WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.339 One of the great encouragements of working with young people is the enthusiasm in which they bring to the Christian faith and to the scriptures. 00:00:10.200 --> 00:00:16.980 It's a great delight when you go and you speak to a bunch of teenagers and they all pick up the Bible and they're engaging with it. 00:00:16.980 --> 00:00:29.400 And what I really love is when you call them to commit their lives as disciples of Jesus and they respond and they respond not just with their words, 00:00:29.399 --> 00:00:31.599 but with their hearts and with their faces. 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:41.339 I remember one moment particularly where there was about 200 teenagers who committed that the rest of their lives they were going to follow the Lord Jesus 00:00:41.339 --> 00:00:46.859 and tears are coming down their face and really engaged in that moment. 00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:56.159 And so that brings a great joy to me, but it also brings an element of apprehension as well. 00:00:56.159 --> 00:01:01.719 Because presumption is always dangerous for anyone who follows Jesus. 00:01:03.239 --> 00:01:05.859 Many have fallen along the way. 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:07.640 Many have fallen. 00:01:08.500 --> 00:01:13.939 In fact, 75% of those who are currently in high school who call themselves Christian 00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:18.280 will no longer call themselves Christian by the end of first year university. 00:01:19.620 --> 00:01:20.219 75%. 00:01:20.219 --> 00:01:29.140 So many have fallen along the way because they, I believe, not understood what it actually means to be a disciple of Jesus. 00:01:29.819 --> 00:01:38.200 More often than not, in our modern culture, there is a belief that Christianity means that we should work hard to be good people. 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:45.620 We believe that God exists to serve us by helping us to feel happy and good and secure and at peace. 00:01:45.620 --> 00:01:54.480 And we believe that even though God made the world, he is only active and involved in our lives when we need him to resolve a problem. 00:01:55.120 --> 00:01:59.439 And so the rest of the time, it's great if he could kind of just stay out of the way a little bit. 00:02:00.780 --> 00:02:09.560 And so to be clear on what it means to be a follower of Jesus, we must be clear on who Jesus is and what his mission is. 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:19.000 And so in today's text, we see two models of discipleship, one a beautiful model of discipleship and the other disastrous discipleship. 00:02:20.259 --> 00:02:21.819 And so Jesus sets the scene for us. 00:02:21.900 --> 00:02:22.840 Grab your Bibles, please. 00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:27.800 It's a long passage and you're not going to remember it all, so you need your Bibles in front of you. 00:02:28.259 --> 00:02:29.699 Luke, sorry, Mark 14. 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:35.719 Jesus sets the scene for us there in chapter 13, right at the very end. 00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:44.979 You'll notice in the last paragraph there the repetitiveness of statements like be on guard, be alert, keep watch, don't sleep. 00:02:45.579 --> 00:02:53.439 In verses 32 to 37, be ready and alert because as disciples, it's going to get tough. 00:02:53.539 --> 00:02:56.900 And in fact, guys, it's about to get really tough. 00:02:58.460 --> 00:03:00.139 Up until now, it's been fun. 00:03:00.139 --> 00:03:10.899 You know, they're the guys who have been there with Jesus while he's been doing all this incredible stuff in Mark's chapters 1 to 9, healing people, driving out demons. 00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:14.239 And what he says is this is going to be different. 00:03:14.739 --> 00:03:15.799 So you need to keep watch. 00:03:15.859 --> 00:03:16.799 You need to be on guard. 00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:21.939 Don't be afraid when you're persecuted and put on trial for my sake. 00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:32.340 And then we notice right at the beginning of chapter 14, the cheap priests and the teachers of the law are looking for a way to kill Jesus. 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:36.840 And so Jesus' warning to them is very timely. 00:03:37.419 --> 00:03:38.560 He says this in verse 1. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:04:00.039 You see, Jesus was popular with the crowds, but he was on the death list of the power brokers in Israel. 00:04:00.039 --> 00:04:10.239 The battle lines were drawn when Jesus declared judgment on the temple, as we saw a few weeks ago, on the temple and the religious establishment. 00:04:11.299 --> 00:04:19.120 And so because one of their major feasts was only two days away, they've got two days to do their dirty work. 00:04:19.180 --> 00:04:26.379 It's kind of like we need to really hurry up here, guys, so we can wash our hands, change our clothes so that we can turn up for communion. 00:04:30.040 --> 00:04:36.240 So Jesus and his mates, they've left the temple and gone to Bethany for a pleasant evening, or so it would seem. 00:04:36.900 --> 00:04:40.300 And as they're reclining at the table, they witness a remarkable event. 00:04:41.439 --> 00:04:45.800 A woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made a pure nard. 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:48.800 She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 00:04:49.540 --> 00:04:51.960 Now, this is a breathtaking scene. 00:04:51.959 --> 00:04:59.839 John 12 verse 3 reveals that the woman was in fact Mary, the sister of Lazarus. 00:05:01.519 --> 00:05:06.379 Mary unexpectedly approached her reclining lord. 00:05:07.399 --> 00:05:12.299 We know from Mary that she loved to be at the feet of her lord. 00:05:13.599 --> 00:05:19.219 She's carrying a priceless jar of imported perfume, possibly a family heirloom. 00:05:19.220 --> 00:05:21.160 She breaks the neck of the flower. 00:05:21.300 --> 00:05:24.020 She pours a generous portion on his head. 00:05:24.400 --> 00:05:27.840 And we also know that she pours the rest on his feet. 00:05:28.320 --> 00:05:34.400 And John 12 says that she humbly wipes his feet with her hair. 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:41.900 It was an intensely fervent expression of devotion. 00:05:41.899 --> 00:05:51.519 And in fact, I would go as far as to say it is as strong as an act of devotion to Jesus as you'll find anywhere in the Gospels. 00:05:53.719 --> 00:05:58.639 This woman takes her greatest treasure on earth. 00:06:00.919 --> 00:06:03.299 She pours it all over Jesus. 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:08.800 And reveals in fact that Jesus is her greatest treasure. 00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:16.720 We can assume that she gave no thought to what others would think of her actions. 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:19.340 She did it in full view of everyone else. 00:06:19.420 --> 00:06:21.699 And she even did the most humiliating thing. 00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:25.840 And took her hair and wiped his feet. 00:06:25.839 --> 00:06:36.139 Although we're not left in the dark as to what others thought about it. 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:36.919 Verse 4. 00:06:37.699 --> 00:06:40.859 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another. 00:06:41.699 --> 00:06:44.500 Why this waste of perfume? 00:06:45.359 --> 00:06:48.039 It could have been sold for more than a year's wages. 00:06:48.500 --> 00:06:50.219 And the money given to the poor. 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:52.739 And they rebuked her harshly. 00:06:52.740 --> 00:06:57.840 John also helps us to see that the one who led the charge here was Judas. 00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:01.900 Judas, a man who knew the price of everything but the value of nothing. 00:07:02.620 --> 00:07:04.439 Instantly calculates the waste. 00:07:04.660 --> 00:07:06.040 A year's wages. 00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:09.800 Probably $35,000 to $40,000 in today's term. 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:11.439 What a waste. 00:07:13.900 --> 00:07:15.560 And so they rebuke her harshly. 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:18.560 In fact, the original language means that they snorted. 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:22.480 They disgusted her like angry horses. 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:34.060 That is how distasteful they thought Mary's actions were. 00:07:34.780 --> 00:07:36.120 But Jesus comes to her defense. 00:07:36.280 --> 00:07:37.019 Leave her alone. 00:07:37.199 --> 00:07:37.720 Verse 6. 00:07:38.400 --> 00:07:40.019 Why are you bothering her? 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:42.480 She has done a beautiful thing to me. 00:07:44.040 --> 00:07:46.759 You see, Jesus was fully aware of her motive. 00:07:47.340 --> 00:07:48.379 It was love. 00:07:49.159 --> 00:07:54.319 It was simply done to and for Jesus with no thought given to whether it was practical or whether it was sensible. 00:07:55.279 --> 00:08:00.860 Jesus defends Mary's action because it placed him before everything else. 00:08:00.939 --> 00:08:02.219 And you see that in verse 7. 00:08:02.759 --> 00:08:04.860 The poor you will always have with you. 00:08:05.100 --> 00:08:07.420 And you can help them with any time you want. 00:08:07.579 --> 00:08:09.699 But you will not always have me. 00:08:09.699 --> 00:08:13.420 Now, he's not saying that you are not to do ministry to the poor. 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:14.659 Far from it, in fact. 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:19.959 But what he is commending her for is that Christ is first. 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:21.420 Totally first. 00:08:21.939 --> 00:08:23.339 And she gave it all. 00:08:23.639 --> 00:08:27.699 Her act of worship was insightful as well. 00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:28.399 Verse 8. 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:30.379 She did what she could. 00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:37.220 I'd love to unpack those five words. 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:39.720 She did what she could. 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:47.980 She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:54.720 You see, one of the prerequisites of resurrection is a death. 00:08:54.720 --> 00:09:00.259 One of the other prerequisites of resurrection is, in fact, not just a death, but a public burial. 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:02.660 The guy's dead. 00:09:03.340 --> 00:09:04.519 So he put him in a tomb. 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:09.700 Jesus had repeatedly talked about his death. 00:09:10.100 --> 00:09:12.700 But it seems that the disciples had just passed it off. 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:18.240 The concept of a suffering Messiah did not meet their expectations. 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:23.320 Mary, on the other hand, yielded to his teaching and accept what was about to happen to him. 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:28.700 And therefore, she did what she could in devotion to Christ. 00:09:30.540 --> 00:09:32.640 Not what other people could do. 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:35.560 She did what she could in devotion to Christ. 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:41.520 And verse 9 tells us that she is a model of devotion to Christ. 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:42.900 I tell you the truth. 00:09:43.520 --> 00:09:50.960 Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her. 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:58.300 And so in 2012, in Sydney, Australia, we hear of it again. 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:03.920 A model of devotion to the Lord Jesus. 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:08.500 A life that has been touched by Christ's love. 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:13.879 And she doesn't do what Charles Spurgeon did. 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:17.360 She doesn't do what Adoniram Judson did. 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:23.720 She did what she could in devotion to Christ. 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:29.039 Of course, the stark opposite to Mary's devotion is revealed in verse 10. 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:34.519 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the 12, went to the chief priest to betray Jesus to them. 00:10:34.599 --> 00:10:37.459 And they were delighted to hear this. 00:10:37.959 --> 00:10:38.439 Excellent. 00:10:39.199 --> 00:10:41.159 And they promised to give him money. 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:44.360 So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:49.879 You see, all this talk about Christ dying and glory coming through serving, 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:53.919 it's not the sort of kingdom that Judas is looking for. 00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:58.919 And so he goes to the chief priest and he makes a deal to betray Jesus. 00:11:00.679 --> 00:11:07.860 Now, it's very, very important for us here to see that Jesus is not a victim of his circumstances. 00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:12.220 He is in complete control of everything that's happening here. 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:15.240 His mission is on target and he's being fulfilled. 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:21.940 And you see that in controlling the environment of the Passover meal in verses 12 to 16 and onwards. 00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:24.000 Especially note verse 16. 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:31.519 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:35.100 And so they prepared the Passover. 00:11:35.419 --> 00:11:38.399 Jesus was in control of everything. 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:43.919 This meal was possibly the most important meal eaten in the history of the world. 00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:49.639 It identified Jesus as the Passover lamb who would deliver God's people. 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:58.679 This meal would graphically explain the centrality of Jesus to the salvation of humanity. 00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:06.919 This is the meal and the night that devout Jews were filled with hope of God's intervention once again. 00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:09.919 And Jesus was not a victim of bad circumstances. 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:21.699 In fact, his words in the last supper, take, eat, this is my body. 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:25.819 And this is my blood of the new covenant which is poured out for many. 00:12:26.339 --> 00:12:33.279 Make no sense at all if Jesus was not master of his own death. 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:38.279 Jesus' mission is clear. 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:44.779 It is glory by way of the humiliation of the cross. 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:50.639 It is what Mary understood but the rest are still coming to terms with. 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:59.559 Jesus breaks a piece of bread and says in verse 22, this is what's going to happen to my body. 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:04.779 And then he passes the wine and he says, here's my blood poured out for many. 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:11.519 The Lord's Supper is so familiar to us as we will enjoy in just a moment. 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:18.559 So try to imagine it if you were sitting with Jesus around this table for the first time. 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:23.460 It is eerie to hear these words coming out of his mouth. 00:13:24.199 --> 00:13:29.299 In fact, it is frightening for them to hear these words coming out of his mouth. 00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:40.879 To hear that the one who you have pledged your life to is talking about his body being broken and his blood being shed. 00:13:41.599 --> 00:13:43.539 Jesus, we have left our nets. 00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:45.859 We have left our families and followed you. 00:13:45.979 --> 00:13:47.939 And you're saying you're about to die? 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.539 Well, what of us? 00:13:50.539 --> 00:14:04.419 Judas sees the chance to slip away and betray his Lord. 00:14:06.699 --> 00:14:09.719 But did you notice the conversation on the way to Mount of Olives? 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:14.819 Jesus points out that it's not just Judas who's going to let him down. 00:14:14.939 --> 00:14:16.000 They all will. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:21.740 Now, Peter, as he usually is, is good at talking tough. 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:29.220 And he says, even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you. 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:32.360 And all the others said, yeah, yeah, we're with Peter. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:33.279 I'm with you, Jesus. 00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:38.399 But brave talk doesn't translate into the Garden of Gethsemane, does it? 00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:44.179 All this brave talk, we will stand with you, Jesus, in your moment of trial. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:49.240 And Jesus says, wait here for a while, I'm going to go and pray. 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:52.879 And he takes Peter, James and John with him a little bit further. 00:14:53.539 --> 00:15:00.519 And it says in verse 34 that he was deeply distressed and troubled, even to the point of death. 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:04.899 Now, we must not minimize what Jesus went through. 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:10.539 See, if you've got a very high view of Jesus, we sort of tend to think, well, he could cope. 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:13.360 I mean, he's God, you know, so you kind of cope with it. 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:17.480 We know what's going to happen and he knows what's going to happen. 00:15:17.599 --> 00:15:19.199 And we know it all works out in the end. 00:15:20.719 --> 00:15:23.799 But the fact is, let us not downplay this. 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:36.139 Jesus is in deep distress, which for him felt exactly what it feels like for you when you are in deep distress. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:40.519 In fact, I want to suggest it's more. 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:46.080 This is an anguish greater than any human has ever faced. 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:50.720 You see, he saw the full terror of what lay ahead. 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:55.639 He was most likely in sight of the other three. 00:15:55.639 --> 00:16:01.740 And they could see his prostate body convulsing. 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:03.919 And they could see his tears. 00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:08.720 And they could see the sweat of blood pouring out of his forehead. 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:16.080 The terror he felt was not so much the pain of the cross, but what it meant. 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:17.620 He saw the cup. 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:20.279 He saw the cup of human sin. 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:27.579 He saw the brutality of a thousand holocausts over humanity's history. 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:34.779 All the prostituting, all the idolatry of human civilizations, the blasphemy, the profanity. 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:42.779 He saw a cup full to the brim with jealousy and hatred and bitterness and greed and anger. 00:16:43.579 --> 00:16:46.199 And it was his job to drink it. 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:51.040 And he doesn't want to. 00:16:54.280 --> 00:16:56.340 He falls to the ground and he prays. 00:16:56.400 --> 00:16:57.379 He pleads. 00:16:57.860 --> 00:17:00.700 It's impossible that this hour might pass. 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:04.080 Father, if there's any other way to do this. 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:15.919 The hour he's about to face is the cup of God's anger against all of humanity for their rebellion. 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:21.119 Where he takes the punishment due to Israel for their rebellion. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:23.960 Where he soaks up the punishment of the sins of the world. 00:17:24.159 --> 00:17:29.119 Where all of God's anger is focused on him. 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:35.659 But the answer to his prayer is that there's no way. 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:39.339 There's no way it can pass from you. 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:46.379 And in the greatest display of obedience that will ever be known, 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:51.659 Jesus took the cup full to the brim of human sin and God's anger. 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:57.100 And he looked shuddering deep into its death. 00:17:57.740 --> 00:18:01.860 And in a steely act of his will, he drank it all. 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:09.019 And here in the garden, it is but hours away. 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:14.480 And Jesus says to his disciples, 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:19.240 Be ready. 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.440 Keep watch. 00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:24.359 It's about to get really tough. 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.200 Verse 37. 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:36.299 Then he returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:43.599 Simon, are you asleep? 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:47.420 Could you not keep watch for one hour? 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:51.519 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:54.059 The spirit is willing but the body is weak. 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:57.720 Once more he went away and he prayed the same thing. 00:18:57.779 --> 00:19:01.539 And when he came back, he again found them sleeping. 00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:03.460 Because their eyes were heavy. 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:06.059 And they did not know what to say to him. 00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:09.139 And he said to them, 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:13.919 Are you still sleeping and resting? 00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:22.379 On the night where you could imagine it would be good for his disciples to comfort and support him, 00:19:23.639 --> 00:19:26.919 Jesus is quite clearly all alone. 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:31.640 Three times he goes back to them and three times they're asleep. 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:36.180 It's hardly the picture of worship and devotion that we saw in Mary. 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:40.300 These men can't even stay awake. 00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:44.480 And here's the climax in verse 41. 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:47.519 Are you still sleeping and resting? 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:48.620 Enough. 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.839 The hour has come. 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:51.700 Look. 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:55.559 The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:56.500 Arise. 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:59.360 Let us go because here comes my betrayer. 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:02.480 You see, the time of betrayal had arrived. 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:04.480 It's all about to get really ugly. 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:06.480 And so take a look at verse 43. 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:10.299 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, appeared. 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:17.400 And with him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs sent from the chief priests, the teacher of the law and the elders. 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:20.339 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with him. 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:23.860 The one I kiss is the man. 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:26.360 Arrest him and lead him under guard. 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:33.799 And going at once to Jesus, Judas said, Rabbi, and kissed him. 00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:37.000 And the men seized Jesus and arrest him. 00:20:38.979 --> 00:20:46.599 The betrayer had come with a crowd armed with swords and clubs. 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.399 Why? 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:55.659 Because that's the sort of kingship they thought Jesus was leading. 00:20:57.359 --> 00:21:01.259 That's the sort of kingdom they thought Jesus was on about. 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.599 But he wasn't the only one. 00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:05.539 They weren't the only one. 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.779 Verse 37. 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.240 47. 00:21:09.419 --> 00:21:17.719 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 00:21:21.159 --> 00:21:23.019 That's one of Jesus' boys. 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:26.460 Pulling out his sword. 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:33.379 Jesus had earlier predicted that they would all scatter on the way to Gethsemane. 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:36.420 That they would all scatter when the going got tough. 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:39.039 But it hasn't happened yet. 00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:44.340 Moments ago when Jesus was praying, these guys are all asleep. 00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:50.500 Now the mob is here with their swords and their clubs and their machine guns and their camo gear. 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:53.820 And they've got it all there, ready to come and arrest Jesus. 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:55.380 And what do the disciples do? 00:21:55.380 --> 00:22:01.500 They pull out their sword ready for battle. 00:22:03.020 --> 00:22:04.300 They don't scatter. 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:16.279 They are a long way from abandoning Jesus until that is, he says in verse 48. 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:24.160 Am I leading a rebellion that you would come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:30.839 Every day I was with you teaching in the temple courts and you did not arrest me. 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:33.920 But the scriptures must be fulfilled. 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:38.060 Jesus says here, have you not heard a single thing that I've said? 00:22:39.560 --> 00:22:42.060 Do you not understand what my mission is? 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:47.800 It is not to be fighting this war. 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:56.819 And it would seem that that was the moment the penny dropped for the disciples. 00:22:59.159 --> 00:23:06.220 All this talk of coming not to be served but to serve and to give your life as a ransom for many. 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:10.299 All this talk of the first will be last and the last will be first. 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:15.139 All this talk of his blood being poured out for many. 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:20.540 It would appear that that is when the penny dropped. 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:24.220 Verse 50. 00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:29.540 Then everyone deserted him and fled. 00:23:31.020 --> 00:23:38.140 So total was the fleeing from Jesus that even one of them fled naked. 00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:42.780 So total was the desertion of Jesus at that moment. 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:45.860 Here's the point. 00:23:48.020 --> 00:23:51.840 They didn't desert Jesus because they were afraid. 00:23:53.340 --> 00:23:55.620 They weren't afraid to take on this mob. 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:59.720 They didn't desert Jesus because of fear. 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:02.259 They were in fact prepared to die with Jesus. 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:04.140 I think Peter was right. 00:24:05.100 --> 00:24:06.320 I will not abandon you. 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:08.240 I will die with you Jesus. 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:13.980 They didn't desert Jesus because they were afraid. 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:18.619 They deserted Jesus because of ideological disillusionment. 00:24:18.619 --> 00:24:27.359 The kingdom they thought Jesus was actually leading was not the kingdom that Jesus was leading. 00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:31.339 They were going to be with Jesus. 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:34.159 They would give their lives for Jesus. 00:24:35.959 --> 00:24:44.619 Providing Jesus' kingdom meant that they were marching into Jerusalem and that they were going to take the throne and the palace and the temple. 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:49.699 And they had glory and honor at the right hand of the left hand of Jesus. 00:24:52.179 --> 00:24:53.319 Remember chapter 10? 00:24:54.439 --> 00:24:56.359 One on your left and one on your right? 00:24:56.359 --> 00:25:00.879 They're thinking when we get to Jerusalem. 00:25:03.199 --> 00:25:05.599 When your kingdom is established Jesus. 00:25:06.719 --> 00:25:09.259 We are happy for you to be the king. 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:13.379 As long as I'm the prime minister and he's the foreign minister. 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:16.419 You get the glory. 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:21.059 As long as we get to shine in the glory as well. 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:26.399 As long as we get to be the people there when the press conference is on. 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:29.460 Sitting beside you and waving at the camera behind you. 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:32.139 So that everyone can see that we're with you Jesus. 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:34.919 We're on the winning side. 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:40.700 But when your king surrenders himself to death and calls you to do the same. 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:44.200 Well that's not what we were signing up for. 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.919 I've got to say friends. 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:53.519 This has got something really to say about our consumeristic culture and the way it bears on church. 00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:56.820 A consumeristic culture says what's in it for me. 00:25:58.220 --> 00:26:01.100 The core of such a culture is me, my agenda. 00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:03.620 It's me getting something out of it. 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:11.200 And so it is possible to be with Jesus and yet not be with Jesus. 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:18.620 It is possible to come to church and sing songs of praise and pray and nod your head when the sermon is preached. 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:21.039 And yet make decisions that pursue your agenda. 00:26:21.840 --> 00:26:26.240 That makes much of me rather than making much of Christ. 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:30.319 I think it's often a subtlety for Christians. 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:32.480 Rather than a blatantly obvious. 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:35.500 Too often we are happy to pursue God's glory. 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:41.359 So long in the process, he makes much of me in the process. 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:51.059 We can be involved in church activities that look like we're doing it for the glory of Christ. 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:56.079 But secretly harboring a hope that some of his glory will radiate on me. 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:59.000 In such a way that other people will see it. 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.519 And notice it. 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:03.339 Let's be honest. 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:09.799 It is so much easier taking up your cross and following Christ when other people are applauding you for it. 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:16.339 It's a struggle for church leaders. 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:18.599 It's a struggle for me. 00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:25.139 What are my motives in wanting God to be glorified at St. Paul's? 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:27.559 And the vision that we have? 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:31.019 Let me be honest with you. 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:35.819 The reality is that if we only achieve half of what we hope to here at St. Paul's, 00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:39.379 much will be made of St. Paul's in church circles. 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:44.879 That is the consumeristic culture in which we live. 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:52.740 People won't automatically look to God and be amazed at his goodness to a bunch of ordinary people. 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:56.720 They will look to us and praise us. 00:27:59.059 --> 00:28:02.140 And want us to help them do the same thing for them. 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:08.840 Jesus didn't say, take up your sword. 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:10.820 He said, take up your cross and follow me. 00:28:12.020 --> 00:28:16.100 And my guess is that if we search our hearts, we'll discover that it's so much easier, as I said, 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:21.840 to take up our cross and follow Jesus and be a servant when other people are watching and applauding it. 00:28:22.380 --> 00:28:25.020 So that we at least get some glory out of it. 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:35.740 If the way to be glorious really is to make Jesus look glorious by being a servant, 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:39.940 do you really want to be glorious that way? 00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:48.259 So friends, every decision you make, every choice that you're faced with, 00:28:48.820 --> 00:28:52.100 you are there with this option. 00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:56.779 Make much of Christ or make much of me. 00:28:57.820 --> 00:29:01.980 The subtlety is, I'll make much of Christ if he makes much of me at the same time. 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:09.820 And that's the struggle that we have with our motives all the time. 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:14.080 And if we're not clear on those motives, 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:21.500 then we may well abandon Jesus when the going gets tough. 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:27.279 The great news is in this passage, and this is a message of hope here as well, 00:29:27.380 --> 00:29:30.960 Jesus knew his suffering and death wasn't going to be the end of the story. 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:36.299 He knew that his disciples weren't going to take the heat. 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:38.259 He knew that they were going to abandon him. 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:43.700 And yet for Jesus, there was still plenty of room for putting things right. 00:29:44.840 --> 00:29:48.120 I love this bit in verses 27 and 28. 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:52.019 Even for someone like Peter, there's an opportunity to put things right. 00:29:52.100 --> 00:29:54.620 Where Peter talks big, I'm not going to abandon you, Jesus. 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.559 And then Jesus says this, 00:29:56.559 --> 00:30:14.639 See that. 00:30:14.640 --> 00:30:23.140 Galilee. See that? The resurrection changes everything. There's hope even for a Peter. 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:28.900 After the resurrection, there is a new start. Jesus says, I'm going to go ahead of you into 00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:34.200 Galilee. That is, I will meet you on the other side and I will gather you to myself. That's 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:40.180 what the resurrection does. And with the coming of the Holy Spirit, these weak and disastrous 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:47.960 disciples are courageous and bold for Christ to the point where they actually do give their 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:59.240 lives for Christ and for his kingdom. Their failures are forgiven, washed over, cleansed. 00:31:00.320 --> 00:31:06.940 And so there is always hope here for disastrous disciples, for weak disciples. 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:14.160 And that is the good news of this passage. Amen.