Sermon nuggets Tues Nov 4
Theme John 18: 3 So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"
Observe Jesus’ Plan v 3,4
The pieces are all in their places and now the beginning of the end as started. Jesus has prepared himself spiritually by spending and wrestling with his temptations in prayer. Judas enters with soldiers. Since messianic hopes ran very high at this time, Rome was very much on alert during this religious holiday. Pilate, who normally lived in Caesarea, would remain in Jerusalem, along with a sizeable army, lest a riot break out. To attempt to arrest Jesus during the feast would be foolish, and the religious leaders were determined not to make fools of themselves one more time.
But Jesus was in control, forcing His adversaries to act in a way that was contrary to their plan. v. 4 reminds us how much Jesus is really in charge. “Knowing all that was going to happen to him went out and asked them “Who is it you want?” He went to meet them. He didn’t run, hide, or even balk. He is like someone waiting for a ride to come in order to pick Him up.
The detachments of the temple guard come along with some officials from the chief priest and the Pharisees. John does tell us something the others do not mention. Among those present in this arresting “mob” were a significant number of Roman soldiers. There is some discussion as to how many soldiers John is referring. As the study notes in the NET Bible inform us, a “cohort” was normally a force of 600 men. But that name could apply to a group of around 200 men as well. So if that is true to the term used here in John we are not talking about 10 to 15 guys here, but well over 100. This crowd to arrest Jesus was carrying weapons, and lanterns and torches.
When I volunteered as a police chaplain for the city of St. Paul, I was allowed to go on a ride-along program. That night there was a "chase call". One of the squads was chasing a car that would not stop. It is perhaps the most dangerous time for public and police. It was exciting to listen to the chase on the police radio, but all were discouraged when they lost the car. My squad contined to the area and looked for general cars that fit the description. They spotted one with a couple of teens, but it was the wrong, make year and the wrong color. But I was surprised when it turned out ot be the right car and immediately there were three police cars on the scene for the arrest with 6 officers against 2 who were in the automobile. They didn’t have a chance to get away from them. Humanly speak the odds of the group seeking to arrest Jesus would have been quite a compliment. But if Judas was really aware of the power of Christ no amount of men could do anything against the will of the Lord. When large groups of soldiers came to arrest Elisha on the mountaintop three times they were annihilated by the unseen power of angels. How many angels do you think would have been ready to kill any attackers of the Lord? Yet, it was the will of God. It was according to His divine plan.
And why the mob action? What had He done? Had this man killed someone? Had He sold secrets to the enemy? Had He corrupted his high office? Was He a drug dealer? No. What had he done? He had showed compassion to the hurting. He had taught people about God in ways that was bringing a true revival of heart.
Mother Theresa was a wonderful and compassionate woman helping the sick, but when Jesus ministered to the sick they got better! When He touched the leper - the leprosy was gone. When He touched the coffin of a dead person - the person sat up and lived on! But Satan was behind the plan to kill Jesus. God was behind the largter plan to redeem mankind for all eternity and thereby defeat Satan.
Bessie McDonald was in the nursing home When she was 6 months old she contacted polio and over 80 years in her attempts to walk recieved 16 fractures as a result of her falls. Now she had broken her hip and had to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. As a Christian she was aware that God had a plan for her life, even in her infirmity. She did not want to be in a wheelchair and asked for healing. In her discouragement “God,” she prayed, “What can I do among so many people who somehow seem older than I?” Although it was hard she saw no future, yet she was determined to be true to the Lord and as cheerful as possible.
One day the Lord spoke to her and said in her heart. “Bessie, I want you to be my witness in this place.”
Now she was busy for the Lord wheeling herself up and down the corridors speaking as tactfully as possible to other patients and visitors, telling them of God’s love. God has a plan for her life and she found that plan being fulfilled even in her suffering. But that plan is not completed yet. The plan of God in Gethsemane was only a small part of the whole picture. Will you trust His plan for your life today? For our nation today? For the world today?
And don’t forget, suffering is sometimes part of the plan, but His work is not completed yet. There is more to come. Praise God.
Pastor Dale
