Out of Darkness

The Word:

"...they were rebellious in their purposes..." (Psalm.106:43)

"...men loved the darkness rather than the Light..." (John 3:19)

"...For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me..." (John 6:38)

"...I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness..." (John 12:46)

"...The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil..." (1 John 3:8)

“...For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son...” (Colossians 1:13)

Knowing but Not Living:

There are no chains that can hold us in a lie, only our refusal to live in the truth we know. Why do people who know the truth live in a lie?

Addictions:

Habitual choices to accept less than God's perfect intentions. Repeatedly reaching for satisfaction in something that will never provide that which is really needed. Believing the lie that there is no other option, that one is destined to this fate. The regularly discussed addictions of our society are not the only possibilities. What addictions do you see in your life? What do you think you should do about them?

The Devilish Twist:

One of the most devious and crippling lies. Believing that God loves us, but He has chosen for us to live in chains. To what does believing this lie lead? What was Jesus constantly doing for the people (prisoners) He came in contact with during His earthly ministry?

Grace is the Answer:

Biblical grace provides more than forgiveness. We start with merciful forgiveness, but grace is the power to overcome carelessness, addiction, and lies.

Believe it. Receive it. Be free.

Tempted with Truth

The Law is not the Promise:

Galatians 3:17-18 “...What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise...”

The promise was made 430 years before the law was given on Sinai.

The law did not replace the promise given by God.

The Law is a Guardian:

Galatians 3:24-25 “...So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law...”

If people were perfectly good and always lived correctly, there would be no need for police forces and governmental regulations. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

If people were sinless and always lived correctly, there would be no need for the law.

As a guardian, the law has been in charge - to lead us to Christ

In Christ, we are heirs to the Promise:

Galatians 3:29 “...If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise...”

Those who belong to Christ are heirs because of the promise, not because of following the law.

The Bewitching:

Galatians 3:3 “...Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?...”

Galatians 3:5 “...Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?...”

Do you have a sin issue that you’re determined to overcome?

Has the issue been an ongoing frustration because your efforts have failed?

Are you bewitched?

The Reality:

Romans 3:20 “...because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin...”

John 6:63 "...It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life...”

Romans 6:14 “...For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace...”

If you see your sin, the Law has done it’s job.

If you try to master your sin by human effort, there is no profit - it will master you.

It is the abiding presence of Christ that prevents sin from being master. The presence of Christ changes a person’s heart from the inside, which is vastly different from trying to control actions from the outside.

THE GUARDIAN REPLACED:

The Law is not the Promise:

Galatians 3:17-18 “...What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise...”

The promise was made 430 years before the law was given on Sinai.

The law did not replace the promise given by God.

The Law is a Guardian:

Galatians 3:24-25 “...So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law...”

If people were perfectly good and always lived correctly, there would be no need for police forces and governmental regulations. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

If people were sinless and always lived correctly, there would be no need for the law.

As a guardian, the law has been in charge - to lead us to Christ

In Christ, we are heirs to the Promise:

Galatians 3:29 “...If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise...”

Those who belong to Christ are heirs because of the promise, not because of following the law.

The Bewitching:

Galatians 3:3 “...Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?...”

Galatians 3:5 “...Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?...”

Do you have a sin issue that you’re determined to overcome?

Has the issue been an ongoing frustration because your efforts have failed?

Are you bewitched?

The Reality:

Romans 3:20 “...because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin...”

John 6:63 "...It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life...”

Romans 6:14 “...For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace...”

If you see your sin, the Law has done it’s job.

If you try to master your sin by human effort, there is no profit - it will master you.

It is the abiding presence of Christ that prevents sin from being master. The presence of Christ changes a person’s heart from the inside, which is vastly different from trying to control actions from the outside.

The Last Chapter of the Last Gospel Account:

John 21:1-25 “...After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written...”

What occurred?

• Jesus revealed Himself.
• Jesus gave instructions.
• Jesus participated in the mundane necessities of life.
• Jesus commissioned one who had betrayed Him.
• There’s more to Jesus than this world can even contain.

The Great Commission:

Context:

• The eleven disciples went to Galilee.
• When the saw Him they worshiped Him, but some doubted.
• Jesus appeared to the eleven and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart.

Matthew 28:18-20 “...And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age...”

Mark 16:15-18 “...And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover...”

Luke 24:44-49 “...Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high...”

Who received the charge to go?

• Disciples of Jesus.

Where were they charged to go?

• All nations. The whole creation.

What were they charged to do?

• Proclaim repentance and forgiveness.
• Make disciples.
• Baptize.
• Teach to observe all that Jesus commanded.

Appearances:

Context:

• Jesus joined Cleopas and another walking to a village named Emmaus.
• He was not recognized.

Luke 24:17 “...And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad...”

Luke 24:19-24 “...And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see...”

What did they relay to Jesus?

• That Jesus was a prophet, mighty in deed and word.
• That the chief priests and rulers condemned Him to death and crucified Him.
• That they had hoped He was the redeemer of Israel.
• That the women had reported seeing Him alive.
• That they did not see Him.

Luke 24:25-27 “...And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself...”

Why did Jesus call them foolish and slow of heart?

• Because they didn’t believe all that the prophets had spoken.

Are people expected to know recorded prophesy?

What did Jesus teach them?

• The necessity of fulfilled prophesy.
• The Jesus things recorded in Moses and all the Prophets.

What would Jesus teach us?

Luke 24:36-43 “...As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them...”

What troubled the disciples and caused doubts to arise in their hearts?

• Life hadn’t turned out the way they wanted.

What troubles you and causes doubts to arise in your heart?

• Life not turning out the way we want.

What does Jesus say and do for doubting hearts?

• He says Peace to you.
• He shows Himself to be real.
• He participates in the ordinary things of life.

The Resurrection:

Context:

• Jesus yielded up His spirit.
• The Curtain of the temple was torn in two.
• The earth shook, the rocks were split.
• The tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and after His resurrection went into the city and appeared to many.
• The soldiers pierced His side with a spear
• He was buried and the tomb was secured and guarded by soldiers.
• After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
• An angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone.
• The guards trembled and became like dead men.

Matthew 28:9-10 “...And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me...”

John 20:15-17 “...Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’...”

John 20:19-23 “...On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld...”

What had just taken place?

• Jesus had been crucified and buried.
• Jesus conquered death and the grave.
• Jesus was resurrected in bodily form.
• Jesus appeared to the women and the disciples.

What did Jesus say?

• Do not be afraid.
• Do not cling to me.
• Peace be with you.
• Receive the Holy Spirit.

Why did Jesus say these things?

• It was a time of fear.
• There was a tendency to cling to Him
• Peace was needed.
• The Holy Spirit was needed.

What would be going through your mind if you would have been there?

• Fear?
• Attempts to hang on to what you previously knew?
• Confusion?
• A need for comfort and direction.

The Death of Jesus:

John 19:10-11 “...So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin...”

Did Pilate have authority over Jesus?

• All authority is given from above. 
• Is there any authority not given from above?

Did Pilate have sin?

• The Apostles’ Creed has the phrase “suffered under Pontius Pilate”.

Why did those that delivered Jesus have the greater sin?

• Who were those? Judas? Caiaphas? The priests? The Jewish people? Us?

Who is responsible for the death of Jesus? Why did He have to die?

Context:

• We’ve reached the place in the narrative where Jesus doesn’t say much.
• Pilate washed his hands of the situation, but gave Jesus up.
• A whole battalion of solders gathered.
• They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.
• They added a crown of thorns.
• They spit on Him, struck Him, mocked Him, and led Him to be crucified.
• They offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He didn’t take it.
• They crucified Him between two robbers, then cast lots for His garments.
• The chief priests and scribes mocked Him, showing their unbelief by saying “He saved others, He cannot save himself”.

Luke 23:27-31 “...And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?...”

Luke 23:34 “...And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments...”

In the midst of this torment, was Jesus feeling sorry for Himself?

• His concern, as always, was for people who were far from God.

When and why would people want mountains to fall on them?

• Revelation 6:15-17 “...Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?...”
• People may mock Jesus for a season, but the day of wrath is coming when mockers will be desperately trying to hide themselves from His face.

Luke 23:39-43 “...One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise...”

Did both criminals deserve punishment?

Why was one offered Paradise?

• He didn’t go to an altar in response to a moving sermon.
• He didn’t say the sinner’s prayer.
• John 8:24 “...I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins...”
• He simply believed that Jesus was who He claimed to be.

John 19:26-27 “...When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home...”

What was Jesus arranging?

• He was insuring that His mother would be cared for?

Where was Joseph? Where were the brothers and sisters?

Matthew 27:46 “...And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?...”

Mark 15:34 “...And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?...”

What was being expressed by these words?

• Romans 5:8 “...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us...”
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 “...For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God...”
• Galatians 3:13 “...Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree...”
• An affirmation of relationship - My God, my God.
• A real separation from the relationship that had always existed.

John 19:28-30 “...After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit...”

How was Jesus fulfilling God’s plan, even in His thirst?

• Exodus 12:22 “...Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning...”
• Jesus was giving Himself as the perfect sacrificial Lamb at Passover.

What was finished?

• “It is finished” is a translation of the word tetelesta.
• Tetelesta was a Greek word written across receipts for taxes, meaning “paid in full.”

Was Jesus earthly ministry finished? Not really.

• The requirement for mankind’s sin was now “paid in full”

Luke 23:46 “...Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last...”

What was being expressed by these words?

• John 10:17-18 “...For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father...”

• Jesus knew what He was doing.
• He willing laid down His life, trusting in His heavenly Father.

The seven sayings from the cross:

• Luke 23:24 “...Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do...”
• Luke 23:43 “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise...”
• John 19:26-27 “...Woman, behold, your son! ... “Behold, your mother!...”
• Matthew 27:46 “...My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?...”
• John 19:28 “...I thirst ...”
• John 19:30 “...It is finished...”
• Luke 23:46 “...Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!...”

A Chat with Pilate:

Context:

• In the morning, Jesus was bound and delivered to Pilate, the governor.
• Judas, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, hanged himself.
• Pilate asks Jesus “Are you the King of the Jews”?

Matthew 27:11b “...Jesus said, “You have said so...”

Mark 15:2b “...And he answered him, “You have said so...”

Luke 23:3b “...And he answered him, “You have said so...”

John 18:34b “...Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?...”

What did Pilate want to verify?

• That Jesus was promoting Himself to be King.

Did Pilate get the answer he was looking for?

• Jesus didn’t answer the question.

Matthew 27:13-14 “...Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed...”

Mark 15:5 “...But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed...”

Why didn’t Jesus defend Himself?

• He wasn’t concerned about how He was being, or would be, treated.
• He was concerned about carrying out the Will of the Father.

Have you ever been falsely accused? If so, what was most important to you at the time?

Luke 23:7-11 “...And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate...”

Why was Herod glad to meet Jesus?

• He had heard about Him, and was hoping to see a sign done by Him.
• But Jesus gave him no satisfaction, refusing to answer his questions.

How was Jesus treated by the soldiers?

• Poorly.

John 18:35-36 “...Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world...”

What clarification did Jesus offer?

• John 1:11 “...He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him...”
• Jesus wasn’t advocating political insurrection.
• He wasn’t a zealot or revolutionary in the worldly sense.
• He was offering participation in a Kingdom that was not of this world.
• He had no intention of forcing people to recognize His Kingship.

John 18:37-38 “...Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world - to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him...”

Why did Jesus come to earth?

• To bear witness to the truth.
• The world to which He came had lost its way.
• The world was not living in truth.

Does everyone receive the truth the Jesus came to bear witness to?

• Only those who “...of the truth...” listen to the words of Jesus.

What does it mean to be “...of the truth...”?

• John 3:3 “...Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God...”
• Being born again is a prerequisite for participation in Kingdom truth.

Matthew 27:17-20 “...So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus...”

Mark 15:9-11 “...And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead...”

Luke 23:14-16 “...and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him.[23:17 Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.] But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder...”

John 18:38-40 “...Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber...”

What conclusion did Pilate reach?

• Jesus was not guilty.

Who deserved to die, Jesus or Barabbas?

• Barabbas was a murderer.
• Jesus had done no wrong.

Who deserves to die, Jesus or you?

• We, like Barabbas, deserve the punishment and death sentence that Jesus received.

Peter’s Denial:

Context:

• Jesus had previously said that all his disciples would fall way.
• Peter had confidently claimed that he would never fall away.

Matthew 26:33-34 “...Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times...”

Was Peter confident in his ability to stay true to Jesus?

Are you confident in your ability to stay true to Jesus?

Peter was warming himself in the courtyard, and a servant girl recognized him as someone who was with Jesus:

• Matthew 26:70 “...But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean...”
• Mark 14:68 “...But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed...”

The servant girl saw him again and said “This man is one of them.”

• Matthew 26:72 “...And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man...”
• Mark 14:70a “...But again he denied it...”

Bystanders, upon hearing his accent, then accused him of being “one of them”

• Matthew 26:74 “...Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed...”
• Mark 14:71 “...But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak. And immediately the rooster crowed a second time...”

Matthew 26:75 “...And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly...”

Mark 14:72 “...And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept...”

Why did Peter deny Jesus?

• Was he predestined to deny Him?
• Was he simply reacting in a self-saving, rather than self-sacrificing manner?

Is self-preservation a natural human response?

Did Jesus, the perfect human respond from self-preservation?

• He prayed for the cup to pass.
• He stopped the attempt to prevent His capture.
• He willingly went to the cross, when He could have saved Himself.
• The perfect man reacted as self-sacrificing, not self-saving.

Have you ever failed to admit your allegiance to Jesus?

How do you feel when you realized you’ve fallen short?

What did Jesus think of you?

• He loved Peter.
• He loves us.