Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Banner of Truth -- Gethsemane's King and Lamb -- Joel Beeke

John 18:1-14

-nobleman saw a beautiful slave woman for sale
-men who were going to buy her were talking about the depraved things that they would do to her
-the nobleman called out to the slave trader that he would pay double whatever anyone else would pay
-after seeing the nobleman's money he sold the slave to him
-he took her, and she spite in his face
-he wiped it off and took her to an office
-after arguing with the man behind the desk he finally said, "I have the right to do this."
-the man behind the desk grudgingly admitted that was true and put together some papers
-the nobleman gave them to the slave woman and she spit in his face
-he wiped it away and said, "Don't you understand, these papers mean you are free."
-she stared at him and asked if it was really true he paid twice the price anyone would pay for a slave to set her free
-he said yes, and she broke down in tears
-we have a saviour who has paid a far greater price to set up free
-here we find Jesus knowing the suffering that was coming, set forth to go through all that to save us
-to pay the whole price
-and he did it knowing you and me
-knowing his church and the people the Father had given him
-with that knowledge he went forth to endure all this
-this was the joy that was set before him
-he went forth as Gethsemane's king and lamb

First the kings three fold sovereignty
-only 11 went into the garden with Jesus
-Jesus had 12, but only 11 entered the garden
-and only 3 when further in to his place of prayer
-prays to his Father asking if there is another way
-in angony, overwelmed, over burdened with what is coming
-three times he prays
-it is after this third session of prayer he goes to meet Judas and the soldiers
-not just a few soldiers, a great multitude can to get Jesus ready if there was any resistance
-Judas betrays him with a kiss
-how often do we do this, betraying our Lord
-how often are we more passionate about other things than Jesus?
-then Jesus steps forth toward them and asks who are they looking for
-they were seeking Jesus of Nazareth
-but not Jesus as he was
-Nazareth was not meant as a title to honor, but to speak of him as a false prophet
-no valuing of Christ for who he is
-we often do the same thing
-we want him to take away the bad
-but don't have him as our treasure, but things he can give us are the real treasure
-Jesus answered, "I am."
-language of Exodus 3, Where God in answer to Moses says he is, "I am."
-speaks as supreme king and god
-when he says this they fall back before him
-because he is king, I am, God
-then he lets them get back up
-and then asks them again, "Who do you seek?"
-but they are still blind, and respond, "Jesus of Nazareth."
-still have no idea of who he is
-then this king comes forth and stands as a substitute
-saying that he is the one they seek, so let his followers go
-amazingly even with Peter cutting off the one person's ear none of these soldiers did anything
-they were held back by the word, the command of Jesus
-so he lost none of those who were his
-he preserves not only they bodies, but their hearts and souls
-he still protects his people today
-he stands in our place as our substitute that we might go free
-he is bound for their sake and ours

-second the lambs three fold submission
-turns himself over to his enemies and becomes a submissive lamb
-first his willingness to be arrested
-he already showed he really held the power
-but he submitted to them and the arrest they put him under
-this was the working out of God's plan and decree and will
-none of these soldiers, or Judas, or the Jewish rules are in control
-yet Jesus submits
-reminds us that even when our worst fears come to be, God is still in control and operating in those troubles
-secondly he submits in his willlingness to be bound as a criminal
-sometimes they would tie the bindings so tight to keep blood from going to his fingers
-to cause pain
-Jesus offers these hands in submission
-to set us free from the bands of sin
-fettered with our sins to free us from that bondage
-bound so his people might be bound to him for all days
-makes all the difference
-bound to the sovereign will of his Father
-that was Jesus only goal, to do his Father's will
-bound to restore as the second Adam, what we lost in the sin of the first Adam in garden of Eden
-thirdly, submits to being led away
-like a lamb to the slaughter - Isa 53
-taking our place
-to be our savior
-the deliver delivered himself up

-let us serve him as our king
-and submit to him as he submited to the Father
-cherishing the privilege of sharing in the fellowship of his sufferings

-african slave girl said more, "I have only one request, now that you have set me free can I be your slave forever."

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