Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Reading "What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare."
- Quote from Poem
- Do we have time to stare, particularly at Jesus?
- John's biography of Jesus [John's Gospel] is selective
- This passage helps us to look at Jesus
- We are commanded five times to "behold"
- v4, 14, 26, 27
- Be believing in Him, we can have life in His name
Behold the King (v14)
- The passage does not make for easy reading
- The chapter starts with a bruised and bloodied Jesus
- He has suffered a kangaroo court
- He is sent to be flogged
- Quote from historian on the terribleness of flogging
- A crown of thorns is placed on His head
- He is mocked as King and paraded to them
- John commands us to see beyond this
- The Jewish leaders and priests called for crucifixion
- They rejected Him as a 'nobody'
- They rejected Him as King (v15)
- He is entitled by Pilate - King of the Jews
- He is stripped of His garments (v23) and nailed to a cross
- It is difficult for us to see His Kingship
- We can overlook the shockingness of this situation
- How do you feel about your King?
- It is a shocking account and we are meant to pause and behold how Jesus is dying for us
Behold your son/behold your mother (v26-27)
- We see the God man acting in a completely distinct way to other people and the gods of the time
- What a contrast between Jesus and the two robbers crucified with Him
- Jesus did not react out of hurt
- What a contrast with the jealously and brutality of the Greek or Roman gods
- He loves, serves, speaks with authority and fulfils
- He loves and provides for His mother, even on the cross
- He acts perfectly and in all righteousness
- Have you ever seen anyone like Him?
- There is a re-ordered relationship between Mary and Jesus
- There is very different from her earlier life
- She is worthy of great respect but is not perfect
- She has to come to Jesus like everyone else
- Jesus wants to provide for Mary materially and spiritually
- The disciple whom Jesus loved (John)
- This helps us to understand what a right relationship with Jesus looks like
- John knew the command to love (and be loved)
- To be a disciple is to be someone whom Jesus loves
- Mary is placed with a compassionate believer (rather than His own brothers)
- Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice
- John made a smaller sacrifice to look after Mary
Closing Remarks
- Behold your King
- If you think light of sin - remember what Jesus endured for our sin
- Who is king of our lives?
- Behold your son
- There is no inside track to Jesus - we all need to put our trust in Jesus
- God will make provision for His children
- Behold your mother
- John knew he was profoundly loved
- You are loved beyond measure - God's love is boundless and free
- God orders relationships because He cares for His Church
- How do we treat the family of God?
- John was obedient to Jesus in faith - his ordinary moments became extraordinary
- God receives our obedience as an act of faith
- We have whole life worship - our whole life has value
- Stand and stare at Jesus - trust and obey Him