Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Looking at Jesus on the way to the Cross
• v37
• A great statement from the Lord Jesus Christ
• "Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me"
• This is a decisive moment in the history of the world (and in Jesus' life)
• Events are not controlling Jesus - rather He is in control
• This was His hour
• There was an intense spiritual conflict
• People close to the events are tested in this spiritual conflict
• We will be looking at some of the characters involved
• Whose side are we on?
• We live in intimidating times

Judas

• The traitor
• He saw all of the miracles of Jesus
• He was present in the upper room and when Jesus washed the disciples feet
• He was present when Jesus instituted the Communion remembrance
• He was present when Jesus said someone would betray Him
• What is going on his heart? Why did he do, what he did?
• Judas had freely chosen to betray Jesus
• A man so close to Jesus but never really knew and loved Him
• Judas is a special case
• Maybe there are elements of Judas in us?
• Perhaps Jesus did not do what Judas wanted Him to do?
• Do people refuse to believe in Jesus because He has not done what people want Him to?
• It was night in his soul - though he realised his sin and wanted to return the blood money
• He committed suicide
• Are you on Jesus' side?
• It is possible to be so close to Jesus and yet not know Him

Simon Peter

• We are very familiar with his denials
• He truly loves Jesus but he has frailties and weaknesses
• These weaknesses become clear at this time, but he fails Jesus
• Peter still seems to be fighting for Jesus not to die - He loves Jesus
• Peter (and John) followed Jesus out of devotion - he did not abandon Him
• Peter is challenged three times
• The challenge against Jesus (and Peter) was very hostile
• Would we have withstood?
• His faith failed - he thought he was unworthy
• A sign of a true disciple is that when we fail, it breaks our heart
• However, his failure has not been dealt with
• This is why Jesus restores him and tells him to "feed His sheep"
• Do we find it easy to restore someone after they fail?
• He is on the side of truth but fails (and is restored)

Pilate

• A governor in a troublesome province
• The Jews had condemned Jesus without any real evidence
• They wouldn't go into the palace as they would be unclean and couldn't celebrate the Passover but at the same time were handing over the Messiah to be executed
• Pilate challenges the Jews
• He examines Jesus and begins to ask questions
• "What is truth?"
• He is a man of his time - 'no such thing as absolute truth'
• He is cynical
• Lots of people have doubts - not always a straight denial of the Truth
• Jesus is the Truth!
• He is being asked what side is he on
• He avoids this question
• Agnostics drift through life not answering this question
• He tries to avoid the issue ... but Pilate fails
• Quote from Terry Pratchet

Barabbas

• A condemned criminal - to be executed the following day
• What was it like to be in this position?
• The door opens as he is set free
• Jesus died in his place
• What did he do?
• Did he go back to his old ways
• Did he go to look at Jesus' dying?
• Was he moved by what happened?
• Was he on the side of Truth?
• Was he moved by grace?
• A wonderful picture of the gospel
• Jesus dies in our place for our sins
• He takes our physical death and eternal punishment

Closing Remarks