Sermon On the Net

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

 

John 18: Jesus and His disciples went to the garden where Judas would appear with the Roman cohort to betrayed Him. Jesus asked, "Whom do you seek?" And they replied that they were looking for Jesus the Nazarene and when He admitted that it was Him, they drew back and fell to the ground. Jesus said, "I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go." This was a fulfillment of prophecy; none of His would be lost.

 

They bound Him and took Him to Annas first and then to Caiaphas the high priest. He questioned Him and Jesus told him that he should really be asking the people to whom Jesus preached, for they would know the truth of what He was saying. In the meantime Peter had been questioned and placed in a position of having to deny being with Jesus three times and a cock crowed as Jesus prophesized to Peter earlier.

 

They finally took Him to Pilate who questioned Jesus about the reason he was there. Pilate became frustrated with Him because he couldn't understand the whole scene. He requested that the Jews take Jesus themselves and take care of their own problems. The Jews answered and said no, they wanted Pilate to take the responsibility, to try Him and have Him crucified. Pilate persisted and tried to get out of the situation by offering to let Jesus go free, as was their custom in that time, (one prisoner was allowed to go free), but they insisted that he free Barabbas (a robber) instead.

 

This chapter is another testimony of the love that God has for those that believe in Him. It is His willingness to see His only Son humiliated and suffer. Suffer for the sins of the world so that those who believe why Jesus came on this earth would be spared an eternity of suffering and enjoy an eternity of happiness in being with the Lord. Romans 6:23 states: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Please remember that death in this context is eternal separation from God. Please consider your future for it is yours and yours alone.