WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.839 Heavenly Father, we come before you this morning and we admit that even on our best weeks, 00:00:10.500 --> 00:00:20.000 there are times where we think of ourselves in a way that makes you look small, that we 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:22.000 put ourselves ahead of you. 00:00:22.219 --> 00:00:28.800 We put our own will ahead of your will, our own desires ahead of your desires. 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:38.500 And Lord, we humbly confess that we want to walk in your ways and live under your word 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:41.719 and bend a knee to your kingship. 00:00:43.399 --> 00:00:46.200 Lord, we are frail and we need your strength. 00:00:46.260 --> 00:00:51.179 And as we open your word, pray that you would bolster us, that you would build us up, that 00:00:51.179 --> 00:00:57.280 you would encourage us and help us to grow in you and to love you in deeper measure and 00:00:57.280 --> 00:01:01.160 to know your will and by your grace have the strength to walk it out. 00:01:02.039 --> 00:01:05.060 So Lord, we ask that you would bless us as we open your word this morning. 00:01:05.180 --> 00:01:05.719 In Christ's name. 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:07.599 Amen. 00:01:08.140 --> 00:01:08.540 Amen. 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:12.060 At any time, there should be some Bibles at the back. 00:01:12.120 --> 00:01:14.599 If you want to get up and grab one, that would be terrific. 00:01:14.760 --> 00:01:17.480 I'd encourage you guys to follow along if you can. 00:01:17.480 --> 00:01:17.560 Amen. 00:01:23.640 --> 00:01:24.800 Chapter 14. 00:01:25.719 --> 00:01:32.200 It is the single largest chapter in Mark's ancient biography of Jesus' life. 00:01:33.480 --> 00:01:38.240 And we enter into the portion, well, I'll just say that chapter 14, it's really funny, 00:01:38.320 --> 00:01:39.219 I mentioned this last week. 00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:45.320 Mark takes the first two-thirds of his gospel account and he packs three years into it. 00:01:45.319 --> 00:01:49.479 And the last third, it's the last week or so of Jesus' life. 00:01:49.539 --> 00:01:55.539 And chapter 14, by and large, is about 12-ish, maybe 24 hours of Jesus' life. 00:01:56.500 --> 00:02:01.879 And Jesus here is in Jerusalem partaking of the Passover celebration. 00:02:01.879 --> 00:02:13.139 And as we will see this week, Jesus takes this beautiful celebration of the Passover and he 00:02:13.139 --> 00:02:17.500 will apply it, in a sense, to his own life, showing how he is the fulfillment of that. 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:20.759 But also we see something else happen in this text. 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:27.639 And namely, it helps us to be very honest about who we are and the nature of humanity. 00:02:27.639 --> 00:02:31.439 And the nature, actually, of free will. 00:02:32.059 --> 00:02:35.939 And how that interacts and intersects with God's sovereignty. 00:02:36.559 --> 00:02:41.459 And then it will help us to have an honest look at what true mercy and true grace is all about. 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:44.619 So three things we'll look at. 00:02:45.279 --> 00:02:46.560 And we'll kind of jump around the text. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:48.859 So we're going to look at verses 17 to 21 first. 00:02:49.419 --> 00:02:53.439 And that will help us to have a really honest look at what free will is. 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:54.539 And what sovereignty is. 00:02:54.599 --> 00:02:56.379 And how the two interact. 00:02:56.939 --> 00:03:02.680 Then we're going to actually jump from verses 21 to, we're going to jump to verse 26 to 31. 00:03:03.199 --> 00:03:05.960 And we're going to take an honest look at human nature. 00:03:06.579 --> 00:03:07.800 What it means to be human. 00:03:08.759 --> 00:03:11.479 And the things that we're kind of disposed to. 00:03:12.159 --> 00:03:19.740 And then we're going to finish off looking at what true mercy and grace really looks like in verses 22 to 25. 00:03:20.120 --> 00:03:21.199 So let's jump right in. 00:03:21.199 --> 00:03:24.339 Verse 17, take an honest look at free will. 00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:29.280 And really, we addressed a bit of this portion last week. 00:03:29.939 --> 00:03:32.819 I'll read it, but we're going to just spend a bunch of time on verse 21. 00:03:33.699 --> 00:03:34.479 This is what it says. 00:03:34.579 --> 00:03:36.799 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 00:03:37.019 --> 00:03:39.399 And as they were reclining at table, Jesus said, 00:03:39.479 --> 00:03:43.379 Truly I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me. 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:46.179 The disciples, they began to be sorrowful. 00:03:46.819 --> 00:03:49.739 And to say to him, one after another, is it I? 00:03:49.740 --> 00:03:57.120 And Jesus said to them, it is one of the twelve who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 00:03:57.780 --> 00:04:01.480 Verse 21, the son of man goes as it is written of him. 00:04:02.200 --> 00:04:05.640 But woe to that man by whom the son of man is betrayed. 00:04:06.260 --> 00:04:10.160 Who would have been better for that man if he had not been born? 00:04:10.159 --> 00:04:16.819 That person, the betrayer, is Judas Iscariot. 00:04:17.800 --> 00:04:21.480 And he, we found out a couple weeks ago, that he betrayed Jesus. 00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:27.879 He was indignant at Jesus because a woman came, an unnamed woman came, 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:33.500 and took a very, very expensive bottle of perfume and anointed Jesus for burial. 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:42.680 And it said some of them, they scoffed, they were angry because that perfume could have been sold and given to the poor. 00:04:43.160 --> 00:04:49.360 And immediately after, Judas goes out and he conspires with the religious leaders on how to betray Jesus, 00:04:49.540 --> 00:04:50.740 and they pay him for it. 00:04:52.259 --> 00:04:56.100 Jesus here, knowing everything, he addresses this. 00:04:56.100 --> 00:04:58.920 And it is a bit cryptic for the other disciples. 00:05:00.220 --> 00:05:02.580 Nevertheless, it is about Judas. 00:05:02.780 --> 00:05:04.980 But it will be about the other disciples. 00:05:05.080 --> 00:05:08.480 And we'll see that in this next section, verses 26 to 31. 00:05:08.620 --> 00:05:12.840 But looking at verse 21, we have to ask a question. 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:18.420 Is it fair for Jesus to say what he says about Judas, 00:05:18.760 --> 00:05:22.500 specifically, woe to that man by whom the son of man is betrayed. 00:05:22.740 --> 00:05:25.740 It would have been better for that man if he had not been born. 00:05:26.100 --> 00:05:30.840 Is it fair that Judas is held responsible for something that was God's will? 00:05:32.100 --> 00:05:34.280 We see in verse 21, just the beginning, 00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:37.220 for the son of man goes as it is written of him. 00:05:38.340 --> 00:05:41.320 Multiple times we've seen thus far in Mark, 00:05:42.080 --> 00:05:47.280 that Jesus, he foretells his passion and death on the cross. 00:05:47.860 --> 00:05:50.040 Jesus knows he's going to the cross. 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:51.780 In fact, it is God's will. 00:05:51.780 --> 00:05:56.060 There's many allusions throughout the gospel of Jesus fulfilling the scriptures, 00:05:56.100 --> 00:06:02.360 and yet Judas here is the vehicle by which that will happen. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:07.860 And you think, okay, Judas is, you know, he is participating in this. 00:06:07.980 --> 00:06:10.980 Maybe, you know, definitely not maybe, not in the best way. 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:13.560 But if it's still God's will, 00:06:14.200 --> 00:06:19.040 why is he held to personal responsibility for betraying Jesus? 00:06:20.340 --> 00:06:24.920 If he has free will in this, then sure. 00:06:25.080 --> 00:06:29.040 But it seems that he is a pawn in God's divine plan. 00:06:29.960 --> 00:06:32.300 And if so, is that fair? 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:35.680 And it raises a question about what the relationship is 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:39.199 between divine causality and personal responsibility. 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:42.319 It's a very interesting question. 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:45.879 It has divided the Protestant church in a big way. 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:49.699 And it is still a very live issue today. 00:06:50.400 --> 00:06:51.560 I don't... 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:54.259 We're going to walk towards it. 00:06:54.280 --> 00:06:55.400 We're not going to walk away from it. 00:06:55.399 --> 00:06:58.199 But we're not necessarily going to exhaust everything 00:06:58.199 --> 00:07:05.500 that the Bible has to say about free will and God's divine sovereignty. 00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:07.399 But nevertheless, we walk... 00:07:07.399 --> 00:07:10.979 Our commitment is to walk towards the difficult scripture verses 00:07:10.979 --> 00:07:14.500 and see what the Lord would have to say to us about it. 00:07:15.159 --> 00:07:17.919 So this verse, like I mentioned, it captures a conundrum. 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:21.720 If it was the Father's will for Jesus to go to the cross, 00:07:21.960 --> 00:07:25.160 and it says that clearly in the first part of verse 21, like I read, 00:07:26.140 --> 00:07:30.400 why does Judas bear responsibility for being that instrument 00:07:30.400 --> 00:07:32.660 to achieve the Father's divine plan? 00:07:33.040 --> 00:07:34.300 Is this not a grave injustice? 00:07:35.460 --> 00:07:40.020 Does Judas really have free will if he is a pawn of God? 00:07:40.220 --> 00:07:44.379 So, like I mentioned, this is a very complicated, 00:07:44.379 --> 00:07:47.819 difficult doctrine and question in scripture. 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:52.560 But this is where we, as Anglicans and as Christians really, 00:07:53.080 --> 00:07:57.080 have this beautiful opportunity to not have to figure out the Bible all by ourselves. 00:07:57.759 --> 00:08:02.040 We have this wonderful history and tapestry that we can have access to 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:08.060 of what Reformers and Church Fathers and big, big, big, big giants in the faith have said before. 00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:13.560 So the Reformers and the Western Church Fathers, especially St. Augustine, 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:18.680 they understood free will in an interesting way. 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:21.980 They talked about free agency and free will. 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:25.720 And really simply, because this is above my pay grade, 00:08:25.720 --> 00:08:32.980 but in a sense, free agency is, in a sense, how God created us in his image, 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:36.759 so that we have the ability to make decisions, 00:08:37.080 --> 00:08:42.240 and by extension are held responsible for those decisions that we make. 00:08:42.500 --> 00:08:46.920 Decisions towards God, decisions towards fellow people. 00:08:46.919 --> 00:08:50.839 In a very real way, we are decision-making people. 00:08:51.079 --> 00:08:53.860 We don't just go on autopilot. 00:08:53.979 --> 00:09:00.419 We're not given over to our instincts like any animals we see in the jungle, 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:02.539 in the forest, at the zoo. 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:07.139 But the Reformers and the Western Church Fathers, and especially St. Augustine, 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:14.419 they understood also that there's this other aspect to decision-making, 00:09:14.839 --> 00:09:15.759 and they called it free will. 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:17.579 So free agency versus free will. 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:18.620 And how? 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:22.099 Because of original sin, because of what happened in the Garden of Eden, 00:09:22.839 --> 00:09:25.199 where our first parents sinned against God, 00:09:25.299 --> 00:09:27.259 and sin entered into the human condition, 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:31.460 we are unable to truly discern and choose righteousness 00:09:31.460 --> 00:09:33.539 in a way that gives God glory and praise. 00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:37.639 So we have no natural, in a sense, inclination towards God, 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:42.360 because we are, as Ephesians 2 talks about, we are dead in our sins. 00:09:43.919 --> 00:09:49.019 Our hearts, in a sense, aren't alive to spiritual things. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:52.360 Martin Luther calls this the bondage of the will. 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:58.600 It's interesting here that, well, the Church Fathers, 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:03.419 they talked about how the will is not free unless it is freed. 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:09.360 Unless God Himself, in a sense, massages life back into a dead heart. 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:13.519 So that we can then, in a sense, have spiritual discernment 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:18.000 to know what God desires to please Him, to give Him glory. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:23.879 So it's interesting that Judas' betrayal takes place at the Passover 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:26.799 and reminds us of another figure who also opposed God, 00:10:27.179 --> 00:10:30.340 but was also used by God to achieve God's will. 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:36.600 If you know the Passover story, it is about the deliverance of God from Egypt, 00:10:37.059 --> 00:10:42.299 but there is this leader, this king, that looked to oppose God's people. 00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:43.019 His name was Pharaoh. 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:47.919 And just like with Judas, Pharaoh, 00:10:48.819 --> 00:10:52.159 his heart was continually hard towards God 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:58.799 and continually got harder and harder as the story, as the narrative went on. 00:10:59.299 --> 00:11:03.579 So like Pharaoh, Judas was witness to the power and will of God. 00:11:03.819 --> 00:11:05.980 Judas was walking with Jesus for years. 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:07.939 He would have seen the miracles. 00:11:08.779 --> 00:11:09.960 He would have heard the teachings. 00:11:09.960 --> 00:11:14.600 He would have seen the man that was lowered through the roof 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:20.080 rise up off his bed, the paralytic, and walk. 00:11:20.160 --> 00:11:24.780 He would have seen Jesus cast out demons, the Gerizim demoniac. 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:28.800 Incredible things Judas was witness to, just like Pharaoh. 00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:32.420 Pharaoh was witness to the plagues and the miracles 00:11:32.420 --> 00:11:37.240 and how time and again God, through Moses, proved true. 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:47.580 Like Pharaoh, Judas' heart was not enlivened to the ways of God 00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:51.940 and as such he did not bend a knee ultimately to the goodness of God. 00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:54.740 And it's a big, big, big pity. 00:11:56.740 --> 00:12:02.399 Judas, on one hand, is used by God to achieve God's will, 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:10.919 but it's not like God did not expose Judas to his love and his power and his kindness and his will. 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:17.279 Time and again, Judas, like Pharaoh, he saw God's goodness 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:23.459 and clearly chose not to engage with God at all. 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:25.519 The eyes of his heart were blind. 00:12:25.779 --> 00:12:29.399 The life in his spirit was just dormant. 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:35.379 God did not quicken his dead heart, but instead used him to achieve his will. 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:42.279 So, in a sense, Judas' free will was not an illusion, 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:46.000 yet God's sovereignty wasn't somehow downplayed. 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:47.220 There's an interaction here. 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:52.899 Yet, if one's heart needs to be brought to life by God, first and foremost, 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:56.919 to have a free will, your will needs to be freed, 00:12:57.579 --> 00:13:00.279 this still does not answer our question about Judas' injustice. 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:01.379 Why didn't God do it? 00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:05.000 Why does God save some people and not other people? 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:12.519 Why are people in this church today hearing even the name of Jesus 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:18.079 when there are people in the world that never, ever, ever hear the name Jesus? 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:20.020 They're never exposed to the gospel. 00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:22.940 Or people that we know that have been exposed to the gospel, 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:27.020 and yet they claim to be atheists or they follow another religion or philosophy. 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:28.460 Why? 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:31.379 Why is this the case? 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:33.040 If God is the one who saves, 00:13:34.160 --> 00:13:37.980 how can, in this sense, how can Judas be held responsible for his actions? 00:13:38.180 --> 00:13:39.960 If God chooses not to quicken his heart. 00:13:41.080 --> 00:13:42.500 Bit of a conundrum here. 00:13:42.640 --> 00:13:44.080 It seems unfair. 00:13:44.080 --> 00:13:48.259 Is this not injustice? 00:13:48.520 --> 00:13:49.080 Is this unjust? 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:50.920 But consider this. 00:13:51.660 --> 00:13:56.840 It is only by God's sovereignty that we even have the freedom that we hold so dear. 00:13:56.900 --> 00:14:03.700 In a sense, that it's only because a sovereign God created a world with order and beauty and goodness 00:14:03.700 --> 00:14:08.580 that we can even have a semblance of choosing anything. 00:14:08.580 --> 00:14:17.000 That God himself, in his sovereignty, gives us the very foundation for choice to exist. 00:14:18.680 --> 00:14:26.040 It is only Christianity, in the Christian worldview, that has a full and robust view of what it means to be a person. 00:14:26.440 --> 00:14:31.360 On one hand, having agency, interacting with the sovereign God, 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:37.320 and yet, and yet, there is an aspect of justice in all of our decisions. 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:40.320 That we are held responsible for the things we do. 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:50.200 And if this still feels unjust, I think it's important how we consider the Christian understanding of free will 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:55.180 and divine sovereignty as we consider the alternatives. 00:14:55.560 --> 00:14:56.740 And I'll just give two examples. 00:14:56.740 --> 00:15:09.460 We see atheistic modernism throughout our systems, our government, our school systems. 00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:12.060 It is kind of rife throughout our culture. 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:14.860 Not to say that everybody's an atheist. 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:21.320 But this idea of atheistic modernism essentially makes freedom an illusion. 00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:27.840 And responsibility a matter of difference in a philosophy. 00:15:28.020 --> 00:15:30.700 As we simply are subjects to our environment, 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:38.180 we find ourselves also morally not really responsible 00:15:38.180 --> 00:15:41.560 because morality, in a sense, is relative. 00:15:42.660 --> 00:15:47.440 So on one hand, we are the product of our homes or our environment. 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:53.380 And on the other hand, I don't know, morality is, it can come and go. 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:55.000 Who's to say what is right and wrong? 00:15:55.820 --> 00:16:01.200 So how can there be, in a sense, free will if there isn't a choice to do right and wrong 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:03.020 if morality is relative? 00:16:04.420 --> 00:16:10.140 The second example is more what we see, by and large, in our day 00:16:10.140 --> 00:16:13.080 for a number of different people. 00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:17.240 I don't want to paint with too broad of a brush. 00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:21.460 But there's a curated kind of a la carte spirituality 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:25.460 that we see in our neighborhoods and our workplaces 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:28.820 that, in a sense, are desperately searching for meaning 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:34.080 and help from the divine or spirits or mantras or mediums 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:38.320 where there is a willingness, in a sense, to suspend our agency. 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:46.020 There is a desire for the spiritual, whatever it may be, 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:53.600 to do something in us, whether we agree with it, in a sense, or not. 00:16:53.760 --> 00:16:57.660 We want, we're willing to, in a sense, suspend our agency, 00:16:58.460 --> 00:17:03.200 to be seized, to be possessed, almost, 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:08.120 and yet, at the same time, to never fully submit our personhood 00:17:08.120 --> 00:17:12.080 or our wills to that divine power. 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:14.740 It's a weird contradiction. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:21.779 We want to have all the benefits of spirituality, 00:17:22.120 --> 00:17:24.440 but without the responsibility, in a sense. 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:28.840 So, last night, this is highly theological, 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:32.299 I was driving around and on the radio, 00:17:32.600 --> 00:17:36.080 I was listening to Jan Arden's podcast, okay? 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:37.680 I don't know, whatever. 00:17:37.840 --> 00:17:38.539 It was on the radio. 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.460 I thought it was interesting. 00:17:39.600 --> 00:17:43.539 She was talking about going to see a fortune teller 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:44.200 or, like, a medium. 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:47.380 And they were talking, her and her guest. 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.620 I have no idea who her guest was. 00:17:48.900 --> 00:17:51.559 I didn't even know it was Jan Arden until, like, halfway through. 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:54.759 But she talked about how, when her mom died, 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:56.740 she felt like her mom was watching her. 00:17:57.599 --> 00:18:02.779 And she asked her mom, in the spiritual world, for a sign. 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:05.500 And she knew her mom loved pineapples. 00:18:05.639 --> 00:18:08.619 So, mom, if you're there, show me pineapples. 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:10.759 This is in the podcast. 00:18:11.919 --> 00:18:15.720 And for, like, three plus months, she saw pineapples on TV. 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:17.859 Pineapples here, pineapples there. 00:18:18.179 --> 00:18:20.480 Her mom used to wear this apron with a pineapple 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:22.240 every day when she was in the kitchen. 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:25.960 And then she, Jan Arden, ended up talking with her friend 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:28.079 about going to see this medium in Calgary. 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:31.279 And it was just this openness to, essentially, 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:35.039 whatever happens, whatever is going to possess me, 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:38.259 whatever they have for me, I am open for it. 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.819 Like, basically, take me. 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.279 But then she said, 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:43.920 but unless they say something like, 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.819 you're going to die in three months, 00:18:44.860 --> 00:18:46.720 because I have no time for that kind of negativity. 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.079 Bizarre. 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:51.279 Either you're open to submit to this kind of spirituality, 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:52.159 or you're not. 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.919 But, by and large, 00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:59.000 we have this kind of bizarre understanding 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:01.659 of how we want to interact with the divine, 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:02.619 if there is a divine, 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:04.519 and how our free will, 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:06.179 or lack thereof, 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:08.579 or how we maintain personhood and responsibility. 00:19:09.419 --> 00:19:13.659 It's kind of like a big, giant pot of soup. 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:17.500 Like, we can't distinguish one from the other. 00:19:17.820 --> 00:19:18.700 It's bizarre. 00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:20.900 And I'm trying to, in a sense, 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:24.460 not straw man, but steel man, Jan Arden. 00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:25.540 I was listening to her last night. 00:19:25.580 --> 00:19:26.220 It's kind of fresh. 00:19:26.560 --> 00:19:27.500 She has a lovely voice. 00:19:29.080 --> 00:19:30.960 But it is only with Christianity 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:34.040 that we see a coherence 00:19:34.040 --> 00:19:36.279 in this understanding of the divine, 00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:39.279 and how we interact with God's sovereignty, 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:42.119 and how our free will and our personhood 00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:45.119 is respected and is dignified. 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:47.480 How we can make decisions 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.859 and be held responsible, 00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:51.539 but know that God's will is active 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:54.099 and working to achieve his ends. 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:56.919 So divine sovereignty 00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:59.559 neither cancels human freedom 00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:01.959 nor excuses our responsibility 00:20:01.959 --> 00:20:03.299 for immoral choices. 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:05.219 Because God knows all, 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:07.219 and his will will not be stymied. 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:08.980 Not a bit. 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:11.879 I mean, like we talked about last week, 00:20:12.919 --> 00:20:15.399 the religious leaders have this big plot 00:20:15.399 --> 00:20:18.119 to upend the ministry of Jesus, 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:19.399 and it gets turned on its head, 00:20:19.459 --> 00:20:20.539 and it becomes the vehicle 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:23.279 by which God will achieve his will. 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:26.539 Yet, nevertheless, it's still a mystery 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:28.980 why God gives grace to some and not others. 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:31.019 We can know God's will 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:33.779 only as much as he has revealed it to us, 00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:35.259 and he has not revealed to us 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:37.859 why person A comes to faith 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.699 and knows God, 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:40.099 and person B does not. 00:20:42.179 --> 00:20:44.980 And there is a mystery within our faith 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:46.159 that in a sense, 00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:49.859 we can reconcile with faith, 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:51.240 but without faith, 00:20:51.459 --> 00:20:52.719 it's going to drive us crazy. 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:54.519 Because in the end, 00:20:54.600 --> 00:20:55.819 we relinquish control and say, 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.559 not my will be done, Lord, 00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:58.400 but your will. 00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:00.539 But we do know that God's heart 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:02.100 is to restore and to redeem. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.500 That he takes no delight 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.559 in the death of a sinner, 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:07.160 but rather that that person 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:08.480 would repent 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:10.519 and change their ways 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.339 and come to him. 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:13.440 We know that that's God's heart. 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:15.460 Nevertheless, we don't know why 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:17.559 some people receive that grace 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.400 and others do not. 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:20.519 So another thing 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:22.320 that is important to consider 00:21:22.320 --> 00:21:22.780 in all this, 00:21:22.820 --> 00:21:23.920 and we're still on verse 21, 00:21:25.280 --> 00:21:28.300 is how we are all too quick 00:21:28.300 --> 00:21:29.940 as human beings 00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:32.100 to downplay or excuse evil 00:21:32.100 --> 00:21:33.400 and sin in our own lives, 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.680 and yet quick to point it out 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.160 in others. 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:38.820 We are entitled to think 00:21:38.820 --> 00:21:39.720 that we are different 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.600 than other people, 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:42.280 that we are more worthy 00:21:42.280 --> 00:21:43.000 of salvation. 00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:44.400 So we see somebody like Judas, 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:46.040 and we get frustrated 00:21:46.040 --> 00:21:47.640 in a sense that he is being 00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:49.200 used as a pawn 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:51.019 by God, 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:51.840 that his free will 00:21:51.840 --> 00:21:52.700 is somehow suspended 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:54.840 because we might find ourselves 00:21:54.840 --> 00:21:56.720 in the shoes of Judas. 00:21:57.080 --> 00:21:58.440 What happens if that happens to me? 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:02.019 Is it fair for Judas? 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:03.360 It might not be fair for me. 00:22:03.840 --> 00:22:04.860 And we somehow think 00:22:04.860 --> 00:22:06.320 that we can downplay 00:22:06.320 --> 00:22:07.259 our own sin 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.280 and our own evil, 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:09.600 that somehow 00:22:09.600 --> 00:22:11.540 we are the eternal 00:22:11.540 --> 00:22:13.860 exception to the rule. 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:15.400 But the reality is 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.320 sin is real 00:22:16.320 --> 00:22:17.200 and it is crippling. 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:18.880 And evil is real 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.880 and it is destructive. 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:21.640 And we are prone to both. 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.220 And this is 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:23.500 where we'll go 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:24.500 to our next section 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.580 where the Bible 00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:26.560 is very helpful 00:22:26.560 --> 00:22:27.720 in helping us understand 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:30.980 just an honest look 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:32.140 at human nature 00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:33.519 and what it means 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.120 to be human, 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.000 prone to sin. 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:37.300 So jump with me 00:22:37.300 --> 00:22:38.280 to verse 26 00:22:38.280 --> 00:22:39.920 to 31. 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.000 Verse 31. 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:47.820 And when they had sung a hymn, 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:49.540 that's Jesus and his disciples, 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:52.200 they went out 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.040 to the Mount of Olives 00:22:53.040 --> 00:22:54.080 and Jesus said to them, 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:55.740 You will all fall away 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.700 for it is written, 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.360 I will strike the shepherd 00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:58.900 and the sheep 00:22:58.900 --> 00:22:59.560 will be scattered. 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:02.200 But after I am raised up, 00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:03.320 I will go before you 00:23:03.320 --> 00:23:03.860 to Galilee. 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.460 Peter said to him, 00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:07.420 Even though they all fall away, 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.160 I will not. 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.100 And Jesus said to him, 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:10.040 Truly I tell you, 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:12.420 this very night 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:14.200 before the rooster crows twice, 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.680 you will deny me three times. 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.119 Verse 31. 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.740 But he said emphatically, 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:20.659 If I must die with you, 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:22.059 I will not deny you. 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:24.259 And they all said the same. 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:26.659 Jesus speaks of the falling away 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:27.359 of the twelve. 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:30.720 So we have Judas 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.899 who is betraying 00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:35.019 the remainder of his disciples. 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:37.980 They will abandon him. 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:40.380 And Jesus speaks of them 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:41.539 as falling away. 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.319 And he says it, 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:45.400 in the falling away, 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:46.500 it carries with it 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.519 a passive sense, 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:49.660 which is to say that 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:51.299 these external forces 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.640 and factors 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.900 will cause them to stumble. 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.860 There will be pressures 00:23:54.860 --> 00:23:56.240 and temptations 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:58.680 that they'll experience 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.980 that they will not be able 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.940 to stand 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:02.700 with that weight 00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:03.579 over top of them. 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.099 Jesus, 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:09.559 his capture, 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:12.319 his torture, 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.459 his crucifixion, 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.159 being associated with Jesus 00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:16.059 will be too much 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:16.799 for them to bear. 00:24:17.459 --> 00:24:18.459 And because of this, 00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:19.980 they will fall away. 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:21.939 Nevertheless, 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:22.839 it's still 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:24.319 a failure 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.699 to heed Christ's call 00:24:25.699 --> 00:24:26.439 to watch and wait. 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.339 If you remember, 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.219 chapter 13 00:24:28.219 --> 00:24:29.059 was all about 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.919 watching and waiting. 00:24:31.459 --> 00:24:32.839 Knowing God's, 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.919 that God's plan 00:24:33.919 --> 00:24:34.859 will come to pass, 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:36.079 and trusting that 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:36.799 he will do the things 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.679 he's called to do. 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:38.500 And here, 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.799 they are failing at that. 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:40.959 Still, 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.319 they think they are strong 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:43.179 when they are really weak, 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.959 especially Peter. 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:45.859 Peter, 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.179 once again, 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:48.199 this isn't the first time, 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:49.500 he boisterously 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:51.579 flexes his spiritual muscles 00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.359 and he has none. 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:54.399 He has no spiritual muscles. 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:55.879 Pounding his chest, 00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:57.959 I will never deny you. 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:58.759 Never. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.140 Jesus says, 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.480 before morning, 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:02.359 three times, 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:02.720 buddy, 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.240 you will deny me. 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.180 Three times. 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:06.579 And he goes, 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:08.420 I'll die before that happens. 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:10.099 I swear to God, 00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:11.319 I will never leave you. 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.879 Can't really swear to God, 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.619 to God, 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.579 if you're not going to 00:25:15.579 --> 00:25:16.200 follow through. 00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.619 Bit of a problem here. 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.299 You just, 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:20.319 I can picture Peter, 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:20.660 like, 00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:21.759 he is, 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:23.019 his voice is raised, 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.940 I mean what I'm saying. 00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:26.900 But then he, 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.320 he throws his buddies 00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:29.000 under the bus. 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.420 And he says, 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.019 these guys, 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.799 they'll fall away, 00:25:32.320 --> 00:25:32.960 but not me. 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.620 I will be with you 00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:35.080 to the end, 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:36.059 even to the grave. 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.740 And you just think, 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:38.740 my goodness. 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.120 Peter, 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.660 he has this inflated 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.420 view of himself. 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.180 And it's easy to 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:46.200 just rip on Peter, 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:46.720 but really, 00:25:46.840 --> 00:25:47.539 Peter is us. 00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:49.440 Because all too often, 00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:51.519 we are quick 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:53.100 to downplay 00:25:53.100 --> 00:25:54.220 our own sin. 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:56.180 our own shortcomings, 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:58.019 to not be real 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.680 about ourselves, 00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:00.600 and to point to others 00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:01.580 and say, 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:01.759 hey, 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.259 look at them. 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.080 We are, 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.900 we do not give people 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:07.080 the benefit of the doubt, 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.160 yet we demand 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:09.299 the mercy 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:10.000 and understanding 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:11.259 to be extended to us 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.500 without reservation. 00:26:13.580 --> 00:26:14.400 I'll give an example. 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.000 And, 00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:16.640 you know, 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:17.580 hopefully you can 00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.380 understand this 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:18.920 in your own life. 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.700 I'll give an example 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.320 of my own life. 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:22.100 A while ago, 00:26:22.380 --> 00:26:22.539 I, 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.539 my brother, 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.080 he, 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:25.059 he was making fun 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.439 of me 00:26:25.439 --> 00:26:26.379 and, 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:26.859 um, 00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:28.220 it was behind my back 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:28.619 and I, 00:26:28.939 --> 00:26:29.519 I got, 00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:30.659 I got frustrated 00:26:30.659 --> 00:26:31.220 at it. 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:33.240 And I was incensed 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:35.179 and he was just joking around. 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:35.919 It was harmless. 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:37.419 But for whatever reason, 00:26:37.419 --> 00:26:38.699 I was just bent 00:26:38.699 --> 00:26:39.399 that day. 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.379 I was so angry 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:41.859 and all of a sudden, 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:43.599 I start hashing out things 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:44.779 and his behavior 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.919 that he used to do 00:26:45.919 --> 00:26:47.220 when we were kids 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.039 and all throughout 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:49.259 and no grace 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:49.980 extended to him 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.599 and then, 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:52.299 maybe it was God's, 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.599 God's spirit 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:55.000 at work, 00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:55.519 but he, 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:55.980 uh, 00:26:56.379 --> 00:26:56.980 I just remembered 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.639 two days before 00:26:57.639 --> 00:26:58.599 I did the exact same thing 00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:58.899 to him, 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.119 behind his back, 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.159 just ripping on him. 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.159 He was the butt 00:27:02.159 --> 00:27:02.779 of the joke 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:04.319 and I think, 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.359 if my memory serves me 00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:06.779 correctly, 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:09.740 my dig at him 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.159 was worse 00:27:10.159 --> 00:27:11.000 than his dig at me. 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:13.019 And nevertheless, 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:14.759 I still, 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:16.079 after thinking about that, 00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:17.059 justified, 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:17.980 well, 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:19.059 it wasn't as bad 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:20.019 what I did. 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:20.880 It was way worse 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:22.599 what he did to me. 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.019 And I was, 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.400 and all of a sudden, 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:26.299 I started living 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.240 in this, 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.400 just, 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:31.200 gross attitude 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:33.519 for a period of time 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.240 where, 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:35.619 obviously, 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:37.240 my stuff doesn't stink. 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.480 His reeks 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:40.799 and I extend 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.720 grace to myself, 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.539 but he doesn't, 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.500 he gets a short end 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:43.980 of the stick. 00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:46.740 How often 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:48.039 are we people 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:49.619 that we downplay 00:27:49.619 --> 00:27:50.259 our own sin? 00:27:50.339 --> 00:27:50.940 We're not real 00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.859 about who we are 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:52.639 and evil 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:53.839 that lurks 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.440 in our heart, 00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:56.059 but we are so quick 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:56.639 to point it out 00:27:56.639 --> 00:27:57.279 to other people. 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:58.259 Peter, 00:27:58.740 --> 00:28:00.440 I'm not at all 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.599 going to betray you. 00:28:01.899 --> 00:28:02.659 These guys, 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.240 they, 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:04.940 they're like 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.799 half of me. 00:28:06.159 --> 00:28:06.779 They're nothing 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.559 compared to me. 00:28:08.659 --> 00:28:09.099 And, 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:09.720 and they say, 00:28:09.919 --> 00:28:10.220 no, no, 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:10.779 we'll follow you 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.460 to the grave too. 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:11.660 Like, 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.059 they're just 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:12.960 as kind of lost, 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:14.680 but we do this. 00:28:15.139 --> 00:28:16.000 We're not honest 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.579 about ourselves, 00:28:16.660 --> 00:28:17.160 but the Bible 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:18.000 is very honest 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:18.920 about the human condition. 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:21.420 It's like a sword. 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:21.859 It really, 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:22.619 it really cuts 00:28:22.619 --> 00:28:23.279 right to the heart 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:23.740 of the matter. 00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:25.299 The Bible 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:27.180 is honest with us 00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:28.039 about the nature 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.799 of evil. 00:28:28.899 --> 00:28:29.599 And on one hand, 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:31.599 evil is a mystery. 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.379 It really is. 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:34.059 Because it's not 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:35.039 merely the result 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.680 of someone being 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.339 ill-formed 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:37.180 in a bad family. 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:37.779 There's a lot of 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.599 people that come 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.599 from fantastic families 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.539 that do evil things. 00:28:41.179 --> 00:28:41.899 And people that 00:28:41.899 --> 00:28:42.819 come from maybe 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:44.019 not the greatest families 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:45.779 that are really 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.599 well-to-do, 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.339 courteous, 00:28:47.459 --> 00:28:47.980 kind people. 00:28:48.159 --> 00:28:48.679 In a sense, 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.699 evil's a mystery. 00:28:50.619 --> 00:28:52.179 But on the other 00:28:52.179 --> 00:28:53.059 hand, 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.619 the Bible is clear 00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:56.279 that evil finds 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:57.159 fertile soil 00:28:57.159 --> 00:28:58.099 in the inclinations 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:58.779 of the human heart. 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.599 Alexander Solzhenitsyn, 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:05.379 he was a political 00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:07.039 prisoner in the 80s 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:09.539 in the USSR. 00:29:10.439 --> 00:29:10.959 And he spent 00:29:10.959 --> 00:29:11.859 a lot of time 00:29:11.859 --> 00:29:12.579 in the Gulag. 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:13.839 And he wrote a book 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:15.379 called The Gulag Archipelago. 00:29:15.899 --> 00:29:17.439 And it's a very famous line. 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.240 This is what he says. 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:18.699 And he was 00:29:18.699 --> 00:29:19.959 himself a Christian. 00:29:20.959 --> 00:29:22.579 If only it were so simple. 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:25.859 If only there were 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:26.639 evil people 00:29:26.639 --> 00:29:27.240 somewhere 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:28.799 insidiously committing 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.639 evil deeds. 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:31.140 and it were necessarily 00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:32.320 only to separate 00:29:32.320 --> 00:29:34.120 them from the rest of us 00:29:34.120 --> 00:29:34.880 and destroy them. 00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:36.320 But the line 00:29:36.320 --> 00:29:37.500 dividing good and evil 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.560 cuts through the heart 00:29:38.560 --> 00:29:39.540 of every human being. 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:40.880 And who is willing 00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.560 to destroy 00:29:41.560 --> 00:29:43.020 a piece of his own heart? 00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:44.660 I think it's just 00:29:44.660 --> 00:29:45.620 a beautiful line 00:29:45.620 --> 00:29:46.320 that captures 00:29:46.320 --> 00:29:47.680 the reality 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.759 of the human condition. 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:51.140 That the human heart, 00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:52.940 if we are honest 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.580 with ourselves, 00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:54.960 it is 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:56.400 prime time 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:57.700 soil. 00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:59.160 It is fertile soil. 00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:00.340 For evil 00:30:00.340 --> 00:30:01.900 to germinate 00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:02.860 and to take root 00:30:02.860 --> 00:30:03.620 and to grow. 00:30:05.800 --> 00:30:06.320 Yet, 00:30:06.520 --> 00:30:07.000 yet, 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:07.860 even in this, 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:09.360 Jesus gives assurance 00:30:09.360 --> 00:30:11.680 that the lapse 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.480 in devotion 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.460 of his disciples 00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:15.440 that will lead 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:16.240 to their defection, 00:30:16.840 --> 00:30:17.560 even Peter, 00:30:18.100 --> 00:30:18.740 will not be 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.400 the final word. 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:19.840 Look with me 00:30:19.840 --> 00:30:20.540 at verse 28. 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:23.680 But after I am raised up, 00:30:23.780 --> 00:30:25.040 I will go before you 00:30:25.040 --> 00:30:25.820 to Galilee. 00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:28.399 It was at Galilee 00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:28.839 where Jesus 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:29.599 called the twelve. 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:32.779 It was at Galilee 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.939 that he invited them 00:30:33.939 --> 00:30:36.279 into his inner circle 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:38.139 and where they first 00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:38.740 met Jesus 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:40.159 and they grew 00:30:40.159 --> 00:30:42.000 in their knowledge 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.480 of God 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.279 through Jesus. 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:43.919 And it is 00:30:43.919 --> 00:30:45.720 at the Galilee 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.579 where Jesus, 00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:47.839 the risen Lord, 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:49.639 will visit them again 00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:50.379 to restore them. 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:52.280 And it is 00:30:52.280 --> 00:30:53.260 a beautiful picture 00:30:53.260 --> 00:30:54.300 of the truth 00:30:54.300 --> 00:30:54.760 in Scripture 00:30:54.760 --> 00:30:56.600 that the work 00:30:56.600 --> 00:30:57.540 that God starts, 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.600 he will see it 00:30:58.600 --> 00:30:59.500 to completion. 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.280 He finishes 00:31:00.280 --> 00:31:00.960 what he starts. 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.740 It is Christ's 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.240 great joy 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:05.680 to forgive 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.520 and his 00:31:06.520 --> 00:31:07.720 great glory 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.400 to restore. 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:11.080 And I'll just say this. 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:13.839 I didn't know 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.259 if I was going 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:14.659 to include this 00:31:14.659 --> 00:31:15.579 but I think I will. 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:17.899 I don't want 00:31:17.899 --> 00:31:18.939 to grade sins. 00:31:19.139 --> 00:31:19.460 I mean, 00:31:21.179 --> 00:31:21.939 sin is sin. 00:31:22.699 --> 00:31:22.899 Okay? 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:24.720 The disciples 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:25.480 didn't tell 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:26.879 a dirty white lie. 00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:28.819 They didn't 00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:30.500 steal 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:32.259 a loaf of bread 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:32.899 from the market 00:31:32.899 --> 00:31:33.899 because they were hungry. 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.419 This little tiny thing 00:31:36.419 --> 00:31:36.960 that they did wrong. 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:38.480 They betrayed Jesus. 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:39.379 One, 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:40.839 in the most egregious way 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:41.500 and the others, 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:44.679 they abandoned Jesus. 00:31:44.959 --> 00:31:45.439 It was a type 00:31:45.439 --> 00:31:46.019 of betrayal. 00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:49.379 In Dante's Inferno, 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:50.339 not the Bible, 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.079 so I'm not saying 00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:51.679 it's the Bible, 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:53.899 but in Dante's Inferno, 00:31:53.959 --> 00:31:54.919 the lowest rung 00:31:54.919 --> 00:31:55.539 of hell 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.699 has Judas 00:31:56.699 --> 00:31:57.359 and Brutus 00:31:57.359 --> 00:31:58.059 in the mouth 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.559 of Satan 00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:59.220 for eternity. 00:31:59.919 --> 00:32:00.799 That is to say 00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:01.779 that 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:03.879 there is not 00:32:03.879 --> 00:32:04.720 much more 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:06.519 of an egregious act, 00:32:06.619 --> 00:32:07.639 an egregious sin 00:32:07.639 --> 00:32:09.220 than betrayal. 00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:11.839 And yet, 00:32:11.959 --> 00:32:13.359 Jesus promises 00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:14.099 restoration 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:14.959 and forgiveness. 00:32:16.959 --> 00:32:18.399 And I'm not too sure 00:32:18.399 --> 00:32:19.519 that any one of us 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:21.199 has gone to the lengths 00:32:21.199 --> 00:32:22.059 of the disciples. 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:23.139 And even still, 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:24.019 you'd have to think 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:25.159 the grace of God 00:32:25.159 --> 00:32:26.720 is bigger even than that. 00:32:27.659 --> 00:32:28.980 And this is a wonderful truth 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:30.079 that we're going to see next 00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:33.139 of what pure and true 00:32:33.139 --> 00:32:34.299 mercy and grace look like 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:36.019 because a betrayal 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:38.200 and defection 00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:39.319 and abandonment 00:32:39.319 --> 00:32:41.159 right in between 00:32:41.159 --> 00:32:42.399 these two terrible, 00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:42.859 terrible, 00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:43.720 terrible evils 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:45.159 is the Lord's Supper. 00:32:46.159 --> 00:32:47.200 This beautiful picture 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:49.139 of mercy and grace, 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.940 love abounding. 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:53.399 And remember, 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:55.000 in verse 21, 00:32:55.779 --> 00:32:56.460 Jesus says, 00:32:56.859 --> 00:32:57.700 for the Son of Man 00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:59.440 goes as it is written 00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:00.079 of Him. 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.220 And then down 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:02.480 in verse 20, 00:33:03.039 --> 00:33:04.179 in 27, 00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:04.939 Jesus said to them, 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:06.079 you will all fall away 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:06.899 for it is written. 00:33:07.919 --> 00:33:08.799 That is just to say 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:10.000 that Jesus knew 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:11.059 exactly what was going 00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:11.399 to happen. 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:13.500 He knew that Judas 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.500 was going to betray Him. 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.339 He knew the disciples 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:16.079 would defect 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:16.919 and abandon Him. 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:17.599 And yet, 00:33:17.699 --> 00:33:18.819 even with that knowledge, 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:20.619 He takes them 00:33:20.619 --> 00:33:21.839 to the table 00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:23.839 in the most intimate, 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:26.240 deepest way 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:27.279 to express friendship. 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.339 And He has a meal 00:33:28.339 --> 00:33:28.720 with them. 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:30.240 It's this expression 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.579 of mercy and grace. 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.140 Look with me 00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:32.880 in verse 22. 00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:36.400 And as they were eating, 00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:37.620 Jesus took bread 00:33:37.620 --> 00:33:38.680 and after blessing it, 00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:39.220 broke it 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:41.220 and gave it to them, 00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:41.819 the disciples, 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.420 and said, 00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:43.059 take, 00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:44.720 this is my body. 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:46.000 And He took a cup 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:47.460 and when He had given thanks, 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:48.180 He gave it to them 00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:49.120 and they all drank of it. 00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.460 And He said to them, 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:51.319 this is my blood 00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:52.220 of the covenant 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:53.160 which is poured out 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:53.620 for many. 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.500 Truly I say to you, 00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:57.460 I will not drink again 00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:58.980 of the fruit of the vine 00:33:58.980 --> 00:34:00.339 until that day 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:02.180 when I drink it new 00:34:02.180 --> 00:34:04.059 in the kingdom of God. 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:06.319 Nestled in between 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:07.559 these two egregious acts 00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:09.260 of betrayal and abandonment 00:34:09.260 --> 00:34:10.079 is the institution 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:10.860 of the Lord's Supper. 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:14.260 This is precisely 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:16.360 what Mark is doing here. 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:17.719 It's a, 00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:18.099 it's, 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:19.159 in a sense, 00:34:19.239 --> 00:34:20.599 it's the most scandalous thing. 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:22.059 Why on earth does Jesus 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:23.299 extend this kind of mercy 00:34:23.299 --> 00:34:24.279 and grace? 00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:27.319 For the last supper 00:34:27.319 --> 00:34:29.000 isn't just a meal, 00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:30.839 but it is a gift 00:34:30.839 --> 00:34:32.460 of God's very presence 00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:33.259 to His people. 00:34:34.059 --> 00:34:34.860 On one hand, 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:35.739 it looks backwards. 00:34:36.759 --> 00:34:37.860 It looks to the Passover. 00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:39.179 Jesus is taking 00:34:39.179 --> 00:34:40.159 the Passover meal 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:42.099 which was the high point 00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:42.880 in the calendar 00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:45.019 for the Jewish nation 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:46.319 where they were rescued 00:34:46.319 --> 00:34:47.319 out of slavery 00:34:47.319 --> 00:34:48.739 and bondage to Egypt. 00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:50.000 The high point, 00:34:50.000 --> 00:34:50.500 and He says, 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:51.420 it's about Me. 00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:53.760 I am the real Passover Lamb. 00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:55.059 But also, 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:55.860 it's about the present. 00:34:55.960 --> 00:34:56.760 So it's about the past, 00:34:56.840 --> 00:34:57.679 but it's about the present. 00:34:58.039 --> 00:34:59.380 Because Jesus is there 00:34:59.380 --> 00:35:01.219 present with His people 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:02.679 and promising them 00:35:02.679 --> 00:35:05.360 that where they gather, 00:35:05.599 --> 00:35:06.340 He will be there. 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:07.840 And He gives of Himself 00:35:07.840 --> 00:35:08.920 in the meal. 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:11.820 But it's more than just 00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:13.280 the past and the present. 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.519 It's the future as well. 00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:15.880 Because if you look 00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:17.119 at verse 25, 00:35:17.239 --> 00:35:18.119 truly I say to you, 00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:19.099 I will not drink again 00:35:19.099 --> 00:35:20.239 of the fruit of the vine 00:35:20.239 --> 00:35:21.500 until that day 00:35:21.500 --> 00:35:22.480 when I drink it new 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.559 in the kingdom of God. 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:25.619 It envisions 00:35:25.619 --> 00:35:27.860 the culmination 00:35:27.860 --> 00:35:29.360 of all of redemptive history 00:35:29.360 --> 00:35:30.119 where God, 00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:31.659 the Son of God, 00:35:31.819 --> 00:35:32.940 Jesus the Bridegroom 00:35:32.940 --> 00:35:35.199 will sit at His marriage supper 00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:36.079 with His bride, 00:35:36.179 --> 00:35:36.619 the church. 00:35:37.279 --> 00:35:40.339 And He will enjoy fellowship 00:35:40.340 --> 00:35:42.900 and she will enjoy fellowship 00:35:42.900 --> 00:35:44.340 in the deepest, 00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:46.660 most loving way 00:35:46.660 --> 00:35:47.539 for all of eternity. 00:35:48.059 --> 00:35:48.800 And this is what 00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:50.559 the table envisions. 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:53.300 So it is more than just 00:35:53.300 --> 00:35:53.760 a remembrance 00:35:53.760 --> 00:35:55.720 because Jesus Himself here, 00:35:55.800 --> 00:35:56.480 what does He say? 00:35:57.180 --> 00:35:57.740 He says, 00:35:57.900 --> 00:35:58.240 take, 00:35:58.400 --> 00:35:59.500 this is my body. 00:36:00.200 --> 00:36:01.140 And He takes the cup 00:36:01.140 --> 00:36:01.900 and He says, 00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:03.740 this is my blood 00:36:03.740 --> 00:36:04.320 of the covenant 00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:05.160 which is poured out 00:36:05.160 --> 00:36:05.480 for many. 00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:06.740 What it's not saying 00:36:06.740 --> 00:36:07.840 is that 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:09.719 these elements 00:36:09.719 --> 00:36:11.519 literally become 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:12.780 the body 00:36:12.780 --> 00:36:14.360 and literally become 00:36:14.360 --> 00:36:15.579 the blood of Jesus. 00:36:16.099 --> 00:36:17.440 But it is to say 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:19.579 that God is communicating 00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:21.219 to us 00:36:21.219 --> 00:36:22.860 as we partake 00:36:22.860 --> 00:36:24.360 of the bread 00:36:24.360 --> 00:36:25.139 and the wine 00:36:25.139 --> 00:36:26.500 grace 00:36:26.500 --> 00:36:28.219 that bolsters our soul. 00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:29.340 So, 00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:30.240 what's helpful 00:36:30.240 --> 00:36:30.940 to understand 00:36:30.940 --> 00:36:31.619 in all of this 00:36:31.619 --> 00:36:32.420 is that 00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:34.019 we gather 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:34.799 at the table 00:36:34.799 --> 00:36:36.719 in the same way 00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:37.420 that the Israelites 00:36:37.420 --> 00:36:39.179 gathered in their homes 00:36:39.179 --> 00:36:40.179 on Passover. 00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:42.639 In Passover, 00:36:43.219 --> 00:36:43.739 the Israelites, 00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:44.900 they put their faith 00:36:44.900 --> 00:36:47.139 in God's Word 00:36:47.139 --> 00:36:48.000 that the blood 00:36:48.000 --> 00:36:48.679 that was smeared 00:36:48.679 --> 00:36:50.099 on their doorposts 00:36:50.099 --> 00:36:51.219 would save them 00:36:51.219 --> 00:36:51.859 from death. 00:36:53.079 --> 00:36:54.059 Whether their faith 00:36:54.059 --> 00:36:54.960 was a little bit 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:55.920 or a lot, 00:36:56.359 --> 00:36:57.259 it doesn't really say. 00:36:57.679 --> 00:36:58.779 It says that their faith, 00:36:58.859 --> 00:36:59.339 in a sense, 00:36:59.799 --> 00:37:00.500 as they gathered 00:37:00.500 --> 00:37:01.259 in the home, 00:37:01.619 --> 00:37:02.339 they trusted 00:37:02.339 --> 00:37:03.339 that God's Word 00:37:03.339 --> 00:37:03.719 was true 00:37:03.719 --> 00:37:04.059 and death 00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:04.799 would pass over. 00:37:05.239 --> 00:37:05.759 And likewise, 00:37:06.000 --> 00:37:06.859 we come to the table 00:37:06.859 --> 00:37:08.159 by faith, 00:37:08.699 --> 00:37:09.659 trusting that God 00:37:09.659 --> 00:37:10.779 has done everything 00:37:10.779 --> 00:37:11.799 He has promised to do, 00:37:11.920 --> 00:37:12.619 defeating sin 00:37:12.619 --> 00:37:13.460 and death forever 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:15.219 in His Son, 00:37:15.779 --> 00:37:17.480 in the broken body 00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:19.039 and the shed blood 00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:19.759 of His Son. 00:37:20.199 --> 00:37:21.259 And we partake it 00:37:21.259 --> 00:37:21.940 by faith, 00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:23.119 trusting that God 00:37:23.119 --> 00:37:24.299 is going to complete 00:37:24.299 --> 00:37:25.059 the work He started 00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:26.239 in our lives. 00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:29.380 We call this 00:37:29.380 --> 00:37:30.259 a means of grace. 00:37:30.260 --> 00:37:32.240 grace given 00:37:32.240 --> 00:37:33.040 to our souls 00:37:33.040 --> 00:37:34.760 and a helpful way 00:37:34.760 --> 00:37:36.900 to understand it, 00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:37.980 at least in our perspective 00:37:37.980 --> 00:37:38.820 as Anglicans 00:37:38.820 --> 00:37:40.400 and in the Reformed 00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:42.520 understanding 00:37:42.520 --> 00:37:43.600 of God's 00:37:43.600 --> 00:37:44.800 sacrament, 00:37:45.760 --> 00:37:46.380 the communion, 00:37:47.140 --> 00:37:48.400 is what the minister 00:37:48.400 --> 00:37:49.300 is to say 00:37:49.300 --> 00:37:50.260 as he is distributing 00:37:50.260 --> 00:37:51.260 the elements 00:37:51.260 --> 00:37:52.180 in the Book of Common Prayer. 00:37:52.260 --> 00:37:53.360 Now, I don't say this. 00:37:53.660 --> 00:37:54.360 We've kind of 00:37:54.360 --> 00:37:55.900 incorporated it 00:37:55.900 --> 00:37:57.260 into various parts 00:37:57.260 --> 00:37:58.480 of our liturgy 00:37:58.480 --> 00:37:59.079 for communion, 00:37:59.240 --> 00:37:59.940 but it says this. 00:38:01.720 --> 00:38:03.000 If this was a traditional service, 00:38:03.220 --> 00:38:03.920 I would give you 00:38:03.920 --> 00:38:04.480 the bread 00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:05.200 and I would say 00:38:05.200 --> 00:38:06.160 the body of our Lord 00:38:06.160 --> 00:38:06.900 Jesus Christ, 00:38:07.400 --> 00:38:08.420 which was given for you. 00:38:09.059 --> 00:38:10.059 Preserve your body 00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:10.599 and soul 00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:12.019 unto everlasting life. 00:38:12.720 --> 00:38:13.780 Take and eat this 00:38:13.780 --> 00:38:14.900 in remembrance 00:38:14.900 --> 00:38:17.000 that Christ died for you 00:38:17.000 --> 00:38:18.059 and feed on Him 00:38:18.059 --> 00:38:19.139 in your heart 00:38:19.139 --> 00:38:19.740 by faith 00:38:19.740 --> 00:38:20.440 with thanksgiving. 00:38:20.780 --> 00:38:21.660 And it's very similar 00:38:21.660 --> 00:38:22.639 to the cup. 00:38:22.639 --> 00:38:24.900 And it's just to say 00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:26.179 that the meal 00:38:26.179 --> 00:38:27.019 doesn't save, 00:38:27.179 --> 00:38:28.799 but it is for the saved. 00:38:29.839 --> 00:38:30.480 The meal 00:38:30.480 --> 00:38:31.299 doesn't 00:38:31.299 --> 00:38:32.599 become the 00:38:32.599 --> 00:38:33.779 literal body 00:38:33.779 --> 00:38:34.480 and blood 00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:35.099 of Jesus, 00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:36.519 but it is, 00:38:36.699 --> 00:38:37.319 in a sense, 00:38:38.000 --> 00:38:39.359 a very real 00:38:39.359 --> 00:38:41.559 communication 00:38:41.559 --> 00:38:42.440 to us 00:38:42.440 --> 00:38:43.179 of the presence 00:38:43.179 --> 00:38:43.920 of Jesus 00:38:43.920 --> 00:38:44.960 right now, 00:38:45.279 --> 00:38:45.539 here. 00:38:46.719 --> 00:38:47.579 And that 00:38:47.579 --> 00:38:49.239 builds up our soul. 00:38:49.839 --> 00:38:50.559 It is a gift 00:38:50.559 --> 00:38:51.099 of God 00:38:51.099 --> 00:38:51.960 to build up 00:38:51.960 --> 00:38:52.519 our soul. 00:38:52.639 --> 00:38:55.639 So like I mentioned, 00:38:56.179 --> 00:38:57.019 the past, 00:38:57.199 --> 00:38:57.799 the Passover, 00:38:58.239 --> 00:38:58.839 the present, 00:38:59.400 --> 00:39:00.019 the presence 00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:00.579 of God, 00:39:00.879 --> 00:39:01.699 but the future 00:39:01.699 --> 00:39:03.960 is the marriage 00:39:03.960 --> 00:39:05.059 supper of the Lamb 00:39:05.059 --> 00:39:06.059 and that is every time 00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:06.920 we come to the table, 00:39:07.019 --> 00:39:08.199 every single time. 00:39:10.139 --> 00:39:11.400 So when we come today, 00:39:12.099 --> 00:39:13.359 we're going to come humbly. 00:39:13.879 --> 00:39:14.539 We're going to search 00:39:14.539 --> 00:39:15.119 our hearts 00:39:15.119 --> 00:39:16.019 for sin 00:39:16.019 --> 00:39:16.739 and confess it 00:39:16.739 --> 00:39:17.440 to Almighty God. 00:39:17.519 --> 00:39:18.019 There will be a time 00:39:18.019 --> 00:39:18.559 of confession. 00:39:19.400 --> 00:39:20.500 And we act 00:39:20.500 --> 00:39:21.319 in faith 00:39:21.320 --> 00:39:22.360 that Jesus 00:39:22.360 --> 00:39:23.019 will certainly 00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:23.780 forgive our sins. 00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:24.100 Why? 00:39:24.320 --> 00:39:25.180 Because he has 00:39:25.180 --> 00:39:26.039 forgiven our sins. 00:39:26.800 --> 00:39:28.380 And that we are saved, 00:39:29.380 --> 00:39:31.400 we are being saved, 00:39:31.460 --> 00:39:32.120 and one day 00:39:32.120 --> 00:39:33.539 we will be saved 00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:34.539 when we dine 00:39:34.539 --> 00:39:35.160 with him 00:39:35.160 --> 00:39:36.600 as his bride. 00:39:36.740 --> 00:39:37.700 He is our bridegroom 00:39:37.700 --> 00:39:38.880 in the age 00:39:38.880 --> 00:39:39.480 to come. 00:39:39.660 --> 00:39:40.620 All because of 00:39:40.620 --> 00:39:41.080 the cross 00:39:41.080 --> 00:39:41.720 of Calvary. 00:39:41.719 --> 00:39:43.799 I'll close 00:39:43.799 --> 00:39:44.299 with this. 00:39:47.039 --> 00:39:48.359 In the second century, 00:39:48.799 --> 00:39:49.480 early on 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:50.359 in the second century, 00:39:52.259 --> 00:39:53.799 a church historian, 00:39:53.919 --> 00:39:54.659 a church father, 00:39:55.500 --> 00:39:56.139 suggested 00:39:56.139 --> 00:39:57.719 that Peter 00:39:57.719 --> 00:39:59.319 was the source 00:39:59.319 --> 00:39:59.959 for Mark's 00:39:59.959 --> 00:40:00.619 gospel account. 00:40:02.219 --> 00:40:03.219 I have no reason 00:40:03.219 --> 00:40:04.659 to not believe it, 00:40:05.659 --> 00:40:06.719 but if it truly 00:40:06.719 --> 00:40:07.500 was Peter, 00:40:09.299 --> 00:40:10.099 I'll say this, 00:40:10.099 --> 00:40:11.559 if I was telling Mark 00:40:11.559 --> 00:40:12.719 the gospel account, 00:40:13.099 --> 00:40:14.239 I would scrub, 00:40:14.539 --> 00:40:15.960 I would scrub 00:40:15.960 --> 00:40:17.599 verses 26 to 31. 00:40:19.279 --> 00:40:19.860 You know, 00:40:20.159 --> 00:40:21.319 we'll leave that part out, 00:40:21.400 --> 00:40:22.039 okay, Mark? 00:40:22.920 --> 00:40:23.659 I, you know, 00:40:23.719 --> 00:40:24.460 it makes him look 00:40:24.460 --> 00:40:25.420 terrible. 00:40:26.799 --> 00:40:27.460 And yet, 00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:28.019 it's there. 00:40:29.559 --> 00:40:30.719 And if it was Peter, 00:40:30.860 --> 00:40:31.900 then it is a testament 00:40:31.900 --> 00:40:33.880 to a man 00:40:33.880 --> 00:40:34.980 who fell 00:40:34.980 --> 00:40:35.679 in a most 00:40:35.679 --> 00:40:37.559 egregious, 00:40:37.719 --> 00:40:38.440 terrible way, 00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:39.159 but who has been 00:40:39.159 --> 00:40:39.800 restored 00:40:39.800 --> 00:40:41.300 to even greater heights 00:40:41.300 --> 00:40:41.860 because of what 00:40:41.860 --> 00:40:42.480 Christ has done. 00:40:44.039 --> 00:40:45.440 A man that knows 00:40:45.440 --> 00:40:46.019 grace 00:40:46.019 --> 00:40:46.900 and love 00:40:46.900 --> 00:40:47.480 and mercy 00:40:47.480 --> 00:40:48.440 deep in his soul. 00:40:49.720 --> 00:40:50.980 A man that is, 00:40:51.440 --> 00:40:52.200 in a sense, 00:40:53.579 --> 00:40:54.480 is willing 00:40:54.480 --> 00:40:55.460 to just be open 00:40:55.460 --> 00:40:56.099 and honest 00:40:56.099 --> 00:40:57.139 about his shortcomings 00:40:57.139 --> 00:40:57.980 from the past 00:40:57.980 --> 00:40:59.039 because they are 00:40:59.039 --> 00:41:00.720 buried with Christ 00:41:00.720 --> 00:41:01.119 forever. 00:41:01.119 --> 00:41:01.179 forever. 00:41:03.960 --> 00:41:04.920 And it is a great 00:41:04.920 --> 00:41:05.839 hope for us 00:41:05.839 --> 00:41:07.259 when we consider 00:41:07.259 --> 00:41:08.859 that that same 00:41:08.859 --> 00:41:09.759 grace and mercy 00:41:09.759 --> 00:41:10.900 is extended to us 00:41:10.900 --> 00:41:11.519 today. 00:41:13.199 --> 00:41:13.679 What, 00:41:13.839 --> 00:41:15.799 what have you done 00:41:15.799 --> 00:41:16.859 that is worse 00:41:16.859 --> 00:41:17.359 than Peter? 00:41:18.980 --> 00:41:20.179 And even if it is 00:41:20.179 --> 00:41:21.019 worse than Peter, 00:41:21.579 --> 00:41:22.500 what have you done 00:41:22.500 --> 00:41:23.119 that is, 00:41:23.179 --> 00:41:23.920 is too big 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:24.819 for God's grace 00:41:24.819 --> 00:41:26.239 and love 00:41:26.239 --> 00:41:27.000 and mercy? 00:41:27.000 --> 00:41:29.619 to bury it 00:41:29.619 --> 00:41:31.460 and for you 00:41:31.460 --> 00:41:32.300 never to see it 00:41:32.300 --> 00:41:32.619 again 00:41:32.619 --> 00:41:33.559 and to live 00:41:33.559 --> 00:41:34.639 in true freedom. 00:41:35.400 --> 00:41:35.940 Tell me what's 00:41:35.940 --> 00:41:36.800 more free than that. 00:41:38.559 --> 00:41:39.380 This has been 00:41:39.380 --> 00:41:40.360 offered to us 00:41:40.360 --> 00:41:40.840 today 00:41:40.840 --> 00:41:42.300 and it is a reminder 00:41:42.300 --> 00:41:43.840 every single time, 00:41:44.679 --> 00:41:45.780 every time we gather 00:41:45.780 --> 00:41:46.579 around this table 00:41:46.579 --> 00:41:47.519 that our sins 00:41:47.519 --> 00:41:48.400 are dealt with, 00:41:48.960 --> 00:41:49.519 gone, 00:41:49.900 --> 00:41:50.760 we are restored, 00:41:51.260 --> 00:41:51.639 that Christ 00:41:51.639 --> 00:41:52.639 has begun something, 00:41:52.780 --> 00:41:53.599 that he will finish, 00:41:53.599 --> 00:41:54.980 and he is extending 00:41:54.980 --> 00:41:55.699 grace 00:41:55.699 --> 00:41:57.179 upon grace 00:41:57.179 --> 00:41:58.559 upon grace. 00:41:59.819 --> 00:42:00.299 Amen. 00:42:02.259 --> 00:42:03.019 Heavenly Father, 00:42:03.099 --> 00:42:03.639 we thank you 00:42:03.639 --> 00:42:05.440 for this table 00:42:05.440 --> 00:42:07.159 and how this table 00:42:07.159 --> 00:42:07.799 is a gift 00:42:07.799 --> 00:42:08.539 to us 00:42:08.539 --> 00:42:09.839 and that we 00:42:09.839 --> 00:42:10.739 need to receive 00:42:10.739 --> 00:42:11.579 in a worthy way 00:42:11.579 --> 00:42:12.319 by faith 00:42:12.319 --> 00:42:13.579 with thanksgiving 00:42:13.579 --> 00:42:15.500 but all we can do 00:42:15.500 --> 00:42:16.139 is receive. 00:42:16.739 --> 00:42:17.579 We don't bring 00:42:17.579 --> 00:42:18.880 our own merit 00:42:18.880 --> 00:42:19.839 to this table. 00:42:21.019 --> 00:42:22.179 The institution 00:42:22.179 --> 00:42:23.460 of the Lord's Supper 00:42:23.460 --> 00:42:24.199 was done 00:42:24.199 --> 00:42:26.059 with betrayal 00:42:26.059 --> 00:42:27.500 and abandonment 00:42:27.500 --> 00:42:28.340 bookending it. 00:42:30.300 --> 00:42:30.820 Lord, 00:42:30.900 --> 00:42:31.740 help us to come 00:42:31.740 --> 00:42:33.220 throwing ourselves 00:42:33.220 --> 00:42:34.740 at the mercy 00:42:34.740 --> 00:42:37.519 of your blessed Son 00:42:37.519 --> 00:42:38.039 knowing 00:42:38.039 --> 00:42:39.360 that he will not 00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:40.519 scoff at us, 00:42:41.119 --> 00:42:42.039 he will not hold 00:42:42.039 --> 00:42:42.940 our shortcomings 00:42:42.940 --> 00:42:44.599 in front of us 00:42:44.599 --> 00:42:45.940 to shame us. 00:42:46.000 --> 00:42:46.340 In fact, 00:42:46.400 --> 00:42:47.320 he bore the shame 00:42:47.320 --> 00:42:48.340 on our behalf. 00:42:48.460 --> 00:42:48.559 Lord, 00:42:48.639 --> 00:42:49.179 help us 00:42:49.179 --> 00:42:50.679 to constantly 00:42:50.679 --> 00:42:52.099 embrace that, 00:42:52.559 --> 00:42:53.440 to look to Christ, 00:42:53.440 --> 00:42:54.800 to thank him 00:42:54.800 --> 00:42:57.139 and to live 00:42:57.139 --> 00:42:57.780 a life 00:42:57.780 --> 00:42:59.119 empowered by his spirit 00:42:59.119 --> 00:43:00.679 doing what he has 00:43:00.679 --> 00:43:01.260 called us 00:43:01.260 --> 00:43:02.220 to do 00:43:02.220 --> 00:43:03.220 out of joy 00:43:03.220 --> 00:43:04.000 in our hearts. 00:43:05.860 --> 00:43:06.340 Lord, 00:43:06.400 --> 00:43:07.360 help one of us, 00:43:07.460 --> 00:43:08.099 each of us 00:43:08.099 --> 00:43:09.579 to encourage 00:43:09.579 --> 00:43:10.240 each other 00:43:10.240 --> 00:43:10.780 in this. 00:43:11.980 --> 00:43:12.420 Lord, 00:43:12.559 --> 00:43:13.320 this Christian life 00:43:13.320 --> 00:43:14.019 is not easy 00:43:14.019 --> 00:43:15.440 but it is full of joy 00:43:15.440 --> 00:43:16.179 when we walk 00:43:16.179 --> 00:43:17.139 with you. 00:43:17.639 --> 00:43:18.179 Help us, 00:43:18.579 --> 00:43:18.920 we pray. 00:43:19.039 --> 00:43:19.559 In Christ's name. 00:43:19.559 --> 00:43:20.000 We pray to God 00:43:20.000 --> 00:43:20.539 in our hearts 00:43:20.539 --> 00:43:20.940 to prevail. 00:43:20.940 --> 00:43:21.019 Amen. 00:43:21.019 --> 00:43:51.000 Thank you.