April 16, 2025 • 33 mins
Do you worship a weak God? Is your God a victim? A prisoner? How you view God will say a lot about how you view yourself.
Jesus enjoys a few tender moments with his disciples during Passover. In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Lamb of God gives himself up to wolves, but not without displaying his power.
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Today's Bible verse is Revelation 4:11 from the King James Version.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he himself said,
it is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts
twenty thirty five. Dear Lord, thank you for your example
of generosity and service to others. Even though you are
God and holier than every one, you still bent down
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to bless us. You continually shower us with grace, patience,
and service. Teach me to live in your ways and
leave a legacy of helping others. May I never get
too arrogant to serve people. May I never be too
(00:45):
busy to notice people in need. Give me open eyes
to see the needs around me, and willing hands to
bless them in Jesus name. Amen, thank you for praying
with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast, where
(01:07):
the gospel stories are reborn with fresh vibrancy. Don't go away.
Immerse yourself in the unfolding drama and wonder of Jesus's
journey to the cross and out from the grave. If
this podcast has brought value to your faith, we'd love
it if you left a review and shared it with
(01:27):
a friend. We want the story of Jesus to be
known throughout the world, because when Jesus' story is told,
lives are transformed.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Lord Caiaphas, this man claims to have information about the Nazarene.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Judas stepped out of the darkness and into the torchlight.
Caiaphas laughed, ha ha ha ah, I know you, he sneered.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
You are one of his twelve disciples.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Judas ignored his laughter and went straight to the point.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
What will you give me if I deliver him to you?
Speaker 1 (02:08):
He said? Quickly, caiaphas smile disappeared. He stood to his
feet and circled Judas like a wolf does to its prey.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
Tell me, Judas, what did your master do to you?
Jude warrant his betrayal.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Judas clenched his fist and shrugged.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
My reasons are my own not good enough.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Caiaphus yelled, slamming his fist on the table.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Why should I trust you?
Speaker 1 (02:36):
M h. Judas closed his eyes and drew a deep breath.
The slithering presence of Satan coiled around his heart, prompting
him to near madness. Although he had the choice to
turn back, he felt helpless to do anything else. He
(02:56):
opened his eyes and rolled his shoulders back with confidence.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
He said, I have what you want, which is information
on the whereabouts and weaknesses of Jesus. You have what
I want, which is silver.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
In my purse.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Do you want to be partners or not?
Speaker 1 (03:20):
Caiaph for a smile, returned, Oh so.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
You're a simple man, he teased, Very well, thirty pieces
of silver should be more.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Than enough for your services.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
He gestured for one of the priests to retrieve the
money for Judas. They handed him a sack of thirty
pieces of silver. Judas held it in his hand. The
bag was heavy, heavy enough to drag his entire soul
into darkness.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Do you worship a weak God? Is your God a victim?
A prisoner? How you view God will say a lot
about how you view yourself. If you view Jesus as
a suffering victim, you might find yourself often feeling like
a victim. But if you see Jesus for who he is,
a conqueror, a lion, a champion, you'll find confidence to
(04:18):
stand firm against any trial because you know He's with you.
Paul says in Romans eight thirty seven, we are more
than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast.
A year of story showcasing the depth of Christ's love
and the glory of God's truth. I'm Zach, your host
from pray dot Com, and I am so stoked to
be with you today. It's Passion Week, which means we
(04:41):
are preparing for the death of Jesus on Good Friday
and celebrating the resurrection on Easter Sunday. Be sure to
follow this podcast so you don't miss out on those
gripping episodes and the saga that is the gospel. Today's
story is an emotional rollercoaster, taking us from the warm
upper room where Jesus enjoys the Passover with his disciples,
the cold garden of Gasemone, where a hundred guards will
(05:03):
arrest Jesus. Our story today will begin with a tender
moment between Jesus and his disciples, but it's going to
end with them scattering in fear. It's going to end
with blood and betrayal. The story begins with the Passover,
the celebration that remembers God's passing over the Israelites, when
the blood of the Lamb was on their doorposts. It
was a day to remember the brutality of slavery in Egypt.
(05:25):
But God's redemption through it all. The Lamb that was
slain in Exodus and put on the door posts so
that the Angel would pass over them was a foreshadowing
to Jesus, whose blood would be shed for the salvation
for all mankind. He is the ultimate passover Lamb. In
this episode, we're also going to witness the arrest of Jesus. Peter,
not fathoming that Jesus didn't need his protection, draws his
(05:48):
sword to fight, but he's going to find out that
Jesus isn't a victim. He's not going as a prisoner.
He's going as a king. Keep these things in mind
as you listen to today's story, be swept away in
the emotion of it all, and remember that there is
no freedom from the slavery of sin without the humble
sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
The time had come for passover, a sacred moment of
remembrance and reverence. The passover Lamb himself stood at a
slight distance from his followers. He knew the struggle and
heartache awaited them, but he would not spare them from trials.
(06:29):
He knew that the hardship awaiting them fulfilled a divine purpose.
His eyes glanced down at their feet, filthy from weeks
of traveling to and from the city. Like their souls,
their feet needed cleansing. There was no servant in the
(06:50):
room to wash them, but a basin and washrags were
in the corner. Jesus filled the basin with water, moved
his garment, and wrapped a cloth around his waist. He
returned to where his disciples sat and ordered them to
sit in line. Without a word, he gently began to
(07:13):
wash their feet, one at a time, every moment filled
with an earthly tenderness that stirred something deep within them.
The sound of trickling water echoed throughout the room as
Jesus carefully scrubbed away the dirt and dust. It was
(07:34):
a job for slaves, but the Son of God didn't
count at a loss to humble himself and serve. The
disciples simply remained in awe, astonished by this act of
love and humility. It was unheard of for a rabbi
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or any one of prominence to wash other's feet. The
dirty water splashed on to Jesus as he scrubbled. At
that moment, he was literally covered in their filth. Soon
he would wear the filth of their sins. None dared speak,
(08:19):
for fear of lightning. The weight of jesus gesture at
that moment, a heavenly warmth seemed to fill the entire room,
radiating outward from his simple but powerful act of service.
Their eyes followed their master as he moved from disciple
(08:40):
to disciple. Jesus made his way to Judas their eyes
met briefly. Then Jesus knelt down to.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Wash his feet.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Despite knowing what was coming, he cast no judgment or partiality.
Only mercy and understanding shone through his countenance. That merciful
stare and tender touch made Judas flinch with remorse. The
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first tinges of regret began to surface, but too much
had already been said in motion. Judas felt trapped. When
it was time for Peter's feet to be washed. He
recoiled and protested.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
No, Lord, you shall never wash my feet.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Jesus smiled softly and replied.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Peter, if I do not wash you clean, you cannot
share this life with me.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Peter, still unsure of what Jesus was saying, widened his
eyes and exclaimed.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
In that case, wash all of me, Lord, Wash me
from head.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
To toe Jesus his head and chuckled. Once Peter's feet
had been washed clean, he leaned back on to the
heel of his feet and said.
Speaker 5 (10:08):
What I am doing you do not understand yet, but
trust me, soon you will. If I you lord him
willing to bend down and become dirty to bless you,
surely you should be willing to do so for one another.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
His words hung over their hearts for a while. They
couldn't fully grasp how dirty Jesus was willing to get
for them, but they would understand soon enough. After having
their feet cleaned, they reclined at the table. The disciples
relaxed themselves. The soft glow of the lamp light warmed
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the room. Jesus, however, was troubled. He wasn't worried, nor
was he angry. He was resolved that something terrible yet
profound was about two unfold. Interrupting the joyful banter at
the table, Jesus said, truly, truly, I say to you,
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one of you will betray me before the.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Night is ended.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
The disciples glanced at one another in confusion. They weren't
sure what Jesus meant or who among them could possibly
betray him. John leaning close to Jesus with an innocent gaze, asked,
with sincerity.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Lord, is it I who will betray you?
Speaker 1 (11:31):
The purity of John's question revealed the humility of his heart.
Jesus smiled at John but did not respond. Each disciple
asked if it was them, with worry on their faces.
Jesus took a piece of bread and said.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
It is who ever receives this morsel of bread after
I've dipped it.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
Jesus dipped the bread in the broth and handed it
to Judas. The person to receive the first morsel of
dipped bread was always considered the most esteemed person at
the table. By giving Judas the bread, he was showing
him honor and love. This confused the disciples even more,
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forcing them to resign themselves to mystery. Once again. They
resumed their discussion, but jesus gaze remained fixed on Judas.
Judas took the bread with shaking hands. He held it
close to his lips, barely biting into it, before setting
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it back down on the table. Jesus leaned his elbows
on the table and nodded to Judas, what.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
You have planned to do? Do it quickly.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
Judas's eyes widened with a mixture of guilt and hatred.
Judas looked away and rose to his feet defeat. Jesus
had just washed. Judas left, but nobody knew what he
was up to, since he was the keeper of the purse.
They thought Judas had left to go buy more food
(13:13):
for the feast. Peter leaned over to Jesus and said, Lord,
you know I would never deny you.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
Right.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
Jesus placed a firm hand on Peter's shoulder and said.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
Simon, Simon, indeed, Satan has asked for you.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
He desires to sift you like wheat. But I have
prayed for you.
Speaker 5 (13:38):
I have prayed that your faith would not fail. You
will run, But when you returned to me, I asked
that you strengthen your brothers and sisters. Here they won't
need you.
Speaker 6 (13:50):
Lord, I will not run. I will fight for you.
I would go to prison for you. I I would
even die for you.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Jesus paused and looked away from Peter and gazed out
the window. He knew his time was near. He turned
back to Peter and said.
Speaker 5 (14:12):
Peter, I tell you now that before the rooster has
crewed three times, tomorrow you will have denied, knowing me
three times.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Peter, not quite understanding what Jesus meant, sat back and
pondered his words. He resolved never to leave jesus side.
He would be his defender, not his denial. As the
cool night settled across the land outside the window pane,
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the warmth of fellowship felt like a bomb to jesus
Aching heart. Their laughter was an aroma, mingled with a
scent of freshly baked bread. Knowing that his last hour
was close, he broke the bread at the table.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Take this, he said. It is my body broken, so
you may be made whole.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
His companions took it, ignorant of its meaning and the
sacrifice yet to take place. He poured wine into a
cup and had his companions pass it around the table.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
This is my covenant. Take and drink of it.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
He said, solemnly.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
It is my blood shed for the remission of sins.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
They all drank, and in doing so instituted a sacrament
that would endure throughout the generations, reminding every one of
the loving sacrifice of their king. After they ate, Jesus
led them in a hymn. His voice led theirs in
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symphonic praise to God. It was an anthem signaling the
beginning of something miraculous. The singing ceased, and the Son
of God led his followers to the mount of Olives.
They scaled the winding path leading to the garden of Gissemone.
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The full moon lingered over the trees like a watchful eye.
The frosty air pierced the disciples lungs as they followed Jesus.
They all missed the warmth of the upper room and
wondered why he had led them here. They arrived at
the garden and paused under a wooded glen. There was
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an ominous silence in the garden, as if all the
creatures of the night were watching them with bated breath.
The wind picked up, running through the trees like wolves.
It blew towards a far off stone underneath a break
in the tree covering. Beckoned the Son of God forward,
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remain here and pray. He told his disciples pray for
God's will to be done. Jesus left his companions and
retreated to be alone with his father. He knelt beside
the stone and poured his soul out to him. Blood
sprang from his pores, conveying the existential tragedy. He was
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about to endure Abbah.
Speaker 5 (17:27):
He prayed, if it is possible, let this cop pass
from before me.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Jesus pleaded, but there was no other way. The mountain
called Skull awaited him, where the wrath of God would
be poured out. Jesus knew the will of the Father.
Jesus knew what had to be done with determination and resolve.
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Jesus bowed and whispered, not my will, but yours be done.
He continued to pray for his disciples. He prayed that
they would be unified and ready for one lay ahead.
He knew that intense trials awaited them. They would need
(18:16):
the strength of God's spirit. Jesus breathed in deeply and
readied his soul. His weary eyes beheld a vision of
perfect peace. As he gazed upward toward his father. He
knew what had to be done with an indomitable will.
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He stood to go meet his enemies. The disciples had
fallen asleep while Jesus was praying. He shook his head
and sighed, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
He tapped Peter on the shoulder and said, wake up,
my pursuers. Approaching the disciples all frantically stood to their feet.
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Jesus went ahead of them. He stepped forth, intent on
facing his enemies with meek and unwavering strength. The son
of God didn't wait for his pursuers to find him.
He closed the gap between himself and a group of
soldiers hiding away in the shadows. His disciples followed him
over the brook Kidron Crimson with the blood of animal sacrifices.
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The sound of marching, accompanied by dozens of torches, emerged
from the trees. The small army of soldiers came from
the shadows. Judas appeared from them like a wolf sauntering
out of his den. And there under the faint glow
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of the moon, the wolf and the lamb stood yards
away from each other, hiding the cowardice behind an insincere smile.
Judas approached his master and greeted him, Hello, Rabbi, he said,
accompanied by a kiss. It was the signal for the
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soldiers to attack, but they refrained.
Speaker 5 (20:18):
So this is how you betray the son of.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
Man, Jesus said, with a sigh. With a kiss, Jesus
looked over Judas's shoulder and gestured to the soldiers behind him.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Whom do you seek, Jesus of Nazareth.
Speaker 1 (20:32):
They answered, with their hands gripping their swords.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
I am he.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
He answered, and as he did, something stirred among the
heavens on the earth. Thunder rumbled, lightning streaked across the sky,
and the mighty winds of God billowed against the soldiers
with ferocity, pushing the men off their feet and onto
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their backs. The men were quick to recoil and sprang
back to their feet. Flustered and confused, Jesus, still calm
asked again, whom do you seek. The men were uncertain
how to proceed. With nervous voices, they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
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Jesus stretched his arms and replied, I.
Speaker 7 (21:24):
Have told you already that I am he. All I
ask is that you let my friends go. They've done
nothing wrong. It is me you want. At that moment,
Peter was stirred up with passion. He had promised to
defend Jesus to the bitter end. With rage fueling him,
Peter drew out his sword and ran toward the guards.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
You will not take him, Peter shouted.
Speaker 1 (21:50):
One of the guards, named Malchus, stepped forward and parried
Peter's blow. Peter stepped back, then swung downward, aiming for
malchus head. He missed, grazing his ear and chopping it off.
Malchus cried out and fell to the floor, holding his
bloodied head and riding in pain. The guards jumped on
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to Peter. He kicked and screamed with his sword.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
In his hand. Master ran, but Jesus didn't.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
Instead, he calmly walked over to Malchus. He knelt down
and took malchus ear and placed it back on his head.
He held his hand over his ear and shouted to
the disciples.
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Peter, drop your weapon. Those are lit by the sword.
Well die by the sword. You've seen my power. Do
you not think I could have my father's and legions
of angels to fight on my behalf.
Speaker 7 (22:47):
What is happening must happen the scriptures to be fulfilled.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
As Jesus said these things, he took his hand off Malchus. Miraculously,
his ear had been put back in place. Malchus's eyes
watered as he looked up at Jesus warm smile. Jesus
held Malchus to his feet. The guards released Peter and
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the rest of the disciples ran away in fear.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
For their lives.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Jesus raised his voice to the guards, in complete control
of the situation.
Speaker 5 (23:24):
Daily I taught in the temple, but none of you
r rested me. Then, why, I'll tell you this is
how it must be for the word to be fulfilled.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
With those words. Jesus raised his hands for them to
bind him. The Lamb of God knew he was being
sent to slaughter, but he would not be taken as
a victim. No, he was the victor, the hero of heaven.
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He extended his hands to be bound and his chin
to be struck, but not as a powerless captive. He
was marching as a conquering king.
Speaker 4 (24:10):
All right, First, let's talk about the scene at Passover.
Then we're gonna move on to the gritty truth of
chopping off ears. There are moments in our lives when
we feel licensed to be selfish and seek to be
served by others. One of those moments is when we
feel like victims. We feel entitled to selfishness, and we
feel like we've been wronged or cheated of something, So
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maybe we deserve a little something. May we deserve to
be indulgent? After all, if no one is going to
look out for me, then I need to look out
for myself right. Another time we permit ourselves to be
selfish is when we feel morally superior to someone else.
Sometimes we can trick ourselves into thinking our moral prowess
makes us entitled to someone else's devotion. If anybody had
cause to see themselves as a victim or morally superior
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to others, it was definitely Jesus. However, instead of feeling
entitled to the service of others, he humbly served. Listen
to this verse from Philippians two, verses one through nine.
Paul says this, if therefore, there is any exhortation in Christ,
if any consolation and love, if any fellowship of the spirit,
if any tender mercies of compassion, make my joy full
(25:14):
by being like minded, having the same love, being of
one accord and of one mind, doing nothing through rivalry
or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better
than himself, each of you not just looking to your
own things, but each of you also to the things
of others. Have this in your mind, which was also
the mind of Christ, who, existing in the form of God,
(25:36):
didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant. Being
made in the likeness of men and being found in
human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point
of death. Yes, even death on the cross. Service to
others is not an admission of weakness. It's an ultimate
display of strength. Jesus, being God, saw it as an
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of power and purpose to serve the people around him.
Opportunities to be selfish and entitled are all around us,
but it takes a godly individual with christ like strength
to look for the areas needing love and service. The
Passover was a time of remembrance for the Israelites, commemorating
their deliverance from Egypt. Jesus, the Passover Lamb, chose this
moment to demonstrate a new kind of deliverance, a deliverance
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from sin and self centeredness. By washing the disciples feet,
Jesus the Master and teacher embrace the role of a servant.
This act was not just about physical cleanliness, but symbolize
the cleansing of their lives from sin. Jesus's humility and
service are central to his message and mission, and it's
central to us as believers. At the table, Jesus broke
(26:45):
bread and shared wine, symbolizing his body and blood. This
was more than a ritual, this was an invitation to
partake in his suffering and victory. The bread and wine
became symbols of a new covenant, a promise of redemption
and transformation based on the shedding of his blood and
the breaking of his body. This covenant is based on grace,
not law, inviting us into a relationship with God based
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on what Jesus has done, not our merit. By partaking
in communion, we are acknowledging Jesus's sacrifice for us, but
also we're accepting the new life offered to us through
a relationship with him. It's like a marriage where we
dedicate ourselves to living a life with him and for him.
When you take Communion this week, ponder these things and
consider Christ's loving proposal. In this episode, the scene goes
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from warm and fuzzy and cozy to something a little
more dark and sinister. Let's transition to the scene at
the garden, specifically when Jesus is arrested. There are two
things that I want us to notice here for today.
First is that Jesus was at the brook Kedron. This
brook was important during the Passover. It would typically be
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read because the blood from the temple was spilt into
the brook. Jesus is literally standing beside a river flowing
of blood spilt from sacrifice, just hours before he's going
to make the final sacrifice, and his blood is going
to be shed. But this brook also has some historical
biblical significance. It was the brook that David crossed when
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he was running away from Absalom, who was trying to
kill him. David was fleeing into the wilderness to save
himself from death, but Jesus, years later, the son of David,
stepped over the brook and ran towards his enemies. David
was running away from evil, Jesus was stepping towards it.
Jesus actually made it easier for them to arrest him.
(28:32):
This place also has some prophetic significance because this is
also the place where Jesus, with a robe dipped in blood,
riding atop a white horse with a sword for a tongue,
will come in battling evil and thwarting it once and
for all. The second thing we have to notice here
is that Jesus went forward to them. He wasn't hiding.
It says that Jesus, knowing what would happen to him,
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came forward. It says in Hebrews chapter twelve, for the
joy set before him, he endured the cross. Jesus was
not dragged there against his will. Make no mistake, he
was not seized by anyone. He willingly laid his life down.
Jesus said so himself. Nobody takes my life, but I,
for my sheep, will willingly lay it down. In fact,
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when the soldiers asked for Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus says,
I am he, every soldier falls on their backs. That's
powerful and a reminder that Jesus was not a victim.
He was the triumphant and conquering king. He was going
to pursue evil once and for all. These soldiers thought
they had power, They had no power. Jesus was marching
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on a mission to the cross. He willingly gave himself up.
Can we just stand in awe for a moment in
Jesus's sovereignty over the whole situation. This scene is very
important for us to grasp that Jesus was not a victim.
It's profoundly important for us to know that Jesus was
not a victim of evil. Rather, he was the victor
over it. God provides a solution for the problem of
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evil and the Cross through Jesus. He took the eternal
sting that evil caused humanity, nailed it to the cross
with his hands and feet, and bore the weight of evil.
He endured it all, and he conquered over it. Evil
was but a tool for redemption in Christ's hands. He
was totally and completely sovereign. Jesus was not a victim
to sin and it's evils. He is the hero that
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prevails over it, and he can because he is God.
He alone holds the power and authority to address evil
and to do away with it completely. And when we
fail to recognize Christ is the hero of the story
and begin to look at ourselves as the heroes of
the story, we react in one of two ways or both.
Our typical response to sin and evil as usually and
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one of these two postures one hedonism, ignoring good and
evil to pursue your own personal pleasures and bliss. If
you see yourself as the center of the story, you're
the protagonists of this divine tale, then you're gonna do
whatever you want, after all, you're the main character. But
there's another approach that people often take to the problem
of evil, and that's moral, as they take it upon
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themselves to eradicate all the evil because they are the
hero of the story. One person who fell victim to
this was Peter. In the Gospel of Jona says this.
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and
struck the high priest servant and cut off his right ear.
The servant's name was Malchus. At that Jesus said to Peter,
put away your sword. Am I not to drink the
cup that the Father has given me. Peter, in a
(31:23):
moment of indignation, aimed to kill this soldier. He aimed
for the head, but cut off the ear. I want
to make a side point really quick. I wonder how
many ears Jesus has had to put back on on
my behalf. Here's what I mean. I wonder how many
times I've been brutal. I wonder how many times I've
been angry or I've been indignant when thinking I'm defending Jesus.
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Maybe I've been self righteous, Maybe I've been cutting with
my words or judgmental in my tone, and in so
doing I've cut off someone's ear to hearing the gospel.
I wonder how many people I have cut off from
hearing the truth of the Gospel because of my self
righteousness or my error against I cringe thinking about that. Sometimes,
in moments of jealousy, anger, and self righteousness, we can
(32:07):
cut off people thinking that we're combating evil, but all
the while we're just making a mess for Jesus to
clean up afterwards. All of us at some point have
been victims of this behavior as well. But look at
what Jesus does to Malchus. He takes his ear and
puts it back on him. He heals him. I think
I can relate to Peter in this situation because he
(32:27):
was one hundred percent convinced that he was the hero
in this scenario. He was going to be the one
to take up arms and defend Jesus because Jesus needed
his defending. But Jesus just sent all these soldiers flying
on their backs. Is there any inclination in this story
that Jesus needed Peter's defending? Is there any inclination God
has ever given us that he needs us to take
(32:48):
up arms? And defend him at all costs. It's a
form of self righteousness to think that God somehow needs
our defending. When we're the hero of the story, we
can cause a lot of damage. That's why it's so
paramount for us to put Jesus at the top. He
is the hero of the story, and the villain is
the enemy sin and death. When I make people the
(33:09):
enemy instead of Satan and evil, that's when it can
get dangerous. Ephesian six says this, Your enemy isn't flesh
and blood at all. For our struggles is not against
flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against
powers in this dark world, and against the spiritual forces
of evil in the heavenly realms. So when Jesus is
met in the garden, he confronts his enemies and allows
(33:29):
them to escort him to trial. In our next episode,
the son of God is going to stand before some
powerful men. He's going to be tried and sentenced to death.
He may seem like a victim to some, but we
know he's the conquering king.
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he himself said,
it is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts
twenty thirty five. Dear Lord, thank you for your example
of generosity and service to others. Even though you are
God and holier than every one, you still bent down
(00:24):
to bless us. You continually shower us with grace, patience,
and service. Teach me to live in your ways and
leave a legacy of helping others. May I never get
too arrogant to serve people. May I never be too
(00:45):
busy to notice people in need. Give me open eyes
to see the needs around me, and willing hands to
bless them in Jesus name. Amen, thank you for praying
with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast, where
(01:07):
the gospel stories are reborn with fresh vibrancy. Don't go away.
Immerse yourself in the unfolding drama and wonder of Jesus's
journey to the cross and out from the grave. If
this podcast has brought value to your faith, we'd love
it if you left a review and shared it with
(01:27):
a friend. We want the story of Jesus to be
known throughout the world, because when Jesus' story is told,
lives are transformed.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Lord Caiaphas, this man claims to have information about the Nazarene.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Judas stepped out of the darkness and into the torchlight.
Caiaphas laughed, ha ha ha ah, I know you, he sneered.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
You are one of his twelve disciples.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Judas ignored his laughter and went straight to the point.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
What will you give me if I deliver him to you?
Speaker 1 (02:08):
He said? Quickly, caiaphas smile disappeared. He stood to his
feet and circled Judas like a wolf does to its prey.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
Tell me, Judas, what did your master do to you?
Jude warrant his betrayal.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Judas clenched his fist and shrugged.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
My reasons are my own not good enough.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Caiaphus yelled, slamming his fist on the table.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Why should I trust you?
Speaker 1 (02:36):
M h. Judas closed his eyes and drew a deep breath.
The slithering presence of Satan coiled around his heart, prompting
him to near madness. Although he had the choice to
turn back, he felt helpless to do anything else. He
(02:56):
opened his eyes and rolled his shoulders back with confidence.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
He said, I have what you want, which is information
on the whereabouts and weaknesses of Jesus. You have what
I want, which is silver.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
In my purse.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Do you want to be partners or not?
Speaker 1 (03:20):
Caiaph for a smile, returned, Oh so.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
You're a simple man, he teased, Very well, thirty pieces
of silver should be more.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Than enough for your services.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
He gestured for one of the priests to retrieve the
money for Judas. They handed him a sack of thirty
pieces of silver. Judas held it in his hand. The
bag was heavy, heavy enough to drag his entire soul
into darkness.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Do you worship a weak God? Is your God a victim?
A prisoner? How you view God will say a lot
about how you view yourself. If you view Jesus as
a suffering victim, you might find yourself often feeling like
a victim. But if you see Jesus for who he is,
a conqueror, a lion, a champion, you'll find confidence to
(04:18):
stand firm against any trial because you know He's with you.
Paul says in Romans eight thirty seven, we are more
than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast.
A year of story showcasing the depth of Christ's love
and the glory of God's truth. I'm Zach, your host
from pray dot Com, and I am so stoked to
be with you today. It's Passion Week, which means we
(04:41):
are preparing for the death of Jesus on Good Friday
and celebrating the resurrection on Easter Sunday. Be sure to
follow this podcast so you don't miss out on those
gripping episodes and the saga that is the gospel. Today's
story is an emotional rollercoaster, taking us from the warm
upper room where Jesus enjoys the Passover with his disciples,
the cold garden of Gasemone, where a hundred guards will
(05:03):
arrest Jesus. Our story today will begin with a tender
moment between Jesus and his disciples, but it's going to
end with them scattering in fear. It's going to end
with blood and betrayal. The story begins with the Passover,
the celebration that remembers God's passing over the Israelites, when
the blood of the Lamb was on their doorposts. It
was a day to remember the brutality of slavery in Egypt.
(05:25):
But God's redemption through it all. The Lamb that was
slain in Exodus and put on the door posts so
that the Angel would pass over them was a foreshadowing
to Jesus, whose blood would be shed for the salvation
for all mankind. He is the ultimate passover Lamb. In
this episode, we're also going to witness the arrest of Jesus. Peter,
not fathoming that Jesus didn't need his protection, draws his
(05:48):
sword to fight, but he's going to find out that
Jesus isn't a victim. He's not going as a prisoner.
He's going as a king. Keep these things in mind
as you listen to today's story, be swept away in
the emotion of it all, and remember that there is
no freedom from the slavery of sin without the humble
sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
The time had come for passover, a sacred moment of
remembrance and reverence. The passover Lamb himself stood at a
slight distance from his followers. He knew the struggle and
heartache awaited them, but he would not spare them from trials.
(06:29):
He knew that the hardship awaiting them fulfilled a divine purpose.
His eyes glanced down at their feet, filthy from weeks
of traveling to and from the city. Like their souls,
their feet needed cleansing. There was no servant in the
(06:50):
room to wash them, but a basin and washrags were
in the corner. Jesus filled the basin with water, moved
his garment, and wrapped a cloth around his waist. He
returned to where his disciples sat and ordered them to
sit in line. Without a word, he gently began to
(07:13):
wash their feet, one at a time, every moment filled
with an earthly tenderness that stirred something deep within them.
The sound of trickling water echoed throughout the room as
Jesus carefully scrubbed away the dirt and dust. It was
(07:34):
a job for slaves, but the Son of God didn't
count at a loss to humble himself and serve. The
disciples simply remained in awe, astonished by this act of
love and humility. It was unheard of for a rabbi
(07:56):
or any one of prominence to wash other's feet. The
dirty water splashed on to Jesus as he scrubbled. At
that moment, he was literally covered in their filth. Soon
he would wear the filth of their sins. None dared speak,
(08:19):
for fear of lightning. The weight of jesus gesture at
that moment, a heavenly warmth seemed to fill the entire room,
radiating outward from his simple but powerful act of service.
Their eyes followed their master as he moved from disciple
(08:40):
to disciple. Jesus made his way to Judas their eyes
met briefly. Then Jesus knelt down to.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Wash his feet.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Despite knowing what was coming, he cast no judgment or partiality.
Only mercy and understanding shone through his countenance. That merciful
stare and tender touch made Judas flinch with remorse. The
(09:14):
first tinges of regret began to surface, but too much
had already been said in motion. Judas felt trapped. When
it was time for Peter's feet to be washed. He
recoiled and protested.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
No, Lord, you shall never wash my feet.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Jesus smiled softly and replied.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Peter, if I do not wash you clean, you cannot
share this life with me.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Peter, still unsure of what Jesus was saying, widened his
eyes and exclaimed.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
In that case, wash all of me, Lord, Wash me
from head.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
To toe Jesus his head and chuckled. Once Peter's feet
had been washed clean, he leaned back on to the
heel of his feet and said.
Speaker 5 (10:08):
What I am doing you do not understand yet, but
trust me, soon you will. If I you lord him
willing to bend down and become dirty to bless you,
surely you should be willing to do so for one another.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
His words hung over their hearts for a while. They
couldn't fully grasp how dirty Jesus was willing to get
for them, but they would understand soon enough. After having
their feet cleaned, they reclined at the table. The disciples
relaxed themselves. The soft glow of the lamp light warmed
(10:46):
the room. Jesus, however, was troubled. He wasn't worried, nor
was he angry. He was resolved that something terrible yet
profound was about two unfold. Interrupting the joyful banter at
the table, Jesus said, truly, truly, I say to you,
(11:10):
one of you will betray me before the.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Night is ended.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
The disciples glanced at one another in confusion. They weren't
sure what Jesus meant or who among them could possibly
betray him. John leaning close to Jesus with an innocent gaze, asked,
with sincerity.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Lord, is it I who will betray you?
Speaker 1 (11:31):
The purity of John's question revealed the humility of his heart.
Jesus smiled at John but did not respond. Each disciple
asked if it was them, with worry on their faces.
Jesus took a piece of bread and said.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
It is who ever receives this morsel of bread after
I've dipped it.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
Jesus dipped the bread in the broth and handed it
to Judas. The person to receive the first morsel of
dipped bread was always considered the most esteemed person at
the table. By giving Judas the bread, he was showing
him honor and love. This confused the disciples even more,
(12:18):
forcing them to resign themselves to mystery. Once again. They
resumed their discussion, but jesus gaze remained fixed on Judas.
Judas took the bread with shaking hands. He held it
close to his lips, barely biting into it, before setting
(12:39):
it back down on the table. Jesus leaned his elbows
on the table and nodded to Judas, what.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
You have planned to do? Do it quickly.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
Judas's eyes widened with a mixture of guilt and hatred.
Judas looked away and rose to his feet defeat. Jesus
had just washed. Judas left, but nobody knew what he
was up to, since he was the keeper of the purse.
They thought Judas had left to go buy more food
(13:13):
for the feast. Peter leaned over to Jesus and said, Lord,
you know I would never deny you.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
Right.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
Jesus placed a firm hand on Peter's shoulder and said.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
Simon, Simon, indeed, Satan has asked for you.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
He desires to sift you like wheat. But I have
prayed for you.
Speaker 5 (13:38):
I have prayed that your faith would not fail. You
will run, But when you returned to me, I asked
that you strengthen your brothers and sisters. Here they won't
need you.
Speaker 6 (13:50):
Lord, I will not run. I will fight for you.
I would go to prison for you. I I would
even die for you.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Jesus paused and looked away from Peter and gazed out
the window. He knew his time was near. He turned
back to Peter and said.
Speaker 5 (14:12):
Peter, I tell you now that before the rooster has
crewed three times, tomorrow you will have denied, knowing me
three times.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Peter, not quite understanding what Jesus meant, sat back and
pondered his words. He resolved never to leave jesus side.
He would be his defender, not his denial. As the
cool night settled across the land outside the window pane,
(14:45):
the warmth of fellowship felt like a bomb to jesus
Aching heart. Their laughter was an aroma, mingled with a
scent of freshly baked bread. Knowing that his last hour
was close, he broke the bread at the table.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Take this, he said. It is my body broken, so
you may be made whole.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
His companions took it, ignorant of its meaning and the
sacrifice yet to take place. He poured wine into a
cup and had his companions pass it around the table.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
This is my covenant. Take and drink of it.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
He said, solemnly.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
It is my blood shed for the remission of sins.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
They all drank, and in doing so instituted a sacrament
that would endure throughout the generations, reminding every one of
the loving sacrifice of their king. After they ate, Jesus
led them in a hymn. His voice led theirs in
(15:50):
symphonic praise to God. It was an anthem signaling the
beginning of something miraculous. The singing ceased, and the Son
of God led his followers to the mount of Olives.
They scaled the winding path leading to the garden of Gissemone.
(16:14):
The full moon lingered over the trees like a watchful eye.
The frosty air pierced the disciples lungs as they followed Jesus.
They all missed the warmth of the upper room and
wondered why he had led them here. They arrived at
the garden and paused under a wooded glen. There was
(16:39):
an ominous silence in the garden, as if all the
creatures of the night were watching them with bated breath.
The wind picked up, running through the trees like wolves.
It blew towards a far off stone underneath a break
in the tree covering. Beckoned the Son of God forward,
(17:02):
remain here and pray. He told his disciples pray for
God's will to be done. Jesus left his companions and
retreated to be alone with his father. He knelt beside
the stone and poured his soul out to him. Blood
sprang from his pores, conveying the existential tragedy. He was
(17:25):
about to endure Abbah.
Speaker 5 (17:27):
He prayed, if it is possible, let this cop pass
from before me.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Jesus pleaded, but there was no other way. The mountain
called Skull awaited him, where the wrath of God would
be poured out. Jesus knew the will of the Father.
Jesus knew what had to be done with determination and resolve.
(17:56):
Jesus bowed and whispered, not my will, but yours be done.
He continued to pray for his disciples. He prayed that
they would be unified and ready for one lay ahead.
He knew that intense trials awaited them. They would need
(18:16):
the strength of God's spirit. Jesus breathed in deeply and
readied his soul. His weary eyes beheld a vision of
perfect peace. As he gazed upward toward his father. He
knew what had to be done with an indomitable will.
(18:40):
He stood to go meet his enemies. The disciples had
fallen asleep while Jesus was praying. He shook his head
and sighed, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
He tapped Peter on the shoulder and said, wake up,
my pursuers. Approaching the disciples all frantically stood to their feet.
(19:04):
Jesus went ahead of them. He stepped forth, intent on
facing his enemies with meek and unwavering strength. The son
of God didn't wait for his pursuers to find him.
He closed the gap between himself and a group of
soldiers hiding away in the shadows. His disciples followed him
over the brook Kidron Crimson with the blood of animal sacrifices.
(19:30):
The sound of marching, accompanied by dozens of torches, emerged
from the trees. The small army of soldiers came from
the shadows. Judas appeared from them like a wolf sauntering
out of his den. And there under the faint glow
(19:51):
of the moon, the wolf and the lamb stood yards
away from each other, hiding the cowardice behind an insincere smile.
Judas approached his master and greeted him, Hello, Rabbi, he said,
accompanied by a kiss. It was the signal for the
(20:14):
soldiers to attack, but they refrained.
Speaker 5 (20:18):
So this is how you betray the son of.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
Man, Jesus said, with a sigh. With a kiss, Jesus
looked over Judas's shoulder and gestured to the soldiers behind him.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Whom do you seek, Jesus of Nazareth.
Speaker 1 (20:32):
They answered, with their hands gripping their swords.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
I am he.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
He answered, and as he did, something stirred among the
heavens on the earth. Thunder rumbled, lightning streaked across the sky,
and the mighty winds of God billowed against the soldiers
with ferocity, pushing the men off their feet and onto
(20:58):
their backs. The men were quick to recoil and sprang
back to their feet. Flustered and confused, Jesus, still calm
asked again, whom do you seek. The men were uncertain
how to proceed. With nervous voices, they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
(21:21):
Jesus stretched his arms and replied, I.
Speaker 7 (21:24):
Have told you already that I am he. All I
ask is that you let my friends go. They've done
nothing wrong. It is me you want. At that moment,
Peter was stirred up with passion. He had promised to
defend Jesus to the bitter end. With rage fueling him,
Peter drew out his sword and ran toward the guards.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
You will not take him, Peter shouted.
Speaker 1 (21:50):
One of the guards, named Malchus, stepped forward and parried
Peter's blow. Peter stepped back, then swung downward, aiming for
malchus head. He missed, grazing his ear and chopping it off.
Malchus cried out and fell to the floor, holding his
bloodied head and riding in pain. The guards jumped on
(22:12):
to Peter. He kicked and screamed with his sword.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
In his hand. Master ran, but Jesus didn't.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
Instead, he calmly walked over to Malchus. He knelt down
and took malchus ear and placed it back on his head.
He held his hand over his ear and shouted to
the disciples.
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Peter, drop your weapon. Those are lit by the sword.
Well die by the sword. You've seen my power. Do
you not think I could have my father's and legions
of angels to fight on my behalf.
Speaker 7 (22:47):
What is happening must happen the scriptures to be fulfilled.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
As Jesus said these things, he took his hand off Malchus. Miraculously,
his ear had been put back in place. Malchus's eyes
watered as he looked up at Jesus warm smile. Jesus
held Malchus to his feet. The guards released Peter and
(23:13):
the rest of the disciples ran away in fear.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
For their lives.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Jesus raised his voice to the guards, in complete control
of the situation.
Speaker 5 (23:24):
Daily I taught in the temple, but none of you
r rested me. Then, why, I'll tell you this is
how it must be for the word to be fulfilled.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
With those words. Jesus raised his hands for them to
bind him. The Lamb of God knew he was being
sent to slaughter, but he would not be taken as
a victim. No, he was the victor, the hero of heaven.
(23:55):
He extended his hands to be bound and his chin
to be struck, but not as a powerless captive. He
was marching as a conquering king.
Speaker 4 (24:10):
All right, First, let's talk about the scene at Passover.
Then we're gonna move on to the gritty truth of
chopping off ears. There are moments in our lives when
we feel licensed to be selfish and seek to be
served by others. One of those moments is when we
feel like victims. We feel entitled to selfishness, and we
feel like we've been wronged or cheated of something, So
(24:31):
maybe we deserve a little something. May we deserve to
be indulgent? After all, if no one is going to
look out for me, then I need to look out
for myself right. Another time we permit ourselves to be
selfish is when we feel morally superior to someone else.
Sometimes we can trick ourselves into thinking our moral prowess
makes us entitled to someone else's devotion. If anybody had
cause to see themselves as a victim or morally superior
(24:53):
to others, it was definitely Jesus. However, instead of feeling
entitled to the service of others, he humbly served. Listen
to this verse from Philippians two, verses one through nine.
Paul says this, if therefore, there is any exhortation in Christ,
if any consolation and love, if any fellowship of the spirit,
if any tender mercies of compassion, make my joy full
(25:14):
by being like minded, having the same love, being of
one accord and of one mind, doing nothing through rivalry
or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better
than himself, each of you not just looking to your
own things, but each of you also to the things
of others. Have this in your mind, which was also
the mind of Christ, who, existing in the form of God,
(25:36):
didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant. Being
made in the likeness of men and being found in
human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point
of death. Yes, even death on the cross. Service to
others is not an admission of weakness. It's an ultimate
display of strength. Jesus, being God, saw it as an
(26:00):
of power and purpose to serve the people around him.
Opportunities to be selfish and entitled are all around us,
but it takes a godly individual with christ like strength
to look for the areas needing love and service. The
Passover was a time of remembrance for the Israelites, commemorating
their deliverance from Egypt. Jesus, the Passover Lamb, chose this
moment to demonstrate a new kind of deliverance, a deliverance
(26:23):
from sin and self centeredness. By washing the disciples feet,
Jesus the Master and teacher embrace the role of a servant.
This act was not just about physical cleanliness, but symbolize
the cleansing of their lives from sin. Jesus's humility and
service are central to his message and mission, and it's
central to us as believers. At the table, Jesus broke
(26:45):
bread and shared wine, symbolizing his body and blood. This
was more than a ritual, this was an invitation to
partake in his suffering and victory. The bread and wine
became symbols of a new covenant, a promise of redemption
and transformation based on the shedding of his blood and
the breaking of his body. This covenant is based on grace,
not law, inviting us into a relationship with God based
(27:07):
on what Jesus has done, not our merit. By partaking
in communion, we are acknowledging Jesus's sacrifice for us, but
also we're accepting the new life offered to us through
a relationship with him. It's like a marriage where we
dedicate ourselves to living a life with him and for him.
When you take Communion this week, ponder these things and
consider Christ's loving proposal. In this episode, the scene goes
(27:29):
from warm and fuzzy and cozy to something a little
more dark and sinister. Let's transition to the scene at
the garden, specifically when Jesus is arrested. There are two
things that I want us to notice here for today.
First is that Jesus was at the brook Kedron. This
brook was important during the Passover. It would typically be
(27:51):
read because the blood from the temple was spilt into
the brook. Jesus is literally standing beside a river flowing
of blood spilt from sacrifice, just hours before he's going
to make the final sacrifice, and his blood is going
to be shed. But this brook also has some historical
biblical significance. It was the brook that David crossed when
(28:11):
he was running away from Absalom, who was trying to
kill him. David was fleeing into the wilderness to save
himself from death, but Jesus, years later, the son of David,
stepped over the brook and ran towards his enemies. David
was running away from evil, Jesus was stepping towards it.
Jesus actually made it easier for them to arrest him.
(28:32):
This place also has some prophetic significance because this is
also the place where Jesus, with a robe dipped in blood,
riding atop a white horse with a sword for a tongue,
will come in battling evil and thwarting it once and
for all. The second thing we have to notice here
is that Jesus went forward to them. He wasn't hiding.
It says that Jesus, knowing what would happen to him,
(28:53):
came forward. It says in Hebrews chapter twelve, for the
joy set before him, he endured the cross. Jesus was
not dragged there against his will. Make no mistake, he
was not seized by anyone. He willingly laid his life down.
Jesus said so himself. Nobody takes my life, but I,
for my sheep, will willingly lay it down. In fact,
(29:14):
when the soldiers asked for Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus says,
I am he, every soldier falls on their backs. That's
powerful and a reminder that Jesus was not a victim.
He was the triumphant and conquering king. He was going
to pursue evil once and for all. These soldiers thought
they had power, They had no power. Jesus was marching
(29:35):
on a mission to the cross. He willingly gave himself up.
Can we just stand in awe for a moment in
Jesus's sovereignty over the whole situation. This scene is very
important for us to grasp that Jesus was not a victim.
It's profoundly important for us to know that Jesus was
not a victim of evil. Rather, he was the victor
over it. God provides a solution for the problem of
(29:56):
evil and the Cross through Jesus. He took the eternal
sting that evil caused humanity, nailed it to the cross
with his hands and feet, and bore the weight of evil.
He endured it all, and he conquered over it. Evil
was but a tool for redemption in Christ's hands. He
was totally and completely sovereign. Jesus was not a victim
to sin and it's evils. He is the hero that
(30:18):
prevails over it, and he can because he is God.
He alone holds the power and authority to address evil
and to do away with it completely. And when we
fail to recognize Christ is the hero of the story
and begin to look at ourselves as the heroes of
the story, we react in one of two ways or both.
Our typical response to sin and evil as usually and
(30:39):
one of these two postures one hedonism, ignoring good and
evil to pursue your own personal pleasures and bliss. If
you see yourself as the center of the story, you're
the protagonists of this divine tale, then you're gonna do
whatever you want, after all, you're the main character. But
there's another approach that people often take to the problem
of evil, and that's moral, as they take it upon
(31:01):
themselves to eradicate all the evil because they are the
hero of the story. One person who fell victim to
this was Peter. In the Gospel of Jona says this.
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and
struck the high priest servant and cut off his right ear.
The servant's name was Malchus. At that Jesus said to Peter,
put away your sword. Am I not to drink the
cup that the Father has given me. Peter, in a
(31:23):
moment of indignation, aimed to kill this soldier. He aimed
for the head, but cut off the ear. I want
to make a side point really quick. I wonder how
many ears Jesus has had to put back on on
my behalf. Here's what I mean. I wonder how many
times I've been brutal. I wonder how many times I've
been angry or I've been indignant when thinking I'm defending Jesus.
(31:44):
Maybe I've been self righteous, Maybe I've been cutting with
my words or judgmental in my tone, and in so
doing I've cut off someone's ear to hearing the gospel.
I wonder how many people I have cut off from
hearing the truth of the Gospel because of my self
righteousness or my error against I cringe thinking about that. Sometimes,
in moments of jealousy, anger, and self righteousness, we can
(32:07):
cut off people thinking that we're combating evil, but all
the while we're just making a mess for Jesus to
clean up afterwards. All of us at some point have
been victims of this behavior as well. But look at
what Jesus does to Malchus. He takes his ear and
puts it back on him. He heals him. I think
I can relate to Peter in this situation because he
(32:27):
was one hundred percent convinced that he was the hero
in this scenario. He was going to be the one
to take up arms and defend Jesus because Jesus needed
his defending. But Jesus just sent all these soldiers flying
on their backs. Is there any inclination in this story
that Jesus needed Peter's defending? Is there any inclination God
has ever given us that he needs us to take
(32:48):
up arms? And defend him at all costs. It's a
form of self righteousness to think that God somehow needs
our defending. When we're the hero of the story, we
can cause a lot of damage. That's why it's so
paramount for us to put Jesus at the top. He
is the hero of the story, and the villain is
the enemy sin and death. When I make people the
(33:09):
enemy instead of Satan and evil, that's when it can
get dangerous. Ephesian six says this, Your enemy isn't flesh
and blood at all. For our struggles is not against
flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against
powers in this dark world, and against the spiritual forces
of evil in the heavenly realms. So when Jesus is
met in the garden, he confronts his enemies and allows
(33:29):
them to escort him to trial. In our next episode,
the son of God is going to stand before some
powerful men. He's going to be tried and sentenced to death.
He may seem like a victim to some, but we
know he's the conquering king.
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