Journey to the Cross, Part 3—Dave Jacobs

The Arrest (Matthew 26:47-56): 

Jesus' character and moral toughness in his arrest. It's an aspect of Jesus' character that so many seem to have forgotten. 

It is here at the arrest that we begin to see the incredible strength and restraint of our Lord. His righteousness at his arrest is simply amazing. When others disappointed him and let him down, he stood firm. When others turned on him and betrayed him, he was righteous. We all know the pain of being lied to or mistreated. It hurts. Yet Jesus shows us the way in loving our enemies in His response to Judas. He was full of grace in His response to Judas and called Him ‘friend’. Judas treated Jesus so cowardly, and Jesus was still willing to call him his friend. This is grace beyond measure. 

Jesus does make a comment to the crowd. He cuts right to the issue at hand. V55 "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me." 

His was a simple question that he might ask some of us today. Why do you act one way at the temple and another when you are elsewhere? Are you someone who pays lip service to Jesus at religious services, but betrays him in the darkness later? 

But Jesus was going to Calvary voluntarily. His love compelled Him to make the sacrifice that would save our souls. Despite the ability to free himself and punish the offenders, He freely gave himself up for all of us. Jesus walked into this knowing exactly what was in store for him. That's how much he loved us. 

Before the High Priest (Matthew 26:57-68) 

It must have seemed so simple to Caiaphas before the trial began. False witnesses would testify. A verdict would be reached. Legal traditions would be ignored while Jerusalem slept. Jesus would be hustled off to Pilate for an early morning sentencing.  You can sense the frustration building as Caiaphas struggled to find a charge that would stick. 

Jesus remained silent. His silence seemed to frustrate the High Priest all the more. V62 "Aren't you going to answer?" Caiaphas asked. "What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 

Silence would have saved Jesus' life at this point, and he knew it. If he had held his tongue, he might possibly have gotten off with a beating or less. Jesus, however, knew exactly what he was doing. His silence, confession, and submission to these hypocrites were crucial to the completion of his mission. He took that step voluntarily. It was a big step on the road to Calvary. 

Once you understand that He did this because he loves you personally, then you, too, are ready to take his hand and walk that road to the Cross with Him. 

Following at a Distance, Then Denial (Matthew 26:69-75) 

Denial: This a familiar passage to most of us. Peter denying Jesus Christ 3 times. Fear took over when Peter was questioned about Him being a follower of Jesus. His boasting of faith and courage was being replaced with a display of cowardice and weakness. 

Why did Peter come to a place of weakness and denying Jesus Christ? We’ve seen already how he slept too much and prayed too little in the Garden of Gethsemane. Yet There is more… 

Peter in the courtyard of Caiaphas’ house was a far different Peter than had eaten the last supper with Jesus. Bold and confident over dinner, Peter was a man who was ready to change the world. By the time he reached the high priest’s home, things had changed. Now he was a spectator. He didn’t try to effect the trial. Instead, he “entered and sat down to see the outcome.” How out of character for Peter. He had stepped off the playing field and sat down in the grandstands to watch. Fear was at work in his heart. 

You notice this especially in the way Peter moved around the courtyard. First he tried to fit in with the guards. When his accent gave him away, he slunked over to a dark spot near the gate. He didn’t want to stand out. He wanted to fit in. He felt most comfortable hidden in the darkness. He was keeping his distance. Peter had changed from pro-active to inactive. 

Some may be following Jesus at a distance today. This timid and cowardly approach to discipleship often seems safe and comfortable. Yet distance can be dangerous. If we keep our distance from Jesus, it could mean pretty soon you may be really not a follower at all. 

Distance means being full of unconfessed sin. It means quiet doubts of God & the Bible. 

Do you find yourself following at a distance today? Have you come off the playing field and taken a comfortable seat in the grandstands? 

Our aim as disciples is to let our light shine on earth so that people can see who we are. 

Conclusion:

*To be tough like Jesus and show strength and restraint as we face the challenges of life. To be full of grace when let down by others and to love our enemies as Jesus Christ showed in His response to Judas.

*To not follow Jesus at a distance. 

Watch the full sermon here.