WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:09.359 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:10.500 Join us. 00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:17.000 As we open God's Word together again this morning, I mean, what a gift it is that we 00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:17.960 get to do that, right? 00:00:19.420 --> 00:00:27.760 That we get to open the Word of truth and hear the truth of God's greatness and read 00:00:27.760 --> 00:00:28.219 it together. 00:00:28.219 --> 00:00:36.579 We're going to return to John chapter 18, John's account of this fateful night where 00:00:36.579 --> 00:00:39.359 Jesus is actually going to head to the cross. 00:00:39.460 --> 00:00:47.439 He has just been betrayed by Judas and his band of several hundred men, Roman soldiers, 00:00:47.700 --> 00:00:48.640 Jewish leaders. 00:00:49.640 --> 00:00:55.480 And John has kept our attention fixed firmly on Jesus. 00:00:55.479 --> 00:00:58.219 All the way through. 00:00:58.339 --> 00:01:04.539 He's the last man standing, controlling all the others, protecting his disciples. 00:01:05.379 --> 00:01:15.420 It reminded me this week of this iconic photo from 1989, the day after the Tiananmen Square 00:01:15.420 --> 00:01:22.719 massacre massacre in Beijing, China, when one man, you can barely even see him down there. 00:01:24.359 --> 00:01:30.040 He stood alone before a line of military tanks and he brought them to a halt. 00:01:30.620 --> 00:01:33.439 Tank man, he's known as. 00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:34.799 He was going to have to do this. 00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:42.200 Stepping forward bravely to stand against unjust power for the sake of others, even if it costs him. 00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:53.060 And now in these next verses, John turns our eyes back and forth from Jesus to Peter and back again. 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:58.040 It seems a little bit odd the way John mixes these scenes together. 00:01:58.240 --> 00:02:04.240 But actually, if you think about it, this is a literary convention that you've seen or read hundreds of times. 00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:04.939 Right? 00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:07.460 It's in so many movies. 00:02:07.859 --> 00:02:11.020 When you go back and forth to draw a contrast. 00:02:11.480 --> 00:02:11.659 Right? 00:02:11.719 --> 00:02:17.099 To highlight specific differences in the two scenes or the two characters you're watching. 00:02:17.099 --> 00:02:26.359 Maybe you remember it most famously in a movie that cuts back and forth between a baptism in a church and violence on the streets. 00:02:27.959 --> 00:02:32.000 Let's pick up our reading at verse 12 of John 18. 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:36.240 With our eyes still on Jesus, the last man standing. 00:02:37.240 --> 00:02:39.159 And let's read this first scene. 00:02:39.159 --> 00:02:59.439 Remember, just a few moments before, those guys had all fallen to the ground before the I am of Jesus. 00:03:00.379 --> 00:03:04.000 The last man standing in total control of the situation. 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:06.520 But now he helps them back up. 00:03:07.659 --> 00:03:09.319 And they complete the arrest. 00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:12.639 First they led him to Annas. 00:03:13.080 --> 00:03:16.939 For he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 00:03:18.039 --> 00:03:25.699 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. 00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:31.420 So many priests here, it can be easy to get confused. 00:03:31.419 --> 00:03:35.259 Now, Annas has been a high priest for a decade. 00:03:36.159 --> 00:03:36.280 Okay? 00:03:36.519 --> 00:03:42.379 But whereas the Jews elected him to that role and appointed him there for life, 00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:46.119 the Romans didn't want it to work that way with positions of power. 00:03:46.239 --> 00:03:47.659 They wanted a lot more turnover. 00:03:48.179 --> 00:03:55.699 And so Annas' sons and son-in-law Caiaphas have been taking turns serving as high priest. 00:03:55.699 --> 00:04:01.679 But Annas is still looked to by many Jews as the real high priest. 00:04:02.899 --> 00:04:10.060 So John takes this opportunity when he's telling us about this to remind us that Caiaphas, 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:12.199 the son-in-law of Annas, 00:04:12.919 --> 00:04:15.879 had advised the Sanhedrin not long ago 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:18.459 that even though some people might be upset, 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:23.699 having this Jesus die would be best for the rest of them. 00:04:23.699 --> 00:04:27.779 One man die for the people. 00:04:29.060 --> 00:04:32.019 Two reasons I think John highlights it here. 00:04:32.659 --> 00:04:40.159 The first is that it makes really clear to us that Jesus is willingly going to an unjust trial, right? 00:04:40.399 --> 00:04:43.139 These guys he's standing before have already decided, 00:04:43.240 --> 00:04:45.099 they're already on the record that he should die. 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:48.199 That would be a good thing if this guy would die. 00:04:48.199 --> 00:04:53.360 But more importantly, just as we saw back in chapter 11, 00:04:53.819 --> 00:04:56.079 Caiaphas spoke better than he knew, didn't he? 00:04:56.819 --> 00:04:59.319 John tells us he was prophesying actually. 00:04:59.699 --> 00:05:03.319 Jesus would indeed die for the people 00:05:03.319 --> 00:05:06.300 and all the other people who would be gathered to him, 00:05:06.399 --> 00:05:09.539 people like you and me if we trust him. 00:05:09.540 --> 00:05:15.840 God is using the wicked words of men for a greater purpose. 00:05:16.340 --> 00:05:17.400 Love how he does that. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:22.660 John reminds us yet again that Jesus is heading to the unjust trial 00:05:22.660 --> 00:05:29.480 and the biased rulers and the awful cross in our place. 00:05:30.280 --> 00:05:33.900 Jesus stands for us. 00:05:33.899 --> 00:05:35.899 Jesus stands for us. 00:05:35.899 --> 00:05:40.919 And then, as he stands, the camera pans back behind us, 00:05:41.259 --> 00:05:43.560 this large group that's escorting Jesus, 00:05:43.779 --> 00:05:48.099 and it finds Peter following at a distance. 00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:49.899 Verse 15. 00:05:50.299 --> 00:05:54.979 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. 00:05:55.319 --> 00:05:56.919 Now, you might wonder who that is. 00:05:57.139 --> 00:05:58.279 We don't know for sure. 00:05:58.399 --> 00:06:00.579 Many people think it's John himself, 00:06:00.579 --> 00:06:04.180 the author of this gospel who sometimes refers to himself 00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:05.399 without using his name, 00:06:05.819 --> 00:06:07.419 but it doesn't matter too much, 00:06:07.539 --> 00:06:10.199 whether it was John or another of the 12 disciples. 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:13.759 But that disciple was known to the high priest. 00:06:13.899 --> 00:06:16.339 So since that disciple was known to the high priest, 00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:19.399 he entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, 00:06:19.659 --> 00:06:22.060 but Peter stood outside at the door. 00:06:22.839 --> 00:06:25.459 So that other disciple who was known to the high priest 00:06:25.459 --> 00:06:28.240 went out and spoke to the servant girl 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:31.079 who kept watch at the door and brought Peter in. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:34.439 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, 00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:38.400 you also are not one of this man's disciples, are you? 00:06:39.720 --> 00:06:41.860 He said, I am not. 00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:46.120 Now, the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:47.160 because it was cold, 00:06:47.220 --> 00:06:49.460 and they were standing and warming themselves. 00:06:50.220 --> 00:06:51.639 Peter also was with them, 00:06:51.780 --> 00:06:54.319 standing and warming himself. 00:06:54.319 --> 00:06:59.180 Now, let's not be too hard on Peter, okay? 00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:02.399 I mean, look, at least he's following, right? 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:03.360 At least he's there. 00:07:03.620 --> 00:07:06.240 Most of the other disciples have left. 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:09.620 They've gone to look for safety or sleep. 00:07:11.659 --> 00:07:14.659 Peter probably goes here following behind Jesus 00:07:14.659 --> 00:07:16.439 with the intent of being courageous, 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:20.399 loyal, even heroic, perhaps. 00:07:20.539 --> 00:07:21.860 You can tell already tonight 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:23.259 he's been looking for a chance, hasn't he? 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:26.980 But he fails. 00:07:29.039 --> 00:07:30.379 There's no other way to put it. 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:32.279 It's even more painful than that 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:33.680 in the original Greek 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:35.459 because we remember the power. 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:36.759 Peter's heard the words. 00:07:37.099 --> 00:07:38.519 Jesus has just said, 00:07:38.819 --> 00:07:41.860 ego, a me, I am. 00:07:43.159 --> 00:07:44.579 And Peter says, 00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:46.459 uke, a me, 00:07:47.180 --> 00:07:50.139 I am not. 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:54.759 But the contrast couldn't be clearer 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:55.979 than the two of them. 00:07:56.800 --> 00:07:59.459 Jesus' embrace of the truth. 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:03.000 Peter's denial of the truth. 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:04.759 You with Jesus? 00:08:06.419 --> 00:08:08.240 I am not. 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:13.579 It seems unlikely Peter planned this response, 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:14.160 doesn't it? 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:17.939 But confronted by the question 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:19.660 of a mere servant girl, 00:08:19.860 --> 00:08:21.560 his knees buckle, 00:08:21.840 --> 00:08:23.540 his strength fails, 00:08:23.780 --> 00:08:25.740 and the one who had said 00:08:25.740 --> 00:08:28.259 that he would be with Jesus, 00:08:28.420 --> 00:08:30.439 he would die with Jesus, 00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:33.159 he can't even admit to living with them. 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:37.079 Perhaps it was a small denial 00:08:37.079 --> 00:08:40.620 to one not very intimidating person, 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:42.079 maybe nobody else heard, 00:08:42.299 --> 00:08:43.799 but it opens the door 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:45.519 to a night of denial 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:47.399 of his Lord, doesn't it? 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:51.539 Before we apply this to ourselves, 00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:53.639 let me observe something here 00:08:53.639 --> 00:08:55.120 for those of us who struggle 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:57.159 with the Bible stories 00:08:57.819 --> 00:08:59.459 of Jesus being true. 00:08:59.699 --> 00:09:00.679 Did this really happen? 00:09:00.679 --> 00:09:02.679 I want you to think, 00:09:02.779 --> 00:09:04.819 here are Jesus' disciples now, 00:09:05.219 --> 00:09:06.079 all of them, 00:09:06.139 --> 00:09:07.199 either abandoning him, 00:09:08.519 --> 00:09:09.500 betraying him, 00:09:09.779 --> 00:09:11.879 or denying him, 00:09:11.939 --> 00:09:13.479 as in Peter's case. 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:15.500 The future leader of the church 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:16.879 putting his failures 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:18.679 on public record. 00:09:19.259 --> 00:09:20.039 That, friends, 00:09:20.079 --> 00:09:21.659 is a very strong mark 00:09:21.659 --> 00:09:22.859 of historicity 00:09:22.859 --> 00:09:24.259 when you're reading 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:25.659 a written account. 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:27.759 When the authors of Scripture 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:30.659 write of their own failures, 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:31.019 failures, 00:09:32.199 --> 00:09:33.459 and maybe you think, 00:09:33.599 --> 00:09:34.939 no big deal, 00:09:35.599 --> 00:09:37.399 you don't really care 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:38.739 if this story is true, 00:09:38.819 --> 00:09:38.979 I mean, 00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:40.339 you don't follow Jesus, 00:09:40.599 --> 00:09:41.939 so no big deal 00:09:41.939 --> 00:09:42.339 if it is, 00:09:42.419 --> 00:09:42.620 you don't, 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:43.779 if you deny 00:09:43.779 --> 00:09:44.899 that you follow Jesus, 00:09:44.959 --> 00:09:46.159 that's just telling the truth, 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:46.759 right? 00:09:46.839 --> 00:09:47.819 Just being honest. 00:09:49.719 --> 00:09:51.639 But if this story is true, 00:09:52.439 --> 00:09:55.079 what about all the others? 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:57.240 I mean, 00:09:57.340 --> 00:09:58.360 what about his dying 00:09:58.360 --> 00:09:59.379 on the cross? 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:01.300 Next chapter. 00:10:01.540 --> 00:10:03.139 Or his rising from the dead, 00:10:03.220 --> 00:10:04.560 the next chapter. 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:06.759 If everything John writes 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:08.120 about him is true, 00:10:08.300 --> 00:10:09.320 then you can find 00:10:09.320 --> 00:10:10.920 a life in Jesus. 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:12.860 You must find 00:10:12.860 --> 00:10:15.040 your life in Jesus. 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:15.720 I mean, 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:16.520 which one is it? 00:10:16.580 --> 00:10:17.740 It's one or the other. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:19.220 Either they made 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:20.220 all of this up 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:21.320 and threw themselves 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:21.980 under the bus 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:22.960 in the process 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:24.700 just for good measure 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:25.379 because they liked 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:26.720 to embarrass themselves. 00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:29.200 Or they told 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:30.279 these embarrassing, 00:10:30.779 --> 00:10:31.820 exposing stories 00:10:31.820 --> 00:10:33.920 because they're true. 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:35.840 That's what happened. 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:39.000 Back to our failures. 00:10:40.820 --> 00:10:42.240 I remember a couple years ago 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:42.920 when Bill Nash 00:10:42.920 --> 00:10:43.899 was teaching us 00:10:43.899 --> 00:10:45.340 about sharing Jesus 00:10:45.340 --> 00:10:46.139 with our neighbors. 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:46.820 I don't know 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:47.820 if that sounded right. 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:48.779 I didn't mean Bill Nash 00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:49.800 was our biggest failure. 00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:51.000 Sorry, Bill. 00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:54.159 Back to our failures. 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:54.779 Bill Nash. 00:10:57.879 --> 00:10:58.779 It's not the way 00:10:58.779 --> 00:10:59.240 I thought about it 00:10:59.240 --> 00:10:59.800 the first time. 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:02.539 I actually remember 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:03.580 Bill teaching us 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:05.399 about sharing Jesus 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:06.200 with our neighbors. 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:08.440 And he said, 00:11:08.560 --> 00:11:09.539 a basic beginning 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:10.740 is making sure 00:11:10.740 --> 00:11:12.220 that the people you know 00:11:12.220 --> 00:11:14.700 know that you're a Christian. 00:11:15.560 --> 00:11:17.700 That you actually follow Jesus. 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:19.779 That you're a disciple of His. 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:21.860 Peter wants to keep 00:11:21.860 --> 00:11:22.500 that information 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:23.439 to himself here, 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:23.879 doesn't he? 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:27.339 He doesn't run Jesus down. 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:28.939 He doesn't yell 00:11:28.939 --> 00:11:30.120 terrible things at Him. 00:11:30.819 --> 00:11:32.039 He just avoids 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:33.259 associating with Him. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:36.120 I don't know 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:36.720 if you're like me, 00:11:36.839 --> 00:11:38.279 but I often find 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:39.860 that it is easier 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:41.000 than I realize 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:43.139 to keep my mouth shut 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:44.279 about Jesus 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:45.919 day in and day out. 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:47.599 often even 00:11:47.599 --> 00:11:49.579 without planning to. 00:11:51.699 --> 00:11:53.259 I used to be committed 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:54.500 to telling people 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:55.819 about Him. 00:11:56.959 --> 00:11:57.879 I'll tell you about 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:58.779 college, Will. 00:11:59.719 --> 00:12:00.860 I went to Clemson 00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:02.120 and surprisingly, 00:12:02.479 --> 00:12:02.860 perhaps, 00:12:02.939 --> 00:12:03.539 to some of you, 00:12:03.599 --> 00:12:04.819 I was a bit intense 00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:05.839 back then. 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:07.940 I used 00:12:07.940 --> 00:12:09.120 banned book week 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:10.160 on campus 00:12:10.160 --> 00:12:11.200 as a chance 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:12.700 to read from the Bible 00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:13.920 on a microphone 00:12:13.920 --> 00:12:15.460 in the Clemson Amphitheater. 00:12:15.800 --> 00:12:16.480 Saved them all. 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:20.320 When the syllabus said 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:22.160 pick one of four books 00:12:22.160 --> 00:12:22.780 to read, 00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:24.460 I bought all four of them. 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.440 I was that guy. 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:28.620 And I came to that first class 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:30.180 with a copy of each one 00:12:30.180 --> 00:12:31.500 and a guy sitting 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:32.240 in front of me, 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:33.019 he hadn't gotten 00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:34.080 any of them 00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:35.259 and so he asked me 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:36.040 if he could have 00:12:36.040 --> 00:12:37.160 one of mine. 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:38.300 Of course. 00:12:39.280 --> 00:12:39.759 And he said, 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:39.960 hey, 00:12:40.020 --> 00:12:41.320 how much was it? 00:12:42.180 --> 00:12:42.720 I said, 00:12:42.920 --> 00:12:44.100 just keep it. 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.700 Jesus has given me 00:12:45.700 --> 00:12:47.060 way more than that 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:47.639 for free. 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:48.759 I'm happy for you 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.320 to have it. 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:49.759 You want to know 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:50.100 about Jesus? 00:12:52.180 --> 00:12:53.180 That's freshman Will. 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:55.360 That's what I was like. 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:56.280 It's the way I am 00:12:56.280 --> 00:12:57.580 on a missions trip, right? 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.080 Boy, 00:12:58.160 --> 00:12:58.759 if you put me 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.440 on a plane 00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:00.840 on a missions trip, 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:01.520 then you better 00:13:01.520 --> 00:13:02.180 watch out 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:03.399 because the Muslim guy 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:04.099 next to me 00:13:04.099 --> 00:13:05.139 and the Buddhist guy 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:06.159 sitting right in front of me, 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:07.059 they're going to tell me 00:13:07.059 --> 00:13:08.559 their whole life stories 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:10.359 and get a gospel presentation 00:13:10.359 --> 00:13:11.579 on scratch paper 00:13:11.579 --> 00:13:12.939 before that plane lands. 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:15.779 I'm in representative 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:16.859 of Jesus mode 00:13:16.859 --> 00:13:17.719 that whole trip 00:13:17.719 --> 00:13:19.059 and in the taxi, 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:20.179 at the restaurant, 00:13:20.319 --> 00:13:21.239 all the time. 00:13:21.299 --> 00:13:21.879 It feels like 00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:22.959 I'm in enemy territory. 00:13:23.439 --> 00:13:24.159 I can't wait 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:25.779 to tell people about him. 00:13:27.939 --> 00:13:29.299 But just last week, 00:13:29.339 --> 00:13:30.299 I was sitting at a restaurant 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:31.699 with some friends 00:13:31.699 --> 00:13:33.419 and our kind young waitress 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:34.559 asks me this, 00:13:34.859 --> 00:13:35.740 can I get you 00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:36.939 some of our free 00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:39.059 homemade sourdough bread? 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.219 And I say, 00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:42.099 is that a question? 00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:44.839 If I ever say no 00:13:44.839 --> 00:13:45.620 to free 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.899 homemade sourdough, 00:13:47.219 --> 00:13:48.620 please check my pulse. 00:13:51.719 --> 00:13:52.639 But I went 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:53.719 the entire meal 00:13:53.719 --> 00:13:55.779 with no comment 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:57.240 about the free bread 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:58.639 Jesus has given me. 00:13:58.639 --> 00:13:59.319 It was like she was 00:13:59.319 --> 00:14:00.419 asking for it. 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.259 I mean, 00:14:03.319 --> 00:14:04.399 it crossed my mind 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:04.919 to ask her 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:05.600 if she knew 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:07.360 about Jesus' free gift 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.299 and how much 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:08.860 he gives us, 00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:11.159 but I just decided 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:12.139 it was easier not to. 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:14.799 Another day, 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:15.960 just two days after that, 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.899 I went to drop off 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:17.519 some donations 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:18.460 at a thrift store 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:19.659 and the young man 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.480 asked if I wanted 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.120 a receipt. 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:22.399 No thanks. 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:23.639 He said, 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:25.539 but you don't want 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.539 credit for it? 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:28.480 No thanks. 00:14:29.319 --> 00:14:29.699 I mean, 00:14:29.719 --> 00:14:31.199 I had a schedule 00:14:31.199 --> 00:14:31.779 to keep. 00:14:31.839 --> 00:14:32.799 I was in a hurry, 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:34.459 but not even one comment 00:14:34.459 --> 00:14:35.759 about Jesus giving me 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:36.500 all the credit 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:38.059 that I could ever need 00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:39.120 or anything like that. 00:14:39.199 --> 00:14:40.419 I had somewhere to go. 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:42.500 I didn't even talk 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.480 to him about Jesus. 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:47.399 In those small, 00:14:47.599 --> 00:14:48.679 non-intimidating 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:49.779 interactions, 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:52.779 are we with Jesus? 00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:55.480 Are we not 00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:56.459 his representatives 00:14:56.459 --> 00:14:57.240 then too? 00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:57.919 Does he have to send you 00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:58.299 on a plane 00:14:58.299 --> 00:14:59.039 across the world? 00:15:02.459 --> 00:15:03.500 I'm not suggesting 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:03.959 that you need 00:15:03.959 --> 00:15:04.799 a corny pun 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:06.000 to bring Jesus 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:07.039 into conversation. 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:08.659 It's not really 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:09.159 recommended. 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:12.059 But are you looking 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:12.799 for an excuse 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:14.519 to leave him 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:15.000 out of it? 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:18.240 What I've seen 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.019 in myself 00:15:19.019 --> 00:15:20.580 is that those habits 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.539 of denying, 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.279 even silently, 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:25.120 just living so much 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:25.740 of my life 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.679 without reference 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:27.279 to him, 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.340 I'm denying 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:30.460 my relationship 00:15:30.460 --> 00:15:31.259 with him. 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:32.480 Those habits 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:33.740 are easy to make 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:35.399 and they're hard 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.100 to break 00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:37.139 if I'm focused 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:37.899 day in and day out 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:38.639 on my comfort, 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:40.159 my safety, 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:41.580 my schedule. 00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:45.780 While Jesus 00:15:45.780 --> 00:15:46.680 is standing, 00:15:48.020 --> 00:15:48.360 Peter 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:50.400 has fallen. 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:54.080 Maybe we can relate. 00:15:58.040 --> 00:15:59.060 Is Jesus 00:15:59.060 --> 00:16:00.060 still standing? 00:16:00.420 --> 00:16:01.000 What's going on 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.320 with him? 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:02.600 Scene three 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:04.020 goes inside the house 00:16:04.020 --> 00:16:05.420 to Jesus again. 00:16:05.520 --> 00:16:06.259 Verse 19, 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:08.200 the high priest 00:16:08.200 --> 00:16:09.180 then questioned 00:16:09.180 --> 00:16:09.700 Jesus 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:10.820 about his disciples 00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:12.780 and his teaching. 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:14.720 Do you still have 00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.740 a bunch of followers 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.320 out there 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:17.620 that you've incited, 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:18.440 you've stirred them up 00:16:18.440 --> 00:16:19.280 to cause trouble? 00:16:20.660 --> 00:16:21.360 What have you been 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:21.920 telling them to do? 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:22.900 What should we expect? 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.680 Now the problem 00:16:25.680 --> 00:16:26.200 with this 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:27.379 is that this is not 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:28.480 the legal way 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.500 to handle 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:30.440 this arrest. 00:16:30.560 --> 00:16:31.160 This is not 00:16:31.160 --> 00:16:32.000 what should be 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:32.580 happening. 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:33.420 Witnesses 00:16:33.420 --> 00:16:34.020 are supposed 00:16:34.020 --> 00:16:34.960 to be called 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:35.820 first 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:36.960 and that should 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.760 actually start 00:16:37.760 --> 00:16:38.360 with witnesses 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.360 for the defense. 00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:41.740 The accused 00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.300 doesn't get 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:42.760 questioned 00:16:42.760 --> 00:16:44.240 in Jewish law, 00:16:44.300 --> 00:16:44.800 certainly not 00:16:44.800 --> 00:16:45.660 by the high priest 00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:46.160 and Jesus 00:16:46.160 --> 00:16:47.600 points this out. 00:16:48.260 --> 00:16:49.120 Jesus answered him, 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:49.940 I have spoken 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:51.220 openly to the world. 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:52.080 I have always 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:53.240 taught in synagogues 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:53.900 and in the temple 00:16:53.900 --> 00:16:54.980 where all Jews 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.580 come together. 00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:56.600 I've said nothing 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.620 in secret. 00:16:58.300 --> 00:16:59.480 Why do you ask me? 00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:00.620 Ask those 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.760 who have heard me 00:17:01.760 --> 00:17:02.879 what I said 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.660 to them. 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.500 They know 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:07.080 what I said. 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.779 Call a witness. 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.759 It's public 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.359 knowledge. 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.700 Nothing will 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.339 surprise you. 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:13.200 Your men 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:14.220 just watched me 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.099 tell my followers 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:15.720 to put their 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:16.599 swords away. 00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:18.639 Those who have 00:17:18.639 --> 00:17:19.399 heard and seen 00:17:19.399 --> 00:17:20.039 me teaching 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:20.940 are the ones 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:21.740 who should be 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.460 testifying. 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:22.879 That's how 00:17:22.879 --> 00:17:23.759 this should work. 00:17:25.879 --> 00:17:26.240 And when he 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.940 had said these 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.500 things, 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:28.980 one of the 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:29.940 officers standing 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.899 by struck 00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:31.839 Jesus with his 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:33.279 hand saying, 00:17:33.399 --> 00:17:33.980 is that how you 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:34.859 answer the high 00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:35.420 priest? 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:38.840 Jesus answered 00:17:38.840 --> 00:17:39.100 him, 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:40.740 if what I 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.539 said is wrong, 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:42.980 bear witness 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.960 about the wrong. 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:45.560 But if what I 00:17:45.560 --> 00:17:46.420 said is right, 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:47.660 why do you 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:48.300 strike me? 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:50.500 Annas then 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.420 sent him bound 00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:52.340 to Caiaphas, 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:53.720 the high 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:54.200 priest. 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:55.740 I'm speaking 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.600 the truth. 00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:57.620 Jesus says, 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.279 I'm urging 00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.460 him to do 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:00.279 this the right 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:00.660 way. 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.779 I'm telling 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:02.800 you that you 00:18:02.800 --> 00:18:03.400 don't have to 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:04.279 worry about my 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.420 followers starting 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:06.019 a riot. 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:08.319 Even though 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.680 with a slap, 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.980 the violence 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.160 against Jesus 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:14.779 has begun. 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:17.859 Now here's 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:19.019 someone a bit 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:19.859 more dangerous 00:18:19.859 --> 00:18:21.779 and influential 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.700 than the servant 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:23.319 girl, right? 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:26.220 Jesus is being 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:28.519 threatened unjustly. 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:29.759 A pattern that's 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.460 going to continue 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:31.319 throughout his 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:31.879 trial. 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:32.680 And the Jews 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:33.539 are rushing this 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.859 trial overnight 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.519 because they 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.559 fear the Passover 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.759 feast and the 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.819 upcoming Sabbath 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.779 will delay their 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:41.019 big chance, 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:41.819 their chance to 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.460 finish Jesus 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.279 while they finally 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:43.859 have him. 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:44.659 They're going to 00:18:44.659 --> 00:18:45.259 do things they'd 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.119 never do otherwise. 00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:48.519 Let's get him 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:49.240 under the cover of 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:49.920 darkness in the 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:50.700 wee hours of the 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:51.619 morning with no 00:18:51.619 --> 00:18:52.559 one to testify on 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.079 his behalf. 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:53.859 Here he is, 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:54.480 now he's really 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:54.859 trapped. 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:55.319 Is Jesus 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:55.960 intimidated? 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.279 Is he caught 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:59.819 into self-protecting 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.720 silence where he'll 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.680 deny the truth? 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:04.100 Not hardly. 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:07.560 He responds boldly, 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:09.380 truthfully, even 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.600 indirectly instructing 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:11.299 the high priest 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:12.420 himself about the 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.320 just manner to 00:19:13.320 --> 00:19:13.940 proceed. 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.960 Jesus declares the 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:17.240 open statement of 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.779 the truth. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.779 He's not hiding from 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.380 anything, is he? 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:21.400 His message never 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:21.860 changes. 00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:23.080 No matter where he 00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:24.240 is or to whom he's 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.580 speaking, he may be 00:19:25.580 --> 00:19:27.460 bound, he may be 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:28.820 slapped, but he 00:19:28.820 --> 00:19:30.580 speaks boldly and he 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:32.099 stands firmly no 00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:32.980 matter the pain or 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.639 the cost. 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:37.599 So he's off to 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:39.319 another home, but 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:41.039 that's next week. 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:43.799 John wants first to 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:46.279 finish Peter's part of 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:47.179 the story here. 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:49.019 Verse 25, back where 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:50.500 we left Peter at the 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.699 warm, crackling, 00:19:51.939 --> 00:19:52.919 charcoal fire. 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.920 Peter. 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:55.960 Now Simon Peter was 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:57.160 standing and warming 00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:58.440 himself, so they 00:19:58.440 --> 00:20:00.000 said to him, you also 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:00.880 are not one of his 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:01.980 disciples, are you? 00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:05.519 He denied it and 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:07.039 said, I am not. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:10.039 One of the servants of 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:10.900 the high priest, a 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:12.060 relative of the man 00:20:12.060 --> 00:20:13.300 whose ear Peter had 00:20:13.300 --> 00:20:15.640 cut off, asked, did I 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:16.840 not see you in the 00:20:16.840 --> 00:20:17.860 garden with him? 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:21.240 Peter again denied 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:23.859 it and at once a 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:24.859 rooster crowed. 00:20:26.399 --> 00:20:27.479 While Jesus is 00:20:27.479 --> 00:20:30.119 standing, succeeding 00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:33.779 for Peter, Peter 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:36.199 keeps failing, denying 00:20:36.199 --> 00:20:40.079 again, uke me, I am 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.939 not. 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:45.039 I bet Peter never 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:46.019 thought he would 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.779 deny Jesus. 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:48.579 He's a pretty 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:49.399 confident guy. 00:20:49.679 --> 00:20:50.759 It was just earlier 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.559 this evening that 00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:53.319 Peter had passionately 00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:54.659 proclaimed that even 00:20:54.659 --> 00:20:55.959 if everyone else ran 00:20:55.959 --> 00:20:57.859 away, he would stand 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:59.639 with Jesus to the 00:20:59.639 --> 00:21:00.919 death if need be. 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:02.299 Just tonight. 00:21:02.459 --> 00:21:04.059 I will never deny 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.459 you. 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:08.479 But denial ain't 00:21:08.479 --> 00:21:09.819 just a river, you 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.039 know. 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:12.759 You'll get that in a 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:12.899 minute. 00:21:13.439 --> 00:21:14.519 Credit to Andrew 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:14.979 Peterson. 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:17.439 It's a helpful 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:19.420 line because denial 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:21.000 is not just a one-time 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:21.340 thing. 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:22.360 It's something you get 00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:23.519 caught in, isn't it? 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.700 A small denial 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:29.580 becomes a big 00:21:29.580 --> 00:21:30.160 problem. 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.779 It snowballs into 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:35.160 these repeated and 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:36.279 more passionate 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:38.120 denials of Christ. 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:39.500 Peter gives in to his 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:39.740 sin. 00:21:39.860 --> 00:21:41.740 He cracks the door on 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:43.100 indulging his fear, 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:45.119 his pride. 00:21:46.719 --> 00:21:47.579 Maybe this is a good 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:48.819 place for all of us to 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:50.279 consider the warning 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.980 that Paul gives in 1 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.559 Corinthians chapter 10. 00:21:55.199 --> 00:21:56.359 Therefore, let anyone 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:58.500 who thinks he stands 00:21:58.500 --> 00:22:02.079 take heed lest he fall. 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:04.639 especially when you're 00:22:04.639 --> 00:22:06.179 sure you're going to be 00:22:06.179 --> 00:22:06.679 good. 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:07.980 Watch out. 00:22:08.939 --> 00:22:09.919 When you know you're 00:22:09.919 --> 00:22:11.740 strong, when you think 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.339 you're better than 00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:13.299 everyone else, Peter, 00:22:13.419 --> 00:22:14.439 watch out. 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:17.159 Peter thought he would 00:22:17.159 --> 00:22:17.619 stand. 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:19.939 Yet again tonight, 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:21.119 where the spirit is 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:23.000 willing, the flesh is 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:23.879 still weak. 00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:26.519 Peter blows it again. 00:22:27.139 --> 00:22:28.639 Perhaps the first time he 00:22:28.639 --> 00:22:29.679 was just taken off guard, 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.539 right now he'll get, 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:32.159 nope, now he's stuck in 00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:32.680 the lie. 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:35.019 Now he's committed to 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:37.119 distancing himself from 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:38.139 Jesus rather than 00:22:38.139 --> 00:22:40.659 standing by his king. 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:42.639 Peter swore it would 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:44.220 never happen like this. 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:47.200 And then it did. 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.659 I bet most of us can 00:22:51.659 --> 00:22:52.059 relate. 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:55.099 You know that feeling? 00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:57.159 Oh, it's awful. 00:22:58.480 --> 00:23:00.019 You ever failed to stand 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:02.480 with Jesus or speak for 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:04.460 Jesus when you said you 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:04.740 would? 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:10.480 Just last week, you may 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.799 notice I'm not having to 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:13.779 go far back for these 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.859 struggles in my life. 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:18.000 I met with a group of men 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.879 I love and we're talking 00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:22.139 about the rhythms and the 00:23:22.139 --> 00:23:24.160 habits in our lives that 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:25.639 either draw us towards 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:27.759 Jesus or kind of lead us 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.839 away from Jesus. 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.879 And I zeroed in for that 00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:33.059 day on one small change 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:35.539 I committed to making. 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:38.079 Even just privately in my 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:39.539 own home, that's all it 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:39.920 was. 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:41.960 The first few minutes when I 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.879 get out of bed in the 00:23:42.879 --> 00:23:44.339 morning, I want to talk 00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:46.140 first with Jesus. 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.859 To contemplate Jesus. 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:51.279 To start my day with him. 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:54.940 This Friday I committed to 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:57.399 the same thing because I 00:23:57.399 --> 00:24:01.700 was 0 for 7 this week. 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:08.099 Wordle, ESPN, the news on 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:09.599 my phone, that they kept 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:12.099 getting my attention first. 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.619 It was a small thing. 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:16.079 It seemed so easy. 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:17.460 I was really embarrassed 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:20.039 that I didn't do it. 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:22.100 When I said I would. 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:24.340 This is something Jesus 00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:25.720 wants me to do. 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:27.240 I said he wants me to be 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.500 with him. 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.600 He welcomes me to be with 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:28.700 him. 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.640 I'm going to do that. 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:32.340 And again, no. 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:36.680 Where have you fallen like 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:36.980 Peter? 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.279 Like me? 00:24:40.100 --> 00:24:41.840 Whom have you kept running 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.279 down? 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:45.140 What have you kept clicking 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:45.500 on? 00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:49.100 When have you kept silent? 00:24:51.100 --> 00:24:52.880 What is Jesus calling you 00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:53.280 to do? 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:55.360 And you know he is, but you 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:57.520 are too self-protective to 00:24:57.520 --> 00:24:59.600 leave your comfort to stand 00:24:59.600 --> 00:25:00.300 with him. 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:04.520 Even when you come here 00:25:04.520 --> 00:25:06.040 every week and open his 00:25:06.040 --> 00:25:07.780 word every day and you see 00:25:07.780 --> 00:25:10.440 Jesus standing there succeeding 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:12.400 in much more dangerous and 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:14.300 trying circumstances than you, 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:17.419 you find you keep failing. 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:21.379 Even when you're sure you 00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:21.839 won't. 00:25:22.639 --> 00:25:23.960 Even in the areas you're 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:25.159 convinced you've got this 00:25:25.159 --> 00:25:25.460 one. 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:28.279 It should break our hearts, 00:25:28.419 --> 00:25:28.720 shouldn't it? 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:31.000 Even though our failures 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.180 aren't recorded in Scripture 00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:34.359 for perpetuity like Peter's, 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:36.200 I mean, there's still denials 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:37.680 of our Savior. 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:40.899 It's unfaithful to the 00:25:40.899 --> 00:25:41.899 faithful one. 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:48.300 And this episode with Peter is 00:25:48.300 --> 00:25:50.740 not going to be the series 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:52.940 finale and wrap everything up 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.300 nicely. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:55.080 We have to wait till the end of 00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:57.080 John's gospel to wrap up Peter's 00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:57.620 story here. 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.440 But there is a cliffhanger. 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:03.840 There's a cliffhanger here in this 00:26:03.840 --> 00:26:05.860 passage that is full of hope. 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:09.039 And if you're discouraged right 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:10.439 now and if you feel the failure 00:26:10.439 --> 00:26:13.139 that I've felt and feel, you need 00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:13.939 to get this part. 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:22.019 Peter again denied and at once a 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:23.659 rooster crowed. 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:27.880 What will come of Peter, we wonder, 00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:29.900 as the scene closes? 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:32.600 Before we leave him, John wants to 00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:35.700 point us back to Jesus' upper room 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:38.160 prediction just a few hours ago. 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:41.019 Jesus says to Peter, will you lay down 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:41.940 your life for me? 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:44.600 Are you so sure? 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:47.680 Truly, truly, I say to you, the 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:50.340 rooster will not crow until you've 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:52.799 denied me three times. 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:54.439 Certainly not. 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:56.799 Peter was so confident. 00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:59.079 Three times tonight? 00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:03.720 Yep. 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:10.319 See, Jesus anticipates our failure. 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:14.059 He knows our weakness. 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:17.439 He's not surprised by our sin, is he? 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:21.160 And, listen, this is so hopeful. 00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:24.360 He doesn't reject us because of 00:27:24.360 --> 00:27:24.680 those things. 00:27:24.840 --> 00:27:26.180 He didn't send Peter away. 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.100 Go home, Peter. 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:27.900 You're going to blow it. 00:27:28.820 --> 00:27:30.200 He didn't tell him not to bother 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:32.200 coming to the garden to pray with 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:33.860 him or try. 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:35.299 No. 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:38.400 No, instead of rejecting us, he 00:27:38.400 --> 00:27:40.880 invites us to repentance. 00:27:42.840 --> 00:27:44.480 And there's no question the sound of 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:46.620 the rooster's crow was bad news for 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:47.219 Peter, right? 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.919 Can you feel that moment? 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.979 It cut him to his heart. 00:27:51.419 --> 00:27:54.319 It exposed him as the denier that he 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:55.879 was in that moment. 00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:58.819 I bet he remembered that moment on 00:27:58.819 --> 00:28:01.699 many more days when he heard that 00:28:01.699 --> 00:28:02.819 sound to start his day. 00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:04.279 Can you imagine waking up to that 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:04.679 noise? 00:28:08.679 --> 00:28:11.299 In Luke's gospel, when Jesus tells 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:13.719 Peter that he's going to deny him, 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:16.920 Jesus also tells Peter that he has 00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:21.000 prayed for his faith to stand and for 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:23.900 him to turn again, to repent. 00:28:25.120 --> 00:28:28.500 To repent means to turn from your sin 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:31.920 in your heart to hate it because it's 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:33.140 a denial, isn't it? 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:36.819 It's a denial of the goodness, the 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:40.140 sufficiency, the care of Jesus. 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:41.340 You're going to find those things 00:28:41.340 --> 00:28:42.660 somewhere else. 00:28:44.520 --> 00:28:47.660 Turn from that back to Jesus. 00:28:47.820 --> 00:28:49.120 That's repentance. 00:28:49.900 --> 00:28:52.500 When Peter hears the rooster, meets 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:54.860 Jesus' gaze passing by the courtyard 00:28:54.860 --> 00:28:58.259 apparently, and considers what he's done, 00:28:58.800 --> 00:29:01.880 he weeps bitterly. 00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:08.560 Friends, our failure, our weakness, 00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:14.380 our sin is worth weeping over 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:20.300 and repenting of. 00:29:20.840 --> 00:29:24.460 When we turn back to Jesus, as worthy 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:26.760 as it is that we be weeping in that 00:29:26.760 --> 00:29:29.580 moment, he does not meet us with a 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:31.539 soul-crushing gaze. 00:29:31.679 --> 00:29:33.899 Can you imagine how capable he would 00:29:33.899 --> 00:29:35.079 have been of doing that to Peter in 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.480 that moment? 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:40.740 Maybe we'd expect it, but Jesus doesn't 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.819 run us off. 00:29:41.899 --> 00:29:43.460 He welcomes us back. 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:46.099 See, Jesus loves failures. 00:29:46.939 --> 00:29:48.839 Don't miss or forget that today. 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:52.119 If you have failed even big time, there 00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:54.879 is great hope today because the gospel 00:29:54.879 --> 00:29:58.199 is not about you being strong enough or 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:59.380 successful enough. 00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:02.480 The gospel is about God being gracious 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.180 enough. 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:03.440 Amen? 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:07.299 There's forgiveness here with Jesus 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:11.000 because he has succeeded where we've 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.600 failed. 00:30:11.840 --> 00:30:15.160 He has spoken boldly where we've been 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:15.880 silent. 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:20.140 He has sacrificed himself when we've 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:22.019 protected ourselves. 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:28.500 Your denial, your failure, your sin is 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:32.259 not bigger than his grace. 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:34.339 Please know that. 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:36.339 Please see that here. 00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:40.180 In his great kindness, Jesus makes Peter 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:43.740 a leader in his church, an author of 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:46.900 holy scripture, a trophy of his grace. 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:49.299 That is the kind of king that he is. 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:50.180 Don't you love that? 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:52.600 There's no other kind you can have. 00:30:53.880 --> 00:30:56.039 You've blown it too many times. 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:58.400 I've messed up again. 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.500 And listen, here's the deal. 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:03.660 I don't want you to think that it's just 00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:05.340 that forgiveness is out there. 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:08.259 It's this thing, this intangible idea. 00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:10.240 Y'all, if that's all there is, if it's just a 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:13.740 transaction, forgiveness in place of my 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:15.580 denial, I'll just do it again. 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:19.259 I mean, I'm not waking up early when I could 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.919 get extra sleep and forgiveness. 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:22.399 Is that all it is? 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:24.279 I'll deny him again. 00:31:25.179 --> 00:31:25.519 Right? 00:31:27.859 --> 00:31:29.839 What helps us change? 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:32.439 What makes us different? 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:34.839 What gives us hope to stand? 00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:40.799 It's that when we repent, when we look back 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:45.939 with tears flowing down our face, Jesus is still 00:31:45.939 --> 00:31:50.519 standing there and not to condemn, but to welcome us 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:54.959 back into a relationship with him. 00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:56.740 Not a cold transaction. 00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:58.259 Not a pill to take. 00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:58.839 A relationship. 00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.559 A relationship. 00:32:00.119 --> 00:32:02.500 I'm not going to wake up early for condemnation. 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.759 To feel shame. 00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.399 I know that. 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:12.819 But this Jesus stands for me. 00:32:13.139 --> 00:32:17.679 He speaks boldly to injustice where I've failed. 00:32:17.919 --> 00:32:22.759 He prays for my restoration rather than my condemnation. 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:25.679 He doesn't merely pass out forgiveness. 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:30.100 He offers himself as the one who forgives. 00:32:30.620 --> 00:32:33.720 The forgiving friend that you can have and be with 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.779 all the time. 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:38.799 That makes me long to be with him. 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:40.440 So do that for your heart. 00:32:42.060 --> 00:32:45.039 It makes me want to stand for him. 00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:50.000 It makes me eager to speak for him to everyone, 00:32:50.340 --> 00:32:50.920 everywhere. 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:54.000 He's that worth talking about. 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:56.839 Do you see him standing there for you? 00:32:59.000 --> 00:33:03.119 See the love, compassion in his eyes? 00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:08.359 You see him take the pain that you deserve? 00:33:10.839 --> 00:33:19.559 Don't you want to stand and speak and live with him and for him? 00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:21.799 To be not merely a denier. 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.519 I know it. 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:23.659 We've all been there. 00:33:23.899 --> 00:33:28.399 But a repentant, forgiven, and restored follower? 00:33:28.659 --> 00:33:30.720 A friend of Jesus? 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:32.779 Don't you want that relationship? 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:40.680 John Newton was infamously the captain of a slave ship. 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:42.359 Awful. 00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:45.940 Denying God's very existence at the time. 00:33:46.599 --> 00:33:48.680 Running from God. 00:33:48.680 --> 00:34:01.480 When he met Jesus and finally became convinced that Jesus loved even him in spite of himself, 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:07.480 he struggled deeply with his failures and sins. 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:16.219 So when he became a preacher, he always preached of amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. 00:34:17.300 --> 00:34:21.440 He wept often over his sins until the day he died. 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:28.300 But Newton had turned to see one thing bigger than his big sin. 00:34:28.300 --> 00:34:31.280 The grace of his Savior. 00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:35.720 As his mind failed him and he neared his death, he said, 00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:40.260 My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things. 00:34:41.099 --> 00:34:46.840 That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior. 00:34:46.840 --> 00:34:58.180 He couldn't stop talking and singing about Jesus, the Savior, with amazing grace enough for all of us. 00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:08.440 In a few weeks, we'll be back around the charcoal fire and listen to Peter talk with Jesus about his love. 00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:16.159 But for now, the rooster's crow is the sound of conviction. 00:35:17.159 --> 00:35:19.820 The call to repentance. 00:35:20.820 --> 00:35:27.440 And so wonderfully, it is the voice of gospel good news. 00:35:27.780 --> 00:35:28.240 Hope. 00:35:29.220 --> 00:35:29.720 Mercy. 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:31.380 For you. 00:35:31.380 --> 00:35:41.220 The God who knows your weakness stands strong in your place as the last man standing and invites you and me 00:35:41.220 --> 00:35:51.960 in our greatest failures to run or crawl or even just cry out back to him this morning. 00:35:52.099 --> 00:35:57.240 He will lift you up to live with him and for him. 00:35:58.039 --> 00:35:59.059 Let's ask for his help. 00:35:59.059 --> 00:36:03.739 Wonderful, merciful Savior. 00:36:05.739 --> 00:36:08.279 Precious Redeemer and friend. 00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:19.259 We give you thanks for your forgiveness and that you have given us not merely a pardon, but yourself. 00:36:19.260 --> 00:36:29.120 Thank you that those of us with nothing else to offer, who've denied you way more than three times, 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:34.000 find a rich welcome back to you. 00:36:34.680 --> 00:36:38.440 You are so good to us and we worship you for your grace. 00:36:38.440 --> 00:36:42.460 And we praise you today, Lord Jesus. 00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:43.780 Amen. 00:36:44.720 --> 00:36:48.200 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org.