Jesus' Betrayal - John 18:1-11
Here we find Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36).
Gethsemane = Oil press.
The other gospel accounts inform us of His prayers.
Here is the place where Jesus begins to get crushed.
Judas knew exactly where Jesus would be.
He brought soldiers and weapons with him.
What are these against the King of Kings?
Notice that Jesus stepped forward.
He offered Himself up.
Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss.
The world evil is done by a so-called friend.
The Great I Am sent them falling on their backs.
Why did they not just give up there and then?
Answer: Satan was in control of their lives.
None of the disciples could pay the price.
Not by their blood.
Not by their might / swords.
If they died before the Cross they would be lost.
Satan knew this fact.
The devil tried to cause a riot to stop Jesus going to Calvary.
He wanted Jesus dead before the Cross.
It had to be the way that was ordained.
No one could protect Jesus that night.
He had to be the Lamb for the slaughter (Isaiah 53).
He allowed this so that He could be our perfect Saviour.
Rejected of Men - John 18:12-40
In this message we seek to show that Jesus was indeed rejected of men (Isaiah
53).
Notice how the brave soldiers had to bind Jesus!
The High Priest had already condemned Jesus.
The religious leaders thought Jesus had a secret agenda (:20).
They struck Him because He said what they did not want to hear.
The disciples fled from Jesus.
Peter denies Jesus.
Notice the hypocrisy of the religious leaders (:28).
Pilate knew that He was innocent.
The people wanted Jesus crucified.
Everyone misunderstood the Kingdom of Christ.
The Jews would not have rejected Him if He announced that He came to destroy the
Romans.
They chose Barabbas.
Barabbas = Son of the father.
They chose the wrong son of the father!
The High Priest rejected Him.
The disciples denied Him.
Pilate washed his hands of Him.
The nation called for His death.
Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled.
Jesus was indeed rejected of men.
Thought: How do we reject Him?