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:25.120 embedded in 00:23:25.120 --> 00:23:25.680 the church 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:27.600 and in a 00:23:27.600 --> 00:23:28.600 spiritual community 00:23:28.600 --> 00:23:30.360 and to be 00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:31.200 far away 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:31.900 from Christ. 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:31.980 Christ. 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.120 It is 00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:34.900 possible to 00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:35.700 come week 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.480 after week 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.120 and join 00:23:37.120 --> 00:23:37.780 with God's 00:23:37.780 --> 00:23:38.940 people and 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:39.860 to have a 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:40.980 hardened heart. 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.019 Jesus 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.680 reminds us of 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.240 this not just 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.840 once but 00:23:44.840 --> 00:23:45.200 twice. 00:23:45.360 --> 00:23:45.940 Verse 17, 00:23:46.620 --> 00:23:47.180 he says that 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:47.700 this person 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.200 who's going 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:48.700 to betray 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.100 him, 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.580 eating 00:23:51.580 --> 00:23:53.019 with him. 00:23:53.120 --> 00:23:53.500 Truly I 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:53.880 say to you, 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.259 one of you 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.660 will betray 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:55.180 me, one 00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:55.820 who is eating 00:23:55.820 --> 00:23:56.380 with me. 00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:57.500 Even worse 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:57.980 than that, 00:23:58.040 --> 00:23:58.660 verse 20, 00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:00.080 one who is 00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:00.780 dipping bread 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.440 into the dish 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:01.879 with me. 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.440 The gospel 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:04.879 of John 00:24:04.879 --> 00:24:05.700 indicates that 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.420 Judas was 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:07.420 not just at 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:07.799 the table 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.240 with Jesus, 00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:08.879 he was sitting 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:09.319 next to 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:09.619 Jesus. 00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:11.940 He was as 00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:13.619 close as 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:14.200 one could 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.920 get and 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.539 yet far 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:16.859 away. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.139 And then 00:24:19.139 --> 00:24:19.960 Jesus outlines 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.460 for us the 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.000 most painful 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.119 truth of 00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:22.480 all in 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.180 verse 21. 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:24.839 Woe to 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:25.259 that man 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:25.599 by whom 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:25.920 the son 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.200 of man 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:26.759 is betrayed. 00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:28.000 It would 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.259 have been 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.779 better for 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.359 that man 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:30.319 if he had 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:30.799 not been 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.099 born. 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:33.919 And Jesus 00:24:33.919 --> 00:24:34.839 is making 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:35.399 the point 00:24:35.399 --> 00:24:35.939 that being 00:24:35.939 --> 00:24:36.579 separated 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:37.240 from God 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:39.839 is worse 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:41.700 than if 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.200 you never 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:42.919 existed. 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.259 Being 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.099 separated 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:46.960 from God 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:47.539 fully, 00:24:47.899 --> 00:24:48.339 finally, 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.139 eternally 00:24:49.139 --> 00:24:51.200 is worse 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:52.299 of fate 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:53.379 than never 00:24:53.379 --> 00:24:54.159 having 00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:55.099 existed. 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:57.179 That is 00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:58.079 how bad 00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:58.819 it is. 00:24:58.819 --> 00:25:00.799 it is 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.599 better not 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:02.000 to have 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.579 been born 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:04.539 than to 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:05.220 reject 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.939 Jesus 00:25:05.939 --> 00:25:06.419 Christ. 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:09.819 And yet 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.179 as one 00:25:10.179 --> 00:25:10.460 of his 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:10.859 twelve, 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.259 that is 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.899 exactly 00:25:11.899 --> 00:25:12.980 what 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.700 Judas 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.919 does. 00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:18.379 It is 00:25:18.379 --> 00:25:18.779 not hard 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.240 for us 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:19.779 either to 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.279 figure out 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.700 how Judas 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:21.259 got there 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:23.359 because Judas 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:25.059 is someone 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:26.000 who refused 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.740 to struggle 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.380 with his 00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:27.900 own sin. 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:29.019 If you've 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:29.299 been here 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.660 before, 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.039 when I 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:30.400 serve the 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:30.660 Lord's 00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:30.819 Supper, 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:31.319 I say, 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:31.880 hey, 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:32.299 this table 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:32.579 is not 00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:32.880 for you 00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.200 if you're 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.140 refusing to 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:34.640 repent of 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:34.900 sin. 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.680 And then I 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:36.099 follow that 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:36.480 by saying, 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:36.960 but if you're 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:37.819 struggling with 00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:38.079 sin, 00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:38.599 this table 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.180 is for you. 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:40.259 Which is to 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:40.740 say that we 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.599 know that the 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:42.160 Christian life 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.120 is not one 00:25:43.120 --> 00:25:43.700 in which we 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.660 are finally 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.980 free from 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.460 the presence 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:46.940 of sin in 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.359 our lives, 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:47.920 but it is 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.359 one in which 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.000 we're fighting 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.500 against the 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.000 presence of 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:50.200 sin. 00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:51.039 And if we 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.740 are not 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.980 fighting against 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.319 it, 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:54.559 then the 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:55.319 battle is 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.079 in a sense 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.159 already over. 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.319 In John 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.079 chapter 12, 00:25:59.200 --> 00:25:59.839 we're told that 00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.579 Judas had been 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.359 stealing from 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:01.740 the money 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.079 bags. 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:02.759 This was 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.399 not just a 00:26:03.399 --> 00:26:04.179 split decision 00:26:04.179 --> 00:26:04.779 where Judas 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.879 woke up one 00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:06.240 day and 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:06.519 decided, 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:06.779 you know 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:06.939 what, 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.480 I'm going 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:07.839 to betray 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.299 Christ. 00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:10.200 No, 00:26:10.399 --> 00:26:10.980 day after 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.339 day, 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:12.099 week after 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.519 week, 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.299 Judas had 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.480 chosen to 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.539 no longer 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.500 struggle with 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:16.819 sin. 00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:18.639 Judas had 00:26:18.639 --> 00:26:19.439 chosen not 00:26:19.439 --> 00:26:20.019 to take it 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.519 seriously, 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.819 not to 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.559 repent. 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:25.740 And so 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.319 beware. 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.700 Beware of 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.259 where you 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:30.740 will end 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.679 up if you 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:32.839 refuse to 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.500 fight the 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.079 sin in 00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:34.639 your life. 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.879 Jesus tells 00:26:35.879 --> 00:26:36.379 us and 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:37.179 Judas shows 00:26:37.179 --> 00:26:38.399 us that it 00:26:38.399 --> 00:26:39.379 leads to 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:39.799 death. 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:42.179 That is 00:26:42.179 --> 00:26:42.819 what happens 00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:43.240 when we 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.359 play with 00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:45.200 sin rather 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:46.000 than 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:47.139 fighting with 00:26:47.139 --> 00:26:47.299 it. 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:48.500 It is 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.179 better that 00:26:49.179 --> 00:26:49.460 we had 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:49.859 not been 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.159 born. 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:52.500 Jesus' 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.119 words here 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:53.599 are deep 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.799 and painful 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:56.299 and sobering. 00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:58.279 And so 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:58.639 the call 00:26:58.639 --> 00:26:59.119 for us 00:26:59.119 --> 00:26:59.479 is to 00:26:59.479 --> 00:26:59.839 examine 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.359 our hearts. 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:03.099 Are you 00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:03.659 struggling 00:27:03.659 --> 00:27:04.879 with sin? 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.779 Are you 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.219 fighting 00:27:07.219 --> 00:27:08.139 against it? 00:27:09.159 --> 00:27:09.619 We just 00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:10.019 prayed the 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.479 Lord's Prayer 00:27:10.479 --> 00:27:10.979 a little bit 00:27:10.979 --> 00:27:11.339 ago. 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:12.879 It said, 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:13.679 we forgive 00:27:13.679 --> 00:27:15.500 our trespasses 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:15.879 as we 00:27:15.879 --> 00:27:16.579 forgive those 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.359 who trespass 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:18.239 against us. 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:20.279 are you 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:21.059 refusing to 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.400 struggle 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:21.980 with sin 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.819 by refusing 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.539 to forgive 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.180 those in 00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:24.579 your life? 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.240 Are you 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:28.720 refusing 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:30.700 to share 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.500 your addiction 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.240 with anyone 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:33.319 so that you 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:33.720 don't have to 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.180 walk in the 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:34.420 light? 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.980 Are you 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.740 letting money 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.720 and comfort 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.839 convince your 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.400 heart that you 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:42.000 really, at the 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.339 end of the 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:43.079 day, don't 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.720 need Jesus 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:45.480 because you're 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.420 powerful enough 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.519 and secure 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:47.900 enough? 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:51.000 Are there 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.860 hard truths 00:27:51.860 --> 00:27:52.460 and small 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.180 failures that 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:53.600 you know 00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:54.279 about but 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:54.960 you just 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:56.100 aren't going 00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:57.180 to face? 00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.559 Maybe hard 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.079 truths and 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.700 big failures. 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.200 Judah shows 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:04.620 us where 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:05.860 that path 00:28:05.860 --> 00:28:06.819 leads. 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.539 That it's a 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.799 slow hardening 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.420 of a heart 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.680 until that 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.259 heart becomes 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:12.600 stone. 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:16.059 There's 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.600 different ways 00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:17.259 to think 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:17.740 about what 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.319 happens when 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:18.940 we rub up 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:19.860 against something 00:28:19.860 --> 00:28:20.539 over and 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.140 over again. 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:22.360 Sometimes people 00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:23.180 think of sin 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:23.660 as sort of 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.500 like a 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:24.900 blister. 00:28:25.600 --> 00:28:25.759 You know 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.019 what happens 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.220 when you 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:26.420 get a 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:26.640 blister? 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:26.880 You're 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:27.240 hiking. 00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:28.299 Maybe you 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:28.720 have bad 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.160 shoes or 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.839 bad socks 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:30.559 and your 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.279 foot rubs 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:31.620 on that 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.319 same place 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:32.940 over and 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.539 over again. 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:35.240 What happens? 00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:36.019 It becomes 00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:36.480 painful. 00:28:36.600 --> 00:28:36.860 You can 00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:37.420 feel it. 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.420 It creates 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:39.240 distress in 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.740 you so that 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.279 you want to 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:40.799 deal with it. 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.240 You want to 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:42.339 address it as 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:42.860 quickly as 00:28:42.860 --> 00:28:43.279 possible. 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:43.740 Maybe you 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.480 have some 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:44.920 kind of mole 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.779 skin that you're 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.339 going to put on 00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:46.980 it to protect 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.700 that portion of 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.079 your foot. 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:48.859 Maybe you spend 00:28:48.859 --> 00:28:49.740 extra money on 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.359 socks so it 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:51.099 doesn't happen to 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:51.639 begin with. 00:28:51.899 --> 00:28:52.779 It's tempting at 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.639 times for people to 00:28:53.639 --> 00:28:54.539 think that's what 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.599 sin is like. 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.980 I'm going to sin and 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:57.559 it's going to be more 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.500 and more painful and 00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.119 I'm just going to be 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:00.039 forced to deal with 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.220 it. 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:02.299 In fact, what the 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:03.240 Bible tells us about 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:04.259 sin is very different 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:04.680 than that. 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.940 It is not like a 00:29:06.940 --> 00:29:07.180 blister. 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:07.859 It's actually a little 00:29:07.859 --> 00:29:08.700 bit more like this. 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:10.660 If you play a 00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:11.359 stringed instrument, 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.019 if you play a 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.759 violin or a 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:13.379 viola or a 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:14.000 guitar and you 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.619 play it over and 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.699 over, you know 00:29:15.699 --> 00:29:16.379 what happens to 00:29:16.379 --> 00:29:17.079 your fingers over 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.419 time. 00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:19.419 You're going to 00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:20.240 develop calluses, 00:29:20.399 --> 00:29:20.599 right? 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:22.179 Your fingers get 00:29:22.179 --> 00:29:23.240 thicker and thicker, 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:24.939 the skin does, so 00:29:24.939 --> 00:29:25.779 that you can handle 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:27.019 pressing onto the 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:27.319 string. 00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:30.299 In a sense, your 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.099 fingers become 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:32.339 desensitized to the 00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:33.240 string. 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:34.039 We might even say 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:35.659 your fingers become 00:29:35.659 --> 00:29:36.199 hardened. 00:29:37.419 --> 00:29:38.599 That's actually what 00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:39.219 sin is like. 00:29:39.919 --> 00:29:41.179 Sin is not like a 00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:41.539 blister. 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:42.579 Sin is like the 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.379 calluses on your 00:29:43.379 --> 00:29:44.219 finger from playing 00:29:44.219 --> 00:29:44.659 an instrument. 00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:46.079 The more and more 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:46.980 you come into 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:47.959 contact with it, 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:49.019 the less and less 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:50.059 seriously you take 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.879 it, the more and 00:29:50.879 --> 00:29:52.139 more you refuse to 00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:53.359 struggle with it, 00:29:54.139 --> 00:29:56.779 the less you're able 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.579 to feel it. 00:29:58.519 --> 00:30:00.039 The more hardened 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:01.459 your heart becomes, 00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:04.379 the easier it is 00:30:04.379 --> 00:30:05.159 to sin. 00:30:06.899 --> 00:30:07.899 That's what happened 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:08.880 to Judas here. 00:30:09.040 --> 00:30:10.740 Judas played the 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:12.660 guitar of sin long 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:14.440 enough that his 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:15.360 heart became 00:30:15.360 --> 00:30:16.600 completely hard. 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.100 It was not a 00:30:18.100 --> 00:30:18.420 blister. 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.540 Judas' heart was a 00:30:20.540 --> 00:30:20.940 callous. 00:30:24.060 --> 00:30:25.019 Don't let your 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.340 heart become 00:30:26.340 --> 00:30:28.060 calloused by sin. 00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:30.620 Don't go back and 00:30:30.620 --> 00:30:31.840 touch it over and 00:30:31.840 --> 00:30:32.980 over again thinking 00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:34.980 it won't have any 00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:36.120 consequences. 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:40.360 Thankfully, though, 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:40.900 there's a greater 00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:42.160 hope for us than 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:42.360 that. 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:43.560 There's a sobering 00:30:43.560 --> 00:30:44.660 principle here that 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.580 points us to a great 00:30:45.580 --> 00:30:45.920 truth. 00:30:46.540 --> 00:30:47.240 Sobering principle, 00:30:47.420 --> 00:30:47.940 I've told you, 00:30:48.040 --> 00:30:49.060 verse 21, it's 00:30:49.060 --> 00:30:50.640 better that you 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:51.380 wouldn't be born 00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:52.320 than be separated 00:30:52.320 --> 00:30:53.040 from God. 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.000 And yet, what is it 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.840 that Jesus is about 00:30:55.840 --> 00:30:56.160 to do? 00:30:57.580 --> 00:30:59.120 Jesus is about to be 00:30:59.120 --> 00:31:00.480 separated from his 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.480 heavenly father on 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:01.960 the cross. 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:03.640 Jesus is choosing 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:05.660 something that is 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:07.579 worse than never 00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:08.720 having existed. 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:12.880 That's how bad, 00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:15.120 that's how painful, 00:31:15.620 --> 00:31:16.980 that's how serious 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:18.220 Jesus' sacrifice on 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:19.039 the cross was. 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:22.340 He chose, in a 00:31:22.340 --> 00:31:24.180 sense, Judas' fate for 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:27.500 a time so that he 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.680 could save you. 00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:31.640 Jesus chose 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:33.400 Judas' fate for a 00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:33.600 time. 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.400 He was separated 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.920 from the father. 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.600 In fact, not only is 00:31:36.600 --> 00:31:37.400 he separated from the 00:31:37.400 --> 00:31:38.000 father, he's 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:39.539 carefully arranging 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:41.220 everything towards 00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:41.960 that end. 00:31:42.820 --> 00:31:43.940 He will be arrested 00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:46.299 when he is ready. 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.279 Brothers and 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:50.320 sisters, that is 00:31:50.320 --> 00:31:52.060 how much our 00:31:52.060 --> 00:31:53.360 Lord Jesus loves 00:31:53.360 --> 00:31:53.860 us. 00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:55.920 In fact, that's 00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:57.519 how much he loves 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:57.799 you. 00:31:59.079 --> 00:31:59.960 That's how much 00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.779 pain he was 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.799 willing to 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.200 endure. 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:05.799 How could we 00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:07.079 not have 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:07.839 tender hearts? 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:10.619 How could we 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:12.220 not be 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:13.259 sorrowful even 00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:13.940 at the thought 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:15.720 of sin when 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.599 we see the 00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:17.519 clear picture 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.460 of our Lord 00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:18.900 and of his 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:20.059 love for 00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:20.500 us? 00:32:21.879 --> 00:32:22.720 It is not 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.460 hard at that 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.720 point, but 00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:25.059 easy. 00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:27.059 I have 00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:27.339 told you 00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:27.940 before as 00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:28.179 we have 00:32:28.179 --> 00:32:28.619 worked through 00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:29.399 the gospel of 00:32:29.399 --> 00:32:29.879 Mark that 00:32:29.879 --> 00:32:30.599 there is an 00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:31.240 observation that 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:31.599 has been made 00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:32.099 that as you go 00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:32.399 through the 00:32:32.399 --> 00:32:33.619 gospel, the 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:34.619 third category of 00:32:34.619 --> 00:32:35.399 people disappear. 00:32:35.579 --> 00:32:35.980 At the beginning 00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:36.440 there are three 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:36.940 categories. 00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:37.299 You have got 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:37.779 people who are 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.500 on team Jesus, 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:39.500 people who are 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.339 against Jesus, 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:41.039 and people who are 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:41.399 just in the 00:32:41.399 --> 00:32:41.659 crowd. 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.079 They are looking 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.359 on. 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:44.159 As we go through 00:32:44.159 --> 00:32:45.839 the gospels, that 00:32:45.839 --> 00:32:46.579 middle category 00:32:46.579 --> 00:32:47.639 recedes into the 00:32:47.639 --> 00:32:48.059 background. 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:49.599 There are those 00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:50.220 who are for 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.079 Jesus and those 00:32:51.079 --> 00:32:51.659 who are against 00:32:51.659 --> 00:32:51.940 him. 00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:52.860 And what the 00:32:52.860 --> 00:32:53.740 gospel writer is 00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:54.340 saying is that 00:32:54.340 --> 00:32:56.400 as you see this 00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:57.460 story of Jesus, as 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:58.220 you walk along 00:32:58.220 --> 00:33:00.200 this road, ultimately 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:02.039 you are in one of 00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:02.940 those two camps. 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.960 You have to choose 00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:05.700 are you going to be 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:07.400 for him or against 00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:07.680 him? 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.539 Are you going to 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.400 embrace the 00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:11.000 Savior or will 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.920 you reject him? 00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:15.500 Either you follow 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:17.320 the path of the 00:33:17.320 --> 00:33:19.140 disciples, the path 00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:20.019 of a tender heart, 00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:21.980 or you follow the 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:24.379 path of Judas, the 00:33:24.379 --> 00:33:25.259 path of a heart of 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:25.539 stone? 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:28.160 Brothers and 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:28.859 sisters, which 00:33:28.859 --> 00:33:30.599 one will it be? 00:33:33.400 --> 00:33:34.039 Let's pray. 00:33:35.859 --> 00:33:36.779 Our Father in 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:38.000 heaven, we thank 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.980 you so much that 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:40.539 you sent your 00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:41.680 son to choose 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.460 something that was 00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:43.519 so painful that it 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:45.079 was worse than 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:45.680 never having 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:46.559 existed, to be 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.400 separated from 00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:47.660 you. 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:48.579 We thank you that 00:33:48.579 --> 00:33:49.079 he did it for 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.579 our sake, 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:50.359 controlling and 00:33:50.359 --> 00:33:51.339 arranging everything 00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:52.259 at every point and 00:33:52.259 --> 00:33:53.539 every moment to 00:33:53.539 --> 00:33:54.460 care for us, your 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:54.799 people. 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:55.720 We ask that you 00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.679 would show us that 00:33:56.679 --> 00:33:58.460 in great clarity and 00:33:58.460 --> 00:33:59.019 beauty, that we 00:33:59.019 --> 00:34:00.399 would see Jesus and 00:34:00.399 --> 00:34:01.399 his love and his 00:34:01.399 --> 00:34:02.159 glory and his 00:34:02.159 --> 00:34:03.839 sacrifice, and it 00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:05.119 would melt our 00:34:05.119 --> 00:34:06.199 hearts, that we 00:34:06.199 --> 00:34:06.839 would have not 00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:07.659 hearts of stone, but 00:34:07.659 --> 00:34:08.659 hearts of flesh, not 00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:09.659 hearts that are hard, 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.860 but hearts that are 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.119 tender. 00:34:11.659 --> 00:34:12.719 We ask these things 00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:13.679 in the mighty name of 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:14.400 Jesus Christ. 00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:15.119 Amen. 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:15.259 Amen.