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good morning everyone welcome to free grace Baptist Church welcome to everyone who's normally here and welcome to those who aren't normally here any visitors out there among us this morning it's a joy to have you with us here at free grace Baptist Church so we welcome you any questions after the service please feel free to ask well let's turn in our Bibles and as we begin our worship we can turn in our Bibles to psalm 41 psalm 41 our call to worship this lord's day morning psalm 41 the word of god to the chief musician a psalm of David blessed is he who considers the poor the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble the Lord will preserve him and keep him alive and he will be blessed on the earth you will not deliver him to the will of his enemies the Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness you will sustain him on his sickbed I said Lord be merciful to me heal my soul for I have sinned against you my enemies speak evil of me when will he die in his name perish and if he comes to see me he speaks lies his heart gathers iniquity to itself when he goes out he tells it all who hate me whisper together against me against me they devise my hurt an evil disease they say clings to him and now that he lies down he will rise up no more even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted who ate my bread has lifted up his heel against me but you O Lord be merciful to me and raise me up that I may repay them by this I know that you are well pleased with me because my enemy does not triumph over me as for me you uphold me in my integrity and set me before your face forever blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting amen and amen well let's stand and sing together our first hymn will be in your read Trinity Salter will stand and sing Psalm 93 - a female your tune that Psalm 93 let's stand together [Music] [Applause] [Music] we'll have a time of Prayer now a number of things that we can pray for we can rejoice in babies recently born just a reminder that it was last week a July 6 that Andy and Priscilla well Andy didn't give birth Priscilla gave birth to twins Isiah and Levi so we can rejoice along with Andy and Priscilla they were born prematurely so we can pray for their health and for the health of Priscilla as well katie is with us this morning I think out there and Mollie Rose was born to Katie and Josh and we can praise God for another blessed gift given to to the butler family and you can see her afterwards and the baby as well so praise God for for these gifts as well Esther mal jars is with us we can rejoice that God had spared their their home and their land if anybody has seen the photos it's quite a quite a miraculous thing and we give praise to our God for preserving them so you see Esther afterwards you can share in that praise and in those those blessings from from our great God we can continue in prayer now as we go to our God in prayer we can pray for God's sovereign governance over those fires and that he would and his kind Providence bring those two to an end let us go to our God in prayer Heavenly Father we rejoice now as we gather together as the Saints in Christ Jesus the Lord in this place to give you praise to give you honor and we bring before you our prayers our supplications and no doubt mingled with Thanksgiving and we do pray Lord God that this day you would be hallowed that on this day by these your gathered Saints you would be hallowed that your name would be praised we pray once again that not only in this place but around the world and all of your gather churches and in all of those places where the people of God gather together and we do pray that your name would be hallowed the triune God Father Son and Holy Spirit it would be praised would be honored and that your glory is your Excellencies and your riches would be sung we do pray Lord God that you would help us now having gathered that we would worship you in spirit and in truth we pray that you would help us in our frailty in our weakness that you would help us in our humanity and in our creature hood to rightly praise you to rightly give you honor to rise up above those common things and give you high praise give you high honor we do require the spirit for this Lord God so we do pray for that measure of the holy spirit to arouse to stir up our hearts unto that proper praise a Father Son and Holy Spirit we do pray that you would gift us with that that you would commune with your people here that we would give you all honor and praise as it is most certainly your do Lord God we do pray that we would rejoice in the gospel of our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ for we most certainly know that we have not been saved by deeds of righteousness which we have done but much rather according to your grace and according to your mercy according to the perfection of your eternal loving-kindness you have brought us forth from darkness of sin to life and light in Christ Jesus the Lord by grace we have been saved and we know that our salvation rests solely and alone upon the perfect work of our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ we rejoice in the biblical truth that our Lord Jesus Christ came into this world sinners to save that in the fullness of the times you did send forth your son born of a woman and born under the law that he might redeem those who are under the law that mean that we might receive adoption as sons and we rejoice in this blessed truth and we pray that we would sing the praises of our Savior this this morning we thank you that he lived a perfect life of obedience unto your law in the stead of all those who believe in his name we rejoice in the reality of the cross and Calvary's tree we're on our Lord Jesus Christ took upon himself the wrath of God that he bore in his own body our sins upon the tree that we having died to sin might live for righteousness by His stripes we are healed we thank you for the perfect cross work of our Lord Jesus Christ that by his shed blood we have the forgiveness the remission of sins we rejoice in that most blessed truth and we thank you that he rose again the third day in power and in great victory that he has ascended to your right hand where he does ever live to make intercession for his people we thank you Lord God as well that he rules and the reigns over his and our enemies and that he subdues the hearts of his elect bringing them forth and you were appointed and accepted time from the darkness of sin to life in Christ and we do pray Lord God that around the world today your people would sing the praises of our risen and ascended king and would rehearse the riches in the excellencies of him our Savior we do pray Lord God that you would just be with those we just recently mentioned we thank you for the birth of these twins to Andy and Priscilla we rejoice in these good gifts you give to your people we do pray that you'd watch over mother that you would just cause father to rejoice and that you would be over these little ones and strengthen them and heal them and help them and just cause them to grow Lord God without issue we do thank you for the recent birth of Molly Rose to Josh and Katie and we just rejoice rejoice in this good news and we do just pray that you'd be over Molly you'd strengthen her that you would I just day by day I'd grow her and nourish her and we do just pray that you'd cause father and mother to rejoice and we do pray Lord God as we do pray for all these young ones that in due time you would bring them forth to a knowledge of our blessed Savior that a young age they would glory in their Creator and bless the name of their Redeemer we do pray Lord God that you would help us to remember in prayer the the fires that are ongoing not only in BC but elsewhere in California and in other places we would pray that you'd watch over your people we do pray Lord God that you would just bring safety to many who are who are possibly in peril or or who face the danger of these fires spreading and we just rejoice in the news of with with regards to the MAL jars family we thank you that Esther can be with us and we just pray that you would just cause them to reflect with great joy upon the preserving Providence that you've brought into their lives with regards to protecting them from this fire there property and their goods and and all these things and we do just pray that we'd hear many more of these stories or God we just pray ultimately that you would bring an end to this fire that even though in the midst Lord God you would cause people to reflect upon the fact that there is a God in high heaven there is a God who raises the stormy winds which lifts up the waves of the sea and there is a God who calms those storms so that it's waves are still we pray that you would cause many to call upon the name of the Lord in the midst of tragedy in the midst of affliction in the midst of disaster that they might know our Christ and that they might flee from sin we do pray Lord God that you would just watch over all of your afflicted people there are many in our midst Lord God that suffer with sickness and illness and disease and injury and we do just pray that you would bless each and every one we pray that you would uplift them in the midst of their affliction and that they would rejoice in their God we pray for this upcoming surgery for Chris we pray that you just watch over her that you would guide the hands of surgeons and guide the hands of those in the medical profession that we'll be dealing with her we do just pray that much good would come from this procedure and that both Chris and Steve would rejoice in you and be wholly resigned unto you Lord God in all things we just pray that you'd be with the government those who rule over us Lord God we know as Paul pleads with us or as Paul exhorts us that we are to pray for kings and for those who are in authority that we might live peaceable lives that we might have the freedom and the opportunity and the high honor to proclaim richly the things of Jesus Christ to it to a dying race we do pray Lord God that you would help us to be in prayer for them and so we do now pray for them that those who rule over us Lord God would turn from wickedness that they would turn from their injustice and their unrighteousness that they would no longer propagate wickedness in the land but that they would uphold virtue and we do pray Lord God unto this end that any who would seek to perpetuate wickedness in the ranks of government that you would take them out of the way that you would cause them to stumble like drunken men that they may no longer pervert nations and we do long Lord God to see raised up those who would rule and righteousness and injustice and inequity we do pray Lord God that you would watch over those who are persecuted so we read at many accounts and as we pray many times for those who suffer under the tyranny and the the opposition of godless governments and godless fellow citizens we do just pray that you'd be with our brothers and sisters in Christ in these nations where there is much hatred and persecution you would protect them that you would be near to them that to them you would be the God of all comfort we would ask Lord God that in the midst of suffering you would just raise them up to high thoughts of their Christ and that they would be wholly resigned to the triune God in all things and we would ask that you would deal with their persecutors that you would save many you would turn many from the madness of their idolatry and their opposition to the people of God you would turn them from those things to the Lord Jesus Christ that by grace and for your Glory's sake they would be found among those whom they formerly persecuted and we know that there will be many who would remain in opposition unto their dying breath who would remain persecuting your people and perpetuating the violence that comes upon them we do pray that you would take them out of the way that you would bring temporal judgment upon them that they may no longer bring violence against your people be with us now then Lord God in worship and we thank you that we have this freedom this opportunity to worship you in this place we thank you that we have the freedom and opportunity to hold full Bibles in our hands as we know that throughout the world there are many that do not have this freedom and this opportunity and we do pray that you bless us as we worship that you would strengthen saints that you would save sinners and Lord God that you would bless pastor Butler in the pulpit this morning help him to proclaim with great confidence and with great courage the things of your word as we always pray Lord we know that the preacher does not rest upon human strength and ingenuity and intelligence but rests solely on alone upon the triune God Father Son and Holy Spirit and so do bring much aid to preacher and pulpit help him to proclaim greatly the things of your revelation to the sons of men and might all that we do this morning my every aspect of worship that we engage in all that we do might it be unto the praise of your most high name might you be honored might you be glorified might the Ascended Christ be exalted upon the praises of this gathered assembly and we do pray that you would richly bless we pray in the name of our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ amen well let's stand and sing again as a church this time we're going to sing in the larger Trinity hymnal we'll stand and sing five eighty together five eight zero [Music] [Music] can turn in your Bibles to the Gospel of Mark every Lord's Day morning we read consecutively through the New Testament and this is where we're at now we're at mark chapter 9 beginning in verse 1 and we will read to verse 29 this is Mark 9 beginning in verse 1 once again the word of the living and true God and he said to them assuredly I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God present with power now after six days Jesus took Peter James and John and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves and he was transfigured before them his clothes became shining exceedingly white like snow such as no launderer on earth can whiten them and Elijah appeared to them with Moses and they were talking with Jesus then Peter answered and said to Jesus rabbi it is good for us to be here and let us make three Tabernacles one for you one for Moses and one for Elijah because he did not know what to say for they were greatly afraid and a cloud came and overshadowed them and a voice came out of the cloud saying this is my beloved son hear him suddenly when they had looked around they saw no one any more but only Jesus with themselves now as they came down from the mountain he commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead so they kept this word to themselves questioning what the rising from the dead meant and they asked him saying what do the scribes say that Elijah excuse me why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first then he answered and told them indeed Elijah is coming first and restores all things and how is it written concerning the son of man that he must suffer many things and be treated with contempt but I say to you that Elijah has also come and they did to him whatever they wished as it is written of him and when he came to the disciples he saw a great multitude around them and scribes disputing with them immediately when they saw him all the people were greatly amazed and running to him greeted him and he asked the scribes what are you discussing with them then one of the crowd answered and said teacher I brought you my son who has a mute spirit and wherever it seizes him it throws him down he foams at the mouth gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid so I spoke to your disciples that they should cast it out but they could not he answered him and said o faithless generation how long shall I be with you how long shall I bear with you bring him to me then they brought him to him and when he saw him immediately the spirit convulsed him and he fell on the ground and wallowed foaming at the mouth so he asked his father how long has this been happening to him and he said from childhood and often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him but if you can do anything have compassion on us and help us jesus said to him if you can believe all things are possible to him who believes immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears lord I believe help my unbelief when Jesus saw that the people came running together he rebuked the unclean spirit saying to it deaf and dumb spirit I command you come out of him and enter him no more then the spirit cried out convulsed him greatly and came out of him and he excused me and he became as one dead so that many said he is dead but Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up and he arose and when he had come into the house his disciples asked him privately why could we not cast it out so he said to them this kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting amen well just very briefly there's a couple of occasions in one one in a gospel the Gospel of John and one in second Peters second epistle no doubt there are others but to come to mind where the apostles rehearsed the fact that they beheld the glory of Christ you know Christ comes and he is by and large a man of sorrows acquainted with grief having assumed our nature with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof yet without sin ease appear he appears as a man he is a man and he goes about as a man in his humanity though he is truly God as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief but there are occasions and this one right here before us where we have something of theö fanuc glory where we have something of a manifestation of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ John rehearses in the first get in his gospel that we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth the Peter rehearses the the fact that they did not follow cunningly devised fables when they made known to them the the power and the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ but were eyewitnesses of his majesty and here we have perhaps that historical reality and view where the Apostles John and Peter here being listed along with James beheld the glory of Christ and don't you love the language here in verse three his clothes became shining exceedingly white like snow such as no launderer on earth can whiten them a wonderful picture of our glorious Savior the Lord Jesus Christ and here we have something very interesting we have the the Apostle Peter here asks if he can make three Tabernacles one for Jesus one for Moses and one for Elijah now the text doesn't say because he didn't know what to say for they were they were greatly afraid you know Peter and in fear is rambling a little bit and asking if he can make these three Tabernacles but notice the language that follows after in verse seven and a cloud came and overshadowed them we are by marks 8 here to harken back to Exodus perhaps not exclusively or only but I as 40 perhaps where there is this cloud that overshadows them and there is a tabernacle and the glory of the Lord appears in the tabernacle notice here though the difference and a voice came out of the cloud saying this is my beloved son hear him suddenly when they had looked around they saw no one anymore but only Jesus with themselves you see in the exodus event in Exodus 40 there is a physical tabernacle and the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle here there is no physical tabernacle and Peter was not to build a physical tabernacle why because the tabernacle himself was there among him the Lord of glory Himself who is the tabernacle was there with them you can read Hebrews 9:11 Christ is the perfect Tabernacle not made with human hands we have this glorious picture of the glory the majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ who is here in the midst prior in the midst of Moses and Elijah speaking with them but notice the account here after we read the father saying this is my beloved son hear him we read suddenly when they had looked around they saw no one anymore but only Jesus with themselves the not necessarily the whole idea but one of the things we have here is the stuff of Hebrews 1:1 that in former times in diverse in various ways God spoke to the fathers through the prophets but in these last days he has spoken by his by his son his son only whom he has appointed the heir of all things by whom also he made the world's who being the brightness of his glory in the Express image of his person when he had by himself purged our sins sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high we have this glorious truth here that the glorious one is standing in their midst and they are to hear him in this day as his people you are to hear him because he speaks in his churches the Lord walks among his lamp stands speaking to his people you are to know for a truth that Christ is in the as people this morning speaking to you if you're here and you're an unbeliever you need to know that the spirit of the the risen and exalted Christ is here speaking to you and will you hear do you hear the words of the father this is my beloved son hear him today hear Christ know that God is holy know that you are a sinner standing rightly under his divine judgment and condemnation but know for a truth that in Jesus Christ if you believe in him you have the forgiveness of sins everlasting life a righteousness not your own that avails solely with the father believe on him and you will know the Bliss of everlasting life and the forgiveness of sins well let us pray Heavenly Father we thank you for your word we rejoice in your revelation to us and we do pray that you'd cause us to reflect with great joy upon Jesus Christ the perfection of his person the glory of His Majesty and the fact that he took upon himself humanity that he might bear iniquity and sin that he might put an end to sin that he might bring in everlasting righteousness we do pray Lord God that by your grace and for your Glory's sake you would save sinners today that you would be here Lord God and that you would save we do pray that you'd strengthen Saint that you would save sinner and once again God that you would be glorified in the midst of your people we pray in Christ's name Amen our last him then before the preaching if you'll stand with me is 472 that's 472 let's stand and sing together [Music] we'll turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 26 Matthew chapter 26 our focus this morning is on the betrayal in the garden the last couple of times in Matthew we have seen our Lord's Prayer in the garden I do want to begin at chapter 26 verse 36 then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane and said to the disciples sit here while I go and pray over there and he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and he began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed then he said to them my soul is exceedingly sorrowful even to death stay here and watch with me he went a little farther and fell on his face and prayed saying O my father if it is possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as you will then he came to his disciples and found them sleeping and said to Peter what could you not watch with me one hour watch and pray lest you enter into temptation the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak again a second time he went away and prayed saying O my father if this cup cannot pass away from me unless I drink it your will be done and he came and found them asleep again for their eyes were heavy so he left them went away again and prayed the third time saying the same words then he came to his disciples and said to them are you still sleeping and resting behold the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners rise let us be going see my betrayer is at hand and while he was still speaking behold Judas one of the twelve with a great multitude with swords and clubs came from the chief priests and elders of the people now his betrayer had given them a sign saying whomever I kiss he is the one seized him immediately he went up to Jesus and said greetings rabbi and kissed him but jesus said to him friend why have you come then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took him and suddenly one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear but jesus said to him put your sword in its place for all who take the sword will perish by the sword or do you think that I cannot now pray to my father and he will provide me with more than twelve legions of angels how then could the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must happen thus in that hour jesus said to the multitudes have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to take me I sought daily with you teaching in the temple and you did not seize me but all this was done that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled then all the disciples forsook him and fled amen will let us pray father we thank you for the written word and we thank you for the time that you've given us to gather together on the Sabbath day to worship you we come to the Father through the mediation of the son by the power of the Holy Spirit we confess the triune God of heaven and earth we confess your Majesty your glory your excellence your power and we pray even now that you would help us to behold these things more really more more earnestly in our own hearts and lives as well our Father forgive us for our sins and our transgressions we know when we come to scripture there is a darkening influence over our minds because of our own remaining corruption so please wash us in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and please fill us with your Holy Spirit and cause us Lord God to see in this section the glory of Christ manifested display demonstrated so powerfully so vividly so wonderfully helped us to appreciate as well his obedience to the Father every step of the way and his willingness to save sinners god bless us now we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord amen well in this particular section verses 47 to 56 there are four particulars I mentioned that we'll look at the betrayal this morning I didn't want to sort of try and cram a whole bunch of stuff in the small so our focus is going to be 47 to 50 but in this section we see structurally the betrayal of Jesus in verses 47 to 50 secondly the defense of Jesus in verses 51 to 54 and then the assertion by Jesus in verses 55 and 56 and then finally the desertion of Jesus or we might say the kiss of Judas the sword of Peter the enmity of the mob in the flight of the disciples so that's what's happening in this section we've been moving toward this section for for several months now it is indeed the passion and we are now crossing over into that time when Christ is delivered into the hands of his enemies we'll look with me at verses 47 to 50 I want to do two or three things this morning first notice the significance of the betrayal secondly the plan involved in the betrayal and then thirdly the execution of the betrayal remember that as we move through this particular section of Scripture Christ is doing this not because he's guilty not because he's a criminal not because he's an offender not because he's an insurrectionist not because he himself has done anything violating the law of God fact that's the thrust of his statement there specifically in verse 55 you've brought out clubs and swords in order to apprehend me in order to to arrest me I have sat daily in your temple teaching you he is essentially saying I am not the criminal and if we reflect upon the triumphal entry in Matthew 21:13 the the true criminals in Israel at this time are the religious leaders and the apostates within that nation itself that had refused and rejected the Messiah that had come from God so our Lord Jesus as he moves through the passion here we need to remember it was for us men and for our salvation it is for us that he undergoes these things it is for us that he is delivered into the man ultimately according to the plan of the Father but by means of godless Judas but by means of godless religious leaders and by means of godless Roman soldiers you see oftentimes in the study of Scripture or specifically with an emphasis upon Christianity you'll hear a report from persons at times that say well the New Testament is very anti-semitic it is very anti-jewish in fact they often highlight John's Gospel in particular because the Jews as a group do not come off looking too well in John's Gospel now brethren we need to remember that the men who wrote the Gospels the men who were the disciples of our Lord Jesus were Jews so it's interesting that they would have been considered as anti-semites but in this passage before us notice the truth of Romans 3 the Apostle there tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God there is none righteous no not one and if you look at every people group represented here in Matthew 26 at the arrest of our Lord certainly you have the Jews the religious leaders but I will argue that there was a Roman detachment with them when they came to arrest Jesus I won't argue that that is precisely what John says so you've got Jew Gentile and lo and behold you even got disciples yes one who professed and apostatized and betrayed but all the others forsook him and fled none of us come off well in this passage none of us come off well when we consider the various groups of mankind the only one who comes off well here and throughout the entirety of the Bible is the Lord Christ you see the Bible is not a record of man's achievements or man's accomplishments or man's virtue the Bible is a demonstration of the glory of God and the saving power of our Lord Jesus Christ there is one man of virtue one man of accomplishment one hero and champion that the Bible sets forth and it ain't the Jews it ain't the Gentiles and it ain't the disciples it is the Lord Jesus rise the lord of glory so let's look at the significance notice this fulfills Christ's word since they have left for Jerusalem Christ has announced why he is going to Jerusalem he is going to die he is going to be betrayed he is going to be delivered up into evil hands he is going to be crucified and he is going to be raised the third day he has made this announcement in chapter 17 chapter 20 and then here in chapter 26 at verse 2 and then again at the Passover in verses 21 to 24 as well when Matthew introduces us to the Apostles in Matthew chapter 10 he calls Judas the betrayer now what this signifies specifically is the arrival of the cop remember back in 22 at verse 39 Christ is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane he says o my father if it is possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as you will we saw there what the cop represents what the cup symbolizes what the cup demonstrates it is the wrath and fury and judgment of God you can see this in Psalm 11 you can see it in Psalm 75 and you see it scattered throughout the prophets Isaiah Jeremiah and Ezekiel God's cop is the infliction of his wrath and fury justice punishment and righteousness upon say for instance in the prophets Babylon who had offended God so God pours out the cup of his wrath and judgment upon that nation will hear specifically Christ realizes what lay before him you see Christ's sufferings here and Christ crucifixions a crucifixion is not in the first place exemplary the Lord's it's not just an example for us to imitate this is unique in the history of the world there's been one among us even our Lord Jesus who had the sins of the elect heat upon him and then felt the full weight and punishment of God's judgment he knew what that top contained and so the arrival of the cop had calm and notice as well the arrival of the our notice in verse 45 he says are you still sleeping and resting behold the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners so while Jesus announces this in verse 46 rise let us be going see my betrayer is at hand it is at that time verse 47 while he was still speaking behold Judas one of the twelve of the great multitude with swords clubs and clubs came from the chief priests and elders of the people in John 18 11 we see this signified as well the same sort of report is given there in John's Gospel will reflect on that in just a few moments there are some differences in John's Gospel we're not to interpret that as contradictory or to interpret that is eyewitness account seen from different vantage points the various facets of a diamond you hold it up in the light and shine sparkles and and glimmers in different ways that's how we interpret the the differences in the gospel narratives they're not contradictions but they are the same story they can in fact and are harmonized but they simply display more of the glory of our Lord Jesus but in John 18 11 after he deals with Peter for having locked off Malka says ear Jesus said to Peter put your sword into the sheath shall I not drink the cup which my father has given me you see he's a man on a mission we say that sometimes he's a man on a mission he's gonna go to Walmart and he's gonna find that pair of shoes she's a woman on a mission she's gonna find that recipe and I know that sounds sexist but sorry and she's gonna bake the best cake she's ever baked you talk about a man on a mission he said his face like a flint to go to Jerusalem and nothing would deter him not even the prospect of the cup of God's fury and wrath I mean that's how we see him there in verse 39 according to his humanity oh my father if it is possible let this cup pass from me that is natural in light of the sufferings that he is going to undergo we would expect a man to say such a thing but immediately following that he signs himself he resolves to do the will of the Father nevertheless not as I will but as you will he is focused he his single-minded he is going to drink the cup of God's wrath - its dregs JC royal says with reference to this section we see in these verses the cup of our Lord Jesus Christ sufferings beginning to be filled we see him betrayed by one of his disciples forsaken by the rest and taken prisoner by his deadly enemies that's exactly what we're dealing with in this section now notice secondly the plan involved in the betrayal verses 47 and 48 but before we actually jump into verses 47 and 48 let's just look at a little bit of a of a contrast here how do we leave the disciples earlier in Gethsemane Jesus reproves that he rebukes them he chides them for having slept they couldn't watch with him for one hour they couldn't pray with them for one hour Christ reproves the sluggishness of the disciples brethren we need to watch and pray we need to take seriously seriously our Lord's words because rest assured while we're sleeping the enemy isn't you hear that sometimes in sports you know lift that weight because your competitor and the other part of town is lifting it right now practice that backhand because your competitor is practicing that backhand you see we sleep work sluggish we do not watch and pray but notice what Judas is doing while the sluggishness of the disciples is on full display here in the Garden of Gethsemane they're asleep not watching with the Lord of glory and Judas at night is indeed engaged in this act of rebellion brethren never forget the diabolical nature and the zeal of the enemies of Jesus Christ now I'm not suggesting stay up 24/7 some of the best you can serve God is to learn how to get proper sleep so in the best ways you can serve God is to learn how to get proper rest you see this with our Lord come apart and rest a while you see this with our Lord asleep in the boat on a pillow according to Mark's Gospel there's nothing wrong with sleep Christ isn't reproving them for sleep in general in the Garden of Gethsemane he is reproving them because they were not watching and praying and while they were not watching and praying the enemies of Christ are on the move they are on the march they are going to sees the Savior right before their eyes notice the parties involved in this betrayal we have Judas one of the twelve he knew the place according to John's Gospel in 18 - because Jesus often met there with his disciples now the reference to Judas here in verse 47 as one of the twelve is not given to identify him we already know Judas don't we Matthew 10 for Judas the betrayer Matthew 17 the announcement of betrayal in general Matthew 20 the announcement of betrayal in general Matthew 26 - the announcement of betrayal in general and then Matthew 26 about 21 to 24 the announcement of betrayal by a disciple specifically there is no surprise here when an inch indicates that Judas is one of the twelve I think Matthew's purpose here is to underscore the gravity of the wickedness involved one of the twelve actually engaged in this if you haven't followed this up to this point let it sink into you this man was a disciple one day and a traitor the next perhaps Matthew is warning subsequent generations to watch and pray you think Judas when he got called into service by Christ thought I'm gonna betray him I'm gonna go down in history as the signal most wicked human on the face of the earth face it whenever anybody has betrayed us it hurts it's bad it's difficult but we're not wholly harmless and sinful a sinless we are not a spotless innocent people he was and Judas betrayed him Judas didn't wake up you know the first day of this of his call to Christ and say well yeah I'm gonna be the one that betrays him I'm gonna engage in these sorts of machinations against him the reference one of the twelve is not to identify the betrayer but to highlight is wickedness Gil says and lo that's literally how we should translate this and lo one of these betrayed in an apostle and yet a devil one of the twelve one of his own select company and bosom friends and yet a traitor so let's not you know delude ourselves that we could never fall let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall I don't want to scare everybody and make you think your potential Judas waiting to happen but brethren live in light of the reality of Matthew 26 prior watch and pray I don't think that could be repeated enough I asked one of my sons about the sermon last week he said well there was a lot of repetition so that's too bad no preacher wants to hear that but he says that's what was in the text okay that was nice of him but watch and pray how many times can that be said to us it's easy to forget it isn't it it's easy to lose sight of that him that we just sang in 472 did you focus on the words there do you see what's vying for your attention and the Christian life do you see what enemies you face in the Christian life the others the devil who roams about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour yes there's the godless world but you got an enemy within you got remaining corruption I've often said the devil may be harassing someone else and leave you alone for a day you may go live on a deserted island and avoid an escape the world but you've always got you you've always got that sort of on board resistance you've got that GPS in your soul that that always finds wickedness it always finds evil always finds those things you you shouldn't find you probably have that feature at least on the older GPS s wherever you are in the world you hit home and it takes you home that's how our souls are isn't it there's that GPS that that just naturally finds equal he said let me pasture good prey for the rest of us because a lot of us have this on board sort of dimension in our hearts we need to watch and pray notice the the great multitude they came with Judas but notice who they come from they come from the religious leaders and while he was still speaking behold Judas one of the twelve with a great multitude with swords and clubs came from the chief priests and elders of the people the parallel in John 18 3 indicates that Roman troops were also present no detachment is mentioned by John and that's a large number of troops two hundred so I'm not sure how to take that because their task is to be stealthy in this particular context remember this is why they've gone at night this is why they've engaged in this particular activity they don't want to cause an uproar among the other disciples oh well is it a full detachment it was certainly some Roman troops now Roman troops were on hand during feast time to put down any uprisings or uproars it's kind of like you know in our own day you have a big carnival or a big festival what do you typically expect to happen everybody just to get along well together yeah you'd like to see that happen but people fight over you know whose corn dog it was or you know in this particular context people get upset when they're in these feast times so these Roman troops were present in Mass in Jerusalem at the time of feasts it was Passover and so they would be necessary to put down or to crush any resistance or opposition to the crown so Judas comes armed with these people but again they come from the chief priests and elders now we see the priests plot verses 1 and 4 a 1 to 5 turn back there for just a moment Matthew 26 at verse 3 the chief priests the scribes 26 3 and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest who is called Caiaphas plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill him but they said not during the feast lest there be an uproar among the people drop down to verse 14 then one of the twelve called Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and said what are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you and they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver so from that time he sought opportunity betray him you see how the plan of the religious leaders and how the betrayal of Judas now converge it's all under the sovereignty of God Jesus will remind us of that in verses 54 and 56 Christ operates according to the scripture we even appreciate under this passage or in this passage that even the wicked acts of men are included in the Providence of God even the betrayal of our Lord Jesus Christ was according to the scriptures yes that's to cheer and encourage the hearts of God's people we are never suffering in this world in a manner that is neutral we're never suffering in this world apart from God's purpose and plan in it you say what kind of a God is that that has suffering and and difficulty in trial for his people a good heavenly father as any earthly parent knows if you continually spoil your kids are going to be a wreck what do you do as an earthly parent you discipline your kid you you you do what is necessary to restrain those passions you do what is necessary to restrain that wickedness and God our Heavenly Father Chasen's whom he loveth that's what kind of the father does this with reference to his children you see how the plan has converged now the weapons certainly indicate that they fear Christ poses a great threat released his disciples do verse 51 Peter takes out his sword and wops off Malka says here again that's kind of the focus there the section I didn't want to just kind of skim by some teach that pacifism is the way to live with reference to the Christian life because of verse 52 it is intriguing put your sword in its place I think Jesus implies the sword has a place Jesus of the author of the Old Testament certainly affirmed place of the sword with reference to the civil magistrate with reference to self-defense to want to tease that out God willing next Sunday so that we are proper in our understanding but nevertheless notice what is happening here they come out with swords and clubs they're expecting some resistance here they're expecting to have some trouble here they're expecting to have some difficulty now notice the sign that Judas gives then verse 48 his betrayer had given them a sign saying whomever I guess he is the one sees him now the mob certainly would be it would be difficult to recognize Jesus because it was dark well you know that's kind of a bad explanation it's true it's hard to see people and during the dark they'd have streetlights and guests M&E there weren't floodlights in Gethsemane this was you know before there was all those sort of accouterments in society but as well the mob did not all know Jesus it was important for Judas to indeed make it known who Jesus was so they'd arrest the right person in the parallel in John 18 4 & 5 Jesus asks them whom are you seeking and they answer Jesus of Nazareth they don't say you because they didn't know it was him so the sign was necessary from Judas in order to alert these guys who the guilty offender was and we know he wasn't guilty but so they would arrest the proper person but notice the hypocrisy of Judas it says that he will whomever I kiss it's not a terrible way to betray somebody I mean come on think about it your wife's gonna leave you but she gives you a big kiss before she goes your husband's gonna leave you and he's gonna give you a big kiss before you go how would be terrible I don't want that kiss take it back you know one of those instances where you wipe it off and throw it down one commentator says Judas twists are grading a friendship into a deaths now notice thirdly and finally the execution of the betrayal verse 49 immediately he went up to Jesus and said greetings rabbi and kissed him there's a whole host of hypocrisy here the greeting is hypocritical the word in the word where he says greetings it means essentially be glad rejoice but it was a typical grading at this particular time but the word used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament often translates the word Shalom you know what the meaning of Shalom as we say that Shalom or some people say that Jews say that and it means peace is that Judas's intention with Christ peace I mean talk about Apocrypha in this particular situation he went up to Jesus greetings rabbi and now notice the kiss is hypocritical intriguingly in Matthew's Gospel the only ones that call Jesus rabbi are his enemies the disciples the true disciples call him Lord now it's not the same in mark for instance but in Matthews it's consistent the only ones that call Jesus rabbi are as enemies the same thing is true here we see it verse 25 Judas betraying have answered and said rabbi is it is it I but here specifically he gives him that kiss listen to Davies and Alison it was typically explaining the significance of the kiss there's some sort of debate about that how common was kissing in this situation not husband and wife not conjugal relationship not that sort of thing but in terms of greeting royal has this beautiful section or a beautiful observation but I'm not sure it's legit but I quite like it he says look out familiar Jesus was with his disciples Judas wanted to come and give him a kiss he could come and give them a kiss that's how approachable our Savior is I love the sentiment that I'm not sure that that's what is going on here specifically but this idea of the kiss it's been you know it's at least in my study it's sort of bandied about how common was it this much we know and I think that Davies and Alison are right it was typically a token of respect and conciliation so even if Judas Kiss is not effusive that means sort of generous and loving and kind it is certainly hypocritical he says Judas brings not affection but violence and he makes this intriguing parallel back in Matthew's Gospel he says like Herod who spoke of the spoke to the Magi of worship when his intention was murder so Judas conceals his evil intentions behind a greeting and a kiss he says deceit is the handmaiden of evil who that's true isn't it 2nd Samuel chapter 20 how does Joab receive the news that King David has a new military commander does Joab rejoice does he call for a party and a celebration no he greets a massa as brother grabs him by the beard in order to give him a kiss and all the while takes his sword out and plunges it in him proverbs 27 verse 6 tells us faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful certainly fleshed out here in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ so we see the betrayers kiss notice the Savior's response in verse 50 jesus said to him friend why have you come it's another intriguing statement friend jesus knows what Judas is doing Jesus knows the nature of Judas is opposition Jesus knows the situation as he has prophesied concerning it he's identified one of the disciples specifically at the Passover dinner and now here he calls him friend again this is discussed much in the commentaries you know how does he say it I think we're supposed to hear psalm 41:9 i really believe that we're supposed to hear psalm 41:9 here in the song speaking concerning the lord jesus it says even my own familiar friend and whom i trusted who ate my bread has lifted up his heel against me I think the allusion is in Matthew 26 23 it is conspicuous it is quoted in John 13 18 you see all along the way and again we'll be reminded in 54 and 56 that everything that is transpiring transpires according to the scripture in fact we might say that Christ lived his life according to the scripture I know that's a bit of an odd statement because of course we would all agree to that but it's true how did Jesus according to his humanity know the things that were going to fall out in his future it was through his study of the word he would read the prophet Isaiah chapter 53 knowing that it speaking of himself you see there was a growing messianic consciousness in the son of man according to his humanity there's instances in Luke's Gospel where it tells us a specific instance where he continued to grow in stature and in wisdom well that's according to his humanity as man Christ was a man committed to the scriptures when he does battle with the devil in the wilderness how does he do battle is it self-help is it some therapy he appeals to scripture every step of the way Christ does what scripture says no brethren if we are to draw some example out of this particular passage let us do likewise so I don't know that we'll ever appreciate fully how important God's Word is you've probably heard me say that at least in some former variant a hundred times over the last 20 years the longer I live the more I believe it I do not think for a moment that we will ever appreciate how important God's Word is to us what gets us through trials friends are helpful prayers of others are helpful but it's the truth of God's Word what gets us through sorrows something terrible happens in your life what is it that's going to ultimately pick you up it's the truth you see brethren the emphasis upon the truth is something that was in enforced upon the church from its inception what does Paul say to Timothy in first Timothy so that you may know how you ought to conduct your in the Church of God or the Church of God which is the house of the Living God the pillar and the ground of what feel glittery programs designed to make you achieve a higher state it is the pillar in the ground of the truth read the brothers we always invoke and love God that he sent into this world Puritans and reformers and before them fathers and you know guys along the way in the medieval period that were good what is it that distinguished them among others with reference to their value in the church it's their commitment to the truth every step of the way our Lord Jesus is about the truth I believe we're supposed to here psalm 41:9 in his statement friend now notice the saviors glory intriguing that in the scripture reading pastor cam pointed out there were at least two instances where Christ sort of peeled back the veil and showed forth his glory pastor cam mentioned 2nd Peter Peter and the second epistle and then of course the Transfiguration do you realize that this is one of those instances as well look at the parallel in John's Gospel John chapter 18 the Savior's glory notice in verse 4 we're at the same sort of a scene the mob has come with Judas having come from the priests or having come from the religious leaders verse 4 records some dialogue doesn't have the kiss so someone said well it's contradictory are we to suppose that there couldn't have been dialogue and kiss we just supposed that Judas just silently kissed him they didn't say anything to anybody else no John is flashing out or showing us some other things that took place in this meeting notice in verse 4 Jesus therefore knowing all things that would come upon him went forward and said to them who are you seeking now again he knows everything that's transpired Shawn just told us that knowing all things that would come upon him went forward and said to them whom are you seeking almost sounds paradoxical almost sounds a bit contradictory he knows all things and yet whom are you seeking I think the Savior's purpose here is specifically verse eight he wants to make sure that none of the disciples are harmed he wants to make sure that none of the eleven are harm and that's what G John tells us notice in verse eight I have told you that I am he therefore if you seek me let these go their way that the saying might be fulfilled which he spoke of those whom you gave me I have lost none so it was a means by which he was protecting the disciples notice as well the betrayer look at verse 5 jesus said to them I am and Judas who betrayed him note the theology of this next clause also stood with them I don't think that's just a spatial reference I don't think John's point is to try to have us in our minds I sort of see ok there's Judas and the mob and here's Jesus and his friends it is theological in nature it is AK admission or a confession or a revelation of what has happened in this man's heart and Judas stood with them listen to Matthew Henry he says he that used to stand with those that followed Christ now stood with those that fought against him this describes an apostate he is one that changes sides he hurts himself with those with whom his heart always was and with whom he shall have his lot in the Judgment Day the terrifying statement again I don't want you to go home and say I'm gonna Judas but brethren be careful to watch and pray did you realize that Judas had been called by the Lord and had been gifted by the Lord matthew 10:1 it indicates the name of the 12 apostles Judas's Matt mentioned last but in matthew 10:1 Jesus gave them authority to cast out demons and to heal people that were sick and to preach the gospel of the kingdom Judas received that no doubt Judas did that and no doubt Judas experienced some degree of success in having done that so he is a follower of Christ again externally he's not saved and he loses it he's an outward professor but nevertheless he stands with Christ and now he stands with the godless mob I think that's theology I don't think it's hey I want you to know where everybody was standing notice as well whom are you seeking they answered him Jesus of Nazareth Jesus said to them I am here's the revelation of Christ's glory the use of I am is prevalent in John's Gospel I am with what's called a predicate a predicate kids and adults who have forgot your grammar is something that we say about a subject so when Jesus says I am the way the truth and the life that's an I am with a predicate when Jesus says I am the resurrection and the life that's an iamb statement with a predicate when Jesus says I am The Good Shepherd that is an I am statement with the predicate you get this right but do I need to go through all seven of them you understand there's an I am with the predicate but there are several times in John's Gospel where I am stands alone now you've got to think here for a moment biblically that means theologically and take into consideration the Old Testament at the bush or at the burning bush God's revelation of himself to Moses was I am in the prophet Isaiah specifically in chapters 41 and in chapters 4 chapter 43 God Yahweh the majestic the lofty one the Holy One of Israel reveals himself as I am there are instances and times in John's Gospel where Jesus does this he says I am and this is one of them but turn back to John 13 just to see this I am without a predicate John 13 verse 18 I do not speak concerning all of you I know whom I have Cho but that the scripture may be fulfilled here's psalm 41:9 by the way he who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me now I tell you before it comes to pass that when it does come to pass you may believe that I am go to John 8 John chapter raised working backwards in John's Gospel John chapter 8 notice in verse 24 this is a most important one for any and all here that do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior so I've said before we all differ on a whole host of things in Christianity if I were to ask you to explain your view of the last times it'd probably be as many explanations in this room as there are people I mean someone might say well I agree with him okay we can rub them on those odds we can have differences of opinion in the Christian life on some non essential matters Baptist Church polity that's what we do it's not a condemnation of the Reformed churches in town at all I understand why they do what they do hey you know whatever floats your boat ecclesiastically you cannot be wrong on Christ you're here this morning and you don't know Christ that's everything you're here this morning and you don't know this I am you will die in your sins and that is precisely what Jesus says notice in 824 therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins for if you do not believe that I am you will die in your sins now you might be saying well it says he there that's supply to make sense to English readers leaving it out though suggests theologically biblically that Exodus 3:14 Isaiah 41 to 43 sort of a connection but notice that if you do not believe that I am you will die in your sins again in John 8:28 then jesus said to them when you lift up the Son of man then you will know that I am and that I do nothing of myself but as my father taught me I speak these things and then notice in John 8:58 one of the ways we know that this interpretation is absolutely correct because even as enemies understood it notice in John 8:58 most assuredly ice before Abraham was I am then they took up stones to throw it in but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple going through the midst of them and so passed by one more john 6 john 6 now another way to translate this particular two-word phrase is with it is i I think that's accurate here in John 6 21 the water but he said to them it is I do not be afraid that's a legit translation but in keeping with this theology of the I am it I am I think I am works better there in John 6 2000 way has supremacy over the waves yahweh has supremacy over the waters yahweh has supremacy over everything and that is demonstrated when the ruler of the waves walks upon that it is certainly the case that I am in the language of Christ but back to John 18 notice they asked him and he says I am this is a revelation of His divine majesty this is a revelation of His divine power and it's again a manifestation of his voluntary surrender unto them he is indeed I am he has the power to crush these people in fact it's gonna be one of the ways he mitigates Peters you know outbreak of of zeal but it was a zeal that wasn't according to knowledge it's one of the ways that he mitigates that he says don't you think I could ask the father he'd sent twelve more than twelve legions of angels I don't need twelve apostles I've got twelve legions of angels more than that at my disposal the problem in this arrest is not that Christ cannot stop it the glory of this arrest is that he will not stop it he must go he must suffer he must die because if Yahweh is not does not crush the Sun we are dead in our trespasses and sins so you see this reveals his power it reveals his majesty and it reveals his voluntary surrender to these people now note is what the tax goes on to death demonstrate they answered him Jesus of Nazareth Jesus said to them I am and Judas who betrayed him also stood with that now when he had set or when he said to them I am they drew back and fell to the ground never read that and gone him wasn't a church gathered for worship this wasn't the people of God this wasn't the disciples this was Judas in the mob and they hear the words I am and they draw back and they fall to the ground why because it's a revelation of his majesty it's a revelation of his power it's a revelation of his glory there's a demonstration much as the Mount of Transfiguration is where Christ shines forth and the disciples see this in there they're blown away brethren because as pastor Porter said he was a man of sorrows acquainted with art grew acquainted with grief identical with us and all the the essential properties and common infirmities that we have yet without sin when you looked upon him as the prophet says there was no Col eNOS there was no beauty as Vistage wasn't something that we'd say wow look at that guy you know those sorts of pictures that you see of Jesus you get one of two depictions you get the meek weak sickly looking effeminate man or you get body builder Jesus big guns glowing face beautiful looks all that sort of thing there's a reason we're not supposed to picture the Savior there's a reason why the second commandment forbids such things this isn't to suggest that he he only appeared but we weren't there how do we capture on a canvas the glory of the Son of God it is a fool's errand to try and attempt such thing how did they see this how did they know this was it divine revelation that opened their ears to behold and understand just the effect in the impact of this I am I mean persons today don't recognize Christ as the I am and they're members of churches perhaps there are pastors preaching today that don't recognize this I am but this mob along with the betrayer hears these words and they fall to the ground this is typical when men are faced with the glory of God what is Ezekiel do when he sees this vision of Yahweh he says so when I saw it I fell on my face there is a casualness and a flippancy that william that we imbibe today this idea that that that were just buddies with god doesn't matter what we do doesn't matter how we function in the Church of God we can sip our whatever we can do our what we are in the presence of the high and holy God of heaven earth and if these wretches withdrew and fell to the ground they weren't even Christians they weren't even believers but that manifestation of the glory of Christ brought them to their knees what does ax9 tell us when Paul is confronted on the road to Damascus with the enthroned of the risen Christ then he fell to the ground it's an old story I think I heard it from John MacArthur somebody that loves John MacArthur about a particular population suddenly charismatic fellow he said that you know one time he was in his bathroom and he was shaving and Jesus appeared to him MacArthur says so what happened well I talked to Jesus close MacArthur's point you should have fell to the ground you're in the presence of the the one who inhabits eternity the one who has made this world and all things in it brethren we could learn from this mob at least a withdrew and fell to the ground were the champions of reformed theology and it doesn't move us to reverence fear honor praise adoration revelation 1:17 when John gets a vision of the glorified Christ when he's on the island of Patmos John on the island of Patmos he says and I when I saw him I fell at his feet as dead Agustin makes this very perceptive statement in view of what we find in this passage he what will he do when he comes as a judge who did this when giving himself up to be judged think about this unbeliever you're gonna meet this Christ he does this at a moment in his life of you know great suffering trial and woe he is being betrayed into the hands of sinners this has come to fruition Judas who at one time was gifted for the Ministry of the word now actually brings Jesus the cup of God's wrath Agustin says what will he do when he comes as judge who did this when giving himself up to be judged what will be his power when he comes to reign who had this power when he came to die something to think about something to consider something hopefully to take home with us and roll about in our heads and hearts and minds if a demonstration of Christ's glory in this garden when he is being betrayed resulted in these men drawing back and falling to the ground what's it going to be like when he comes in the glory of his father with all of his holy angels as the Apostle Paul says taking vengeance on them who know not God and on those who do not obey the gospel what's it going to be like for me on that day if I am NOT clothed in the righteousness of another that's the question you ought to take from this demonstration of the glory of the Savior well brethren in conclusion a couple of thoughts and then we'll go in the first place I think the contrast in this betrayal is obvious the wickedness of men and the glory of the Savior so we're not supposed to jump into the text and say I've been betrayed that's too bad and I'm sorry but your betrayal is not like this betrayal whatever you've been betrayed in as bad as it may be and I don't want to minimize that I'd know it sounds like I'm minimizing it actually not because I don't even know it but this is significant you know we'll read or we'll see next week unholy hands are laid on the holy harmless and undefiled wand these wretched men put their filthy hands on Jesus Christ to take him away again it's according to the scripture he willingly submits to this the resolution of his soul is evident but this passage demonstrates the general truthfulness of Romans 3:19 and all the world may become guilty before God Jews Gentiles and even disciples come out bad in this text the specific wickedness of Judas and the mob ought to be displayed first the betrayer had at one time sided with Jesus now he stood with them I think there's a lesson here for all of us position doesn't necessarily evidence saving grace just being in proximity to the Savior doesn't necessarily mean that you're saved you see an instance in this in in Luke chapter 10 the disciples come back from a preaching tour and and and they're just rejoicing in the Lord you know in the in the power that they've had we cast out demons we we healed sicknesses we preached and Jesus said I I saw the devil like lightning fall from heaven but then he says to them nevertheless do not rejoice in this the gifts that you've engaged in but rather rejoice that your names are written in the in the Lamb's Book of Life or your names are written in heaven you see we have this tendency to say well you know it's my position in the church it's my position near Jesus it's my my giftedness to do for Jesus persons do that they hide behind their activity brethren we need to hide behind Jesus that's the only place we need to be hiding if you're trusting in your works or your external profession or your external position or your external provision a proximity to Jesus you're trusting in the wrong thing Judas had a great amount of privilege that he was on saved as well the betrayer are the the mom think about them for a moment what did they witness here I'm just collectively calling them the mob I don't mean you know to suggest the Mafia or something like that but it's a mob of individuals with malice in their heads what are they witness in this account they witness I am they understood at least enough to draw back and fall to the ground but they also witness what Luke records concerning mouth gets Matthew doesn't tell us that it was Peter that swung the sword then it was Malchus who had the ear lopped off guess what brethren Peter was going for a head shot some suggest that he was cutting off the air because he was the servant of the high priests and it would have rendered him ceremonial and ceremonially unclean no Peter was trying to cut his head off and missed I can't blame Peter he's an apostle he was a fisherman not a trained swordsman but what does Luke tell us Jesus picks the ear up and puts it back on malthus's and probably so that Peter wouldn't get arrested remember Jesus is uniquely concerned to make sure that none of those whom the father had given him are lost but this crowd hears I am theirs crowd witnesses his power and attaching this man's ear and yet they continue to arrest him they continue to march him off before the Jewish Sanhedrin and then the Roman procurator they continue rebellious see that is the hardness of man's heart that's why if you're not praying every Sunday morning and every time the scriptures are open for the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit that's a fool's errand we cannot persuade men to save themselves we got persuade men to give their hearts to the Lord we present the data of the gospel Christ lived he died he rose and we trust in Sovereign Grace sovereign power these guys saw a display of the glory of Christ they saw him heal Malchus and never alas they continue impenitent as well the wickedness of man we see the glory of Christ his resolve verse 39 is demonstrated full force here his voluntary surrender and verse 50 B manifests as a result resolved to do the Father's will you don't think Jesus could have escaped you know he says I am they drawback and they fall to the ground he got a ran off and walked off good call those more than twelve legions to destroy every breathing human being in the vicinity he doesn't do that he submits himself to the Father he goes about according to the scriptures and he does indeed win our salvation the parallel account in John's Gospel highlights his resolve to do the Father's will he goes forward to address them you knew somebody was coming to arrest you wouldn't you kind of you know meander to the back of the crowd he goes forward to meet them he identifies himself to the soldiers he instructs Peter to put up the sword he tells Peter I'm not going to call upon my father for these troops because all that is happening is according to scripture it is the plan of my father and Peter if you're gonna go to heaven I have to do this understand that Jesus is saving these men here I mean they're saved in terms of looking forward to the crucifixion and all that but if Jesus doesn't do what Jesus does here Peter's not going to go to heaven Jesus doesn't do what Jesus does here giant James and John aren't gonna go to heaven we're not gonna go to heaven Christ's resolve is evident he willingly drinks the cup John 18 11 the Geneva Bible has it this way Christ goeth of his own accord into a garden which his betrayer knew to be taken take that by his obedience he might take away the sin that entered into the world by one man's rebellion and that in a garden they say elsewhere Christ has taken that we might be delivered that beautiful Christ is taken that we might be delivered now in conclusion completely we see here the obedience of see the willingness of Christ he said see sometimes sooner say I don't know if I if I go to Christ maybe he won't receive me everything in this section demonstrates to us that Christ is a willing Savior we saw a glimpse of the grace of God and God's dealings with 1/2 in first Kings chapter 21 at verse 29 and it's a it's an incredible chapter of you know governmental abuse and tyranny and oppression and all manner of evil and lawlessness hey haven't Jezebel up the ante they're no longer just bail worshiping idolaters but they're gonna murder nabe off to take his vineyard so that a hag can have a bigger vegetable garden and then after all this God sends the Tishbite the Tishbite were built sin and then a hab is affected it's an incredible scene in verses 27 and 28 a Hubbs actually humbles himself before God now he doesn't actually repent he's not actually believing on the Lord Jesus he doesn't go destroy the bails he doesn't give back the land and he doesn't repent publicly but there is a remorse there you know what God says to Elijah God says did you see that you see what they have did he he humbled himself God sees so little of such on the earth that when he actually sees it wow did you see that and believe it he doesn't remove the judgment from a Habs house but he postpones it I submit that we can preach the grace of God from a first kings 21:29 because God looks upon the humility of a wretch called Ahab and and postpones a judgment that is to come now jump into guests how many you see willingness on the part of the Savior here do you see willingness on the part of the Savior yes he does this not because he's a criminal he does this not because that word or that idea of criminal or Rober it could also have the connotation of insurrectionist a terrorist he doesn't do these things or he's not arrested here because of that because he is a terrorist he's arrested because this was the plan of God in order to save his people from their sins if you have ever doubted the willingness of Christ to save your wretched soul behold Christ as he is revealed in Scripture he is truly the Christ of John 6:37 who says all that the father gives me will come to me and the one who comes to me I will certainly not cast out why would he go through this betrayal and this arrest and these trials and this suffering and this death and ultimately this resurrection if it wasn't in the language of Matthew 1:21 to save his people from their sins why would we ever read Matthew 20:28 if Christ is an unwilling Savior for sinners the last recorded statement he makes before they head down to Jerusalem is the Son of man has come to seek and as or the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many if you are an unbeliever here this morning you probably think you get picked on at our church let me tell you something every single one of us wasn't unbeliever but by the grace of God we have been saved and that grace of God is available to unbelievers today in other words we're not going to heaven because we're wiser smarter or sharper than anyone else we're going to heaven because of what Christ did he died he rose and he reigns and all who come to him will be saved don't go home and say yeah that's just so much hogwash that's so much this that's so much that you're gonna meet this I am on the day of judgment it's gonna be a little bit more involved in drawing back and falling to the ground it's gonna be hearing away with you depart from me I never knew you don't pursue that path pursue Christ look to Christ believe on Christ again I can't make you I can't fix you I can't change your heart but God and heaven can take this screw it right in there and that I rejoice in so take it home think about it look at who is in this scripture look at who is revealed as the great I am he is the suffering servant of Yahweh that God was pleased to bruise laying upon him the chastisement for our sins well let us pray father we thank you for your word we thank you for the willingness of the Savior to go through such lengths to deliver us from our sins I pray that you'd open hearts and eyes and minds to these things and that today would indeed be the day of salvation and strengthen us as your people to behold the glory of the Savior even in such a difficult situation or station in his life and may we respond with worship and love and praise and adoration go with us now we pray through Christ Jesus our Lord amen I'll close with a brief time of meditation and then be dismissed you