From Gethsemane to the Grave

From Gethsemane to the Grave

April 6, 2007 – Good Friday

(No “In A Minute” today)

      We will look at several things recorded in Scripture that Jesus knew as He drew near the cross starting at Gethsemane. In each of these items, there is a parallel to our lives. In each, there is a lesson to learn. I want to make one disclaimer before we begin. Our lives parallel the life of Jesus, but we are not Jesus, nor are we the Savior.

      Jesus knew all that was going to happen to Him (John 18:4). With this knowledge, Jesus proceeded to march forward towards the cross. Jesus saw beyond the moment and understood the cost and the benefit of His life. Hebrews 12:2-3 says of Jesus, “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” What was the joy set before Him? It could not be the sitting down at the right hand of the Father. Before He came, He was already there. His joy was the opening of the door of salvation to man. Jesus opened the door that was previously closed. This door only He could open. He saw enduring the cross worth the outcome, that is, the salvation of man.

      Jesus knew Who He was (Mat. 26:63-64). He knew He was the Messiah, the Christ. He did not need man to testify on His behalf. Nor was He going to deny Who He was to appease man and avoid their anger. In fact, He understood that it had to happen this way. He understood the mission. The mission of the Christ, His mission, was to be the sacrificial Lamb of God (John 1:29). Jesus as the Lamb of God parallels the Old Testament teaching about the scapegoat. In Leviticus 16:7-10, two goats were brought to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. The lot was cast. One goat became the sacrificial lamb and the other was set free. The other goat was presented as alive before the Lord and then set free. Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb that has died in our place allowing us to be presented as alive before the Lord and set free through Jesus.

      Jesus knew that one would betray Him. This betrayer would be one of His closet associates. A disciple, whom He had traveled with, dined with and faced opposition. One who had healed the sick and fed the thousands. Jesus knew this from the beginning, yet treated Him just the same as the others. Jesus loved Him even though he would be the one who would betray Him. You can believe that Judas never knew he was going to betray Jesus until he decided to go to the chief priests. You will never be betrayed by the world, unless you have befriended the world. A betrayer has to be someone who has been in your confidence. It is those closest to you that can turn in a moment and stab you in the back. We are to love and pray for them anyway.  

      Jesus knew that the remainder of His disciples would all flee in the face of the trouble that was about to come (Matthew 26:31). He knew that they could not, nor were they suppose to, go the way of the cross with Him at this time. This was Jesus’ hour, and His alone. What was the trouble that caused them to flee? Was it the mob? No, the disciples were ready to fight and die for Jesus. Peter whipped out a sword and cut off the ear of one of the men (John 18:10). Then, why did they flee? Jesus was willfully surrendering to these men. The disciples were ready to fight and even die. They were not ready to be taken into captivity and treated anyway the captors intended. How about you? How far are you willing to go for Jesus? Many are willing to die for Him. The question is "are you willing to live for Him?"

      Jesus knew there was a place after death (Luke 23:34). He knew that though the body will die, the spirit lives on. He knew that there is not a cessation of life. He could go the way of the cross with confidence. He knew that the world would be allowed to damage and destroy His body, but His Spirit is untouchable. Satan can orchestrate many things against us, but He cannot win. He may have access to the body, if God allows, but He can never touch your spirit (John 10:28-29). The body that death destroys is our sinful flesh, the sinful flesh that cannot enter heaven. At the trumpet sound the body, whether still alive or in the grave, will be changed into the likeness of Christ. You can walk in confidence in the face of opposition that we are more than conquerors through Jesus (Rom. 8:37).

      Jesus knew that He would rise again (Matthew 26:32). Yes, He would die in the flesh. Yes, there would be a separation of body and spirit. This separation is only temporary. He knew that the new body, the first perfect body of the resurrection, was His. He set the coarse for all mankind (1 Cor. 15:20, 45-57). He knew that He would be reunited with Father God in heaven (Mat. 26:64). We will not experience cessation of life. We will be separated from our body for a period if we die before the rapture occurs.  We can face the trials and tribulations of this life when we are confident that we will be resurrected and that we will come into the presence of Father God for eternity (Rev. 21:3).

      Jesus knew the gospel message would be shared around the world (Mark 24:9). His death was the sacrifice that paid for the sins of man. The sin offering must be appropriated. People must hear the message in order to be saved. Thus, we see the need for the gospel to be shared at home and abroad. Jesus told His disciples that they were to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). He knew that the door of hope would remain open until the mission of spreading the gospel was completed and the last person comes to salvation (Mat. 24:14; 2 Pe. 3:9). We are to be those instruments by which the gospel is shared. This is our calling, our mission as Christians. We can engage in the sharing of the gospel in so many ways. We can personally witness. We can pray for the lost. We can pray for and support missionaries.

      Jesus knew when His work on earth was finished (John 19:28-30). Jesus came for this very reason. He came to die for the sins of man, more specifically, for the sins of those who will receive Him as Savior. He knew the path from baptism to the cross and followed every step in obedience to the Father. He now waits at the right hand of the Father for the hour of the rapture to come. At which time He will come for His bride, the church. He is also waiting for the hour of His second coming. At that time, He will destroy the armies of the earth and subdue Satan and his allies. They will be bound and locked away for a thousand years (Rev. 20:2-3). Then, Satan will be released for one last battle (Rev. 20:7). After that, a new heaven and new earth will be brought forth as the old passes away. We, the believer in Jesus, will then spend eternity in the presence of our God and in the company of His angels and the brethren.

Conclusion:

• Do you know who you are in Christ? You are a son of God (Rom. 8:14, 19; Gal. 3:26)
• Do you know your fate? The world will hate you because of Jesus (Mat. 10:22). You will face trials and tribulations (1 Pe. 4:12-17). Yet, you will overcome the world because of Jesus (1 Jn. 5:4-5)
• Be aware that people will betray you. Love them anyway. Do not withdraw from the family of God because man has let you down. Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He will never let you down.
• Know that friends will pull away from you. They may not walk with you through your trial and tribulation. Do not judge them or be harsh towards them (Mat. 7:1). How many have we let down through the years? Often our friends do not know or understand our problem. Sometimes they are afraid. Love them anyway.
• Walk in assurance that this life is not the only life and that we will receive a new body fit for heaven.
• Until the time we pass from this place, we must be about the Lord’s mission. His mission for us is that we share the gospel message. A great promise is given in Matthew 24:14 which says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” I ask, will you engage in bringing back the King?

Lord Bless,

Rev. Leonard R. Traina

Principles for Life