Bible Commentaries
Mark 14

1. Title: Love Poured Out
2. Here we have once again Jesus giving us one of His high contrast stories.
   1. The best way to see the effect of contrast is by examining a b/w photo. In fact, b/w images are pretty blah without a good amount of contrast. It’s the contrast between the subject & the background that makes the subject stand out. The eye is naturally drawn to light.
3. Outline: Oyster Shells & The Pearl
4. Here we have a Pearl placed in between 2 ugly shells.
   1. Let’s deal with the 2 ugly shells first.

1. PLOT #1, by the chief priests (1,2) [bivalve, oyster on the half shell]
2. They were afraid to do it at the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.
   1. Jesus was surrounded by 1000’s of Galilean pilgrims who would take his side.
3. PLOT #2, by Judas (10,11)
4. Perhaps he was still angry at the possible loss of money (4,5).
   1. How sad it all came down to this…they promised to give him money.
   2. Congratulations Judas, you helped them solve their problem of how to arrest Him w/o causing a riot during the feast.
5. How do you conveniently betray the Son of God?
   1. Is it not a costly endeavor in every way? www pg.664
   2. Here is the basest act of treachery in history.
6. Though Judas shared Jesus’ company, he never shared His Spirit.

1. Same story as Mt.26:6-13 & Jn.12:2-8
   1. Not same as Lk.7:36-50 (she was a sinner/harlot; at Simon the Pharisees house)
   2. This Mary, was Mary of Bethany. Sister of Martha & Lazarus.
      1. John told us they all were at this feast. What wonderful table conversations, because Lazarus was already raised from the dead.
2. MARY’S MAGNIFICAT (3) [magnify]
3. Simon the Leper – We don’t know anything about.
   1. Probably a leper healed earlier by Jesus.
4. Jesus sat/reclined at the table –
   1. Feet anointed in John & Mark. - Head in Matt. [explain sitting posture]
5. Alabaster flask – it resembled white marble.
   1. This substance, the Oriental alabaster of the Ancient Egyptians & Bible times came from the Far East. It was highly esteemed for making small perfume bottles called alabastra.
   2. Usually sealed so well for shipping you had to break the very delicate neck of the small flask to open it.
      1. Perhaps an expression of the wholeheartedness of her devotion.
   3. Eastern custom was that if a vessel was used to serve a distinguished guest it should then be destroyed in order that it was never used for anybody of lesser importance.
   4. Remember Brylcreem? (hairstyling gel 60’s - Their jingle was a little dab’ll do ya) I wonder if we take that same philosophy into our worship of Jesus? [lil dab or whole flask?]
      1. Do we use our worship sparingly? [or lavishly]
6. Oil of spikenard – or, perfume of pure nard.
   1. An aromatic herb (from the roots/stems) native to N. India. [Grown in Himalayan mnt’s]
   2. SoS 1:12 While the king is at his table, My spikenard sends forth its fragrance.
      1. What perfume do you give off at His table? In His world?
7. Very costly – 300 denarii (i.e. a years wage)
   1. What do you make in a year? (put that price on it for our lesson this morning)
   2. Was it a family heirloom? Was it her dowry?
   3. This was an Extravagant Love. It’s Crazy Love. Enamored. Smitten. Passionate.
      1. In which way have you shown Extravagant love to the Lord?
      2. What have you done in your Christianity where friends/family said...ok, that’s taking this Christianity thing a little too far!
      3. You might think...but I’m fresh out of Alabaster flasks! Well, we can all give Him the best of our love, years (in our freshness/vigor, strength, manhood/womanhood), & talents. Like Miss Havergal's beautiful consecration hymn.
      4. Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
         
         Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
         Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of Thy love.
         Take my feet, and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee.
         
         Take my voice, and let me sing, Always, only, for my King.
         Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee.
         Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold.
         Take my intellect, and use Every power as Thou shalt choose.
         Take my will, and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine.
         Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne.
         Take my love; my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure-store.
         Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee.
8. DISCIPLES DISTURBING DIGS (4,5)
9. All of the disciples seem to have a part in this, but John (12:4) lets us know it was Judas who was the ring leader/main complainer in this.
   1. In Jn.12:6 This he said(Judas), not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
      1. So Judas, w/calculator in hand, knew the price of everything & the value of nothing. (Kent Hughes, Mark, pg.146.)
10. Indignant/angry. Criticized/scolded her sharply [to snort, an expression of anger & displeasure, to warn sternly] LKGNT
    1. They snorted like angry horses.
    2. I wonder how many x’s I’ve snorted at someone else’s gift to the Lord? Forgive me Lord
11. Wasted? (apoleia) – Interesting, this same word is translated perdition in Jn.17:12 & applied to Judas, none of them is lost except the son of perdition.
    1. ​​​​​​​Judas criticized Mary for wasting money, but he wasted his entire life.
12. Have you ever thought someone went over the top in their giving?
    1. Is it possible to give too much to Jesus?
    2. What is the most important thing you could give Him?
13. Did their minds get too occupied w/the work of the kingdom that they lost sight of the King?
    1. Was the ministry becoming a business to be budgeted rather than a Savior to be served?
14. Mary’s act of worship brought joy to the heart of Jesus & malice to the heart of Judas.
15. JESUS RESPONSE (6-9)
16. Jesus is quick to her defense & steps in between her & her attackers.
    1. Rom.8:33,34 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us
    2. No matter what others say about our worship & service, the most important thing is that we please the Lord.
       1. Our concern is His approval alone.
17. She has done a good work for me – (NIV) She has done a beautiful thing to me.
    1. ​​​​​​​Johns account also adds, And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 12:3
       1. There’s always a spiritual fragrance in that home where J.C. is loved & worshiped.
    2. Ken Gire writes in his book, Intimate Moment’s pg.83. On the cross, stripped of His clothing, Jesus would wear only the perfume that Mary had lavished upon his hair. It was that perfume which filled his nostrils & covered the stench of mockers rabbled around the cross… Slide#23 The Savior had come to earth to break an alabaster jar for humanity. And Mary had come that night to break one for Him. It was a jar He never regretted breaking. Nor did she. [our title: Love Poured Out]
18. Other women came to anoint Him after His burial (16:1); but Mary did it when He could be encouraged by her love.
    1. Too many men have felt the grief...that they waited until their wife’s funeral to send them flowers. :(
    2. What a simple token of love to send someone flowers this week…just because. (Don’t tell them that this is instead of sending them to their funeral!)
19. What’s been the greatest gift come your way?
    1. Micals as a toddler bringing me dandelions [A beautiful gift comes from a beautiful heart]
    2. I bet Jesus has a lot of strange things in His treasury: “widow’s pennies, cups of water, broken alabaster vases, dandelions.”
    3. Has He anything of yours in His Treasury?
20. (7) Was Jesus implying a lack of concern for the poor? Of course not.
21. (8) She has done what she could - Fanny Crosby put on her tomb stone.
    1. Blind (6 weeks old, she caught cold & developed inflammation of the eyes). 8,000 + hymns.
22. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial - anyone who faces a criminal’s death faces the threat of being cast into a criminal’s grave w/o anointing, w/o proper burial.
23. (9) Gospel + this story - what a story!
24. What a contrast: the treachery of Judas & the leaders(shells); w/the love & loyalty of Mary (pearl).
    1. The ugliness of their sins makes the beauty of her sacrifice even more meaningful.
    2. Mary was...a blessing to Jesus as she shared her love;
       
       A blessing to her home, as it filled the whole house w/its fragrance;
       A blessing to her despisers as it would have blest their nostrils;
       
       To her village as Bethany is recorded for ever as the village in which this took place;
       And to the whole world…and still is. www pg.134 Be Diligent
25. Prayer: Lord, teach us when to sell the perfume for the poor, & when to shower it on You Lord.
    1. Help not to cling to any Alabaster jar of my own.
       Help me to lavish You not only w/my treasures but also w/my tears.

1. Title: Love Poured Out
2. Here we have once again Jesus giving us one of His high contrast stories.
   1. The best way to see the effect of contrast is by examining a b/w photo. In fact, b/w images are pretty blah without a good amount of contrast. It’s the contrast between the subject & the background that makes the subject stand out. The eye is naturally drawn to light.
3. Outline: Oyster Shells & The Pearl
4. Here we have a Pearl placed in between 2 ugly shells.
   1. Let’s deal with the 2 ugly shells first.

1. PLOT #1, by the chief priests (1,2) [bivalve, oyster on the half shell]
2. They were afraid to do it at the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.
   1. Jesus was surrounded by 1000’s of Galilean pilgrims who would take his side.
3. PLOT #2, by Judas (10,11)
4. Perhaps he was still angry at the possible loss of money (4,5).
   1. How sad it all came down to this…they promised to give him money.
   2. Congratulations Judas, you helped them solve their problem of how to arrest Him w/o causing a riot during the feast.
5. How do you conveniently betray the Son of God?
   1. Is it not a costly endeavor in every way? www pg.664
   2. Here is the basest act of treachery in history.
6. Though Judas shared Jesus’ company, he never shared His Spirit.

1. Same story as Mt.26:6-13 & Jn.12:2-8
   1. Not same as Lk.7:36-50 (she was a sinner/harlot; at Simon the Pharisees house)
   2. This Mary, was Mary of Bethany. Sister of Martha & Lazarus.
      1. John told us they all were at this feast. What wonderful table conversations, because Lazarus was already raised from the dead.
2. MARY’S MAGNIFICAT (3) [magnify]
3. Simon the Leper – We don’t know anything about.
   1. Probably a leper healed earlier by Jesus.
4. Jesus sat/reclined at the table –
   1. Feet anointed in John & Mark. - Head in Matt. [explain sitting posture]
5. Alabaster flask – it resembled white marble.
   1. This substance, the Oriental alabaster of the Ancient Egyptians & Bible times came from the Far East. It was highly esteemed for making small perfume bottles called alabastra.
   2. Usually sealed so well for shipping you had to break the very delicate neck of the small flask to open it.
      1. Perhaps an expression of the wholeheartedness of her devotion.
   3. Eastern custom was that if a vessel was used to serve a distinguished guest it should then be destroyed in order that it was never used for anybody of lesser importance.
   4. Remember Brylcreem? (hairstyling gel 60’s - Their jingle was a little dab’ll do ya) I wonder if we take that same philosophy into our worship of Jesus? [lil dab or whole flask?]
      1. Do we use our worship sparingly? [or lavishly]
6. Oil of spikenard – or, perfume of pure nard.
   1. An aromatic herb (from the roots/stems) native to N. India. [Grown in Himalayan mnt’s]
   2. SoS 1:12 While the king is at his table, My spikenard sends forth its fragrance.
      1. What perfume do you give off at His table? In His world?
7. Very costly – 300 denarii (i.e. a years wage)
   1. What do you make in a year? (put that price on it for our lesson this morning)
   2. Was it a family heirloom? Was it her dowry?
   3. This was an Extravagant Love. It’s Crazy Love. Enamored. Smitten. Passionate.
      1. In which way have you shown Extravagant love to the Lord?
      2. What have you done in your Christianity where friends/family said...ok, that’s taking this Christianity thing a little too far!
      3. You might think...but I’m fresh out of Alabaster flasks! Well, we can all give Him the best of our love, years (in our freshness/vigor, strength, manhood/womanhood), & talents. Like Miss Havergal's beautiful consecration hymn.
      4. Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
         
         Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
         Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of Thy love.
         Take my feet, and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee.
         
         Take my voice, and let me sing, Always, only, for my King.
         Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee.
         Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold.
         Take my intellect, and use Every power as Thou shalt choose.
         Take my will, and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine.
         Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne.
         Take my love; my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure-store.
         Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee.
8. DISCIPLES DISTURBING DIGS (4,5)
9. All of the disciples seem to have a part in this, but John (12:4) lets us know it was Judas who was the ring leader/main complainer in this.
   1. In Jn.12:6 This he said(Judas), not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
      1. So Judas, w/calculator in hand, knew the price of everything & the value of nothing. (Kent Hughes, Mark, pg.146.)
10. Indignant/angry. Criticized/scolded her sharply [to snort, an expression of anger & displeasure, to warn sternly] LKGNT
    1. They snorted like angry horses.
    2. I wonder how many x’s I’ve snorted at someone else’s gift to the Lord? Forgive me Lord
11. Wasted? (apoleia) – Interesting, this same word is translated perdition in Jn.17:12 & applied to Judas, none of them is lost except the son of perdition.
    1. ​​​​​​​Judas criticized Mary for wasting money, but he wasted his entire life.
12. Have you ever thought someone went over the top in their giving?
    1. Is it possible to give too much to Jesus?
    2. What is the most important thing you could give Him?
13. Did their minds get too occupied w/the work of the kingdom that they lost sight of the King?
    1. Was the ministry becoming a business to be budgeted rather than a Savior to be served?
14. Mary’s act of worship brought joy to the heart of Jesus & malice to the heart of Judas.
15. JESUS RESPONSE (6-9)
16. Jesus is quick to her defense & steps in between her & her attackers.
    1. Rom.8:33,34 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us
    2. No matter what others say about our worship & service, the most important thing is that we please the Lord.
       1. Our concern is His approval alone.
17. She has done a good work for me – (NIV) She has done a beautiful thing to me.
    1. ​​​​​​​Johns account also adds, And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 12:3
       1. There’s always a spiritual fragrance in that home where J.C. is loved & worshiped.
    2. Ken Gire writes in his book, Intimate Moment’s pg.83. On the cross, stripped of His clothing, Jesus would wear only the perfume that Mary had lavished upon his hair. It was that perfume which filled his nostrils & covered the stench of mockers rabbled around the cross… Slide#23 The Savior had come to earth to break an alabaster jar for humanity. And Mary had come that night to break one for Him. It was a jar He never regretted breaking. Nor did she. [our title: Love Poured Out]
18. Other women came to anoint Him after His burial (16:1); but Mary did it when He could be encouraged by her love.
    1. Too many men have felt the grief...that they waited until their wife’s funeral to send them flowers. :(
    2. What a simple token of love to send someone flowers this week…just because. (Don’t tell them that this is instead of sending them to their funeral!)
19. What’s been the greatest gift come your way?
    1. Micals as a toddler bringing me dandelions [A beautiful gift comes from a beautiful heart]
    2. I bet Jesus has a lot of strange things in His treasury: “widow’s pennies, cups of water, broken alabaster vases, dandelions.”
    3. Has He anything of yours in His Treasury?
20. (7) Was Jesus implying a lack of concern for the poor? Of course not.
21. (8) She has done what she could - Fanny Crosby put on her tomb stone.
    1. Blind (6 weeks old, she caught cold & developed inflammation of the eyes). 8,000 + hymns.
22. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial - anyone who faces a criminal’s death faces the threat of being cast into a criminal’s grave w/o anointing, w/o proper burial.
23. (9) Gospel + this story - what a story!
24. What a contrast: the treachery of Judas & the leaders(shells); w/the love & loyalty of Mary (pearl).
    1. The ugliness of their sins makes the beauty of her sacrifice even more meaningful.
    2. Mary was...a blessing to Jesus as she shared her love;
       
       A blessing to her home, as it filled the whole house w/its fragrance;
       A blessing to her despisers as it would have blest their nostrils;
       
       To her village as Bethany is recorded for ever as the village in which this took place;
       And to the whole world…and still is. www pg.134 Be Diligent
25. Prayer: Lord, teach us when to sell the perfume for the poor, & when to shower it on You Lord.
    1. Help not to cling to any Alabaster jar of my own.
       Help me to lavish You not only w/my treasures but also w/my tears.

1. Here Jesus takes a major Jewish celebration, called the Passover, one that the Jews had observed each year for over 1500 years since the time of Moses, and converted it and elevated it into what we know now as communion.
   1. The Lord's Supper is the Fuller View, the Completed view, of redemption.
   2. It contains the Passover and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
2. Last week: we had Mary’s beautiful anointing of Jesus’ body…for His burial. (His death looms over these next chapters)
3. Outline: Passover Meal; Last Meal; Value Meal.

1. Jn.13:1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
2. He seeks to demonstrate He is God’s Passover Lamb.
3. (13) Note Jesus was very organized. This wasn’t happening to him.
   1. He did not leave things to the last minute.
   2. Also, its possible only these 2 disciples (Peter & John) knew the location, to make it impossible for Judas to reveal it?
      1. This was to be the most important meal eaten in the history of the world.
4. A man carrying a pitcher – This would have been very unusual as the women did this chore.
   1. But, in Khans, lodging houses, Inn’s where there were so many male strangers, they would hire male servants to fetch the water. Men carried water in large goatskin on back.
   2. Guest room (14) - same word as Inn in Nativity story...kata’lyma.
   3. Streets weren’t named & ran crooked, so easiest way for directions...follow him.
5. (15) Furnished & prepared – i.e. spread w/carpets & cushions.
   1. Furnished w/a low table (U-shaped) by which they would recline.
6. The Passover lamb was selected on the 10th day of Nissan (our March/April), examined for blemishes, slain on the 14th day of the month.
   1. It was to be slain in the Temple precincts (you did your own lamb).
   2. The lamb’s throat was slit the blood was caught in a gold or silver bowl, passed up 1 of the 2 lines of the priests, & at the end of the line it was dashed upon the altar.
      1. Josephus says more than 250,000 were slain.
   3. The supper eaten w/in the Jerusalem city limits.
7. This was a memorial of a past victory.
8. The meal consisted of the roasted lamb, unleavened bread, & the dish of bitter herbs, & 4 cups of diluted wine.
   1. Roasted Lamb – to remind them of the lambs blood that was applied to the doorposts in Egypt to keep the angel of death from killing their 1st born.
   2. Unleavened Bread – to remind them of their haste in leaving Egypt.
   3. Bitter Herbs - to remind them of suffering as Pharaoh’s slaves.
   4. 4 cups of Wine – 3 parts wine/2 part water.
      1. This was to remind them of the 4 promises in Ex.6:6,7.
9. The Four Cups:
   1. The cup of Kiddush (sanctification/separation) ie. separation from all other common meals
   2. The cup of Haggadah (explaining or proclaiming) {before meal}
   3. The cup of Thanksgiving (prayer, “Blessed are you, O Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.”) {after meal}
   4. The 4th cup – after the conclusion of Hallel.

1. Jesus’ last supper/last meal.
   1. Last meals for some…[Ted Bundy/steak eggs hasbrowns coffee; Timothy McVeigh/2 pints of mint choc-chip; Aileen Wuornos/1 cup of coffee; Jonathan Nobles/bread/wine]
   2. Jesus last meal was to be a farewell meal…but so much more.
   3. Instead of getting a last meal…He gave one.
2. Between vs.17,18 is the washing of the feet & the lesson on humility, found in Jn.13:1-20.
3. (18) What a shattering announcement - one of you will betray Me.
   1. John says, Jesus was troubled in spirit. Jn.13:21
4. (19) Is it I? – the Greek indicates that a negative answer is expected.
   1. i.e. “Surely, it is not I!”
   2. The men that often debated on which one of them was the greatest, now discussed who was the vilest.
   3. Judas chimed in & mouthed the words “surely not I”, fooling everyone…but Jesus.
   4. Had Jesus pointed out Judas, Peter would have had him in a chock-hold before you could say the word traitor.
5. (20) Dips w/me in the dish – In the East, to break bread w/someone means to enter into a pact of friendship & mutual trust.
   1. As if to say, “I know what you are going to do. Will you not stop even yet?” (Barclay)
   2. To break bread, then betray your host, is the basest of treachery.
   3. Even this was the fulfillment of God’s Word, Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. Ps.41:9
   4. Judas may have had the honored position at our Lord’s left.
      1. Judas was close because Jesus was able to hand him the morsel of bread.
      2. Lets’ get the picture: John was on Jesus’ right. Everyone would lean on their left hand, thus leaning partially on the person to their left & then they would eat w/their right hand.
      3. Thus we have John leaning on Jesus chest/shoulder. And Jesus leaning on…Judas?
         1. Thus Judas had the opportunity to have whispered a repentance at any time during the meal.
   5. What an act of love - What an act of friendship - Just like when Boaz invited Ruth to do the same. Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.
   6. “Judas, here is my friendship & forgiveness...if you take it.” “Will you?”
      1. Jn.13:27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him.
6. (21) Never been born – Some say Judas was just forcing Jesus hand to reveal his power & setting up the kingdom. Others say, he was just obeying what God’s Word had prophesied of him.
   1. Yet, Judas was no martyr nor robot. He was neither a hero nor the victim of some merciless predestination.
   2. He was a responsible human being who made his own decisions, but in so doing, fulfilled the Word of God. Warren Wiersbe, pg.136.
   3. Judas was lost for the same reason millions are lost today: he did not repent of his sins & believe on Jesus Christ, the true Passover Lamb.

1. ​​​​​​​Bread & wine were 2 common items that were used at practically every meal, but Jesus gave them a wonderful new meaning.
   1. New meaning so that from now on they would serve as memorials of His death.
   2. Every detail of the Passover pointed to that great day of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.
      1. Now, Jesus will redirect the details to Himself & to His deliverance of the world from sin.
      2. When you do this again, do it in memory of Me and not of the lamb slain in Egypt.
   3. This is the Original Value Meal - and what a value He placed on it :)
2. Bread (22)
3. Jesus now shatters the Passover tradition with the words, ...take, eat; this is My body.
   1. Yes, this bread represented the life of Christ:
   2. His birth: He was given that body at His birth in Bethlehem (house of bread)
   3. His life: He said, I am the bread of life. A sinless life He led in that body.
   4. His cross: He bore our sins in that body.
   5. His res: He triumphed from the grave bringing that body back to life.
   6. His ascension: He now lives in that glorified body at the right hand of the Father. Take, eat; THIS...is My body.
4. The Cup (23)
5. New covenant? - ...this is My blood.
   1. Old covenant (Sinai) ratified w/the blood of animals sacrifices.
   2. New covenant was ratified by His blood.
      1. This blood did what the animal’s couldn’t…take away sin, not just cover over it.
      2. We are not saved by participating in a religious ceremony, but by trusting Jesus Christ as our Savior.
   3. The deep red of the wine in the cup represented Jesus’ atoning blood.
   4. Shed for many – is an illusion to Is.53:12 Because He poured out His soul unto death. (describing a violent death)
   5. These symbols should drive home the objective fact, the actual existence & reality of our redemption.
      1. We should say, “yes, I am really forgiven.”
6. (25) The supper ends on a note of Hope...until that day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.
   1. Looking forward to the 2nd Coming. “Right now, I’m facing suffering & death…but one day we will be reunited in the kingdom.”
7. (26) They sung a hymn - Imagine the Lord singing, when the cross was only a few hours away.
8. Jesus was sure of 2 things: He was to die, & His kingdom was to come.
   1. He was certain of His cross & certain of His glory.
   2. He was certain of the Love of His Father & certain of man’s sin.
   3. He was certain that in the end that love would conquer that sin.

Slide#28 When Leonardo da Vinci was 43 years old, the Duke Ludovinco of Milan asked him to paint the dramatic scene of Jesus’ last supper with His disciples: Working slowly and giving meticulous care to details, he spent 3 years on the assignment. He grouped the disciples into threes, two groups on either side of the central figure of Christ. Christ’s arms are outstretched. In his right hand, He holds a cup, painted beautifully with marvelous realism. When the masterpiece was finished, the artist said to a friend, “Observe it and give me your opinion of it!” “It’s wonderful!” exclaimed the friend. “The cup is so real I cannot divert my eyes from it!” Immediately Leonardo took a brush and drew it across the sparkling cup. He exclaimed as he Slide#29 did so: “Nothing shall detract from the figure of Christ!”

1. Here Jesus takes a major Jewish celebration, called the Passover, one that the Jews had observed each year for over 1500 years since the time of Moses, and converted it and elevated it into what we know now as communion.
   1. The Lord's Supper is the Fuller View, the Completed view, of redemption.
   2. It contains the Passover and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
2. Last week: we had Mary’s beautiful anointing of Jesus’ body…for His burial. (His death looms over these next chapters)
3. Outline: Passover Meal; Last Meal; Value Meal.

1. Jn.13:1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
2. He seeks to demonstrate He is God’s Passover Lamb.
3. (13) Note Jesus was very organized. This wasn’t happening to him.
   1. He did not leave things to the last minute.
   2. Also, its possible only these 2 disciples (Peter & John) knew the location, to make it impossible for Judas to reveal it?
      1. This was to be the most important meal eaten in the history of the world.
4. A man carrying a pitcher – This would have been very unusual as the women did this chore.
   1. But, in Khans, lodging houses, Inn’s where there were so many male strangers, they would hire male servants to fetch the water. Men carried water in large goatskin on back.
   2. Guest room (14) - same word as Inn in Nativity story...kata’lyma.
   3. Streets weren’t named & ran crooked, so easiest way for directions...follow him.
5. (15) Furnished & prepared – i.e. spread w/carpets & cushions.
   1. Furnished w/a low table (U-shaped) by which they would recline.
6. The Passover lamb was selected on the 10th day of Nissan (our March/April), examined for blemishes, slain on the 14th day of the month.
   1. It was to be slain in the Temple precincts (you did your own lamb).
   2. The lamb’s throat was slit the blood was caught in a gold or silver bowl, passed up 1 of the 2 lines of the priests, & at the end of the line it was dashed upon the altar.
      1. Josephus says more than 250,000 were slain.
   3. The supper eaten w/in the Jerusalem city limits.
7. This was a memorial of a past victory.
8. The meal consisted of the roasted lamb, unleavened bread, & the dish of bitter herbs, & 4 cups of diluted wine.
   1. Roasted Lamb – to remind them of the lambs blood that was applied to the doorposts in Egypt to keep the angel of death from killing their 1st born.
   2. Unleavened Bread – to remind them of their haste in leaving Egypt.
   3. Bitter Herbs - to remind them of suffering as Pharaoh’s slaves.
   4. 4 cups of Wine – 3 parts wine/2 part water.
      1. This was to remind them of the 4 promises in Ex.6:6,7.
9. The Four Cups:
   1. The cup of Kiddush (sanctification/separation) ie. separation from all other common meals
   2. The cup of Haggadah (explaining or proclaiming) {before meal}
   3. The cup of Thanksgiving (prayer, “Blessed are you, O Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.”) {after meal}
   4. The 4th cup – after the conclusion of Hallel.

1. Jesus’ last supper/last meal.
   1. Last meals for some…[Ted Bundy/steak eggs hasbrowns coffee; Timothy McVeigh/2 pints of mint choc-chip; Aileen Wuornos/1 cup of coffee; Jonathan Nobles/bread/wine]
   2. Jesus last meal was to be a farewell meal…but so much more.
   3. Instead of getting a last meal…He gave one.
2. Between vs.17,18 is the washing of the feet & the lesson on humility, found in Jn.13:1-20.
3. (18) What a shattering announcement - one of you will betray Me.
   1. John says, Jesus was troubled in spirit. Jn.13:21
4. (19) Is it I? – the Greek indicates that a negative answer is expected.
   1. i.e. “Surely, it is not I!”
   2. The men that often debated on which one of them was the greatest, now discussed who was the vilest.
   3. Judas chimed in & mouthed the words “surely not I”, fooling everyone…but Jesus.
   4. Had Jesus pointed out Judas, Peter would have had him in a chock-hold before you could say the word traitor.
5. (20) Dips w/me in the dish – In the East, to break bread w/someone means to enter into a pact of friendship & mutual trust.
   1. As if to say, “I know what you are going to do. Will you not stop even yet?” (Barclay)
   2. To break bread, then betray your host, is the basest of treachery.
   3. Even this was the fulfillment of God’s Word, Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. Ps.41:9
   4. Judas may have had the honored position at our Lord’s left.
      1. Judas was close because Jesus was able to hand him the morsel of bread.
      2. Lets’ get the picture: John was on Jesus’ right. Everyone would lean on their left hand, thus leaning partially on the person to their left & then they would eat w/their right hand.
      3. Thus we have John leaning on Jesus chest/shoulder. And Jesus leaning on…Judas?
         1. Thus Judas had the opportunity to have whispered a repentance at any time during the meal.
   5. What an act of love - What an act of friendship - Just like when Boaz invited Ruth to do the same. Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.
   6. “Judas, here is my friendship & forgiveness...if you take it.” “Will you?”
      1. Jn.13:27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him.
6. (21) Never been born – Some say Judas was just forcing Jesus hand to reveal his power & setting up the kingdom. Others say, he was just obeying what God’s Word had prophesied of him.
   1. Yet, Judas was no martyr nor robot. He was neither a hero nor the victim of some merciless predestination.
   2. He was a responsible human being who made his own decisions, but in so doing, fulfilled the Word of God. Warren Wiersbe, pg.136.
   3. Judas was lost for the same reason millions are lost today: he did not repent of his sins & believe on Jesus Christ, the true Passover Lamb.

1. ​​​​​​​Bread & wine were 2 common items that were used at practically every meal, but Jesus gave them a wonderful new meaning.
   1. New meaning so that from now on they would serve as memorials of His death.
   2. Every detail of the Passover pointed to that great day of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.
      1. Now, Jesus will redirect the details to Himself & to His deliverance of the world from sin.
      2. When you do this again, do it in memory of Me and not of the lamb slain in Egypt.
   3. This is the Original Value Meal - and what a value He placed on it :)
2. Bread (22)
3. Jesus now shatters the Passover tradition with the words, ...take, eat; this is My body.
   1. Yes, this bread represented the life of Christ:
   2. His birth: He was given that body at His birth in Bethlehem (house of bread)
   3. His life: He said, I am the bread of life. A sinless life He led in that body.
   4. His cross: He bore our sins in that body.
   5. His res: He triumphed from the grave bringing that body back to life.
   6. His ascension: He now lives in that glorified body at the right hand of the Father. Take, eat; THIS...is My body.
4. The Cup (23)
5. New covenant? - ...this is My blood.
   1. Old covenant (Sinai) ratified w/the blood of animals sacrifices.
   2. New covenant was ratified by His blood.
      1. This blood did what the animal’s couldn’t…take away sin, not just cover over it.
      2. We are not saved by participating in a religious ceremony, but by trusting Jesus Christ as our Savior.
   3. The deep red of the wine in the cup represented Jesus’ atoning blood.
   4. Shed for many – is an illusion to Is.53:12 Because He poured out His soul unto death. (describing a violent death)
   5. These symbols should drive home the objective fact, the actual existence & reality of our redemption.
      1. We should say, “yes, I am really forgiven.”
6. (25) The supper ends on a note of Hope...until that day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.
   1. Looking forward to the 2nd Coming. “Right now, I’m facing suffering & death…but one day we will be reunited in the kingdom.”
7. (26) They sung a hymn - Imagine the Lord singing, when the cross was only a few hours away.
8. Jesus was sure of 2 things: He was to die, & His kingdom was to come.
   1. He was certain of His cross & certain of His glory.
   2. He was certain of the Love of His Father & certain of man’s sin.
   3. He was certain that in the end that love would conquer that sin.

Slide#28 When Leonardo da Vinci was 43 years old, the Duke Ludovinco of Milan asked him to paint the dramatic scene of Jesus’ last supper with His disciples: Working slowly and giving meticulous care to details, he spent 3 years on the assignment. He grouped the disciples into threes, two groups on either side of the central figure of Christ. Christ’s arms are outstretched. In his right hand, He holds a cup, painted beautifully with marvelous realism. When the masterpiece was finished, the artist said to a friend, “Observe it and give me your opinion of it!” “It’s wonderful!” exclaimed the friend. “The cup is so real I cannot divert my eyes from it!” Immediately Leonardo took a brush and drew it across the sparkling cup. He exclaimed as he Slide#29 did so: “Nothing shall detract from the figure of Christ!”

1. Title: Article 113 - Dereliction of Duty
2. Last week we looked at the wonderful fellowship in the Upper Room, but now they must be warned of the danger outside.
3. UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) Article 113 "Misbehavior of sentinel" includes components of behavior that are, in themselves, examples of Dereliction of Duty:
   1. ​​​​​​​[1] Drunk while on post [2] Sleeping while on post [3] Leaving one's post w/o being properly relieved.
      1. A service member who is derelict has willfully refused to perform his duties (or follow a given order). It can include the person falling asleep while on duty requiring wakefulness, getting drunk or otherwise intoxicated and consequently being unable to perform his duties, shooting himself and thus being unable to perform any duty, or his vacating his post contrary to regulations.
4. Outline: Leaving One’s Post; Drunk(w/himself) While on Post; Sleeping While on Post.

1. ​​​​​​​(27,28) You will stumble/fall away –
   1. Stumble how? – Probably over the fact that Jesus, as Messiah, didn’t assert His divine power in overthrowing His enemies, but rather submitted to them & allowed himself to be crucified.
   2. Paul said in 1 Cor.1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness. Same root as here [σκανδαλον]
   3. Stumbling – Literally it was, “the stick which an animal stumbled over causing the trap to shut”
      1. Here it is used to denote “something that trips men up.”
2. Jesus quoted Zechariah 13:7 here.
3. To save the flock, the Shepherd had to be smitten.
4. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. Jn.10:11

1. ​​​​​​​(29) I will not stumble/fall away – Peter, drunk with pride. Carnal self-confidence.
2. Poor Peter, he did not know how weak he was. (Pete leaning in, whispering to Jesus)“I wouldn’t be surprised at the rest of these guys, but I’d never do that.”
   1. ​​​​​​​Had he forgotten the traps that life can lay for the best of men?
   2. Had he forgotten that the best of men can step on a slippery place & fall?
   3. Had he forgotten his own human weakness?
   4. Had he forgotten the traps that life can throw at us?
   5. Had he forgotten the strength of the devil’s temptations?
   6. Peter seemed to have a problem with applying Jesus’ commands to himself.
      1. Do you ever have a problem w/personal application?
         1. Ever run away from a situation because of your Christianity? Ever deny Jesus by not standing up for right & wrong...before friends, in conversations?
      2. “Let the man condemn Peter who never broke a promise, who never was disloyal in thought, or action to a pledge.” William Barclay, pg.342
   7. *Don’t miss the integrity of Peter having Mark write down his embarrassing words.
3. (31) I will not deny You –
   1. Instead of humbly praying, “Lord, help me!” Peter kept on asserting “the more vehemently”.
4. Peter was not the only one with pride & boasting self-confidence…And they all said likewise.
   1. They were all pathetically unaware of their inner weakness.
   2. Do you empathize or fail to empathize w/Peter’s declarations?
      1. Let’s remember, “I’m not ok & you’re not ok, but Jesus can fix us both.”
   3. Peter loved Jesus, & even if his loved failed, it rose again!
5. We should always heed Jesus’ warnings, for He knows what is coming.

1. ​​​​​​​OLIVE PITS (32-34)
2. Here is a passage we almost fear to read, for it seems to intrude into the private agony of Jesus.
   1. Weird, the 11 are asked to stay back, but we are invited in.
3. (32) Gethsemane – means “oil press”.
   1. A press for squeezing the oil out of olive pits.
      1. Used for cooking, as hairdressing, as a salve, & for fuel in the lamps of the day.
4. (33) He took Peter, James & John.
   1. The same men who accompanied Him to the home of Jairus; & to the Mount of Transfiguration.
      1. Warren Wiersbe notes that these 3 experiences parallel Philip.3:10, that I may know Him [Mount of Trans] and the power of His resurrection [home of Jairus], and the fellowship of His sufferings [Garden of Gethsemane].
5. Deeply distressed – “being in the grip of a shuddering horror in the face of the dreadful prospect before him.” (LKGNT)
   1. Heb.5:7,8 While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. (learned obedience, i.e. learned thefull meaning & cost of obed)
6. DISFELLOWSHIPPED BY GOD (34)
7. (34) Even to death - “this burden is killing me, is crushing the life out of me.”
   1. He wasn’t cringing in the face of physical death, instead He was dreading the moment when His Father’s face would be turned away from him.
      1. The One who had lived every moment of His life in fellowship w/God the Father, was about to experience total separation.
      2. Maybe, the husband who is separated for the 1st time from his marriage partner of 60 yrs, can just start to understand what separation from another means?
   2. I don’t know what being disfellowshipped by God feels like...but be assured...every soul in hell does!
   3. ​​​​​​​Jesus’ prayers reveal the conflict in His holy soul as He faced bearing the sins of the world on the cross.
8. I COME TO THE GARDEN ALONE (35a)
9. He leaves 8 disciples at the front gate…then the inner circle, a stones throw away…then goes it alone.
   1. Did you know the hymn, I come to the garden alone, has nothing to do with Gethsemane? [Instead, it’s re: Mary Magdalene at res16:9]
   2. But in this case, He is in the garden alone.
10. CUP-A-SOUP (35b,36)
11. This cup – a metaphor for His death. Staring into the cup He must drink, seeing/swirling all sins. His own Caster oil. What was in this cup?
    1. ​​​​​​​CUP-a-SIN – a cup brimming full of jealousy, hatred, & covetousness… which He must drink.
    2. CUP-a-WRATH – As sin-bearer, He became the object of the Father’s holy wrath against sin.
       1. 2 Cor.5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
       2. God treats Christ like he lived your life. God treats us like we lived His life.
       3. Salvation isn’t addition or subtraction, its substitution. (Levi Lusko instagram today)
    3. CUP-a-CURSE Gal.3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us for it’s written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree
12. And Jesus would drink the entire chalice of: Man’s sin & God’s wrath & the Law’s curse. He drank it all.
    1. ​​​​​​​Ex: As an Altar Boy, early 1970’s(explain mixing water/wine). Watching the priest drink it all.
    2. When you have a Gethsemane experience, pray what He prayed, Not what I will, but what you will.
13. SLEEPING SENTRIES (37)
14. Note who he singles out…Simon. (old name)
    1. “Simon, you will go to your death with me, but you won’t stay awake & pray w/me?”
    2. The same Simon who fell asleep 3 times, will also deny Him the same number.
    3. Denial, If only 3 were the limit. Michael Belk, Fashion Photographer, JourneyswiththeMessiah.org
15. Ask your will, “will, are you ready to pray for an hour?” When it replies, yes...Then link arms with your will. And know, that traitorous emotions will begin kicking & screaming; biting, fighting. It will be a weary wrestle with contrary emotions, truant imaginations, even your day planner...screaming for attention. Some emotions with come with clenched jaw, others with a velvety voice; both seeking the same, one thing, your distraction.
16. CALL OF DUTY (38-42)
17. (38) Watch & pray – Or, be alert as you pray. [Keep your spiritual eyes open, for the enemy is near]
18. Lest you enter into temptation – Jesus sought prayer, not for himself, but for them.
    1. Jesus wasn’t pouting, “hey, you guys weren’t there for Me.” But instead was pleading, “you don’t realize the results if you’re not prayed up.”
    2. What temptations were they about to face?
       1. The temptation to doubt, scatter, deny Him.
       2. The temptation to lose faith, lose trust, lose hope.
    3. Wouldn’t their outcome have been different if the would have prayed for the hour? Wouldn’t ours?
19. At least he recognizes their spirit was willing/ready.
    1. Is my spirit even willing? Or, is it also weak?
20. (39,40) Wow, Jesus praying the same prayer?…I guess he does want us to pray sometimes more than once for the same petition.
21. Was Jesus Prayers heard? – Luke tells us that in Gethsemane, before the 3rd prayer, an angel was sent to strengthen Him.
    1. Thus the Father answered, not by taking away the cup; but by helping Him to endure the cup.
    2. Brothers & sisters will He respond to your prayers any different?
22. They did not know what to answer Him – Have you ever felt this way?
    1. Parents – sometimes your kids aren’t going to have a good answer either. (Because there is no good answer)
23. (41,42) The hour – the hour for His betrayal, the hour for trial, & the hour for crucifixion.
24. TEACH US TO PRAY
25. How do we deal with our own Gethsemane’s? A: Exactly how Jesus dealt with His. How was that?
    1. ​​​​​​​With Dependent prayer – All things are possible for You (36)
       1. 100% Dependence upon God, & Him alone.
    2. With Intense prayer – Troubled & deeply distressed (33)
    3. With Honest prayer – Take this cup away (36)
    4. With a Submissive heart – Nevertheless… (36)
    5. With Intimate prayer – Abba, Father (36)
    6. With a Surrendered heart – Not what I will, but what You will (36)
       1. Often times, dependent prayer won’t deliver us from our Gethsemane’s, more often it delivers us through them.
26. Peter’s Result of Prayerlessness:
    1. Next week we’ll see why it was specifically important for Peter to be praying.
       1. Because when his crisis came, he reached for the wrong sword.
       2. Simon Peter did damage to another human being, which is characteristic of people who are not prayed up.
       3. We become hateful or hurtful, bitter or ugly in our relationship with others in our dealings with them.
27. Jesus’ Result of Prayer:
    1. This passage begins with Jesus on His face; ends with Him on His feet.
    2. This passage begins with Jesus ready to give up; ends w/Him ready to get started.
    3. This passage begins with Jesus wanting to walk away; ends with Him ready for the confrontation.
    4. He is reenergized!
    5. Is.40:31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

1. Title: Article 113 - Dereliction of Duty
2. Last week we looked at the wonderful fellowship in the Upper Room, but now they must be warned of the danger outside.
3. UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) Article 113 "Misbehavior of sentinel" includes components of behavior that are, in themselves, examples of Dereliction of Duty:
   1. ​​​​​​​[1] Drunk while on post [2] Sleeping while on post [3] Leaving one's post w/o being properly relieved.
      1. A service member who is derelict has willfully refused to perform his duties (or follow a given order). It can include the person falling asleep while on duty requiring wakefulness, getting drunk or otherwise intoxicated and consequently being unable to perform his duties, shooting himself and thus being unable to perform any duty, or his vacating his post contrary to regulations.
4. Outline: Leaving One’s Post; Drunk(w/himself) While on Post; Sleeping While on Post.

1. ​​​​​​​(27,28) You will stumble/fall away –
   1. Stumble how? – Probably over the fact that Jesus, as Messiah, didn’t assert His divine power in overthrowing His enemies, but rather submitted to them & allowed himself to be crucified.
   2. Paul said in 1 Cor.1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness. Same root as here [σκανδαλον]
   3. Stumbling – Literally it was, “the stick which an animal stumbled over causing the trap to shut”
      1. Here it is used to denote “something that trips men up.”
2. Jesus quoted Zechariah 13:7 here.
3. To save the flock, the Shepherd had to be smitten.
4. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. Jn.10:11

1. ​​​​​​​(29) I will not stumble/fall away – Peter, drunk with pride. Carnal self-confidence.
2. Poor Peter, he did not know how weak he was. (Pete leaning in, whispering to Jesus)“I wouldn’t be surprised at the rest of these guys, but I’d never do that.”
   1. ​​​​​​​Had he forgotten the traps that life can lay for the best of men?
   2. Had he forgotten that the best of men can step on a slippery place & fall?
   3. Had he forgotten his own human weakness?
   4. Had he forgotten the traps that life can throw at us?
   5. Had he forgotten the strength of the devil’s temptations?
   6. Peter seemed to have a problem with applying Jesus’ commands to himself.
      1. Do you ever have a problem w/personal application?
         1. Ever run away from a situation because of your Christianity? Ever deny Jesus by not standing up for right & wrong...before friends, in conversations?
      2. “Let the man condemn Peter who never broke a promise, who never was disloyal in thought, or action to a pledge.” William Barclay, pg.342
   7. *Don’t miss the integrity of Peter having Mark write down his embarrassing words.
3. (31) I will not deny You –
   1. Instead of humbly praying, “Lord, help me!” Peter kept on asserting “the more vehemently”.
4. Peter was not the only one with pride & boasting self-confidence…And they all said likewise.
   1. They were all pathetically unaware of their inner weakness.
   2. Do you empathize or fail to empathize w/Peter’s declarations?
      1. Let’s remember, “I’m not ok & you’re not ok, but Jesus can fix us both.”
   3. Peter loved Jesus, & even if his loved failed, it rose again!
5. We should always heed Jesus’ warnings, for He knows what is coming.

1. ​​​​​​​OLIVE PITS (32-34)
2. Here is a passage we almost fear to read, for it seems to intrude into the private agony of Jesus.
   1. Weird, the 11 are asked to stay back, but we are invited in.
3. (32) Gethsemane – means “oil press”.
   1. A press for squeezing the oil out of olive pits.
      1. Used for cooking, as hairdressing, as a salve, & for fuel in the lamps of the day.
4. (33) He took Peter, James & John.
   1. The same men who accompanied Him to the home of Jairus; & to the Mount of Transfiguration.
      1. Warren Wiersbe notes that these 3 experiences parallel Philip.3:10, that I may know Him [Mount of Trans] and the power of His resurrection [home of Jairus], and the fellowship of His sufferings [Garden of Gethsemane].
5. Deeply distressed – “being in the grip of a shuddering horror in the face of the dreadful prospect before him.” (LKGNT)
   1. Heb.5:7,8 While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. (learned obedience, i.e. learned thefull meaning & cost of obed)
6. DISFELLOWSHIPPED BY GOD (34)
7. (34) Even to death - “this burden is killing me, is crushing the life out of me.”
   1. He wasn’t cringing in the face of physical death, instead He was dreading the moment when His Father’s face would be turned away from him.
      1. The One who had lived every moment of His life in fellowship w/God the Father, was about to experience total separation.
      2. Maybe, the husband who is separated for the 1st time from his marriage partner of 60 yrs, can just start to understand what separation from another means?
   2. I don’t know what being disfellowshipped by God feels like...but be assured...every soul in hell does!
   3. ​​​​​​​Jesus’ prayers reveal the conflict in His holy soul as He faced bearing the sins of the world on the cross.
8. I COME TO THE GARDEN ALONE (35a)
9. He leaves 8 disciples at the front gate…then the inner circle, a stones throw away…then goes it alone.
   1. Did you know the hymn, I come to the garden alone, has nothing to do with Gethsemane? [Instead, it’s re: Mary Magdalene at res16:9]
   2. But in this case, He is in the garden alone.
10. CUP-A-SOUP (35b,36)
11. This cup – a metaphor for His death. Staring into the cup He must drink, seeing/swirling all sins. His own Caster oil. What was in this cup?
    1. ​​​​​​​CUP-a-SIN – a cup brimming full of jealousy, hatred, & covetousness… which He must drink.
    2. CUP-a-WRATH – As sin-bearer, He became the object of the Father’s holy wrath against sin.
       1. 2 Cor.5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
       2. God treats Christ like he lived your life. God treats us like we lived His life.
       3. Salvation isn’t addition or subtraction, its substitution. (Levi Lusko instagram today)
    3. CUP-a-CURSE Gal.3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us for it’s written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree
12. And Jesus would drink the entire chalice of: Man’s sin & God’s wrath & the Law’s curse. He drank it all.
    1. ​​​​​​​Ex: As an Altar Boy, early 1970’s(explain mixing water/wine). Watching the priest drink it all.
    2. When you have a Gethsemane experience, pray what He prayed, Not what I will, but what you will.
13. SLEEPING SENTRIES (37)
14. Note who he singles out…Simon. (old name)
    1. “Simon, you will go to your death with me, but you won’t stay awake & pray w/me?”
    2. The same Simon who fell asleep 3 times, will also deny Him the same number.
    3. Denial, If only 3 were the limit. Michael Belk, Fashion Photographer, JourneyswiththeMessiah.org
15. Ask your will, “will, are you ready to pray for an hour?” When it replies, yes...Then link arms with your will. And know, that traitorous emotions will begin kicking & screaming; biting, fighting. It will be a weary wrestle with contrary emotions, truant imaginations, even your day planner...screaming for attention. Some emotions with come with clenched jaw, others with a velvety voice; both seeking the same, one thing, your distraction.
16. CALL OF DUTY (38-42)
17. (38) Watch & pray – Or, be alert as you pray. [Keep your spiritual eyes open, for the enemy is near]
18. Lest you enter into temptation – Jesus sought prayer, not for himself, but for them.
    1. Jesus wasn’t pouting, “hey, you guys weren’t there for Me.” But instead was pleading, “you don’t realize the results if you’re not prayed up.”
    2. What temptations were they about to face?
       1. The temptation to doubt, scatter, deny Him.
       2. The temptation to lose faith, lose trust, lose hope.
    3. Wouldn’t their outcome have been different if the would have prayed for the hour? Wouldn’t ours?
19. At least he recognizes their spirit was willing/ready.
    1. Is my spirit even willing? Or, is it also weak?
20. (39,40) Wow, Jesus praying the same prayer?…I guess he does want us to pray sometimes more than once for the same petition.
21. Was Jesus Prayers heard? – Luke tells us that in Gethsemane, before the 3rd prayer, an angel was sent to strengthen Him.
    1. Thus the Father answered, not by taking away the cup; but by helping Him to endure the cup.
    2. Brothers & sisters will He respond to your prayers any different?
22. They did not know what to answer Him – Have you ever felt this way?
    1. Parents – sometimes your kids aren’t going to have a good answer either. (Because there is no good answer)
23. (41,42) The hour – the hour for His betrayal, the hour for trial, & the hour for crucifixion.
24. TEACH US TO PRAY
25. How do we deal with our own Gethsemane’s? A: Exactly how Jesus dealt with His. How was that?
    1. ​​​​​​​With Dependent prayer – All things are possible for You (36)
       1. 100% Dependence upon God, & Him alone.
    2. With Intense prayer – Troubled & deeply distressed (33)
    3. With Honest prayer – Take this cup away (36)
    4. With a Submissive heart – Nevertheless… (36)
    5. With Intimate prayer – Abba, Father (36)
    6. With a Surrendered heart – Not what I will, but what You will (36)
       1. Often times, dependent prayer won’t deliver us from our Gethsemane’s, more often it delivers us through them.
26. Peter’s Result of Prayerlessness:
    1. Next week we’ll see why it was specifically important for Peter to be praying.
       1. Because when his crisis came, he reached for the wrong sword.
       2. Simon Peter did damage to another human being, which is characteristic of people who are not prayed up.
       3. We become hateful or hurtful, bitter or ugly in our relationship with others in our dealings with them.
27. Jesus’ Result of Prayer:
    1. This passage begins with Jesus on His face; ends with Him on His feet.
    2. This passage begins with Jesus ready to give up; ends w/Him ready to get started.
    3. This passage begins with Jesus wanting to walk away; ends with Him ready for the confrontation.
    4. He is reenergized!
    5. Is.40:31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

1. What is one of the most famous kisses of all times?
   1. Disney might say, its when the princess kisses the frog & it turns into the prince.
      1. Or when Sleeping Beauty awakens from her 100 yr. long sleep by the kiss of a prince.
   2. I like the famous kiss where...A young Soldier and his Commander had to ride a train to a conference in Europe. They found their seats & find out they are in a cabin with a beautiful young woman & her grandmother facing them.
      
      Within the first hour everyone realized that the young woman and the soldier are attracted to each other. Then the train goes through a tunnel and everyone hears a kissing sound and a loud slap. One the other side of the tunnel…
      
      The commander thinks, “I am glad my soldier was able to get a kiss but I wish she hadn’t missed him and slapped me.”
      
      The Grandmother thinks, “Hmm, the nerve of the young man to kiss my granddaughter! Well at least he got what he deserved when she slapped him.” The Granddaughter thinks, “That was nice of him to kiss me, but I wish my Grandmother hadn’t slapped him.”
      
      The Soldier is thinking, “Wow I got to kiss the girl & slap my commander all at once”
   3. Maybe it is the picture of Edith Shain kissing a sailor on VJ day at end of WWII
      1. “The picture," Edith says, "it says so many things - hope, love, peace and tomorrow. The end of the war was a wonderful experience, and that photo represents all those feelings."
2. Another kiss, many years earlier represents the opposite of Edith’s kiss. The Judas kiss.
   1. For many, this kiss represents despair, betrayal, war, and yesterday. Because of the kiss, the world today has the hope, love, peace, and eternity promised by the Lord Jesus. It is undoubtedly the most infamous kiss of all time.
3. Title: Guilt & Grace in the Garden
4. Outline: 5 symbols...A Garden, A Kiss, A Sword, A Cup, A Cloak.

1. History started in a Garden (Eden). History will end one day in a Garden (Heaven's Main St).
   1. In between we find Jesus in this Garden, the Garden of Gethsemane.
   2. In the 1st Garden, we have the 1st Adam & it became a Garden of disobedience & sin.
   3. In Gethsemane we have the last Adam & it became a Garden of obedience & submission
2. Chief priests, Scribes, & the elders (i.e. the Sanhedrin) were able to issue A Warrant for His Arrest.
3. Judas, one of the twelve (43) – Which made the crime more heinous.
   1. Judas, Seller of the Savior. Turning inJesus.
   2. The one who would commit suicide, 1st commits homicide & an attempted deicide (an attempt on the life of God, if that were possible).
   3. Judas brought a great multitude w/swords & clubs – proving thus he totally misunderstood Jesus, & His mission.
      1. Or perhaps…He might do a miracle??? [but what then Judas?]
      2. We note the posse of Judas & the poise of Jesus.
4. Swords – Roman soldiers.
   1. John 18:3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
5. Clubs – local recruits, obviously put together quickly.
6. (44) A signal – Why?
   1. Very dark. Moonlight & torches were the only light. All would be dressed very similar. Most likely all would have long hair, facial hair, & speak a similar dialect. So, a signal was needed.
7. Lead Him away safely – Is this possible?
   1. Judas, a Greater than Samson is here!
8. With no Miranda rights, the posse takes him in.
   1. Was Jesus thinking about Is.53:7? He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
9. Jesus, In custody...but In charge. In custody...In control.
10. Jesus was still in charge of the agenda for that night. He was and is Lord of all. He was not a victim. Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
11. He deliberately allowed Himself to be arrested & taken prisoner. His time had come. But the soldiers were not allowed to do this without first bowing to Him.

1. ​​​​​​​Sealed with a kiss. Kiss of death. Kiss & tell. The most infamous kiss of all time.
   1. Prov.27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
2. Imagine the personal hurt to Jesus to have Judas betray Him.
   1. Judas had been hand picked. He was one of Jesus’ closest friends. He had been given the special responsibility of being treasurer for the entire band of disciples.
   2. Have you ever been betrayed by:
      1. A spouse? A friend who gossiped away your reputation? A family member? A coworker who took credit for your work? A company who fired you just before retirement? A business partner who progressively shoved you aside?Then you understand something of the emotional suffering Jesus went through.
3. Kissed Him – (καταφιλέω) In the NT we have phileo, “to kiss, to be friendly,” BUT HERE kataphileo, “to kiss thoroughly, to be very friendly”.
   1. The kata makes it intensive, indicating a prolonged kissing.
   2. Thayer, “to kiss much, kiss again and again, kiss tenderly.”
   3. Same word is used of the woman who kissed the feet of Christ; Same word used of the father’s greeting of the returning prodigal; Same word used of the farewell to Paul of the Ephesian Christians.
      1. The kiss a customary mark of respect. And now, these tokens of devotion turned into symbols of treachery.
   4. The betraying Judas kiss, the grimmest & most awful thing in the entire gospel story.
      1. Judas’ kiss showed how low a human heart could go; Jesus’ response showed how high a heart could soar. Kent Hughes
         1. “Friend, why have you come?”
4. Have you ever been betrayed? Even worse, betrayed w/a kiss? Are you entitled to hatred? Whom have you given the Judas kiss to?

1. ​​​​​​​Peter’s sword symbolizes Rebellion against the will of God.
   1. Peter should have known that Jesus would be arrested and that He would willingly surrender to His enemies.
   2. Peter made every mistake possible:
      1. He fought the wrong enemy. He used the wrong weapon. He had the wrong motive. And...He accomplished the wrong result.
      2. He simply imitated the officers who came to arrest Jesus. And in so doing He was openly resisting the will of God and hindering the work that Jesus came to accomplish.
         1. He was sincere, but sincerely wrong.
         2. How did he get to this place?...from his prayerlessness we talked about last week.
2. This was probably just too much for Peter to stand there & take. So, he severs the right ear of Malchus, the High priests servant.
   1. Mark probably thought it too dangerous to reveal Peters name when writing this. [John will some 40 years later, after Peters death]
   2. But, Jesus offers no resistance to His arrest, & doesn’t want any well-meaning interventions on His behalf.
      1. We must learn to never fight spiritual battles w/physical weapons.
      2. 2 Cor.10:3,4(NIV) For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
   3. Had Jesus not healed Malchus, Peter would have been arrested as well; & there might have been 4 crosses on Calvary.
      1. And if 4 crosses on Calvary...then no sermon after Pentecost by Peter where 3000 get saved; nor 5000 following that. Nor all the stories in the 1st 5 chapters of Acts.
      2. And what if Peter succeeded? He would have kept Jesus from going to the cross???
         1. Slide#14b How easy it is to be out of step w/Jesus when we think we are serving Him, even defending Him.
      3. There is a sad story of 2 prominent preachers from the 19th cent., Newman Smith & Robert Hall. A controversy arose between the 2 on some religious point, & Rev. Smith wrote a bitter pamphlet denouncing Hall & his doctrine. Having finished the pamphlet, Smith was having trouble coming up w/what he thought was a proper title. So he sent the book to a good friend for a suggestion. Some time earlier Rev. Smith had written a widely read & helpful pamphlet entitled, Come to Jesus. When his friend read the new pamphlet against Hall, he sent the pamphlet back w/this suggestion, “The title I suggest for your pamphlet is this, “Go to Hell, by the author of Come to Jesus!” (Clarence Macartney; The woman of Tekoh & other sermons of Bible Characters; pg.128.)
3. We don’t fight for His kingdom. We sacrifice. We suffer. We surrender for His kingdom
4. Lopped off any ears lately? Is there any blood on the ground due to a blow you have self-righteously & wrongly inflicted?
   1. I mean, has your tongue cut up anyone’s ears this week w/its razor-sharpness?
   2. It’s hard to remember when someone’s attacking you that, our struggle is not against flesh and blood(them), but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world & against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
   3. It’s much easier to grab any sword of the flesh & start wielding, then to pick up the sword of the spirit & use it aright!
5. Remember the Lord specializes in restoring loped-off ears.

1. ​​​​​​​Jesus’ last miracle. The most beautiful & touching of all.
   1. He kept the best wine, the best miracle, until the last.
   2. Jesus great text was in Mt.5:43-45. Now, His great illustration of that text.
      1. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
      2. He practiced what He preached.
2. Jesus grace shined through, not only with the ear that night, but…
   1. When He crossed the Kidron, fully conscious that Judas was betraying Him.
   2. When He went into the Garden of Gethsemane surrendered to the Father’s will.
   3. When He protected His disciples. (He told them to let them go in John’s gospel)
   4. When He yielded Himself into the hands of sinners that He might suffer & die for us.

1. ​​​​​​​Peter took up a sword, but Jesus took a cup.
   1. Never fear the cup that the Father has prepared for you.
   2. Jesus, how did you do it? He could submit to the abuse of men because He had already submitted to the will of God.
2. The hands of the creator bound!
   1. Hands that gathered little children on His knee.
   2. Hands that touched the leper and cleansed him.
   3. Hands that broke the 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed 5000.
   4. Hands that formed Adam from the dust of the ground.
   5. The hands that made the men who were now binding Him.
3. Do you feel bound this morning?
   1. In a marriage where the love has run out? In a house too small for your family? In a body riddled w/pain? To an elderly parent or relative with Alzheimer’s. By responsibility that is not really yours? By memories of abuse?
      1. Sometimes binding is the will of God.
         1. Jesus was bound here and He was in God’s will.
         2. He simply submitted, not primarily to the soldiers, but to His Father’s will.

1. ​​​​​​​Amos 2:16 The most courageous men of might Shall flee naked in that day, Says the Lord.
2. Running naked from the garden of obedience.
3. All forsook Him & fled (Place yourself there running with them)
   1. Legs running, arms pumping, sweat dripping, hard breathing, heart pounding, constant hiding, breath catching. Now wondering, definitely pondering, fear gripping, thoughts tangling, feelings wrangling, fault finding, Spirit grieving, guilt swelling, responsibility owning, much weeping, still confusing.
4. If this was John Mark, as most guess, then he’s saying in essence, all forsook Him & fled even I.
   1. How does this reflect Jesus’ warning about the cost of discipleship? In trying to save himself, the young man loses what little he has.
      1. Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.
      2. If you want to be my to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.
      3. Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
      4. Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
      5. No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
   2. “Love so amazing, Love so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.”
5. ​​Run from any difficult discipleship challenges lately?
   1. Steel yourself in prayer & submission to the heavenly Father.
6. What is in your hand today...the sword, or the cup?

1. What is one of the most famous kisses of all times?
   1. Disney might say, its when the princess kisses the frog & it turns into the prince.
      1. Or when Sleeping Beauty awakens from her 100 yr. long sleep by the kiss of a prince.
   2. I like the famous kiss where...A young Soldier and his Commander had to ride a train to a conference in Europe. They found their seats & find out they are in a cabin with a beautiful young woman & her grandmother facing them.
      
      Within the first hour everyone realized that the young woman and the soldier are attracted to each other. Then the train goes through a tunnel and everyone hears a kissing sound and a loud slap. One the other side of the tunnel…
      
      The commander thinks, “I am glad my soldier was able to get a kiss but I wish she hadn’t missed him and slapped me.”
      
      The Grandmother thinks, “Hmm, the nerve of the young man to kiss my granddaughter! Well at least he got what he deserved when she slapped him.” The Granddaughter thinks, “That was nice of him to kiss me, but I wish my Grandmother hadn’t slapped him.”
      
      The Soldier is thinking, “Wow I got to kiss the girl & slap my commander all at once”
   3. Maybe it is the picture of Edith Shain kissing a sailor on VJ day at end of WWII
      1. “The picture," Edith says, "it says so many things - hope, love, peace and tomorrow. The end of the war was a wonderful experience, and that photo represents all those feelings."
2. Another kiss, many years earlier represents the opposite of Edith’s kiss. The Judas kiss.
   1. For many, this kiss represents despair, betrayal, war, and yesterday. Because of the kiss, the world today has the hope, love, peace, and eternity promised by the Lord Jesus. It is undoubtedly the most infamous kiss of all time.
3. Title: Guilt & Grace in the Garden
4. Outline: 5 symbols...A Garden, A Kiss, A Sword, A Cup, A Cloak.

1. History started in a Garden (Eden). History will end one day in a Garden (Heaven's Main St).
   1. In between we find Jesus in this Garden, the Garden of Gethsemane.
   2. In the 1st Garden, we have the 1st Adam & it became a Garden of disobedience & sin.
   3. In Gethsemane we have the last Adam & it became a Garden of obedience & submission
2. Chief priests, Scribes, & the elders (i.e. the Sanhedrin) were able to issue A Warrant for His Arrest.
3. Judas, one of the twelve (43) – Which made the crime more heinous.
   1. Judas, Seller of the Savior. Turning inJesus.
   2. The one who would commit suicide, 1st commits homicide & an attempted deicide (an attempt on the life of God, if that were possible).
   3. Judas brought a great multitude w/swords & clubs – proving thus he totally misunderstood Jesus, & His mission.
      1. Or perhaps…He might do a miracle??? [but what then Judas?]
      2. We note the posse of Judas & the poise of Jesus.
4. Swords – Roman soldiers.
   1. John 18:3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
5. Clubs – local recruits, obviously put together quickly.
6. (44) A signal – Why?
   1. Very dark. Moonlight & torches were the only light. All would be dressed very similar. Most likely all would have long hair, facial hair, & speak a similar dialect. So, a signal was needed.
7. Lead Him away safely – Is this possible?
   1. Judas, a Greater than Samson is here!
8. With no Miranda rights, the posse takes him in.
   1. Was Jesus thinking about Is.53:7? He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
9. Jesus, In custody...but In charge. In custody...In control.
10. Jesus was still in charge of the agenda for that night. He was and is Lord of all. He was not a victim. Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
11. He deliberately allowed Himself to be arrested & taken prisoner. His time had come. But the soldiers were not allowed to do this without first bowing to Him.

1. ​​​​​​​Sealed with a kiss. Kiss of death. Kiss & tell. The most infamous kiss of all time.
   1. Prov.27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
2. Imagine the personal hurt to Jesus to have Judas betray Him.
   1. Judas had been hand picked. He was one of Jesus’ closest friends. He had been given the special responsibility of being treasurer for the entire band of disciples.
   2. Have you ever been betrayed by:
      1. A spouse? A friend who gossiped away your reputation? A family member? A coworker who took credit for your work? A company who fired you just before retirement? A business partner who progressively shoved you aside?Then you understand something of the emotional suffering Jesus went through.
3. Kissed Him – (καταφιλέω) In the NT we have phileo, “to kiss, to be friendly,” BUT HERE kataphileo, “to kiss thoroughly, to be very friendly”.
   1. The kata makes it intensive, indicating a prolonged kissing.
   2. Thayer, “to kiss much, kiss again and again, kiss tenderly.”
   3. Same word is used of the woman who kissed the feet of Christ; Same word used of the father’s greeting of the returning prodigal; Same word used of the farewell to Paul of the Ephesian Christians.
      1. The kiss a customary mark of respect. And now, these tokens of devotion turned into symbols of treachery.
   4. The betraying Judas kiss, the grimmest & most awful thing in the entire gospel story.
      1. Judas’ kiss showed how low a human heart could go; Jesus’ response showed how high a heart could soar. Kent Hughes
         1. “Friend, why have you come?”
4. Have you ever been betrayed? Even worse, betrayed w/a kiss? Are you entitled to hatred? Whom have you given the Judas kiss to?

1. ​​​​​​​Peter’s sword symbolizes Rebellion against the will of God.
   1. Peter should have known that Jesus would be arrested and that He would willingly surrender to His enemies.
   2. Peter made every mistake possible:
      1. He fought the wrong enemy. He used the wrong weapon. He had the wrong motive. And...He accomplished the wrong result.
      2. He simply imitated the officers who came to arrest Jesus. And in so doing He was openly resisting the will of God and hindering the work that Jesus came to accomplish.
         1. He was sincere, but sincerely wrong.
         2. How did he get to this place?...from his prayerlessness we talked about last week.
2. This was probably just too much for Peter to stand there & take. So, he severs the right ear of Malchus, the High priests servant.
   1. Mark probably thought it too dangerous to reveal Peters name when writing this. [John will some 40 years later, after Peters death]
   2. But, Jesus offers no resistance to His arrest, & doesn’t want any well-meaning interventions on His behalf.
      1. We must learn to never fight spiritual battles w/physical weapons.
      2. 2 Cor.10:3,4(NIV) For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
   3. Had Jesus not healed Malchus, Peter would have been arrested as well; & there might have been 4 crosses on Calvary.
      1. And if 4 crosses on Calvary...then no sermon after Pentecost by Peter where 3000 get saved; nor 5000 following that. Nor all the stories in the 1st 5 chapters of Acts.
      2. And what if Peter succeeded? He would have kept Jesus from going to the cross???
         1. Slide#14b How easy it is to be out of step w/Jesus when we think we are serving Him, even defending Him.
      3. There is a sad story of 2 prominent preachers from the 19th cent., Newman Smith & Robert Hall. A controversy arose between the 2 on some religious point, & Rev. Smith wrote a bitter pamphlet denouncing Hall & his doctrine. Having finished the pamphlet, Smith was having trouble coming up w/what he thought was a proper title. So he sent the book to a good friend for a suggestion. Some time earlier Rev. Smith had written a widely read & helpful pamphlet entitled, Come to Jesus. When his friend read the new pamphlet against Hall, he sent the pamphlet back w/this suggestion, “The title I suggest for your pamphlet is this, “Go to Hell, by the author of Come to Jesus!” (Clarence Macartney; The woman of Tekoh & other sermons of Bible Characters; pg.128.)
3. We don’t fight for His kingdom. We sacrifice. We suffer. We surrender for His kingdom
4. Lopped off any ears lately? Is there any blood on the ground due to a blow you have self-righteously & wrongly inflicted?
   1. I mean, has your tongue cut up anyone’s ears this week w/its razor-sharpness?
   2. It’s hard to remember when someone’s attacking you that, our struggle is not against flesh and blood(them), but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world & against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
   3. It’s much easier to grab any sword of the flesh & start wielding, then to pick up the sword of the spirit & use it aright!
5. Remember the Lord specializes in restoring loped-off ears.

1. ​​​​​​​Jesus’ last miracle. The most beautiful & touching of all.
   1. He kept the best wine, the best miracle, until the last.
   2. Jesus great text was in Mt.5:43-45. Now, His great illustration of that text.
      1. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
      2. He practiced what He preached.
2. Jesus grace shined through, not only with the ear that night, but…
   1. When He crossed the Kidron, fully conscious that Judas was betraying Him.
   2. When He went into the Garden of Gethsemane surrendered to the Father’s will.
   3. When He protected His disciples. (He told them to let them go in John’s gospel)
   4. When He yielded Himself into the hands of sinners that He might suffer & die for us.

1. ​​​​​​​Peter took up a sword, but Jesus took a cup.
   1. Never fear the cup that the Father has prepared for you.
   2. Jesus, how did you do it? He could submit to the abuse of men because He had already submitted to the will of God.
2. The hands of the creator bound!
   1. Hands that gathered little children on His knee.
   2. Hands that touched the leper and cleansed him.
   3. Hands that broke the 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed 5000.
   4. Hands that formed Adam from the dust of the ground.
   5. The hands that made the men who were now binding Him.
3. Do you feel bound this morning?
   1. In a marriage where the love has run out? In a house too small for your family? In a body riddled w/pain? To an elderly parent or relative with Alzheimer’s. By responsibility that is not really yours? By memories of abuse?
      1. Sometimes binding is the will of God.
         1. Jesus was bound here and He was in God’s will.
         2. He simply submitted, not primarily to the soldiers, but to His Father’s will.

1. ​​​​​​​Amos 2:16 The most courageous men of might Shall flee naked in that day, Says the Lord.
2. Running naked from the garden of obedience.
3. All forsook Him & fled (Place yourself there running with them)
   1. Legs running, arms pumping, sweat dripping, hard breathing, heart pounding, constant hiding, breath catching. Now wondering, definitely pondering, fear gripping, thoughts tangling, feelings wrangling, fault finding, Spirit grieving, guilt swelling, responsibility owning, much weeping, still confusing.
4. If this was John Mark, as most guess, then he’s saying in essence, all forsook Him & fled even I.
   1. How does this reflect Jesus’ warning about the cost of discipleship? In trying to save himself, the young man loses what little he has.
      1. Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.
      2. If you want to be my to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.
      3. Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
      4. Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
      5. No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
   2. “Love so amazing, Love so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.”
5. ​​Run from any difficult discipleship challenges lately?
   1. Steel yourself in prayer & submission to the heavenly Father.
6. What is in your hand today...the sword, or the cup?

1. Title: Solid Rock & Sinking Sand
2. Here we the most famous trial in human history.
   1. He was tried before the world & the world was tried before Him.

1. Here we have a scene that would be likened unto: A Sheep…being led away by a pack of hungry hyenas, to stand trial & conviction before a jury of starving coyotes & a blood thirsty wolf/judge.
2. This trial was in 2 sets of 3 stages (Jewish trial & Roman trial).
   1. Jewish Trial. 1st tried by Annas (former H.P.); then moved to the full council(depicted here); then to an early morning session for the final vote of condemnation. Mk15:1
   2. Roman Trial. 1st to Pilate; then moved to Herod; then back to Pilate.
3. We visited this place last time in Israel, St. Gallicantu, the cocks crow. [Explain pics]
4. (61) Mt.26:63 I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.
   1. Now he had to answer according to law. And so he does before this Kangaroo Court
5. (62) And now was the right time for him to reveal Himself plainly…I AM!
6. Son of Man – This title was Messianic Dan.7:13 but he also blends 2 others Ps.110:1 & Is.52:8. Thus blending this into a confession of who he was & a terrible warning of their impending judgment.
   1. Is.52:8 When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.
   2. Dan.7:13 I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven.
   3. Ps.110:1 The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.
      1. The Rock of our Salvation…did not crack. Kent Hughes pg.182
7. Jesus stood Rock-Solid.
   1. Guilty of only 1 thing, Guilty of love in the 1st degree.
   2. For us to stand the same we must live in profound moment-by-moment dependence upon the Father.
      1. Paul summed it up best, for my power is made perfect in weakness...For when I am weak, then I am strong. 1 Cor.12:9,10
         1. Vance Havner said, “The Lord had the strength & I had the weakness, so we teamed up. It was an unbeatable combination.”
         2. Hudson Taylor said, “God choose me because I was weak enough. He trains somebody to be quiet enough, & then uses him.”
      2. Again Paul writes, But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Cor.4:7
      3. The Reformer Thomas Cranmer under duress was forced to write recantations of his faith, yet stood later in the Great St. Mary’s Oxford & renounced his recantations. He promised that if he must be burned, the hand which wrote them would burn 1st. And when he did die at the stake, he held his hand in the flames until his life was gone.
         1. How else did he do this but by dependence upon the Father.
         2. How can any man or woman today living in Murrieta, CA or Morogoro Tanzania, live out a consistent Christian life...but by a conscious dependence upon God?
8. (65) “Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In my place condemned He stood; Sealed my pardon with His blood. Hallelujah! What a Savior.”

1. ​​​​​​​Here stands (& later sits) Peter warming his hands at the enemies fire.
   1. Oh not necessarily all who stood around it, but the one invisible enemy who also was warming his harsh hands.
   2. I picture Peter’s steps here like a small child doing a poor job roasting marshmallows: 1st the warmth of the flame & all is well for Mr. Marshmellow; then comes the 1st small burn, he feels the heat of the 1st incriminating flames (but quickly its blown out) “I’ll be ok”, but next time that burn is a lil bigger, Mr. Marshmellow is sweating now (& you realize what a close call that was); but the next time sure enough it is out of control & he’s fully inflamed; then the child is left w/nothing but the charred remains.b) Those seem to be Peter’s 5 steps to getting burned: “From warmth to weeping.”
2. The Shepherd was smitten & the sheep scattered & huddled all over Judah’s hillside in the cold of the night.
   1. Only 2 were brave enough to backtrack & trail their Shepherd. [John]
   2. Peter must have been so confused…What do I do? I love Him! He would come for me! How can I help Him? Should I help Him? I’m not trying the sword thing again! I could testify on his behalf…but they’d nab me for sure, & it wouldn’t even help against this jury-rigged jury.
3. But tonight, Peter aka Rock would crumble.
   1. Peter was known as the rock. The Gibraltar of the disciples. Yet, the rock was not w/o its cracks.
      1. Hairline fissures lead to crumbling under pressure & Christ had detected the crack in Peter’s character.
   2. Peter started the evening w/If I have to die w/You,I will not deny You [That’s Rock]
   3. Later, he single-handily took on the whole mob by himself w/his sword [That’s Rocky]
   4. But before dawn he wouldn’t be able to stand before a young maid. [That’s Pebbles]
      1. From a rock to rocky to pebbles.
4. How could such a dedicated disciple fall so hard, fail so miserable, & disown allegiance to the one he loved?
   1. That answer is important to us because if the Apex of Apostles can fall…then so can you & I.
   2. The answer is simply laid out by Luke 22:31,32.
   3. Satan asking implies permission is needed. (like in Job 1)
   4. Ken Gire says, “Tonight into those hands Peter would fall. Satan wants to thresh his faith & beat it into the ground until the husk breaks open. Then he’ll show the world what’s really inside Peter’s heart. And once the other disciples see this, the backbone of the revolution will be as good as crushed.”
   5. It’s healthy for me to remind myself of who/what I’d effect if I fell!
      1. My wife, my children’s respect, my character, my reputation, my example, my credibility. My church friends, my church I get to serve at, other ministry opportunities, serving on other boards, chaplaincy, community embarrassment, & especially…the shame I would give to the name of my Lord.
   6. ​​​​​​​What would you lose?…Count the cost...please. I’ve had to add up the tally too late with too many friends over the years.
      1. You come up w/your list & place it in your bible somewhere for reference. (homework)
      2. Put your name in Simons place - Say it twice as you read those 2 vss.
   7. Note, the 3 players: Satan sifts; Christ prays; you return…after you blow it.
5. (70) Denied again- Ask not, Lord, have I’ve denied You? But ask, in how many areas of my life have I denied you? In how many ways? In how many different times?Ken Gires prayer; pg103
   1. When I’m too busy to pray, I deny that You are the center of my life
   2. When I neglect Your Word, I deny that you are competent to guide me.
   3. When I worry, I deny that you are Lord of my circumstances.
   4. When I turn my head from the hungry & the homeless, I deny that you are a God of mercy who has put me here to be your hands & your feet.
   5. When I steal something from another person to enrich or enhance my life – whether that be something material or some credit that is rightly due another, which I have claimed for myself - I deny you are the source of all blessings.
      1. Yes, we deny him daily.
6. (71) Curse - He was saying, “Let me be under a curse if I am not telling the truth.”
   1. ​​​​​​​Swear - Means to swear an oath, as one does in court. [a formal, legal, denial]
7. (72) Read about The Look – Lk.22:61,62.
   1. It doesn’t say, Jesus uttered any words like Peter, Peter, Peter. It doesn’t say, He shook His head in disgust. It doesn’t say, He lowered His head in disappointment. It doesn’t say, He said, “I told you so!”
   2. Instead it’s a look of sympathetic understanding from the 1 who understood better than all, what it was to fall into Satan’s sifting hands for 40 days in a barren desert.
   3. It is with that look that all Peter’s emotions suddenly caved in. Like a small dirt clod being crushed to powder in a man’s hand.
8. And he wept bitterly – But though it’s Friday…Sunday’s a comin!
   1. ​​​​​​​The night was about to turn to dawn. The winnowing was over.
      1. We learn to eat our words w/the bitter herbs of Repentance.
      2. And may we never take a dry-eyed look at sin again.
      3. And wasn’t it that 1st tear down his cheek that cleansed his dirty soul? :)
   2. All that was left was a naked kernel of faith. - A small grain but grain nonetheless. A grain Satan couldn’t touch. Oh he can touch the chaff that he asks for...but not the Grain. The grain belongs to the Lord & He will bring it into His granaries
   3. Story - When I was down in the most southern part of India at GAF’s Seminary, KP’s son Danny was giving Greg & I a tour. As we were walking he happened to point out a huge Cashew Tree. And started to explain the process of getting a Cashew. (Intriguing, so I researched a little bit)
      1. When the nut is Picked it must be 1st Cracked Opened properly (If it’s not, the toxic resin will get on the cashew nut, making it inedible). It then is Roasted which removes the 1st shell. The Black Oil is removed (that toxic resin, also found in poison Ivy). It is Roasted again thus removing the 2nd shell. Finally the Nut is Free.
         1. ​​​​​​​What a perfect picture of our Salvation & Sanctification.
         2. We’re Picked (chosen by God). Cracked Open (our hearts scored open before God with a surgeons care). Roasted (thru trials through life). The Black Oil drained from our life (aka sin). And then Re-Roasted (in life’s toughest trials). Then finally...the Nut is Free.
            1. You become a smaller man/women/nut, now that that old husk if off of you. You become broken & bare before him.
9. Peter got far. How far would we have gotten? He failed in the court yard where the others dared to set foot. He failed, not under normal pressure, but in Satan’s own heavy winnowing pressure.
   1. Ps: Let’s remember it was Satan doing the sifting, not Jesus. Jesus was doing the praying!
   2. Matter of fact Jesus warned, looked, forgave, & would restore him, times 3, soon.
10. Jesus wants neither Regret (involves just the mind); nor Remorse (involves the mind & emotions…we feel terrible); but Repentance (involves the changing of the mind; the changing of the emotions; AND the changing of the will...i.e. turning away from sin).
    1. One failure doesn’t make a flop. He is the God of a second chance.
    2. At Pentecost, Peter wielded a different sword, a spiritual sword (the Word of the Spirit) and won a victory.
       1. And so thankful for being given this 2nd chance, Peter would carry the gospel all the way to Rome, where they crucified him upside down.
11. Slide#28,29 Statue of Peter w/Keys/Rooster. Mixture of courage/cowardice; success/failure
12. 4 quick Lessons from Peter:
    1. No one - not even a spiritual rock - is immune to failure.
    2. God knows our precise breaking point.
    3. When surrounded by wrongdoers, doing wrong comes easy.
    4. The 1st step toward correction is not act like we’re strong but to admit we are weak.
13. The writer of this next Hymn, Come thou Fount, Robert Robinson (saved under George Whitefield’s ministry) had wandered away like a prodigal son. Until, one day while riding in a stagecoach & sitting beside a woman who asked him what he thought of these words, “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.” Bursting into tears Robinson said, “Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, & I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then.”

1. Title: Solid Rock & Sinking Sand
2. Here we the most famous trial in human history.
   1. He was tried before the world & the world was tried before Him.

1. Here we have a scene that would be likened unto: A Sheep…being led away by a pack of hungry hyenas, to stand trial & conviction before a jury of starving coyotes & a blood thirsty wolf/judge.
2. This trial was in 2 sets of 3 stages (Jewish trial & Roman trial).
   1. Jewish Trial. 1st tried by Annas (former H.P.); then moved to the full council(depicted here); then to an early morning session for the final vote of condemnation. Mk15:1
   2. Roman Trial. 1st to Pilate; then moved to Herod; then back to Pilate.
3. We visited this place last time in Israel, St. Gallicantu, the cocks crow. [Explain pics]
4. (61) Mt.26:63 I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.
   1. Now he had to answer according to law. And so he does before this Kangaroo Court
5. (62) And now was the right time for him to reveal Himself plainly…I AM!
6. Son of Man – This title was Messianic Dan.7:13 but he also blends 2 others Ps.110:1 & Is.52:8. Thus blending this into a confession of who he was & a terrible warning of their impending judgment.
   1. Is.52:8 When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.
   2. Dan.7:13 I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven.
   3. Ps.110:1 The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.
      1. The Rock of our Salvation…did not crack. Kent Hughes pg.182
7. Jesus stood Rock-Solid.
   1. Guilty of only 1 thing, Guilty of love in the 1st degree.
   2. For us to stand the same we must live in profound moment-by-moment dependence upon the Father.
      1. Paul summed it up best, for my power is made perfect in weakness...For when I am weak, then I am strong. 1 Cor.12:9,10
         1. Vance Havner said, “The Lord had the strength & I had the weakness, so we teamed up. It was an unbeatable combination.”
         2. Hudson Taylor said, “God choose me because I was weak enough. He trains somebody to be quiet enough, & then uses him.”
      2. Again Paul writes, But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Cor.4:7
      3. The Reformer Thomas Cranmer under duress was forced to write recantations of his faith, yet stood later in the Great St. Mary’s Oxford & renounced his recantations. He promised that if he must be burned, the hand which wrote them would burn 1st. And when he did die at the stake, he held his hand in the flames until his life was gone.
         1. How else did he do this but by dependence upon the Father.
         2. How can any man or woman today living in Murrieta, CA or Morogoro Tanzania, live out a consistent Christian life...but by a conscious dependence upon God?
8. (65) “Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In my place condemned He stood; Sealed my pardon with His blood. Hallelujah! What a Savior.”

1. ​​​​​​​Here stands (& later sits) Peter warming his hands at the enemies fire.
   1. Oh not necessarily all who stood around it, but the one invisible enemy who also was warming his harsh hands.
   2. I picture Peter’s steps here like a small child doing a poor job roasting marshmallows: 1st the warmth of the flame & all is well for Mr. Marshmellow; then comes the 1st small burn, he feels the heat of the 1st incriminating flames (but quickly its blown out) “I’ll be ok”, but next time that burn is a lil bigger, Mr. Marshmellow is sweating now (& you realize what a close call that was); but the next time sure enough it is out of control & he’s fully inflamed; then the child is left w/nothing but the charred remains.b) Those seem to be Peter’s 5 steps to getting burned: “From warmth to weeping.”
2. The Shepherd was smitten & the sheep scattered & huddled all over Judah’s hillside in the cold of the night.
   1. Only 2 were brave enough to backtrack & trail their Shepherd. [John]
   2. Peter must have been so confused…What do I do? I love Him! He would come for me! How can I help Him? Should I help Him? I’m not trying the sword thing again! I could testify on his behalf…but they’d nab me for sure, & it wouldn’t even help against this jury-rigged jury.
3. But tonight, Peter aka Rock would crumble.
   1. Peter was known as the rock. The Gibraltar of the disciples. Yet, the rock was not w/o its cracks.
      1. Hairline fissures lead to crumbling under pressure & Christ had detected the crack in Peter’s character.
   2. Peter started the evening w/If I have to die w/You,I will not deny You [That’s Rock]
   3. Later, he single-handily took on the whole mob by himself w/his sword [That’s Rocky]
   4. But before dawn he wouldn’t be able to stand before a young maid. [That’s Pebbles]
      1. From a rock to rocky to pebbles.
4. How could such a dedicated disciple fall so hard, fail so miserable, & disown allegiance to the one he loved?
   1. That answer is important to us because if the Apex of Apostles can fall…then so can you & I.
   2. The answer is simply laid out by Luke 22:31,32.
   3. Satan asking implies permission is needed. (like in Job 1)
   4. Ken Gire says, “Tonight into those hands Peter would fall. Satan wants to thresh his faith & beat it into the ground until the husk breaks open. Then he’ll show the world what’s really inside Peter’s heart. And once the other disciples see this, the backbone of the revolution will be as good as crushed.”
   5. It’s healthy for me to remind myself of who/what I’d effect if I fell!
      1. My wife, my children’s respect, my character, my reputation, my example, my credibility. My church friends, my church I get to serve at, other ministry opportunities, serving on other boards, chaplaincy, community embarrassment, & especially…the shame I would give to the name of my Lord.
   6. ​​​​​​​What would you lose?…Count the cost...please. I’ve had to add up the tally too late with too many friends over the years.
      1. You come up w/your list & place it in your bible somewhere for reference. (homework)
      2. Put your name in Simons place - Say it twice as you read those 2 vss.
   7. Note, the 3 players: Satan sifts; Christ prays; you return…after you blow it.
5. (70) Denied again- Ask not, Lord, have I’ve denied You? But ask, in how many areas of my life have I denied you? In how many ways? In how many different times?Ken Gires prayer; pg103
   1. When I’m too busy to pray, I deny that You are the center of my life
   2. When I neglect Your Word, I deny that you are competent to guide me.
   3. When I worry, I deny that you are Lord of my circumstances.
   4. When I turn my head from the hungry & the homeless, I deny that you are a God of mercy who has put me here to be your hands & your feet.
   5. When I steal something from another person to enrich or enhance my life – whether that be something material or some credit that is rightly due another, which I have claimed for myself - I deny you are the source of all blessings.
      1. Yes, we deny him daily.
6. (71) Curse - He was saying, “Let me be under a curse if I am not telling the truth.”
   1. ​​​​​​​Swear - Means to swear an oath, as one does in court. [a formal, legal, denial]
7. (72) Read about The Look – Lk.22:61,62.
   1. It doesn’t say, Jesus uttered any words like Peter, Peter, Peter. It doesn’t say, He shook His head in disgust. It doesn’t say, He lowered His head in disappointment. It doesn’t say, He said, “I told you so!”
   2. Instead it’s a look of sympathetic understanding from the 1 who understood better than all, what it was to fall into Satan’s sifting hands for 40 days in a barren desert.
   3. It is with that look that all Peter’s emotions suddenly caved in. Like a small dirt clod being crushed to powder in a man’s hand.
8. And he wept bitterly – But though it’s Friday…Sunday’s a comin!
   1. ​​​​​​​The night was about to turn to dawn. The winnowing was over.
      1. We learn to eat our words w/the bitter herbs of Repentance.
      2. And may we never take a dry-eyed look at sin again.
      3. And wasn’t it that 1st tear down his cheek that cleansed his dirty soul? :)
   2. All that was left was a naked kernel of faith. - A small grain but grain nonetheless. A grain Satan couldn’t touch. Oh he can touch the chaff that he asks for...but not the Grain. The grain belongs to the Lord & He will bring it into His granaries
   3. Story - When I was down in the most southern part of India at GAF’s Seminary, KP’s son Danny was giving Greg & I a tour. As we were walking he happened to point out a huge Cashew Tree. And started to explain the process of getting a Cashew. (Intriguing, so I researched a little bit)
      1. When the nut is Picked it must be 1st Cracked Opened properly (If it’s not, the toxic resin will get on the cashew nut, making it inedible). It then is Roasted which removes the 1st shell. The Black Oil is removed (that toxic resin, also found in poison Ivy). It is Roasted again thus removing the 2nd shell. Finally the Nut is Free.
         1. ​​​​​​​What a perfect picture of our Salvation & Sanctification.
         2. We’re Picked (chosen by God). Cracked Open (our hearts scored open before God with a surgeons care). Roasted (thru trials through life). The Black Oil drained from our life (aka sin). And then Re-Roasted (in life’s toughest trials). Then finally...the Nut is Free.
            1. You become a smaller man/women/nut, now that that old husk if off of you. You become broken & bare before him.
9. Peter got far. How far would we have gotten? He failed in the court yard where the others dared to set foot. He failed, not under normal pressure, but in Satan’s own heavy winnowing pressure.
   1. Ps: Let’s remember it was Satan doing the sifting, not Jesus. Jesus was doing the praying!
   2. Matter of fact Jesus warned, looked, forgave, & would restore him, times 3, soon.
10. Jesus wants neither Regret (involves just the mind); nor Remorse (involves the mind & emotions…we feel terrible); but Repentance (involves the changing of the mind; the changing of the emotions; AND the changing of the will...i.e. turning away from sin).
    1. One failure doesn’t make a flop. He is the God of a second chance.
    2. At Pentecost, Peter wielded a different sword, a spiritual sword (the Word of the Spirit) and won a victory.
       1. And so thankful for being given this 2nd chance, Peter would carry the gospel all the way to Rome, where they crucified him upside down.
11. Slide#28,29 Statue of Peter w/Keys/Rooster. Mixture of courage/cowardice; success/failure
12. 4 quick Lessons from Peter:
    1. No one - not even a spiritual rock - is immune to failure.
    2. God knows our precise breaking point.
    3. When surrounded by wrongdoers, doing wrong comes easy.
    4. The 1st step toward correction is not act like we’re strong but to admit we are weak.
13. The writer of this next Hymn, Come thou Fount, Robert Robinson (saved under George Whitefield’s ministry) had wandered away like a prodigal son. Until, one day while riding in a stagecoach & sitting beside a woman who asked him what he thought of these words, “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.” Bursting into tears Robinson said, “Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, & I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then.”