Instead of Me
Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 44:43
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· 13 viewsIn an unusual way God reveals one of the most glorious truths of salvation. Christ suffered under the wrath of the Father in my place.
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Introduction
Introduction
Today is Palm Sunday
We’ll talk more specifically about it in a few weeks
It’s a day filled with misunderstanding
Jesus presents Himself as King but people completely misunderstand what is happening and who He is
Something remarkable, unthinkable, baffling is about to happen
Jesus, true King, is about to willingly submit Himself to humiliating death
In timeline of John we’re not quite there yet
In these verses we’re given a prophetic glimpse of the significance of what Easter is about
In aftermath of raising Lazarus we see bright truth in growing darkness
In an unusual way God reveals 1 of most glorious truths
Substitutionary atonement of Christ
Substitution is key theme of redemption through Bible
Passover, Day of Atonement & Scape Goat, Eden, Abe & Isaac
It’s one of great themes of human hope
We’re moved by stories of ultimate sacrifice
ANZACs; Movies like End Game, Obi Wan Kenobi
While those are all wonderful, inspiring
They are just shadows of the monument of Christ’s sacrifice
Jesus enters Jerusalem not just as King but as my substitute
In this passage we see 3 areas of substitution
Me Instead of God
Me Instead of God
Responding to God’s Work
Responding to God’s Work
45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.
Believed on Jesus
What was purpose of raising Laz? Jn. 11:42
Though we may not always see how God never wastes His Word or works
People believed because they couldn’t deny the truth behind what they had seen
Purposes Jesus had for raising Laz are our purposes for gathering here
To give glory to God & strengthen believers
That’s why I do my best to teach God’s Word not my opinions
Rejected Jesus
Jesus causes division
Lk. 12:51 “Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.”
Statement that who He is will divide people
Jesus forces us to choose sides
These people aren’t just indifferent
They actively reject Jesus – go tell Pharisees
Consider hardness of heart to do this
Many things harden people’s hearts
Seen people admit truth but not believe
Conspired against Jesus
Sanhedrin (council) – Pharisees & Sadducees
Their rejection of Jesus is harsher still
There will always be opposition to Jesus
Our self-centredness & pride keep us from believing truth of Jesus
Worst part of this is they are the religious leaders
Having lost sight of God themselves they lead others away from God
Recognising Jesus’ Power
Recognising Jesus’ Power
48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
Recognised His power
Didn’t want to believe Jesus but they couldn’t deny His power
Evidence that Jesus was who He said He was is overwhelming
If we let Him alone like this everyone will believe Him
1 of most tragic statements ever
Even today it’s impossible to deny affect Jesus has in people, in the world
His Words have revolutionised society as they change people
God is still continuing to work in people’s lives
He will not stop working until He has gathered all of His people to Himself
Refused His claims
They refused to believe or even consider Jesus’ claims
Their discussion has no spiritual depth – it’s not about what is right but what is advantageous to them
Afraid of losing power & prestige
Willing to sacrifice their eternal soul & those of the nation for temporal power
Our society is no different
We distrust our leaders today because we’re convinced they act just like Pharisees – desire for power
Yet none of us are any different
Our selfishness causes us to cling to ourselves & our possessions
We want control, autonomy, freedom
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Jesus calls us to deny self
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
Like Sanhedrin we’re afraid of what we’ll lose
E.g. Bumper sticker: He who dies with the most toys wins; He who dies with the most toys still dies
Too many think only of what they will lose to follow Jesus & never consider the gain
Jesus Instead of Me
Jesus Instead of Me
Historians tell us Caiaphas was exactly like what we see here
He was arrogant & mean Sadducee
He was High Priest at this time (son in law of Annas)
John will make a distinction between the office of High Priest and the man
Caiaphas was a selfish politician
In rejecting Jesus what were they giving up? Life
Is it worth it?
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
In fact, everything they’re trying to protect here gets ripped away from them in 70AD
Ruthless Plan
Ruthless Plan
Driven by convenience
They’re plot could easily be justified
Jesus is an easy scapegoat for them to hold onto their power
“If we don’t kill Jesus our nation is in danger”
Easy way to deal with their problem
Life is no different now for the people of Jesus
Christians are easy, convenient targets to blame so their cause can be furthered
E.g. Hillsong corruption is proof churches are evil, School shooting in Tennessee happened because Christians are evil people
Tertullian (155-220AD) famously wrote, “If the Tiber rises too high, or the Nile too low, the remedy is always feeding Christians to the lions.”
Driven by selfishness
Their decision wasn’t about Israel, God or spirituality
Entirely about what they wanted
Didn’t consider what it meant for anyone else
Weren’t interested in the truth or how that truth affected others
Driven by pragmatism
Their decision wasn’t about Israel, God or spirituality
Entirely about what they wanted
Didn’t consider what it meant for anyone else
Weren’t interested in the truth or how that truth affected others
Driven by ruthlessness
Made from hardhearted indifference
They’d forgotten their responsibilities as religious leaders
Forgotten what God had called Israel to be
Isa. 49:6 – to be light to world
They were meant to be evangelists not politicians
Right Words, Wrong Person
Right Words, Wrong Person
Mouthpiece of God
John points out that though Caiaphas wasn’t a godly man, God would still use the Office of High Priest to proclaim truth
God often uses unusual sources to spread His Word
E.g. Balaam & donkey are another example – Balaam was greedy sell out but both He & His donkey used by God
Here God uses Caiaphas to proclaim truth
Though it’s clear Caiaphas didn’t realise the significance of what he was saying
Prophetic statement
Jesus would die as Caiaphas desired
Jesus death wouldn’t be the win he thought it would be
Jesus wouldn’t go away
Jesus will die for the nation but not in the way he thinks
Right Interpretation
Right Interpretation
Sinless Jesus
John helps us understand this moment
Jesus would die for sin but not His own
They knew they couldn’t condemn Jesus based on sin
46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?
1 of main themes of John has been Jesus is God
As God Jesus is sinless
This is a great theme of Scripture
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Sinful people
These very events show difference between Jesus and us
They’re actions are driven by sin
Sin is the core issue here
It’s why people reject, it’s why Jesus had to come
Sin is anything that doesn’t bring God glory
Rom. 3:23
Sin is the issue for everyone of us
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Adam disobeyed God knowing the consequences
Death entered the world as a result (Rom. 6:23)
We all sin because we’re sinners
We are in debt to God
Sinless substitute for sinful people
Jesus didn’t die as a martyr but as a substitute
Jesus came to die for our sin
Jesus came to die INSTEAD of me
Jesus came to pay the debt for sin in ful
Jesus came to pay the debt of sin I owe
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Jesus came to die for my BENEFIT
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Jesus came to die for ALL (Jew & Gentile)
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Jesus came to die VOLUNTARILY
John 10:11, 17, 18
Jesus came to die to SAVE from wrath
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
God’s Plan Instead of My Plan
God’s Plan Instead of My Plan
His Roll in People’s Lives
His Roll in People’s Lives
Leaves those that reject
Withdrew from those that rejected
His public ministry was coming to an end
Jesus had come with purpose & was going to fulfill that purpose
He wasn’t going to be manipulated by people
He isn’t altering His plan in hopes that others will believe Him
God is longsuffering not eternally suffering
Spends time with the believers
Concentrated on strengthening disciples
Built up, encouraged, prepared
In His goodness He will pass His ministry on to His people
So God sets the agenda not us
Redirecting People’s Plans
Redirecting People’s Plans
Perfect timing
To those with eyes to see he was making a theological statement: no human could force Him to the cross. – D.A. Carson
Time of Passover – removal of sins
No amount of hatred or plotting could alter what Jesus was going to do or how
Despite all of our efforts to substitute me instead of Jesus, Jesus will always triumph
People’s interest
Leaders wanted Jesus dead
While people are cleansing, leaders are filthying themselves in wickedness
People are wondering what’s going to happen?
Jesus is going to die so we don’t have to perish
Conclusion
Conclusion
Today we celebrate the King…King coming to take the place of His people
Holy, righteous, perfect, pure, creator God has been offended by us, by our sin
He is rightly angered & it is His right, duty to punish sin, to punish us as sinners
No-one likes to be told we’re condemned
No-one likes to hear we deserve wrath of God
If God is who He reveals Himself to be then we must admit we deserve His wrath
It’s this context which gives Easter its beauty
Jesus stepped between me and God’s wrath
He took the punishment instead of me
He satisfied God’s absolute purity when I had no hope of doing it
Jesus died instead of me
How does that become a reality for you and me?
By putting our trust in Jesus & believing that He did this
Recognising that I have offended my Creator
Accepting the grace He gives by dying instead of me