An Unexpected Witnessdennis kinlawGod always gives us a witness of himself.Betrayal; Christ; God, evidence of; Hearing God; Salvation, need forText: John 18:1—14
Topic: What the details of the arrest of Jesus have to teach us.
Introduction:
- Biblical genealogies may be God's way of saying, "No one is unimportant to me."
- Genesis covers creation in two chapters, while the Joseph story takes thirteen.
- The amount of attention in the text shows the level of God's interest.
- The Gospels include 40 verses devoted to the arrest of Jesus.
- Illustration: The long list of details concerning the arrest indicates God has something significant to communicate to us.
Jesus' arrest shows his sovereign majesty under difficult circumstances.
- Illustration: William Barkley describes the type and number of soldiers that came for Jesus.
- This large troop, armed to the teeth, still fell down when Jesus identified himself.
- The soldiers did not take Jesus; he gave himself to them.
- Although Peter reacts with violence, Jesus is master of all circumstances.
Jesus' arrest shows his compassionate concern for bumbling disciples.
- In the moment of danger, Jesus protected his followers.
Jesus' arrest shows human foolishness when we don't understand God's ways.
- Peter tried to save the Savior with his sword.
- That Peter only lopped off and ear is a sign of the absurdity of the situation.
- Jesus doesn't need us to save him.
Jesus' arrest shows how God even cares about the wicked.
- Malchus' report to Caiaphus was testimony of Christ's healing power.
- It is difficult to escape the witness of God.
- Illustration: Someone contemplating suicide has a Gideon Bible.
- Illustration: A graduate student studies the works of Milton and Dante.
- Illustration: Leonard Bernstein conducts the Messiah.
Jesus' arrest shows his silence when man makes the ultimate wrong choice.
- Judas made up his mind and Jesus does nothing to stop him.
Conclusion:
- God will go as far as possible to reach us, but then he stops.
- We must respond to the witness God gives us.
Printer view
by 1 member.
back to top
