The Suffering Messiah

The Arrest - Mark 14:43-52 - not the Romans, but the Jewish leaders
John - Sword bearer = Peter
          Servant's name = Malchus
Luke - right earring/ Jesus healed it
This is a real, historical account.

Matt. 26:52-54
John 18:4-6
Luke 22:53 - hour of evil, hour of Satan     

The Trial - (before the Sanhedrin - 70 members of powerful court)

2 leadership figures:
1)  Annas - had been High Priest for 7 years, but deposed by Pilate's predecessor.
2)  Caiaphas - Anna's son-in-law/current High Priest (would serve as High Priest for 19 years)

Jesus tried by the Sanhedrin, BUT they needed civil authorities to execute
Mark 14:53-59 - Jesus' words - Jews thought was blasphemy against the temple
John 2:18-22

Mark 14:60-65 - fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7
with Matt. 26:67-68   (From Isa. 11:3 - Messiah "will not judge by what he sees with his eyes or hears with his ears")  

Mark 15:1

This = historic account of events/ not teaching, instruction, explicit doctrine.
Nevertheless, passage does teach and illustrate some major things:

#1)   Scripture must be fulfilled - as seen in the many texts about Suffering Messiah!!
Which also means ... Scripture about His return in glory ALSO must be fulfilled!!!  - "Christian Hope"
This still stands - past and future

#2)  What God ordains (determines) WILL come to pass!
This does NOT VIOLATE man's free will!!
Though God knew it would happen this way.... does NOT excuse their behavior!!  Acts 2:22-23- did it out of their own selfishness

#3)  The Christ (Messiah) must suffer
Often prophesied in the Old Testament
But the Jews didn't see it!!! - Luke 24:25-27  They thought Messiah would be mighty warrior, deliverer, etc.

Sometimes we are so sure of our interpretation/ understanding ... THAT WE CAN'T see God's message!!

Question:  Why did Christ have to suffer??
Answer - God ordained it!

Question:  But WHY did God ordain it??
Was there NO OTHER way to accomplish this?
Answer = sometimes God's methods remain a mystery to us!!

But.... what is clear (not a mystery) is that to accomplish our salvation, God used Christ as a Substitutionary Sacrifice.  (foreshadowed by Old Testament sin offerings)

How Substitutionary Sacrifice works:

(1)  Sin = a Violation of God's righteous law(s)
(2) Our sin is usually deliberate, willful disobedience ... which = Rebellion (against God)
(3)  Therefore punishment is due (payment, reparation, making things right again)
(4)  BUT we cannot make the make the payment / cannot set things right!

So.... (5)  IF it's to be done... someone must do that for me!! 

 ie:  (1)  the Sinless One
      (2) who suffers on our behalf.

Scriptures re: substitutionary sacrifice:
1 Pet. 2:24
Gal. 3:13
2 Cor. 5:21
Matt. 1:21

IN THE Substitutionary Sacrifice we see...
God's Righteousness
and my (our) guilt - (I'm guilty, therefore I need a Savior)

My inadequacy
and God's Provision  ((I can't, God can)

God's Justice (sin must be paid for)

AND God's Mercy - (He pays it for me!! )

From praise song "Here is Love" -
"On the mount of crucifixion fountains opened deep and wide
Through the floodgates of God's mercy flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love like mighty rivers, flowed incessant from above..
AND Heaven's Peace AND Perfect justice,,, kissed a guilty world in love"

All of this adds up to this... in His Substitutionary Sacrifice we see ... GOD'S LOVE .. FOR US!!!
John 3:16    Rom. 5:8 - He shows us His love.
Might add... we also see...Your Value to Him!!

The Suffering Messiah, the Substitutionary Sacrifice illustrates 2 very important facts about you....

#1.  Your sins/sinfulness s greater than you realize or care to admit - so great that Jesus had to come and die to remove them/ reconcile you.

#2.  Christ's love for you is far beyond anything you can imagine!! You matter so much He came and suffered and died to redeem/reconcile you!!!

Closing Scripture:

1 John 4:9-10

Lessons from the Olive Press

 Mark 14:32-42

 "Gethsemane" = Olive grove/olive press  (east of Jerusalem, across the Valley)

Luke adds  "went there 'as usual'"    John says "often met there with disciples" - this place was very familiar to them therefore, fitting for Jesus to meet with them there.  He's being 'pressed'!

Notes from Luke
Luke 22:41 - "continued stone's throw"
Luke 22:43 = "angel appeared"
Luke 22:44  "sweat like drops of blood"
Luke 22:45  "disciples exhausted from sorrow"  (because they were being pressed also!!)

John's account - Passover, Lord's Supper  THEN Chap. 14 - 17
          includes extensive teaching  (Jesus' last words)
                       prayer for Himself
                       prayer for His disciples
                       prayer for YOU!! - John 17:20-21
Then, John 18:1

I)  "THE CUP" = that which lies before Him - ask, trial... facing humility, ridicule, accusation, betrayal, abandonment
Plus beatings, scourging, crucifixion, agonizing death.

AND .... beyond that ....THE BURDEN of OUR SINS!!! - (the biggest part of the "cup")
         1 Pet. 2:24 - fulfillment of Old Testament goats offering
         Gal. 3:13
         2 Cor. 5:21

He bore ... OUR SINS and GOD's Wrath!!!
His death = Unique among all deaths!!
NO ONE has ever suffered as He did!!  ((bearing sins of the world)

II)  THE PRAYER - Mark 14:36

(1)  Jesus didn't want to drink this cup!! 
(He = willing / He was not indifferent!!  ("whatever")

(2)  (apparently) There was no other way!!
On one hand - "with God ALL things are possible
However, THIS = God's plan, decree
WHY it had to be this way - Mystery!!  - Are not going to understand in this life!!

So... (3)  Jesus accepted God's will/plan/method!!  John 6:38

SOME OBSERVATIONS/LESSONS/APPLICATIONS....

#1)  Sometimes suffering and injustice is God's will
                   (for Christ .... for US!!)
(A)  it's OK to ask God to remove the burden  (ex.  Jesus' prayer)

BUT  (B)  when it becomes clear that it = God's will/plan...
        THEN accepting it = the right  thing to do!!  example:  Paul's thorn - 2 Cor. 12)

(2)  (for us) Spiritual willingness will always be accompanied by carnal weakness. 
We = human/ fallen!  2 Cor. 4:6-7
(problem here ... recognizing a legitimate reason for failure... without it becoming a lame excuse!!)

(3)  We are designed to seek human support.
Example:  even Jesus wanted their presence, prayers, support!!

So.... on one hand, you should feel free to seek human support...
         However, you should feel OBLIGATED to offer support as well!!!   (we need one another)

Therefore,
(4) You are responsible for your actions.... whether your friends support you or not!!
Jesus desired support of the disciples, friends... He didn't get it... He chose to do right Anyway!!
AND.... He didn't hold it against them!!!

(5)  Intense, overwhelming emotions are (sometimes) reasonable and acceptable!  (even Jesus = overwhelmed!!)
This does not mean it's OK to be a Drama Queen!"
Jesus' 'upset' was temporary  (short lived)

(6)  Intense, overwhelming emotions should not dictate our decisions.  (actions)
Jesus did NOT want ot go to the cross!!!
But... He exercised His WILL over His emotions!!

(7)  Prayer makes a difference
One one hand, we may sometimes wonder about that..!!
However, why else would Jesus ask His disciples to Pray for Him!!! - He believed it made a difference!!

Prayer Matters!!!

Closing Scripture:  1 Pet. 3:17-18
         

Betrayal and Denial

Are down to the last hours before crucifixion.  

Today = examine, compare Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial

Judas' Betrayal predicted - Mark 14:17-21
                        fulfilled  -   Mark 14:43-46
  (the demonic element     John 13:26-27)

Outcome?  (for Judas)
    (1)  great remorse
    (2)  self-destruction  Matt. 27:1-5

Peter's denial predicted - Mark 14:27-31
                     fulfilled     - Mark 14:53-54, 66-72
                          with       Luke 22:60-62
   (the demonic element    Luke 322:31-32)          

Outcome?  (for Peter)
   (1)  great remorse
but with (2) repentance and (3) restoration - John 21:15-17 - (after Lord's breakfast)

Point:  Both Judas and Peter experienced:
    (1) ample warning - prediction of betrayal and denial
    (2)   great personal failure
    (3)  extreme remorse

BUT ... the Outcome was vastly different:
         Judas' failure .... destroyed him  (led to him being the Lost Apostle)
         Peter's failure ... improved him!!  (led to him being the LEAD Apostle)

Observations about Judas and Peter

(1)  Peter was not alone in his denial!!
       Mark 14:31  "all said the same"
       Mark 14:50 - "all fled"
their denial may not have been verbal... but was practical!!  They weren't there to support Him.

(2)  Both Peter and Judas were held responsible for their actions
easy to see with Peter, debatable with Judas.
But ... Mark 14:21
On one hand "will happen AS written!
However, "but WOE to him..." (= responsible)  - Judas was responsible for what he did.

Illustration:  Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of Jerusalem/ exile of Israel.
On one hand, was predicted/prophesied ... would come to pass!!
However, wasn't done to honor, serve, please YHWH.  Purely selfish wicked reasons.
Therefore, he was held responsible for his actions, and was later punished)

Question:  was Judas' sin greater than Peter's??
On one hand, no clear answer.
However, Peter emphatically denied 3 times after being warned.

Question:  Could Judas have been forgiven/restored??

School #1 - Pre-destined (determined) therefore, he had no choice.
School #2 - (1) foreknowledge does not mean fore destined (determined)

                  (2)  Since Christ died for all sins of all men.... AND since Judas recognized his sin and was sorry for his sin.... could he therefore have repented?  returned?  been restored??

Lessons & Personal applications

(1)  We all are guilty of denying Christ!
maybe not verbally.... but practically!!
ie:  when we choose to ignore, deny, disobey His word, we deny His Lordship over you.  Luke 6:46

One one hand, that's understandable!  Rom. 3:23  2 Cor. 4:6-7 ("jars of clay")
However,  that's doesn't mean excusable!!!   1 Cor. 10:13  "way of escape"

(2)  when we sin we SHOULD feel remorse 
ie:  humility, embarrassment, shame, sorrow, distress, anguish.
      (we have lost the concept of shame for sin here in America)

Contrition = being truly sorry for sins
Isa. 57:15  (Matt. 5 - "poor in spirit, those who mourn)
one who feels no guilt, shame, remorse, empathy... = Psychopath!!

3  When we sin we should also be repentant.
Dictionary for Repentant = expressing sincere regret, remoorse
Biblical Repentant = Acting on that remorse.  Turn around.
If we don't act on it, we are just sorry.

Guilt = the fact
Shame = the feeling  (we should have when we feel guilty)
Biblical view contains Both!!  ie:  feeling AND Appropriate Response!!  

(4)  IF you repent (feeling and action) you WILL be restored 
This is not a salvation issue but a relational issue.  (Peter was not lost, BUT the relationship was upset!!)

BUT... 1 John 1:8-9

(5)  This process (of sin - repentance - restoration) CAN (and should) result in a better you!!  (better than you were before)

Example:  Satan's plan for Peter = discredit, destroy
               God's plan for Peter   = to improve him
Still = "sift" but to bring out the good (best)
Compare: sift wheat, refine gold, temper steel..
the Process may be intense, painful....
Outcome can develop, improve,edify

(6)  Never ignore or overlook the demonic element in your personal sins.
On one hand, can't always blame Satan  (James 1:13-15)
However  his intent = clear!!  1 Pet. 5:8-9

(7)  You are NOT beyond salvation. 
You are NOT beyond restoration!!
IF you = slightly convicted ... THEN the Holy Spirit is working AND Christ awaits .. you to TURN or RETURN

(8)  You are not beyond improvement.
So.... on one hand, the Trials will continue!  Never outgrow the trials and temptations in this life.
However, so will improvements!!    if you allow Him to work.

Question is:  What are you going to do with the trials and temptations?  Use them or waste them??

Closing Scripture:  Phil. 1:3-6

Passover and the Lord's Supper

 Mark 14:12-18

Passover Origins - Ex. 12:12-14 with Ex. 12:25-27

Practice in Jesus' day
(1)  Many pilgrims to Jerusalem/Temple - (Josephus, noted Jewish historian, said 256,500 lambs killed this year)

(2)  Lambs slain at 3-5PM

(3)  Rooms made available to pilgrims @no charge

(4)  people ate the meal reclining?  Was a very leisurely meal.
Example:  Leonardo DaVinci's painting "the Last Supper".  Not an accurate depiction.  Disciples look to be standing or at least sitting.
Contrast with Ex. 12:11 - THEN were to eat standing - ready to go!! This was the origin of the Feast of Unleavened Bread which follows next day after Passover. No time to let bread rise.

 NOW = are settled in the Land!!   

The Passover Meal...
(1)  Commemorated deliverance/exodus from Egypt and a new beginning;  tribes to a nation!!

(2)  Celebrated Jewish standing with YHWH - ie IN Jesus' day, they remained God's chosen people through whom He would reveal Himself to the world.

So.... in essence ... Passover
(1) Commemorates the Past (deliverance)
(2)  Celebrates the Present  (still God's people)
(3)  Anticipates the Future - their view = Messiah would bring final deliverance from oppression (at this time it was from the Romans) and establish His Kingdom!!

Question:  What about Passover and the Jews today?
On one hand, it varies widely - from extreme orthodoxy all the way to Jewish atheism.
However, NO TEMPLE/NO SACRIFICE - roughly 35 years later.

Question:  Why don't Christians celebrate Passover?
(1)  A few do ... with a Seder Meal which follows the Post-Temple observance of Passover.
But,
(2)  there is no need!! 1 Cor. 5:7 - Jesus (our Passover lamb) has been sacrificed.
This "acted out prophecy" has been fulfilled!!
Heb. 9:23-24, 10:1,3-7

Point being... Jesus fulfilled those Old Testament ceremonial laws so.... no need to practice them today! - no sin offerings, no drink offerings, etc.  All have been fulfilled.

NOW ... The Lord's Supper.... instituted by Christ Himself
Mark 14:22-26, Matt. 26:26-30
This = the origin of the Lord's Supper  (communion, the Eucharist, etc)

Add... Luke 22:19, - not just for the disciples that night
 with   1 Cor. 11:23-26

Christians have (since that night) celebrated the Lord's Supper ... in which ...
(1)  We commemorate His death
AS the Passover Lamb = their deliverance ... SO Christ's death = ours!!  (deliverance from judgment for sins)

(2)  We celebrate our current statue (standing)
ie:  We are His (chosen) children!! 1 John 3:2

(3)  We anticipate His FULL and FINAL deliverance.
On one hand, "NOW are we children of God"
However, we have not YET received all the benefits of that position ... But... at His Return..?!?

So... Jews celebrated Passover as a people group - ie: God's chosen people ... to whom He made many promises .. in what we call the Old Covenant (testament)

Christians celebrate the Lord's Supper as a people group (ie:  church, Bride of Christ) God's chosen people also!! To whom He has made many promises... in what we call the NEW Covenant (testament).

NOTE:
the original Passover ... people not saved by believing int he blood but = saved (spared) by Applying the Blood.  Belief isn't enough.  Ex. 12:21-23

Today... People not saved (spared) by believing in Christ... but in accepting and receiving Christ .... Cross the Bridge!!!

So.... (1)  have you actively, intentionally, verbally accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior?  "applied the blood" - He has done the work and extended the invitation.

How to do that???  Rom. 10:9-10  (A,B,C - simple)
           Admit your guilt, your need, your desire to be saved
           Believe in Christ ... His Works, His Words, His Will
           Confess ... Him ... as Lord and Savior.

(2)  Have you made that decision public?  Baptism

(3)  have you Re-examined your faith WALK lately?  which could lead to Re-New vows/Re-dedicate your life.

Closing Scripture:  Eph. 1:4-8