Spring has finally arrived.
Have you been taking advantage of the better weather?
Most people will enjoy the arrival of spring
more daylight and warmer and less dark.
But for many, spring brings on hay fever and runny nose.
The arrival of a certain time can be good news for some
and bad news for a few.
We have come to a similar time in our study
of the Gospel of John.
There are four Gospels in the Bible.
They are like a biography that accounts for Jesus' life
and works to save God's people from ultimate destruction.
John's Gospel highlights Jesus' power as a son of God,
his divine nature, and at the same time
we feel his human nature.
Jesus is fully human and fully God,
and he made that claim about himself,
which no one in the entire human history
had ever dared to say the same.
John uses time markers,
especially annual Jewish festival,
in his Gospel to highlight Jesus' teaching
and what he had come to do.
It also served as a tool to understand
the length of time between the chapters in his Gospel.
Jesus started his public teaching at 8th Passover
back in chapter 2,
and Jewish people gather at Passover
to be reminded of what God did to save them
from slavery under a human king in Egypt.
It's a time of annual sacrifice
for the forgiveness of their sins.
By cleaning out the temple at this particular time,
Jesus displayed his seal for God's house
and laid judgment on the Jewish leaders
who had allowed worship to deteriorate into comers.
Jesus' words in chapter 2, verse 19,
said,
Destroy this temple,
and will raise it again in three days.
Jesus,
when answering the Jews' question about his authority,
prophetically foreshadowed his crucifixion and resurrection.
A year passed between John chapter 2 to 6
when Jesus fed 5,000 people
as the next Passover approach.
It was at this time
that Jesus' verse of seven I Am statements
in John's Gospel was recorded.
Jesus uses this I Am statement
to allude to the same self-identification
that God uses in Exodus 3
to claim his deity.
Jesus told us during this time
that he will give up his life
for the life of the world.
The only way to eternal life
is by believing in him.
In chapter 6, verse 40, he said,
For my Father's will is that everyone
who looks to the Son
and believes in him
shall have eternal life.
And Jesus shall lose
none of those the Father has given to him.
It's also at this Passover
that we are first introduced
to the person
who betrayed Jesus
at the next Passover,
Judas,
Simon's,
and Scarish's sons.
And now,
we come to the third Passover
in John's Gospel
from chapter 11,
which is also the last Passover
of Jesus' human life.
This time is the hour
that he became
the one and for all sacrifice
that fulfilled God's requirement
to allow God's creation
to be reconciled
with the Creator.
Today and the following few weeks,
in the next three chapters
of the last four chapters
of John's Gospel,
time traveled
at a much slower pace,
while John tells us
of the arrest,
trial,
death,
and resurrection of Jesus
to secure our place
in heaven,
our eternal life.
We read about
Jesus' arrest
in the garden
and the beginning
of his trial
in the high priest's courtyard
in today's passage
in John 18,
1 to 27.
So please keep your Bible
open at that chapter.
In both the garden
and the courtyard,
we will look at
what Jesus did
and refer to one
of his disciples.
We see Jesus and Judas
in the garden,
and we see Jesus
and Peter
in the courtyard,
and I hope you will see
Jesus and yourself
at the end of my talk.
After many references
to my time
has not yet come
in the first 12 chapters,
John told us
in chapter 3,
verse 1,
it was just before
the Passover festival,
Jesus knew that
the hour had come
for him to leave
this world
and go to the Father.
And then,
in our chapter today
in verse 4,
Jesus knew all that
was going to happen
to him,
went out
and faced those
who came to arrest him.
Three times,
between verse 5 to 8,
Jesus used the phrase,
I am he,
to connote
he is God.
Jesus' life's purpose
is to make sure
God's word,
which including
his words,
is fulfilled
so that God
is glorified.
John tells us
that Jesus lived
to fulfill
his own words
and the Old Testament
and any contemporary
prophecy
in verse 9,
11, and 14
of our passage today.
In verse 9,
Jesus said,
I have not lost
one of those
you have gave me,
is Jesus repeating
words from chapter 6
that I have highlighted
earlier.
He knew
who would betray
him all along
and he said
in chapter 17,
verse 12,
none has been lost
except the one
doomed to destruction
so that scripture
will be fulfilled.
The cup
that Jesus referred
to in verse 11
is alluded
to Isaiah 51,
verse 22.
This is what
the sovereign Lord
says,
your God
who defends
his people.
See,
I have taken
out of your hand
the cup
that make you stagger.
From that cup,
the gobbler
of my wrath,
you will never
drink again.
What Jesus
is about to fulfill
on the cross
will remove
the cup
of God's wrath
from the hands
of his believers.
Jesus knew
there's no other
way to achieve
that.
And then
in verse 12
to 14
says the people
took Jesus
to Caiaphas.
Caiaphas
made his prophecy
back in John
11,
49 to 52.
He did not
say this
on his own
but as high
priest that year
he prophesied
that Jesus
would die
for the Jewish
nation
and not only
for that nation
but also
for the scattered
children of God
to bring them
together
to make them
one.
Jesus
substituted
our broken
tainted
record
with his
perfect record
in his
obedience
towards God.
By our
own merit
humans can
never be
forgiven
and reach
God
but Jesus
made the
impossible
possible.
At no point
did Jesus
draw back
because he
knew in
order to
save us
sinners
he had to
offer up
his life
in God's
hand.
Even though
he knows
God is
trustworthy
and will not
live in
the death
he still
needs to
learn
to trust
that God
will resurrect
him after
the cross.
Jesus
faced the
cross
knowing he
had to
go through
death
for all
his followers
to be
saved
and have
a life
and not
just end
life
but abundant
life.
Every one
of his
followers
except one
who have
already been
introduced to
Judas
the one
who betrayed
Jesus.
He led
the arresting
party to
the garden.
The Bible
tells us
Judas
betrayed
Jesus
for the
love of
money
because he
loved money
more than
God.
He loved
the things
of this
world
and his
love of
money.
Back in
chapter 12
six days
before Jesus
last Passover
Mary
took a
pint of
pure
nut
and
poured
on
Jesus.
Other
gospels
highlight
that she
broke
the jar
which would
mean no
holding back
nothing can
be saved
to sell
later.
Mary's
action
brought
indignation
and disgust
to the
people at
that event.
The writers
of other
gospels
did not
provide any
names of
those people
that were
so upset
but John
did in
his
gospel.
He named
Judas
and told
us the
reason
behind
the
objection.
In
John 12
verse 46
but one
of his
disciples
Judas
Iscariot
who was
later to
betray him
objected.
Why
wasn't
this
perfume
sold
and money
given to
the
poor?
It was
worth a
year's
wages.
He did
not say
this
because he
cared about
the poor
but because
he is a
thief.
He
as keeper
of the
money
bag
he used
to help
himself
to what
was put
into it.
And then
fast forward
seven days
in chapter
13
John says
again that
Judas
had charge
of the
money
when Jesus
predicted
his betrayal.
Jesus took
the bread
and gave it
to Judas
and in
verse 26
of chapter
13
as soon as
Judas
took the
bread
Satan
entered
into him.
So
Jesus
told him
what
you're
about
to
do
quickly.
Jesus
is fully
and always
in control
of the
whole
situation.
And with
my background
in business
and management
it seems
odd
that
Jesus
who is
God
with
God's
all-knowing
characteristic
would allow
Judas
to be
the keeper
of the
money
bag.
Especially
when Jesus
knew that
Judas
would betray
him
and for
his love
of money
and things
of this
world
would sell
him out
for 30
silver
coins.
That is
one of
the why
questions
that I
don't have
an answer
to.
Maybe
Judas
was the
only one
that put
up his
hand
to do
the job.
Maybe
he's a
better choice
compared to
a tax collector
and a bunch
of fishermen.
There can
be many
speculation
and questions
but the
healthier
approach
is not
to do
what some
modern
scholar
try to
do
when they
face
part of
God's
word
that
have
questions
about.
A lot
of people
take the
liberal
approach
to read
back
into the
Bible
what they
think
should be
the most
appropriate
modern
view
of different
issues.
But when
you do
that
you're not
listening to
God
or following
his words.
One thing
we are sure
of though
is that
Jesus
loved
Judas
as much
as anyone
who came
to follow
him.
we cannot
find in
the whole
Bible
any
reference
that
Jesus
treated
Judas
differently
because
of what
he knew
of
Judas.
As we
follow
Jesus
a lot
of things
can confuse
us
cause us
pain
and leave
us searching
for answers.
Sometimes
life hurts
so much
that it
shakes
our confidence
in the
character
of God.
We are
deeply
hurt
by the
realization
that
for reasons
we cannot
understand
our
all-powerful
God
has chosen
not to
step in
and fix
the things
the way
we have
begged him
to do.
Our
imagination
at times
of suffering
especially
if it's
self-inflicted
can take
us down
a dark
path.
We can
find
ourselves
agitated
at God
and walking
away from
him.
We are
told in
other
gospel
that
Judas
did
that
after he
realized
what he
had done.
he
disconnected
himself
from
God
and
other
believers
and
stayed
in
isolation
and
end
in
despair.
Hold on
to what
you do
know
about
God
in
times
of
painful
circumstance.
In the
coming
weeks
you will
see
Jesus
took
a
savage
beating
and
nailed
to a
cross
for
you.
Jesus
never
abandoned
you
but
supplied
the
grace
you need
to see
you
through.
The
cross
proves
Jesus
is
deeply
committed
to
you
every
sinner
of
this
world.
Jesus'
interaction
with
those
who
question
him
in
the
high
priest
courtyard
in
verse
19
to
23
exhibited
again
Jesus
is
fully
in
control
when
faced
with
the
most
excursion
punishment
known to
the
human
world.
John
put
this
interaction
between
Peter's
interaction
with
those
asking
him
about
his
relationship
to
Jesus
it
provides
such
a
contrast.
Where
Jesus
declared
three
times
at the
beginning
of the
chapter
about
his
deity
by
saying
I
am
we
see
Peter
deny
any
association
with
Jesus
by
answering
I
am
not
three
times.
This
is
after
Jesus
has
predicted
he
would
deny
him
three
times
before
the
rooster
crow
only a
few
hours
ago
in
chapter
three
during
the
Passover
meal.
How
Peter
answered
those
who
question
him
makes
Jesus
answer
to
the
high
priest
in
verse
21
all
the
more
challenging.
When
questioned
about
his
disciples
and
his
teaching
Jesus
replied
was
why
question
me?
Ask
those
who
heard
me.
Surely
they
know
what
I
said.
Many
at
Jesus'
time
have
heard
Jesus'
teaching
even
seen
signs
that
show
he
has
the
power
of
the
son
of
God.
And
some
even
have
close
daily
interaction
with
him
and
they
all
left
Jesus
at
his
arrest.
One
chose
to
deny
and
disown
him.
Another
chose
to
betray
him.
The
same
can
be
said
of
today's
follower
of
Jesus.
If
you
call
yourself
a
Christian,
you
have
heard
Jesus'
teaching.
Do
you
know
what
Jesus
says?
What
kind
of
defense
will
you
provide
for
your
faith
in
him?
John
tells
us
that
many
Jesus'
disciples
realize
Jesus'
teaching
with
the
help
of
the
Holy
Spirit
after
his
resurrection.
The
resurrection
has
already
happened.
You
already
have
God's
spirit
in
you.
What
is
holding
you
back
from
speaking
up
for
Jesus?
What
is
holding
you
back
from
telling
others
of the
good
news
of
Jesus
or
live
out
a
life
what
will
it
take
for
you
to
realize
what
Jesus
has
done?
His
death
on
the
cross,
his
resurrection
were
all
done
for
you.
His
substitution
for
the
punishment
of
your
sins
is
to
free
you
from
living
for
yourself
or
Satan,
but
for
him,
your
Lord
Jesus.
Our
passage
today
has
many
characters
who
treated
Jesus
differently.
Are
you
going
to be
like
Judas?
Or
Peter?
Or
the
soldiers
and
officials?
Or
the
high
priests
and
the
Pharisee?
Or
the
other
disciples
that
was
known
to
the
high
priests?
Where
are
you
standing
in
your
life
now?
Are
you
standing
with
those
who
want
nothing
to
do
with
Jesus?
Are
you
standing
with
your
Lord,
facing
a
child
and
suffering,
bringing
glory
to
the
Father?
Judas,
stand
with
the
soldiers
or
official,
from
the
Pharisee.
He
stands
with
those
who
slapped
Jesus
in the
face,
arresting
him
unlawfully,
accusing
him of
wrongs
that he
did not
do.
Peter
stands
outside
of the
door of
the
courtyard
where
he
denied
his
disciples
for the
first
time,
then
later
stood
around
a
fire
made
by
the
servant
and
official
of
the
high
priest,
warming
himself
in
the
cold
of the
night,
he
denied
second
and
third
times
of
being
one
of
Jesus'
disciples.
The
other
disciples
that
was
known
to
the
high
priest
that
mentioned
in
this
passage
stood
with
Jesus
throughout
the
trial
and
the
crucifixion.
Where
are you
standing
with
Jesus
in your
life
now?
I
hope
you
asked
yourself
the two
repeated
questions
from
this
passage.
I
believe
they
are
repeated
for
our
attention.
One
is
asked
of
Peter
by
people
standing
around
him
in
verse
17
and
25.
How
would
you
answer
the
question?
You
aren't
one
of
his
disciples
too,
are
you?
If
your
answer
is
affirmed,
yes,
I
am,
may
Jesus'
word
in
first
night
and
other
parts
of
the
Bible
be
your
encouragement.
Once
Jesus
finds
you,
you
will
never
be
lost
again.
Your
security
comes
from
the
promise
and
prayer
between
our
Heavenly
Father
and
his
Son.
I
have
not
lost
one
of
those
you
gave
me.
Jesus
gave
his
word
in
chapter
6
verse
40.
For
my
Father's
will
is
that
everyone
who
looks
to
the
Son
and
believes
in
him
shall
have
eternal
life
and
I
will
raise
them
up
at
the
security
in
Jesus
word
not
in
yourself
and
stay
connected
with
other
believers.
That
was
what
Peter
did
after
his
big
failure
of
answering
I
am
not
three
times
and
Jesus
restored
him
at
the
end
of
John's
Gospel.
But
Jesus
asked
another
more
important
question
to
those
who
come
to
him
in
verse
4
and
7.
Who
is
it
you
want?
If
you
are
seeking
and
searching
about
who
Jesus
is
or
finding
out
what
Christianity
or
coming
to
church
is
all
about
the
who
question
is
more
important
than
the
what
question.
Focus
on
who
Jesus
is.
My
hope
and
prayer
are
you
find
Jesus
as
your
savior
and
willingly
submit
yourself
to
him.
Not
like
those
came
with
Judas
who
drew
back
and
fell
to
the
ground
on
seeing
the
power
and
authority
of
Jesus
because
they
were
looking
for
Jesus
for
the
wrong
reason.
If
you
are
a
Christian
a
follower
of
Jesus
do
you
really
want
Jesus
as
your
lord
and
savior?
How
active
are
you
in
asking
for
help
from
the
Holy
Spirit
to
guide
you
into
all
truth
and
help
you
to
testify
about
Jesus
in
all
of
your
life.
If
you
are
happy
being
indifferent
seeing
no
need
for
a
savior
because
you
think
you
are
both
moral
and
religious.
My
prayer
is
that
the
Holy
Spirit
will
work
in
your
heart
through
the
gospel
message
to
create
a
faith
you
need
to
believe
in
Christ.
Everyone's
growth
in
your
worship
of
God
is
directly
related
to
your
understanding
of
the
gospel
in
all
its
fullness
including
the
understanding
that
the
faith
in
which
you
believe
was
a
gift
from
God.
We
have
faith
in
God
because
it's
a
gift
from
God.
God's
will
is
that
everyone
who
looks
to
the
Son
and
believes
in
him
shall
have
eternal
life
and
Jesus
will
raise
them
up
at
the
last
day.
Now
is
the
time
to
look
to
Jesus
and
believe
in
him.
Taking
hold
of
God's
gospel
and
this
faith.
Please
speak
with
me
or
any
staff
about
how
to
know
Jesus.
Don't
let
this
time
pass
you.
Let
this
time
be
time
of
good
news
for
you.
Let
go.