WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.080 Good morning, everyone. Please open your Bibles to Matthew chapter 26. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Sean. I'm one of the pastors of Trinity Cambridge Church. 00:00:14.919 --> 00:00:23.719 We're nearing the end of our series in the Gospel of Matthew, which we started a year and a half ago. 00:00:25.580 --> 00:00:29.940 Matthew chapter 26, we're in verses 17 to 35. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.719 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word. 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:56.799 Heavenly Father, you love your church. You love us and you gave your only Son for us. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:26.700 And Lord, I confess I don't feel that I am up to the task of conveying the depth of your love in Jesus pouring out his blood for the sake of many, for their forgiveness of sins. 00:01:26.700 --> 00:01:46.460 Would you please make that amazing spiritual reality come home and pierce your people's hearts this morning? 00:01:46.459 --> 00:01:54.459 Exalt your Son. 00:01:54.459 --> 00:01:58.879 And in Him be glorified. 00:01:58.879 --> 00:02:10.199 Speak to us in the reading and preaching of your Word. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:02:11.299 --> 00:02:16.139 Please stand if you're able. Let's honor God together by standing as I read from God's Word. 00:02:16.280 --> 00:02:19.960 Matthew chapter 26, verses 17 to 35. 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:32.379 Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus saying, 00:02:32.379 --> 00:02:36.500 Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover? 00:02:37.620 --> 00:02:41.579 He said, Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 00:02:42.099 --> 00:02:44.439 The teacher says, My time is at hand. 00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:47.879 I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples. 00:02:49.039 --> 00:02:52.919 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and they prepared the Passover. 00:02:52.919 --> 00:02:57.559 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 00:02:58.379 --> 00:03:05.939 And as they were eating, he said, Truly I say to you, one of you will betray me. 00:03:07.379 --> 00:03:12.979 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, Is it I, Lord? 00:03:14.099 --> 00:03:19.219 He answered, He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 00:03:19.219 --> 00:03:27.080 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. 00:03:28.060 --> 00:03:31.120 It would have been better for that man if he had not been born. 00:03:32.460 --> 00:03:37.900 Judas, who would betray him, answered, Is it I, Rabbi? 00:03:39.500 --> 00:03:42.060 He said to him, You have said so. 00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:48.800 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread and after blessing it, broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:50.980 Take, eat, this is my body. 00:03:51.719 --> 00:03:55.320 And he took a cup and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, 00:03:55.520 --> 00:04:00.120 Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:04.800 which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 00:04:05.580 --> 00:04:13.900 I tell you, I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. 00:04:13.900 --> 00:04:19.019 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 00:04:19.699 --> 00:04:24.860 Then Jesus said to them, You will all fall away because of me this night. 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:31.079 For it is written, I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. 00:04:31.819 --> 00:04:35.439 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee. 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:41.540 Peter answered him, Do they all fall away because of you? 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:44.680 I will never fall away. 00:04:45.819 --> 00:04:55.759 Jesus said to him, Truly, I tell you, this very night before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times. 00:04:57.319 --> 00:05:03.000 Peter said to him, Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you. 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:07.000 And all the disciples said the same. 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:10.339 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:10.980 Please be seated. 00:05:15.839 --> 00:05:23.339 We all expect our enemies to hate us, to hurt us. 00:05:23.959 --> 00:05:28.420 But we don't expect our family and friends to do that. 00:05:28.420 --> 00:05:34.160 And that's why it hurts more when that happens. 00:05:36.199 --> 00:05:42.879 Maybe you were falsely accused or wrongly blamed for something that you're not responsible for at your workplace. 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:52.279 And a coworker of yours that you consider your friend, who knew the full truth, didn't come to your defense. 00:05:54.540 --> 00:05:56.360 Didn't tell the manager what really happened. 00:05:56.360 --> 00:06:15.020 Maybe you confided something in your friend, a trusted confidant, only to discover later that the deeply personal things that you have been sharing with this person is being gossiped about and whispered behind your back. 00:06:17.080 --> 00:06:19.340 And damaging your name and your reputation. 00:06:19.339 --> 00:06:33.659 Maybe you had a BFF or a brother, sister, someone that you knew would always be there for you. 00:06:35.019 --> 00:06:36.159 Until they weren't. 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:39.000 You came upon some hard times. 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:41.219 Financial hardship. 00:06:42.179 --> 00:06:43.679 Prolonged sickness, illness. 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:47.740 Some public relations crisis, relational issues. 00:06:47.860 --> 00:06:52.740 And then when you needed them most, they were gone. 00:06:53.400 --> 00:06:54.259 Nowhere to be found. 00:06:57.600 --> 00:07:06.519 Maybe you had a boyfriend, girlfriend, fiance, husband, wife that you loved, you trusted, 00:07:07.660 --> 00:07:12.280 only to learn later that that person's devotion to you was a farce. 00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:16.819 They were lying to your face and cheating on you over and over again. 00:07:19.579 --> 00:07:22.600 Some of you have been betrayed like this. 00:07:25.220 --> 00:07:32.019 But perhaps more importantly, all of us have betrayed like this. 00:07:33.480 --> 00:07:35.560 Because we have all betrayed God. 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:39.920 God says in Ezekiel, 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:43.400 I was your God and Redeemer. 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:47.680 I brought you into the promised land flowing with milk and honey. 00:07:47.980 --> 00:07:53.360 And yet you betrayed me and ran after every God you can find upon every hill. 00:07:56.460 --> 00:07:57.780 In Hosea, he says, 00:07:57.939 --> 00:07:59.379 I was your husband. 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:03.379 But you left me and whored after other gods. 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:06.420 In Isaiah 1, verse 2, he says, 00:08:06.600 --> 00:08:07.740 I am your father. 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:09.079 I raised you up. 00:08:09.159 --> 00:08:10.339 I brought you up. 00:08:10.579 --> 00:08:12.879 But you have rebelled against me. 00:08:14.459 --> 00:08:17.060 Is it any surprise then that we humans 00:08:17.060 --> 00:08:20.139 backbite and betray one another? 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:24.740 We're old hats. 00:08:25.420 --> 00:08:25.959 Old hands. 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:26.740 Old hands. 00:08:26.860 --> 00:08:27.379 We're all experienced. 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:30.899 We've all done this to God. 00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:37.659 When we have so betrayed God by turning away from him and sinning against him 00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:45.679 and being treacherous ingrates in our lives toward him, 00:08:46.019 --> 00:08:47.840 will he ever take us back? 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:52.039 Do we dare hope for forgiveness, 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:56.019 for redemption and reconciliation? 00:08:56.019 --> 00:08:59.600 That's what this passage is about. 00:08:59.779 --> 00:09:04.120 In this morning, Jesus predicts his betrayal by Judas, 00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:06.139 his abandonment by the 12, 00:09:06.539 --> 00:09:08.899 and finally his denial by Peter. 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:12.019 Dramatically and comprehensively, 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:17.480 Jesus is betrayed by those who are closest to him. 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:20.960 But there's a divine purpose behind all of this, 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:21.679 and that is this. 00:09:21.679 --> 00:09:26.639 Jesus' blood was poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:29.739 We're going to first talk about how Jesus was betrayed, 00:09:29.939 --> 00:09:32.199 and then we'll skip ahead to how he was deserted and denied, 00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:37.139 and finally we'll talk about how his blood was poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:43.599 Verse 17 tells us that this took place on the first day of unleavened bread. 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:48.080 This is a reference to the feast of Passover or the feast of unleavened bread. 00:09:48.980 --> 00:09:50.320 According to Exodus 12, 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:58.180 the Passover lamb was to be slaughtered just at twilight of the 14th day of the first month of the year 00:09:58.180 --> 00:09:59.580 in the Jewish calendar. 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:05.960 So after slaughtering the lamb at twilight on that day, 00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:09.879 in Jewish reckoning the day stretched from sundown to sundown. 00:10:10.400 --> 00:10:13.040 So after twilight it would go into the new day, 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:13.879 the next day, 00:10:13.980 --> 00:10:15.320 that evening they would eat, 00:10:15.400 --> 00:10:16.940 that night they would eat the Passover. 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:22.180 And that would begin the beginning of the seven-day feast of unleavened bread. 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:27.560 So in our reckoning it would be Thursday evening to Friday morning of, 00:10:27.820 --> 00:10:29.900 Friday afternoon of Holy Week, 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:31.280 and that's where we're at. 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:37.259 When it was evening it says in verse 20 that Jesus reclined at table with the twelve. 00:10:38.699 --> 00:10:40.559 But during this festive occasion, 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:44.839 Jesus makes a startling announcement in verse 21. 00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:46.919 Truly I say to you, 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:49.579 one of you will betray me. 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:53.959 The disciples are probably staring back at Jesus, 00:10:54.519 --> 00:10:55.279 trying to figure out, 00:10:56.079 --> 00:10:56.600 is he joking? 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:59.620 And then they realize, 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:01.279 they see the sorrow in his eyes, 00:11:01.340 --> 00:11:02.040 and they realize, 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:02.420 oh no, 00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:03.580 he's for real. 00:11:04.840 --> 00:11:05.960 They look around like, 00:11:06.040 --> 00:11:06.159 I mean, 00:11:06.200 --> 00:11:06.960 who's in this room? 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:09.480 It's just us. 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:11.040 The twelve. 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:14.600 One of you will betray me. 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:19.899 Very sorrowful they become, 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:22.420 and they begin to say to him and after one another, 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:23.259 is it I, 00:11:23.540 --> 00:11:23.720 Lord? 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:25.660 Surely not I. 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:29.040 And Jesus answered, 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:33.159 he who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 00:11:34.759 --> 00:11:36.460 If you have no idea what that means, 00:11:37.040 --> 00:11:39.560 that's because that's exactly the way it's supposed to be. 00:11:41.639 --> 00:11:42.320 They've all, 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:44.100 they're all dipping their hands in the same bowl. 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:46.320 It's one of them. 00:11:48.700 --> 00:11:50.860 But it's a deeply painful statement nonetheless. 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:54.740 There are many things that we do with strangers, right? 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:57.539 We will ride on the subway with strangers. 00:11:57.940 --> 00:12:00.759 We will watch a movie next to strangers. 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:02.019 You know, 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:05.919 some of you are more comfortable with doing things with strangers than others. 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:12.600 But we don't usually invite strangers to our homes. 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:17.860 We don't usually eat with them, 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:20.040 invite them to our family meal. 00:12:21.560 --> 00:12:22.440 Eating together, 00:12:22.560 --> 00:12:24.300 especially in the intimacy of our own homes, 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:25.940 goes beyond acquaintance. 00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:27.680 It signifies friendship, 00:12:28.040 --> 00:12:28.480 trust, 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:29.360 fellowship. 00:12:30.040 --> 00:12:33.240 He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me 00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:34.879 will betray me. 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:38.139 This is not a hygienic, 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:39.480 sterile meal 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:41.519 where everyone has their own dish, 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:42.960 everyone has their own cup, 00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:44.879 and everyone has their own dipping sauce. 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:46.220 No, 00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:46.659 this is, 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:48.419 there's a lot of double dipping going on. 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:51.279 It's a family meal. 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:54.759 He who has dipped his hand with me. 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:59.659 Can you pass that bowl over? 00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:02.879 David wrote in Psalm 41, 00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:03.480 verse 9, 00:13:03.939 --> 00:13:07.179 even my close friend in whom I trusted, 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.840 who ate my bread, 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:12.600 has lifted his heel against me. 00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:16.960 Those who eat your bread 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:19.240 are close friends in whom you trust. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.019 Jesus is saying, 00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:22.759 my friend, 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:23.439 friend, 00:13:24.439 --> 00:13:25.939 my confidant, 00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:27.840 my close advisor, 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:29.720 my trusted disciple, 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:31.139 one of you 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:32.659 will betray me. 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:37.620 But even this shocking betrayal 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:39.759 is no surprise to our sovereign God. 00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:41.299 Jesus says in verse 24, 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:42.720 the Son of Man goes 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:45.019 as it is written of him. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:47.279 But woe to that man 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:49.059 by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:51.019 It would have been better for that man 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:52.779 if he had not been born. 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:55.759 Hundreds of years before Jesus, 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:57.059 even a thousand years 00:13:57.059 --> 00:13:58.759 before Jesus' death, 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:00.439 in Isaiah 53, 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.319 Psalm 22, 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.159 Daniel 9, 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.000 Zechariah 12, 00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:03.819 among other places, 00:14:03.939 --> 00:14:05.899 God's word prophesied 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:08.519 that the Messiah would be killed. 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:11.679 Zechariah 11 prophesied 00:14:11.679 --> 00:14:13.319 with remarkable specificity 00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:15.500 that the Lord would send a shepherd 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:16.980 to care for his people 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:18.720 with favor and union, 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:20.500 but that his own sheep 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:22.279 would betray that very shepherd 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:23.120 and reject him 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:24.220 and sell him for 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:26.320 30 pieces of silver. 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:30.000 Which was what we saw last week. 00:14:33.420 --> 00:14:36.220 All of this was already written of him 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:38.019 that he would be betrayed. 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:41.240 The Lord God has already 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.519 sovereignly ordained 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:44.759 the betrayal of his own son 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:46.360 and the death of his own son. 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.300 It is written, 00:14:47.800 --> 00:14:48.620 but nonetheless, 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:51.300 the man by whom Jesus is betrayed 00:14:51.300 --> 00:14:54.279 is responsible for his treachery. 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:56.840 He'll be held accountable 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:59.180 and his judgment so severe 00:14:59.180 --> 00:15:00.759 that it will have been better 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:02.399 for that man to have never been born. 00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:06.460 There's no turning back for Judas. 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:08.200 He plays a singular, 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:09.480 unrepeated role 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:10.600 in the death of Christ. 00:15:12.840 --> 00:15:13.820 Judas already knows, 00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:14.220 of course, 00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:15.220 that he is the one. 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:17.460 He's already made the pact 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:18.760 with the chief priest 00:15:18.760 --> 00:15:19.879 as we saw in the passage 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:21.060 Ed preached last week. 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:23.580 He's agreed to sell Jesus 00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:24.920 for 30 pieces of silver. 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:27.340 But while the other 11 disciples 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:28.060 are going around, 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:29.040 surely not I. 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:29.980 Is it I, Lord? 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:31.580 Is it I, Lord? 00:15:32.260 --> 00:15:33.960 Judas can't just hang back. 00:15:34.540 --> 00:15:35.879 That looks really suspicious. 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:37.279 Right? 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:40.559 So he also approaches Jesus 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:46.000 expressing his incredulity, 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.519 protesting of his innocence. 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:52.259 Is it I, Lord? 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:52.360 Lord? 00:15:57.500 --> 00:16:01.620 I assume that this is happening on the side. 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:02.539 It's a side conversation 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:04.839 because Judas doesn't want to be exposed 00:16:04.839 --> 00:16:06.899 before all of the other disciples. 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.740 And also because we know 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:10.599 from John 13, 21 and 29 00:16:10.599 --> 00:16:11.679 that the other disciples 00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:13.299 didn't know at this time 00:16:13.299 --> 00:16:14.860 that Judas was the one. 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:16.319 They don't find that out until later. 00:16:17.719 --> 00:16:18.439 So Judas, 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:20.459 his heart palpitating, 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:22.059 probably his hands trembling 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:23.439 and his voice cracking, 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:25.480 but still with cold, 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:27.439 hushed determination, 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:28.719 asks, 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:30.560 is it I, 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:32.100 Rabbi? 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:36.500 And Jesus' answer is in the affirmative. 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.639 You have said so. 00:16:39.300 --> 00:16:41.600 It is as you have said. 00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:43.440 You said it. 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:47.300 And don't miss the key difference 00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:49.080 between Judas and the rest of the 12. 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:51.000 The rest of the 12 ask what? 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.360 Is it I, 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:53.700 Lord? 00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:58.379 Judas alone asks, 00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:59.259 is it I, 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:00.200 Rabbi? 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:05.839 Rabbi is the Jewish term for teacher. 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.660 In the Gospel of Matthew, 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.259 Jesus' disciples, 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.740 those who truly know him 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.880 and follow him 00:17:11.880 --> 00:17:12.680 and love him, 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:14.599 never address him 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:16.259 as Rabbi or teacher. 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:20.640 It's the unbelievers, 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:22.579 it's the scribes, 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.720 the Pharisees, 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.559 the Herodians, 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.619 the Sadducees, 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.279 the lawyers, 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.819 the people who doubt Jesus 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:29.059 and disbelieve Jesus 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:30.279 and discredit Jesus, 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:31.960 they're the ones who call him teacher 00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:33.539 or rabbi. 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:36.839 The title teacher 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:38.419 or rabbi in and of itself 00:17:38.419 --> 00:17:39.480 is not derogatory. 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:40.659 The term rabbi 00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:41.359 in the original Hebrew 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:43.279 means my great one. 00:17:44.679 --> 00:17:46.379 Apply to anyone else, 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:48.279 it's an honorific, 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:51.460 but apply to Jesus, 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:54.339 it is woefully inadequate. 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:58.440 It's deficient. 00:17:59.099 --> 00:18:00.879 It's even offensive. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:05.119 In fact, 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:06.559 for us to consider 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:07.539 and call Jesus 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:09.099 merely our teacher 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:11.660 is offensive. 00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:14.300 Jesus is the eternal 00:18:14.300 --> 00:18:15.980 son of God. 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.840 He is the savior 00:18:18.840 --> 00:18:19.560 of the world. 00:18:20.300 --> 00:18:21.600 He's the king of kings 00:18:21.600 --> 00:18:22.740 and lord of lords. 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:25.740 Some of you here 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.840 are not yet followers 00:18:26.840 --> 00:18:27.480 of Christ. 00:18:29.300 --> 00:18:30.640 You might concede 00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:32.019 that Jesus is a great teacher. 00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:34.840 His ethical teachings 00:18:34.840 --> 00:18:36.000 about loving our neighbors 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.100 and as we love ourselves, 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:38.340 his teachings about forgiveness 00:18:38.340 --> 00:18:40.060 have formed the very foundation 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:41.079 of Western civilization. 00:18:42.399 --> 00:18:43.619 You might even concede 00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:44.919 that he is a great prophet 00:18:44.919 --> 00:18:45.919 or a miracle worker. 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.879 He healed many 00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:47.859 and prophesied 00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:49.379 of things that came true. 00:18:50.639 --> 00:18:51.639 You might concede 00:18:51.639 --> 00:18:53.460 that Jesus is a great man, 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:55.579 maybe even the greatest human being 00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:56.299 that ever lived. 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.899 He started the biggest religion 00:18:57.899 --> 00:18:58.480 in the world. 00:18:58.599 --> 00:18:59.639 He has the most adherence 00:18:59.639 --> 00:19:00.139 in the world. 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.440 Billions have claimed 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.240 to follow him. 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:04.599 His impact on world history 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:05.440 is unparalleled, 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:07.500 but even if you admit 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.519 all of that, 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:10.639 that only gets you 00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:11.759 as far as Judas. 00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:15.440 It's not enough. 00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:19.879 Jesus Christ must be your Lord. 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.940 Maybe you call yourself 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:24.440 a Christian, 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.579 but Jesus is nothing more 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.859 than a great therapist. 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:31.779 Someone to give you a pep talk 00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:33.099 and make you feel safe 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:33.700 and comfortable 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.879 and good about yourself. 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:36.779 Maybe you think of Jesus 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.819 as a great coach, 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.839 someone who can help you 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:40.259 fulfill your potential 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.819 and achieve your goals 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:43.039 and succeed in life. 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:45.019 But that too 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:46.379 will only get you 00:19:46.379 --> 00:19:47.680 as far as Judas. 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:52.019 It's not enough. 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:55.519 Jesus Christ must be your Lord. 00:19:58.920 --> 00:20:00.720 Romans 10, 9 does not say 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:02.399 if you confess with your mouth 00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:04.240 that Jesus is a great teacher, 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.519 you will be saved. 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:09.420 If you confess with your mouth 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:11.000 that Jesus is Lord 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:13.400 and believe in your heart 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:14.539 that God raised him 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.259 from the dead, 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:17.299 then you will be saved. 00:20:18.900 --> 00:20:20.440 To confess Jesus 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:21.420 as your Lord 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.640 is to submit 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:24.259 and surrender your life 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:25.120 completely to him 00:20:25.120 --> 00:20:25.700 as the Lord 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.700 of heaven and earth. 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:28.319 It means to renounce 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.380 every other person's 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:31.559 claim upon your life 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:33.079 as a claim to lordship 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:34.439 and control in your life 00:20:34.439 --> 00:20:35.419 including yourself. 00:20:35.899 --> 00:20:37.079 It means to renounce 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:38.299 your own control 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:38.960 over your own life 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:40.059 and to pledge allegiance 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:41.460 to Jesus Christ alone. 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.980 We fool ourselves 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:44.480 into thinking 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.179 that we can rule 00:20:45.179 --> 00:20:45.859 our own lives. 00:20:45.939 --> 00:20:46.939 We're capable rulers 00:20:46.939 --> 00:20:48.539 of our own destinies, 00:20:48.639 --> 00:20:49.319 but in reality 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.419 every single person 00:20:50.419 --> 00:20:50.899 in the world, 00:20:51.159 --> 00:20:51.899 rich or poor, 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:53.059 successful or failures, 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:54.119 we have all, 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:55.779 every single one of us 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:57.039 made a ruin 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.919 of our lives. 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.619 We don't know 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.639 how to rule ourselves. 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:02.440 There is no one righteous, 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:04.340 no, not one. 00:21:06.620 --> 00:21:08.480 Our spiritual hollowness, 00:21:08.580 --> 00:21:10.220 our spiritual deadness 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.660 impeach us. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.140 We must stop 00:21:13.140 --> 00:21:15.340 masquerading as kings 00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:17.620 and abdicate the throne 00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:19.600 and submit to the lordship 00:21:19.600 --> 00:21:20.540 of Jesus Christ. 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:24.400 To submit to the lordship 00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:25.040 of Jesus Christ 00:21:25.040 --> 00:21:26.400 means to deny yourself 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:27.200 as Jesus taught 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:28.060 earlier in the gospel, 00:21:28.340 --> 00:21:29.220 to deny yourself 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:30.480 and to take up your cross 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.660 and follow him, 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:33.319 to lose your life 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.519 for his sake, 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:36.120 no longer living for yourself 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:37.000 but for him. 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:41.019 Later in our service, 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.160 we have the privilege 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:44.440 of baptizing four new people 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:46.180 who are making 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:47.740 that very commitment 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.740 and pledging allegiance 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.740 to Jesus today. 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:52.440 That's what baptism represents. 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:55.299 when you are submerged 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:56.480 under water, 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.500 you are baptized 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:59.559 into Christ's death. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:01.220 You are being buried 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:01.840 with him 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.759 by baptism 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.799 into death. 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:05.160 And then when you emerge 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:06.200 out of that water, 00:22:06.360 --> 00:22:07.380 you are raised 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:08.960 to new life 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.440 with Christ, 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:10.580 raised from the dead 00:22:10.580 --> 00:22:11.340 with Jesus Christ 00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:12.600 to walk in the newness 00:22:12.600 --> 00:22:13.080 of life. 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.340 All is gone. 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.539 You're now a new creation 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.080 in Christ. 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:23.899 Then, 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.279 afterward, 00:22:25.439 --> 00:22:26.000 we can say, 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.000 as Christians, 00:22:27.179 --> 00:22:28.119 I have been crucified 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:28.819 with Christ. 00:22:29.139 --> 00:22:29.879 It is no longer 00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:30.500 I who live 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.159 but Christ 00:22:31.159 --> 00:22:32.419 who lives within me. 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:34.299 The life I now live 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:34.779 in the body, 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:35.659 I live by faith 00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:36.220 in the Son of God 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:36.939 who loved me 00:22:36.939 --> 00:22:38.359 and gave himself for me. 00:22:38.439 --> 00:22:39.720 That's what Christian life is. 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:40.639 That's what surrender 00:22:40.639 --> 00:22:41.279 to the Lordship 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.779 of Christ is. 00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:44.720 And what is, 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.500 then that means 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.559 God can tell you 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.439 anything he wants. 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:49.980 God can tell you 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.420 to go. 00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:51.740 He can tell you 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.220 to stay. 00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:55.259 God can put you 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.500 to prosperity. 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:57.880 He can put you 00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:58.880 to poverty. 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.920 He can ordain 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:03.320 pleasure and comfort 00:23:03.320 --> 00:23:03.799 for you. 00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.299 He can ordain 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.920 suffering and loss 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:07.340 for you. 00:23:08.380 --> 00:23:09.240 He can set you 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.059 on a platform. 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.960 He can set you 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.320 aside in obscurity. 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.799 He can make you 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.340 praised. 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.839 He can make you 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.419 criticized. 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:21.000 That's what it means 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:21.699 to confess 00:23:21.699 --> 00:23:22.639 with your mouth 00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:23.439 Jesus, 00:23:23.959 --> 00:23:24.819 not me. 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:25.899 Jesus 00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:27.019 is 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.859 Lord. 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.619 Is Jesus 00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:33.619 Lord in your life? 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.539 Is he your 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:35.959 master? 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:37.879 Or do you 00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:38.359 serve another? 00:23:41.419 --> 00:23:42.240 If Jesus 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:43.159 is not your 00:23:43.159 --> 00:23:43.399 Lord, 00:23:43.459 --> 00:23:43.879 you will fall 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:44.199 away. 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:46.379 Judas' 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.259 situation is 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:47.859 unique, 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.220 so this isn't 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:49.839 an exact 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:50.319 parallel, 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.759 but Hebrews 6 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.759 speaks of those 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.079 who, 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.199 though they are 00:23:54.199 --> 00:23:54.939 not of the 00:23:54.939 --> 00:23:55.419 elect, 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:55.939 ultimately, 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.179 by their 00:23:57.179 --> 00:23:58.159 association and 00:23:58.159 --> 00:23:59.319 nearness to the 00:23:59.319 --> 00:23:59.959 Spirit's work 00:23:59.959 --> 00:24:00.559 among the people 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:00.980 of God, 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:01.699 they have had, 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.480 in a certain 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:02.919 sense, 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:04.079 tasted of the 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:04.659 heavenly gift 00:24:04.659 --> 00:24:05.579 and the goodness 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:07.059 of the word of 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:07.480 God and the 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.019 powers of the 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.659 age to come. 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.000 And he says 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.639 that those people 00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:11.559 sometimes fall 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:11.859 away. 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:15.500 such people, 00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:15.899 God says, 00:24:15.959 --> 00:24:16.359 cannot be 00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:16.859 restored to 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.259 repentance. 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:19.099 In other words, 00:24:19.199 --> 00:24:19.759 even now, 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:20.479 there are people 00:24:20.479 --> 00:24:21.379 who resemble 00:24:21.379 --> 00:24:22.199 Judas in some 00:24:22.199 --> 00:24:22.539 sense, 00:24:23.379 --> 00:24:24.099 people who knew 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.439 Jesus, 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:25.319 people who walked 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:26.519 with Jesus in a 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:26.959 certain sense, 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.619 who witnessed 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.740 his power and 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:30.379 wisdom and still 00:24:30.379 --> 00:24:31.139 fell away. 00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:34.140 most of us 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:34.900 have heard of 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.440 Billy Graham, 00:24:36.540 --> 00:24:37.320 the famous 00:24:37.320 --> 00:24:39.040 Christian evangelist. 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:42.120 But back in 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:43.160 1946, 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:45.460 Graham had a 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.180 friend and a 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:47.160 fellow evangelist 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:47.700 who was viewed 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:49.120 by many as 00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:50.480 being even more 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.380 accomplished and 00:24:51.380 --> 00:24:52.259 effective and 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.060 promising than 00:24:53.060 --> 00:24:53.600 Billy Graham. 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:56.440 His name was 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.460 Charles Templeton. 00:24:58.860 --> 00:24:59.860 But after the 00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:00.340 preaching the 00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:01.120 gospel internationally, 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:02.300 as an evangelist, 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.460 a decade later, 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:04.980 Templeton in 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:06.380 1957 publicly 00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:07.780 declared himself 00:25:07.780 --> 00:25:08.800 an agnostic. 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:13.500 Fifty years later, 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.100 Christian author 00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:16.180 Lee Strobel got 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:17.040 to interview 00:25:17.040 --> 00:25:18.280 Charles Templeton 00:25:18.280 --> 00:25:19.300 and he asked 00:25:19.300 --> 00:25:19.520 him, 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:20.880 how do you 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:22.100 assess Jesus? 00:25:24.600 --> 00:25:25.300 At that point, 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:25.860 he says, 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:27.280 Templeton's hard 00:25:27.280 --> 00:25:28.400 edge softened 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:29.080 and he took on 00:25:29.080 --> 00:25:29.780 a much more 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:31.220 melancholy tone 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:32.319 and almost 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:33.339 nostalgically he 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:33.660 said, 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.799 Jesus was the 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.359 greatest human 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.139 being who has 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:37.619 ever lived. 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.480 He was a 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.059 moral genius. 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:42.680 His ethical 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.240 sense was 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.619 unique. 00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:44.139 He was 00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:44.859 intrinsically 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:45.839 wisest person. 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:46.839 He was the 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:47.799 intrinsically 00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:48.480 wisest person 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.019 that I've ever 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.639 encountered in my 00:25:49.639 --> 00:25:50.220 life or in my 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.519 readings. 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:51.700 His commitment 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.660 was total and 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:53.359 led to his own 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.240 death, much to 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:54.879 the detriment of 00:25:54.879 --> 00:25:55.279 the world. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.539 what could one 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.220 say about him 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:58.019 except that this 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:59.180 was a form of 00:25:59.180 --> 00:25:59.700 greatness? 00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:02.160 Strobel didn't 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:03.079 expect that from 00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:04.079 someone who had 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.799 renounced and 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:06.099 publicly renounced 00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:07.200 Christ all those 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.879 many years ago. 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:08.960 And so he pressed 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.500 it a little further. 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:10.539 You sound like you 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.319 really care about 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:11.559 him. 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.399 And Templeton 00:26:14.399 --> 00:26:16.619 continued, 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:18.059 well, yes, 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:19.440 he is the most 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.500 important thing in 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.140 my life. 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:24.460 I know it might 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.359 sound strange, 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:25.880 but I have to 00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:27.559 say I adore him. 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.559 Everything good I 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.119 know, everything 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:31.740 decent I know, 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.680 everything pure I 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:33.200 know I learned 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:33.759 from Jesus. 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:36.019 Yes, yes, and 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.559 tough. 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:38.099 Jesus, look at 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:38.380 Jesus. 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.019 He's tough. 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:39.839 He castigated 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.119 people. 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.180 He was angry. 00:26:41.339 --> 00:26:41.940 People don't think 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.400 of him that way, 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:42.799 but they don't 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.420 read the Bible. 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.619 He had a righteous 00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:45.059 anger. 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:45.920 He cared for the 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.460 oppressed and 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.519 exploited, and the 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:47.859 exploited. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.980 There's no question 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:50.180 that he had the 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:50.820 highest moral 00:26:50.820 --> 00:26:51.740 standard, the 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:53.259 least duplicity, the 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:54.340 greatest compassion 00:26:54.340 --> 00:26:55.560 of any human being 00:26:55.560 --> 00:26:56.060 in history. 00:26:56.320 --> 00:26:56.779 There have been 00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.340 many other 00:26:57.340 --> 00:26:58.080 wonderful people, 00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:59.680 but Jesus is 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.140 Jesus. 00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:03.440 In my view, he is 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.460 the most important 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.420 human being who 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.220 has ever existed. 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.700 And if I may put 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:10.279 it this way, he 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:10.960 continued as his 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.720 voice started to 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:15.180 crack, I miss 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:15.500 him. 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:24.080 with that, his 00:27:24.080 --> 00:27:25.000 eyes filled with 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:26.620 tears, and he 00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:27.700 turned his head and 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:29.880 covered his eyes, and 00:27:29.880 --> 00:27:31.000 his shoulders started 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.720 bobbing, and he 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.720 started heaving and 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:36.460 crying, until 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:39.279 awkwardly he waved 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.120 everything off and 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:40.900 called up to any of 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.440 you and said, 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.900 enough of that. 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:48.299 Templeton was a 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:48.539 Judas. 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:55.440 He died as an 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.919 apostate and a 00:27:56.919 --> 00:27:58.759 betrayer of Christ 00:27:58.759 --> 00:28:02.159 because even though he 00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:03.379 spoke with such 00:28:03.379 --> 00:28:06.039 passion and emotion, 00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:07.399 such pathos about 00:28:07.399 --> 00:28:08.740 Jesus, even though he 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:10.019 believed that Jesus was 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:11.399 the greatest human being 00:28:11.399 --> 00:28:12.859 that ever lived, the 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:14.259 most important thing he 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.359 says in his life in a 00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:21.959 kind of way, he never 00:28:21.959 --> 00:28:23.399 confessed Jesus as 00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:23.819 Lord. 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.979 I will return to the 00:28:31.979 --> 00:28:33.000 most important Passover 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:36.159 meal in verses 26 to 00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:37.959 29 later, but now 00:28:37.959 --> 00:28:38.859 skip with me to verses 00:28:38.859 --> 00:28:39.919 30 to 35. 00:28:40.899 --> 00:28:41.799 After the Passover, 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:43.579 they sing a hymn as was 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.559 the custom, and then 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:47.359 Jesus has still more 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:48.659 surprising and sobering 00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:49.319 words for his 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:49.759 disciples. 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:50.939 He says in verse 31, 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:53.099 you will all fall away 00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:53.919 because of me this 00:28:53.919 --> 00:28:55.199 night, for it is 00:28:55.199 --> 00:28:56.179 written, I will strike 00:28:56.179 --> 00:28:57.419 the shepherd, and the 00:28:57.419 --> 00:28:58.519 sheep of the flock will 00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:59.259 be scattered. 00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:01.679 The word fall away is 00:29:01.679 --> 00:29:02.679 the same word that 00:29:02.679 --> 00:29:03.699 Jesus used earlier in 00:29:03.699 --> 00:29:05.039 Matthew 13, 21, to 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.819 speak of those who 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:07.139 receive the word of God 00:29:07.139 --> 00:29:08.639 with joy, but when 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.619 tribulation or 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:11.019 persecution arises on 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.740 account of the word, 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:13.519 immediately he falls 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:13.960 away. 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:17.140 It's the same word that 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:18.500 he used in Matthew 24, 00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:19.559 verse 9, when he said 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:21.180 that many will fall away 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:22.180 when they are delivered 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:23.880 up to tribulation and 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:24.859 are hated by the 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:26.200 nations for Christ's 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:26.920 name's sake. 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:30.259 Earlier in verse 24, 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.279 Jesus said that the 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.519 Son of Man is betrayed 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:34.160 as it is written of him 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:34.980 in the scriptures, and 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:36.339 here in verse 31, Jesus 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:37.900 says that the way all of 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:39.460 his disciples will fall 00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:41.100 away too is already 00:29:41.100 --> 00:29:42.380 written in the 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:42.779 scriptures. 00:29:43.840 --> 00:29:45.039 And he quotes Zechariah 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:46.279 13, verse 7, that 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:47.019 passage I mentioned 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.519 earlier. 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:49.259 The messianic shepherd 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.519 come to shepherd his 00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:52.960 people, but he's 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:55.559 rejected, and God 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:57.299 himself strikes down 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:58.059 the shepherd and the 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:58.860 sheep of the flock 00:29:58.860 --> 00:29:59.620 scatters. 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:02.059 And that too is a 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.019 heart-rending betrayal. 00:30:04.600 --> 00:30:05.720 Jesus said to his 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:07.500 disciples, the 12, in 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:09.220 Luke 22, verse 28 to 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:12.200 30, you, you are 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:14.019 those who have stayed 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:16.099 with me in my trials. 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:21.200 And I assign to you, 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.839 as my Father assigned 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:26.259 to me, a kingdom that 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.259 you may eat and drink 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:28.259 at my table in my 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.099 kingdom and sit on 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:29.779 thrones judging the 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.859 12 tribes of Israel. 00:30:31.140 --> 00:30:32.380 You are those who have 00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:34.460 stayed with me in my 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.019 trials. 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:37.420 But even these, he 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:40.819 says, who have stayed 00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.759 with him in his trials 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.900 up to that point, will 00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:46.200 desert him precisely at 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:48.400 the lowest point of his 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:50.480 life, precisely when he 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:52.500 is the loneliest, precisely 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:54.079 when he is the weakest, 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:56.019 precisely when he needs 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:57.240 their support and 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.940 companionship the most, 00:31:00.639 --> 00:31:01.500 they desert him. 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:06.519 He says in verse 56, then 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:08.299 all the disciples left 00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:09.480 him and fled. 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:12.819 Imagine his sadness, his 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:13.200 loneliness. 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:17.579 No man has ever known 00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:18.640 loneliness like Jesus. 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:27.240 But Peter's bravado once 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.619 again rears its prideful 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:30.039 head in verse 33. 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:34.599 I mean, he's saying 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:35.500 this while all the other 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.259 disciples are listening, 00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:36.539 right? 00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:39.460 Oh, don't they all fall 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:40.079 away, Jesus? 00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:48.180 I, I, I, I will never 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:48.639 fall away. 00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:52.019 Have you ever felt that? 00:31:53.099 --> 00:31:55.240 You know, sinful, prideful 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:55.720 naivete. 00:31:56.659 --> 00:31:58.359 Oh, Jesus, I will never do 00:31:58.359 --> 00:31:59.639 something like that to you. 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:03.039 Jesus, I'll never do that 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:05.079 sin again, ever, ever. 00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:10.259 Jesus says to him, truly, 00:32:10.419 --> 00:32:11.639 I tell you, this very 00:32:11.639 --> 00:32:12.879 night before the rooster 00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:13.839 crows, you will deny me 00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:14.539 three times. 00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:16.839 But Peter does not back 00:32:16.839 --> 00:32:17.159 off. 00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:19.019 He thinks he knows better 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:20.099 than the master himself. 00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:22.679 No, no, no, no, Jesus. 00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:24.740 Jesus, even if I must die 00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:29.500 with you, I will not deny 00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:29.740 him. 00:32:33.320 --> 00:32:34.640 I'll follow you to the 00:32:34.640 --> 00:32:35.000 death. 00:32:35.860 --> 00:32:37.200 But this very night before 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:38.660 the sun rises, Peter will 00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:40.560 deny Jesus not once, not 00:32:40.560 --> 00:32:42.860 twice, but three times. 00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:44.840 And it's not even a simple 00:32:44.840 --> 00:32:45.299 denial. 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:47.279 He denies Jesus with an 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:47.680 oath. 00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:49.820 I do not know the man. 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:51.019 I swear it. 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:53.060 He invokes a curse upon 00:32:53.060 --> 00:32:54.080 himself saying, I don't 00:32:54.080 --> 00:32:54.620 know him. 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:58.240 At the crisis point of 00:32:58.240 --> 00:33:00.560 Jesus' life, just when he 00:33:00.560 --> 00:33:02.860 needed his closest friend to 00:33:02.860 --> 00:33:03.820 stand up for him and 00:33:03.820 --> 00:33:07.320 defend him, Peter and the 00:33:07.320 --> 00:33:08.240 apostles are nowhere to be 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:08.460 found. 00:33:10.360 --> 00:33:11.799 Peter, of all people, he 00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:13.160 was the first disciple that 00:33:13.160 --> 00:33:14.220 Jesus called to follow him. 00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:15.480 He's a leader among the 00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:15.740 twelve. 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:17.400 Peter's house in Capernaum 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:18.880 was the base of operations 00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:20.140 for Jesus' ministry in 00:33:20.140 --> 00:33:20.500 Galilee. 00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:22.000 Peter was the one who made 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:23.160 the great confession saying, 00:33:23.339 --> 00:33:24.660 you are the Christ, the 00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:25.640 son of the living God. 00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:26.880 Peter's the one who had the 00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:28.200 faith, at least for a time, 00:33:28.339 --> 00:33:30.099 to step out and to walk on 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:31.420 water and follow Jesus 00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:31.759 there. 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:33.140 He's the one to whom Jesus 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:35.160 said, you are Peter and on 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:37.259 this rock I will build my 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:38.539 church and the gates of 00:33:38.539 --> 00:33:39.400 Hades shall not prevail 00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:39.980 against it. 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:41.980 Peter was with Jesus when he 00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:43.039 went up on the mountain and 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:44.380 was transfigured in his 00:33:44.380 --> 00:33:45.120 divine glory. 00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:50.799 He saw all of that and he 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:51.920 who should have borne witness 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:53.660 to Jesus denied him. 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:58.120 Thankfully, this is not the 00:33:58.120 --> 00:33:59.200 end of the story for Peter 00:33:59.200 --> 00:33:59.819 and the apostles. 00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:01.980 Judas never repents. 00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:04.200 He never had genuine faith 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:04.640 in Jesus. 00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:06.140 He was a child of the devil 00:34:06.140 --> 00:34:06.940 all alone. 00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:08.519 But the rest of the twelve 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:10.880 all repent of their cowardly 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:12.220 and faithless abandonment of 00:34:12.220 --> 00:34:12.480 Jesus. 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:15.599 And it's also important for us 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:16.740 to remember that these 00:34:16.740 --> 00:34:17.800 disciples, they are falling 00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:19.340 away and denying Jesus 00:34:19.340 --> 00:34:21.840 before his death, resurrection, 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:22.720 and ascension. 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:25.380 That means it's also before the 00:34:25.380 --> 00:34:26.840 coming of the Holy Spirit in 00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:28.460 power at Pentecost, empower 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:30.780 them for their witness, which we 00:34:30.780 --> 00:34:31.920 now have the benefit of. 00:34:33.260 --> 00:34:35.019 Once the Holy Spirit comes upon 00:34:35.019 --> 00:34:36.140 them, they are empowered, 00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:38.139 empowered, emboldened, and they 00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:40.159 never again deny Jesus. 00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:44.500 I believe this is the case for 00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:46.460 all true spirit-empowered 00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:47.099 Christians. 00:34:48.179 --> 00:34:50.599 Jesus said in Matthew 10, 32-33, 00:34:50.819 --> 00:34:52.299 So everyone who acknowledges me 00:34:52.299 --> 00:34:53.599 before men, I also will 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:55.159 acknowledge before my Father who 00:34:55.159 --> 00:34:55.619 is in heaven. 00:34:55.879 --> 00:34:57.420 But whoever denies me before 00:34:57.420 --> 00:34:59.059 men, I also will deny before my 00:34:59.059 --> 00:35:00.179 Father who is in heaven. 00:35:00.639 --> 00:35:02.879 Those who deny Christ before men 00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:04.180 will not be saved. 00:35:05.539 --> 00:35:06.980 For this reason, I don't think 00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:09.140 true spirit-indwelled, empowered 00:35:09.140 --> 00:35:11.440 Christians ever finally deny 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:12.000 their Savior. 00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:16.440 This doesn't, however, mean that 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:18.519 we as Christians are never 00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:22.900 cowed by fear or ashamed of the 00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:23.220 gospel. 00:35:25.200 --> 00:35:28.079 Paul had to remind even Timothy in 00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:30.980 2 Timothy 1, 7-8, God gave us a 00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:32.640 spirit not of fear. 00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:35.019 But of power and love and 00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:35.680 self-control. 00:35:35.820 --> 00:35:38.480 Therefore, do not be ashamed of 00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:40.380 the testimony about our Lord, nor 00:35:40.380 --> 00:35:42.220 of me, his prisoner, but share in 00:35:42.220 --> 00:35:43.579 suffering for the gospel by the 00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:44.300 power of God. 00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:46.360 Because it is normal, it's human 00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:48.079 to be tempted to be ashamed of 00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:49.700 the gospel when because of the 00:35:49.700 --> 00:35:50.800 gospel you preach, you are 00:35:50.800 --> 00:35:51.340 persecuted. 00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:52.640 And because of the gospel you 00:35:52.640 --> 00:35:54.140 preach, your closest associates 00:35:54.140 --> 00:35:55.559 and your mentors and teachers are 00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:56.160 in prison. 00:35:56.159 --> 00:36:01.759 And so Paul has to remind him, don't 00:36:01.759 --> 00:36:04.480 be ashamed of the testimony. 00:36:06.879 --> 00:36:10.339 Even Paul has to ask the saints in 00:36:10.339 --> 00:36:13.839 Ephesus to pray for him in Ephesians 6, 19-20 00:36:13.839 --> 00:36:16.079 that words may be given to him and 00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:18.980 opening his mouth boldly to proclaim the 00:36:18.980 --> 00:36:20.359 mystery of the gospel. 00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:23.380 that he may declare it boldly. 00:36:23.720 --> 00:36:26.860 Why does Paul ask the church of Ephesus 00:36:26.860 --> 00:36:29.680 to pray for him to preach with boldness? 00:36:29.760 --> 00:36:32.640 Because sometimes it's hard for him to 00:36:32.640 --> 00:36:34.039 preach with boldness. 00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:41.779 Have you ever hidden the fact that you 00:36:41.779 --> 00:36:46.920 are a Christian who goes to church from 00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:50.679 your coworkers, peers? 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:53.800 Were you ever part of a group where 00:36:53.800 --> 00:36:57.539 God's word was being reviled, ridiculed, 00:36:58.239 --> 00:37:00.759 God's people being ridiculed, and then 00:37:00.759 --> 00:37:03.039 you just looked away and fidgeted and 00:37:03.039 --> 00:37:05.579 didn't say a word? 00:37:07.460 --> 00:37:08.880 Have you ever been in an engrossing, 00:37:09.639 --> 00:37:11.400 deep conversation with a friend where 00:37:11.400 --> 00:37:13.860 there was a golden opportunity to share 00:37:13.860 --> 00:37:15.779 the gospel, it served to you on a silver 00:37:15.779 --> 00:37:18.400 platter, and then you just fumbled it? 00:37:19.659 --> 00:37:20.699 Didn't share the gospel. 00:37:23.219 --> 00:37:25.539 Do not be ashamed of the gospel. 00:37:26.199 --> 00:37:29.960 It is the power of God for salvation for 00:37:29.960 --> 00:37:30.940 those who believe. 00:37:33.039 --> 00:37:38.679 Do not be afraid of those who can judge you 00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:41.300 in this life only, but not in eternal life. 00:37:42.659 --> 00:37:45.500 Those who can kill the body, but cannot 00:37:45.500 --> 00:37:46.820 kill the soul. 00:37:52.880 --> 00:37:54.320 Caleb, where is Caleb? 00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:55.440 He's getting baptized today. 00:37:56.199 --> 00:37:56.900 There he is, Caleb. 00:37:56.900 --> 00:38:02.700 Because Lucas invited him to our church 00:38:02.700 --> 00:38:06.519 to Bible study and share the gospel with him. 00:38:10.680 --> 00:38:15.280 Andy, Sandy, AJ are getting baptized today. 00:38:16.440 --> 00:38:17.139 It's amazing. 00:38:17.240 --> 00:38:19.760 Their whole family, three of them are getting 00:38:19.760 --> 00:38:21.440 baptized together like the Philippian jailers 00:38:21.440 --> 00:38:23.860 family, which sometimes happens as units. 00:38:27.400 --> 00:38:30.179 Because David shared the gospel with him. 00:38:30.179 --> 00:38:37.359 How can people confess Jesus as Lord 00:38:37.359 --> 00:38:40.000 when they don't know who he is? 00:38:40.319 --> 00:38:42.519 When they don't know what he has done for them? 00:38:42.739 --> 00:38:45.299 How can they confess Jesus as Lord? 00:38:45.440 --> 00:38:48.480 And how can they come to know this wonderful Savior 00:38:48.480 --> 00:38:50.719 unless someone tells them? 00:38:50.719 --> 00:39:01.000 If we are honest with ourselves, all of our lives 00:39:01.000 --> 00:39:03.559 are marked not only by our evangelistic triumphs, 00:39:03.599 --> 00:39:05.159 but also by our tragic failures. 00:39:05.159 --> 00:39:09.500 We've all been cowards, haven't we? 00:39:10.879 --> 00:39:13.299 We've all been silent when we should have stood up 00:39:13.299 --> 00:39:14.980 for Jesus and spoken up for him. 00:39:17.099 --> 00:39:18.239 Like the 12 apostles. 00:39:20.099 --> 00:39:24.000 In verse 21, Jesus said to Judas, the 12th disciple, 00:39:24.679 --> 00:39:26.500 truly I say to you, one of you will betray me. 00:39:26.579 --> 00:39:29.839 And then verse 34, Jesus says to Peter, the first disciple, 00:39:30.279 --> 00:39:32.500 truly I tell you, this very night before the rooster crows, 00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:33.779 you will deny me three times. 00:39:33.780 --> 00:39:36.980 From the first to the last, from the greatest to the least, 00:39:37.320 --> 00:39:39.500 they all fail Jesus. 00:39:40.040 --> 00:39:42.580 Like we have all failed Jesus. 00:39:43.120 --> 00:39:45.440 But perhaps even more shocking 00:39:45.440 --> 00:39:48.920 than Jesus' prediction of their betrayal and denial 00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:51.400 is his prediction in this passage 00:39:51.400 --> 00:39:53.800 that his 12 disciples, minus Judas, 00:39:54.080 --> 00:39:58.380 will one day feast with him in the kingdom of his father, 00:39:58.460 --> 00:40:00.860 in the kingdom of God, in verse 29. 00:40:00.860 --> 00:40:04.500 Isn't that surprising? 00:40:06.099 --> 00:40:11.099 They all deserted him at the moment of his greatest need. 00:40:13.059 --> 00:40:15.140 How do you treat people who treat you that way? 00:40:16.140 --> 00:40:17.019 Betray you like that. 00:40:17.599 --> 00:40:19.680 Do you invite them into your inner circle again? 00:40:20.460 --> 00:40:21.820 Do you confide in them? 00:40:21.880 --> 00:40:22.680 Do you trust them? 00:40:22.760 --> 00:40:23.720 Do you celebrate them? 00:40:23.780 --> 00:40:24.960 Do you lavish them with gifts? 00:40:24.960 --> 00:40:30.599 Jesus promises them in this very passage 00:40:30.599 --> 00:40:32.360 where he says, you will betray me. 00:40:32.500 --> 00:40:33.559 You will deny me. 00:40:33.619 --> 00:40:35.000 You will fall away from me. 00:40:35.019 --> 00:40:36.000 You will leave me. 00:40:37.539 --> 00:40:40.199 I will drink and feast with you in the kingdom of God. 00:40:40.199 --> 00:40:44.779 How can you say that? 00:40:48.919 --> 00:40:50.659 This is Jesus' last supper 00:40:50.659 --> 00:40:52.799 before he goes to the cross to die. 00:40:53.579 --> 00:40:55.000 Moreover, it's a Passover meal 00:40:55.000 --> 00:40:56.879 which in Exodus 12, verse 3, 00:40:57.339 --> 00:41:00.099 it stipulated that you should celebrate this 00:41:00.099 --> 00:41:01.559 within your own household. 00:41:02.259 --> 00:41:04.259 It's a family affair. 00:41:04.260 --> 00:41:12.940 And yet, Jesus does not go back to Mary and his siblings. 00:41:13.200 --> 00:41:17.100 No, he chooses to eat the Passover with his disciples. 00:41:18.400 --> 00:41:20.480 And in a parallel passage in Luke 22, 15, 00:41:20.540 --> 00:41:21.240 he tells them, 00:41:21.600 --> 00:41:25.460 I have earnestly desire to eat this Passover with you 00:41:25.460 --> 00:41:26.340 before I suffer. 00:41:27.520 --> 00:41:29.840 Jesus is forming a new family, 00:41:30.560 --> 00:41:32.340 a new spiritual family, 00:41:32.340 --> 00:41:34.360 consistent with what he said earlier 00:41:34.360 --> 00:41:36.059 in Matthew 12, 59 to 60, 00:41:36.120 --> 00:41:38.320 when he gestured toward his disciples and said, 00:41:38.680 --> 00:41:41.160 here are my mother and my brothers. 00:41:41.740 --> 00:41:44.280 For whoever does the will of my father in heaven 00:41:44.280 --> 00:41:47.160 is my brother and my sister and my mother. 00:41:47.500 --> 00:41:49.940 And in this new spiritual family, 00:41:50.280 --> 00:41:52.220 inclusion is determined 00:41:52.220 --> 00:41:54.940 not by the blood of shared ancestors, 00:41:54.940 --> 00:41:58.300 but by the blood of Jesus Christ. 00:41:58.300 --> 00:42:02.519 Giving them a cup of wine, 00:42:02.640 --> 00:42:03.160 Jesus says, 00:42:03.300 --> 00:42:03.980 drink of it, 00:42:04.100 --> 00:42:04.880 all of you, 00:42:05.000 --> 00:42:07.580 for this is my blood of the covenant 00:42:07.580 --> 00:42:09.100 which is poured out for many 00:42:09.100 --> 00:42:10.900 for the forgiveness of sins. 00:42:12.360 --> 00:42:14.700 Jesus has predicted his suffering and death 00:42:14.700 --> 00:42:16.700 three times so far already 00:42:16.700 --> 00:42:17.780 in the Gospel of Matthew, 00:42:18.180 --> 00:42:19.640 but he never told us 00:42:19.640 --> 00:42:21.500 why he would suffer and die. 00:42:21.560 --> 00:42:22.480 He told us he would, 00:42:22.820 --> 00:42:23.960 but never told us why. 00:42:24.200 --> 00:42:26.280 This is the clearest explanation 00:42:26.280 --> 00:42:28.080 and the most direct explanation 00:42:28.080 --> 00:42:29.600 of the significance 00:42:29.600 --> 00:42:32.100 and the purpose of his death 00:42:32.100 --> 00:42:33.140 and it is this, 00:42:34.460 --> 00:42:36.580 forgiveness of sins 00:42:36.580 --> 00:42:39.140 for many. 00:42:42.300 --> 00:42:44.400 The phrase blood of the covenant 00:42:44.400 --> 00:42:46.880 comes from Exodus 24, 7 to 8 00:42:46.880 --> 00:42:48.860 when the blood of sacrificial animals 00:42:48.860 --> 00:42:50.680 was sprinkled upon the people of God 00:42:50.680 --> 00:42:51.820 to consecrate them, 00:42:51.900 --> 00:42:53.180 set them apart for God. 00:42:53.480 --> 00:42:56.200 Now Jesus forms a new covenant community 00:42:56.199 --> 00:42:58.500 a new kingdom of his people 00:42:58.500 --> 00:42:59.819 and he sprinkles them 00:42:59.819 --> 00:43:02.859 not with the blood of oxen, 00:43:03.559 --> 00:43:05.779 with his own blood 00:43:05.779 --> 00:43:09.059 to make us clean. 00:43:10.539 --> 00:43:14.500 He takes this 1,500 year old tradition 00:43:14.500 --> 00:43:15.199 of the Passover 00:43:15.199 --> 00:43:19.879 and superimposes his own significance, 00:43:20.119 --> 00:43:22.839 his own person and identity upon it. 00:43:22.919 --> 00:43:24.239 He transforms it forever. 00:43:24.239 --> 00:43:27.959 This is why the lamb, 00:43:28.459 --> 00:43:29.859 which was the centerpiece 00:43:29.859 --> 00:43:30.759 of the Passover meal, 00:43:30.899 --> 00:43:32.379 is conspicuously missing 00:43:32.379 --> 00:43:34.000 from the dialogue in this passage. 00:43:36.159 --> 00:43:38.019 Because the real lamb, 00:43:38.439 --> 00:43:39.659 the ultimate lamb, 00:43:40.079 --> 00:43:41.779 the spiritual main course 00:43:41.779 --> 00:43:43.079 is not missing, 00:43:43.199 --> 00:43:43.739 it's Jesus. 00:43:46.679 --> 00:43:48.419 Jesus is a Passover lamb 00:43:48.419 --> 00:43:49.299 that will be slaughtered 00:43:49.299 --> 00:43:50.359 once and for all. 00:43:50.360 --> 00:43:52.900 that same very day. 00:43:55.900 --> 00:43:57.220 This therefore marks 00:43:57.220 --> 00:43:58.760 the last Passover, 00:43:59.480 --> 00:44:01.320 last biblically sanctioned Passover. 00:44:02.059 --> 00:44:03.440 Because after Jesus' death 00:44:03.440 --> 00:44:03.980 and resurrection, 00:44:04.180 --> 00:44:05.019 God's people celebrate 00:44:05.019 --> 00:44:06.160 the new Passover 00:44:06.160 --> 00:44:07.160 of the Lamb of God. 00:44:07.740 --> 00:44:08.880 This last supper 00:44:08.880 --> 00:44:10.000 was a Passover meal, 00:44:10.200 --> 00:44:11.460 but the Lord's Supper 00:44:11.460 --> 00:44:12.820 that Jesus is instituting 00:44:12.820 --> 00:44:13.700 in this passage 00:44:13.700 --> 00:44:15.180 is not meant to be celebrated 00:44:15.180 --> 00:44:16.019 once a year, 00:44:16.079 --> 00:44:17.120 only during the Passover. 00:44:17.119 --> 00:44:18.779 No, it's meant to be celebrated 00:44:18.779 --> 00:44:20.480 as often as we gather together. 00:44:20.559 --> 00:44:21.319 That's what Paul says 00:44:21.319 --> 00:44:22.699 in 1 Corinthians 11, 26. 00:44:23.019 --> 00:44:24.799 For as often as you eat this bread 00:44:24.799 --> 00:44:25.619 and drink the cup, 00:44:25.759 --> 00:44:27.259 you proclaim the Lord's death 00:44:27.259 --> 00:44:28.739 until he comes. 00:44:30.219 --> 00:44:31.759 That's why he chooses the bread, 00:44:32.339 --> 00:44:34.400 which is a staple 00:44:34.400 --> 00:44:37.839 to institute the Lord's Supper. 00:44:37.840 --> 00:44:41.400 He says of the bread, 00:44:41.519 --> 00:44:42.980 this is my body. 00:44:43.800 --> 00:44:45.440 This doesn't necessarily mean 00:44:45.440 --> 00:44:46.380 that the bread 00:44:46.380 --> 00:44:47.019 is the literal, 00:44:47.300 --> 00:44:49.300 physical body of Christ 00:44:49.300 --> 00:44:50.840 any more than Jesus saying 00:44:50.840 --> 00:44:52.140 in John 10, verse 9, 00:44:52.240 --> 00:44:53.460 I am the door 00:44:53.460 --> 00:44:54.620 means that Jesus 00:44:54.620 --> 00:44:55.340 is a literal, 00:44:55.640 --> 00:44:56.480 physical door. 00:45:01.840 --> 00:45:03.380 Jesus is the bread 00:45:03.380 --> 00:45:04.260 that is broken. 00:45:04.920 --> 00:45:06.740 Its fibers ripped apart 00:45:06.739 --> 00:45:08.919 as we chomp and munch on it 00:45:08.919 --> 00:45:09.539 and eat it 00:45:09.539 --> 00:45:11.859 to derive nourishment from it. 00:45:12.059 --> 00:45:13.419 The bread, in a sense, 00:45:13.599 --> 00:45:15.979 dies so that we might live. 00:45:18.279 --> 00:45:21.199 Likewise, the fruit of the vine, 00:45:21.539 --> 00:45:22.679 the grape juice or wine, 00:45:23.079 --> 00:45:24.619 they're picked off the vine 00:45:24.619 --> 00:45:26.159 and then they're thrown 00:45:26.159 --> 00:45:27.279 into shallow vats 00:45:27.279 --> 00:45:29.199 where people literally walk on it 00:45:29.199 --> 00:45:30.459 and stomp upon it 00:45:30.459 --> 00:45:32.959 so that the juice pours out from it 00:45:32.959 --> 00:45:34.339 and then to get the squeeze, 00:45:34.439 --> 00:45:35.479 the rest of the juice out, 00:45:35.480 --> 00:45:36.740 they press it 00:45:36.740 --> 00:45:39.380 with heavy beams and stones. 00:45:41.039 --> 00:45:43.579 That's what Jesus has done 00:45:43.579 --> 00:45:44.679 for us on the cross. 00:45:47.099 --> 00:45:49.420 Pressed, squeezed, 00:45:51.119 --> 00:45:51.980 poured out 00:45:51.980 --> 00:45:56.639 every last drop. 00:45:56.639 --> 00:46:04.359 poured out, 00:46:04.480 --> 00:46:06.199 not dripped down. 00:46:09.039 --> 00:46:09.960 Poured out 00:46:09.960 --> 00:46:11.440 for many, 00:46:11.779 --> 00:46:13.379 for the forgiveness of sins. 00:46:13.420 --> 00:46:14.139 There's an echo here 00:46:14.139 --> 00:46:15.420 of Isaiah 53, 12, 00:46:15.460 --> 00:46:17.319 that he bore the sin of many. 00:46:17.500 --> 00:46:18.239 He was pierced 00:46:18.239 --> 00:46:19.759 for our transgressions. 00:46:19.839 --> 00:46:20.819 He was crushed 00:46:20.819 --> 00:46:22.079 for our iniquities. 00:46:22.400 --> 00:46:23.059 Upon him 00:46:23.059 --> 00:46:23.639 was the chastisement 00:46:24.219 --> 00:46:25.239 that brought us peace 00:46:25.239 --> 00:46:26.679 and with his wounds 00:46:26.679 --> 00:46:28.039 we are healed. 00:46:28.739 --> 00:46:30.339 And this is why 00:46:30.339 --> 00:46:32.079 Jesus can invite disciples 00:46:32.079 --> 00:46:33.500 who desert him 00:46:33.500 --> 00:46:34.519 and deny him 00:46:34.519 --> 00:46:35.659 into the kingdom of God. 00:46:36.379 --> 00:46:37.339 This is why 00:46:37.339 --> 00:46:38.839 sinners like you and me 00:46:38.839 --> 00:46:41.459 can join him 00:46:41.459 --> 00:46:42.419 at his family table. 00:46:42.420 --> 00:46:49.019 They mocked him 00:46:49.019 --> 00:46:49.700 during his life. 00:46:50.420 --> 00:46:52.059 Why does your master, 00:46:52.460 --> 00:46:53.400 why does your teacher 00:46:53.400 --> 00:46:55.079 eat with 00:46:55.079 --> 00:46:56.420 tax collectors 00:46:56.420 --> 00:46:57.039 and sinners? 00:47:05.619 --> 00:47:07.059 Maybe you are very aware 00:47:07.059 --> 00:47:08.139 of your sins today, 00:47:08.480 --> 00:47:09.039 some of you. 00:47:09.039 --> 00:47:12.420 you feel so unworthy. 00:47:14.139 --> 00:47:15.159 How can I, 00:47:16.199 --> 00:47:17.320 who failed him 00:47:17.320 --> 00:47:18.099 yet again, 00:47:18.800 --> 00:47:19.480 how can I, 00:47:19.559 --> 00:47:20.420 who have sinned 00:47:20.420 --> 00:47:22.199 and besmirched his name 00:47:22.199 --> 00:47:23.320 yet again, 00:47:23.599 --> 00:47:24.500 how can I, 00:47:25.500 --> 00:47:26.940 how can I 00:47:26.940 --> 00:47:28.599 dare 00:47:28.599 --> 00:47:30.119 sin, 00:47:32.900 --> 00:47:33.360 demand 00:47:33.360 --> 00:47:34.360 or expect a seat 00:47:34.360 --> 00:47:34.980 at the table 00:47:34.980 --> 00:47:35.599 of the Lord? 00:47:35.599 --> 00:47:35.659 God, 00:47:36.339 --> 00:47:40.119 everywhere else 00:47:40.119 --> 00:47:40.579 in the world 00:47:40.579 --> 00:47:41.039 you need to 00:47:41.039 --> 00:47:42.619 pay something. 00:47:44.819 --> 00:47:45.420 You gotta 00:47:45.420 --> 00:47:46.940 attain a high enough 00:47:46.940 --> 00:47:48.279 GPA 00:47:48.279 --> 00:47:48.980 to enter the 00:47:48.980 --> 00:47:49.880 honor societies. 00:47:50.000 --> 00:47:50.480 You need to 00:47:50.480 --> 00:47:51.719 pay your dues 00:47:51.719 --> 00:47:53.239 to join your clubs. 00:47:53.380 --> 00:47:53.679 You need to, 00:47:53.679 --> 00:47:55.319 you need to find something. 00:47:55.420 --> 00:47:56.440 You need to do something. 00:47:56.559 --> 00:47:57.259 You need to meet 00:47:57.259 --> 00:47:57.920 some criteria. 00:47:58.039 --> 00:47:58.239 You need to, 00:47:58.239 --> 00:47:58.259 you need to, 00:47:58.260 --> 00:48:02.240 the family table 00:48:02.240 --> 00:48:02.960 of the Lord Jesus, 00:48:03.180 --> 00:48:04.660 your only qualification 00:48:04.660 --> 00:48:05.940 is the blood 00:48:05.940 --> 00:48:07.680 of Jesus Christ 00:48:07.680 --> 00:48:08.800 poured out 00:48:08.800 --> 00:48:10.320 for the forgiveness 00:48:10.320 --> 00:48:11.240 of sins. 00:48:16.080 --> 00:48:17.480 So cling to that 00:48:17.480 --> 00:48:18.240 today. 00:48:20.280 --> 00:48:20.880 Renew 00:48:20.880 --> 00:48:21.840 your resolve. 00:48:21.980 --> 00:48:22.820 Cling to that 00:48:22.820 --> 00:48:23.820 and that 00:48:23.820 --> 00:48:24.720 alone 00:48:24.720 --> 00:48:26.020 for your assurance 00:48:26.020 --> 00:48:27.560 today. 00:48:28.260 --> 00:48:28.980 Let's pray. 00:48:38.420 --> 00:48:38.900 Father, 00:48:40.840 --> 00:48:46.320 thank you 00:48:46.320 --> 00:48:46.960 for the blood. 00:48:49.300 --> 00:48:50.000 Thank you 00:48:50.000 --> 00:48:50.720 for the blood. 00:48:53.720 --> 00:48:54.200 Oh, 00:48:54.300 --> 00:48:54.840 there is a 00:48:54.840 --> 00:48:55.220 fountain 00:48:55.220 --> 00:48:56.400 filled with blood. 00:48:56.400 --> 00:48:58.460 Lord, 00:48:58.519 --> 00:48:59.019 we sinners 00:48:59.019 --> 00:49:00.119 plunge ourselves 00:49:00.119 --> 00:49:00.559 in it 00:49:00.559 --> 00:49:02.300 and find ourselves 00:49:02.300 --> 00:49:03.240 cleansed 00:49:03.240 --> 00:49:05.300 of all our sins. 00:49:06.220 --> 00:49:07.119 We praise you, 00:49:07.200 --> 00:49:07.380 Lord. 00:49:08.840 --> 00:49:09.599 We thank you, 00:49:09.680 --> 00:49:09.820 Lord. 00:49:11.320 --> 00:49:12.440 In Jesus' name 00:49:12.440 --> 00:49:13.460 we pray. 00:49:13.460 --> 00:49:14.340 Amen.