Monday, June 10, 2024

The Face of Folly: Judas

 




We are continuing the series “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”, which is a series of biographical sermons where we look at the faces of the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross.

Today let’s consider Judas’ face, the face of folly beneath the cross of Jesus.

Judas’ act of betrayal was in essence a rejection of the claims of Christ as to who He was which makes his crime different only in degree because today many people do that same thing, and reject the claims of Christ.  We will look at Judas’ decision, his actions, and his destiny as a result of his decision and action.   Today let’s consider Judas’ face the face of folly beneath the cross of Jesus.

Scripture


‭Matthew 26:14-16 NLT‬ [14] Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests [15] and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. [16] From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. 


‭Matthew 26:47-50 NLT‬ [47] And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. [48] The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” [49] So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. [50] Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 


‭Matthew 27:3-10 NLT‬ [3] When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. [4] “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” [5] Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself. [6] The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.” [7] After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. [8] That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. [9] This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says, “They took the thirty pieces of silver— the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel, [10] and purchased the potter’s field, as the Lord directed.” 


Introduction


We are continuing the series “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”, which is a series of biographical sermons where we look at the faces of the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross.


Our first face was of Barabas, the face of favor or grace.  Barabbas deserved to die.  But in the providence of God, Jesus took the place of Barabbas so this great truth of the gospel might be revealed.


Romans 5:8 NIV‬ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


Then we looked into the face favor, the face of Simon of Cyrene


‭Mark 15:21 NIV‬ A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. 


Two weeks ago  we looked into the face of failure…the face of Simon Peter.


Mark 14:72 NLT And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.


Last Sunday we focused  our attention on the Apostle John. His face beneath the cross is the face of faithfulness. As with John the reward of our faithfulness to Jesus is His approval and His trust.



‭John 19:25-27 NLT‬ [25] Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. [26] When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” [27] And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. 



Today we look into the face of Judas, the face of folly beneath the cross.


Text: 


‭Matthew 26:24 NLT‬ [24] For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”




Judas played the part of the fool. When he placed the kiss of betrayal on the face of the Lord Jesus, he acted as a fool.   I know that is harsh but look at what Jesus said at the Last Supper  in 



Matthew 26:23-24 NLT‬… “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me. [24] For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”


Only after his betrayal did Judas himself realize that he had played the fool. And when he realized it then he considered that the only appropriate response was to end his life in suicide.


Judas’ act of betrayal was in essence a rejection of the claims of Christ as to who He was which makes his crime different only in degree because today many people do that same thing, and reject the claims of Christ.  We will look at Judas’ decision, his actions, and his destiny as a result of his decision and action.   Today let’s consider Judas’ face the face of folly beneath the cross of Jesus.


  1. Let’s  look at Judas’ decision.

  2. Let’s look at his actions

  3. Then let’s look at his destiny as the result of his decision and action



I. First let’s look at the decision.              

               

A. We have to go back to the beginning to try to understand Judas’  decision.  


Judas is identified by the name Judas Iscariot.‭


Matthew 10:1-4 NLT‬ [1] Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. [2] Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), [3] Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, [4] Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).


Most scholars believe Iscariot means that Judas came from the town of Kerioth, a town in southern Judea which could make him the only disciple from Judea (the others were from Galilee). Apparently he joined the company of Jesus with burning hopes for a glorious and powerful earthly kingdom.  


The Romans tried to govern the country by putting in charge Jewish rulers who agreed with Roman rule.  Judea was outwardly peaceful. But many Jews hated the Romans. But several times, groups of Jews rebelled against Roman control. In their sacred writings, they saw prophecies that one day God would send a savior to restore the glorious kingdom of David. This savior was called the Messiah.   


There are a number of theories of why Judas betrayed Jesus.  One theory is that  Judas was so disappointed that Jesus had not declared himself the Messiah and taken action to lead the Jews, that he decided to betray him as an act of revenge for what he saw as Jesus' political betrayal of his more Nationalist followers. While some of the others were able to move from this kind of hope to an acceptance of Jesus as a different kind of Messiah, Judas could never make the change.


Another theory was that Judas (like the Jewish authorities at the time) could have seen a rebellion as potentially dangerous for the Jewish people in general and “Maybe he decided to hand Jesus over, in effect, to stop a larger rebellion.”





Still another theory is that Judus did it for the money alone.  


Whatever his motives were, the bottom line is that Judas led soldiers to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he identified Jesus by kissing him and calling him “Rabbi.” 


‭Mark 14:44-46 NLT‬ [44] The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” [45] As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss. [46] Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 

               

Judas made the final decision to act at the dinner party at which Mary broke the alabaster box and anointed Jesus’ body. It was just too much for Judas and he spoke up to rebuke her gesture as being a waste. 


‭John 12:1-5 NLT‬ [1] Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. [2] A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. [3] Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. [4] But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, [5] “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 


Jesus quickly came to Mary’s defense.


John 12:7-8 NLT‬ [7] Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. [8] You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”


Up to this time, Judas had been the keeper of the funds for the Twelve, and John tells us that he had been stealing from them. 


‭John 12:6 NLT‬ [6] Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.


Sometime after this Judas went to the enemies of Jesus and offered to deliver him to them for a reward. 


He agreed with the priests to do it for thirty pieces of silver. 


Matthew 26:14-16 NLT‬ [14] Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests [15] and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. [16] From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. 


His decision seems to have been based on the profit principle. He was ready to salvage anything he could out of the situation.

             

B. Judas made the decision to betray Jesus but who was the real initiator?


Luke reports that Satan entered Judas and that he was the initiator of the temptation to betray Jesus; and when Judas yielded to the temptation, Satan took possession of his life. 


‭Luke 22:1-6 NLT‬ [1] The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. [2] The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction. [3] Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, [4] and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. [5] They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. [6] So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around. 


Like Judas when we make the choice to yield and respond to any temptation to reject and disobey the word of God or to reject Jesus and who He says he is we can become  

a tool of Satan. 

              

II. The deed of the fool.

               

 A. When Judas acted it was a direct rejection of the  genuine love of Jesus. 


Jesus loved Judas and expressed that love. Jesus’ love reached out to Judas at that last Passover meal. He washed Judas' feet along with those of the other disciples.  


‭John 13:1-5 NLT‬ [1] Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. [2] It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. [3] Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. [4] So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, [5] and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.


At that dinner, Jesus also dipped a piece of unleavened bread into the bowl of herbs and handed it to Judas. This was a gesture of special friendship and love and Judas knew what that. 


‭John 13:18-27 NLT‬ [18]  “I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’ [19] I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I Am the Messiah. [20] I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.” [21] Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!” [22] The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. [23] The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. [24] Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?” [25] So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?” [26] Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. [27] When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” 


Out of love, Jesus also warned him of the consequences of his present course of action. 


‭Matthew 26:23-24 NLT‬ [23] He replied, “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me. [24] For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”


Even in the garden as Judas betrayed him, Jesus expressed warmth toward him by calling him “Friend.” But Judas chose to commit his deed anyway.


‭Matthew 26:47-50 NLT‬ [47] And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. [48] The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” [49] So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. [50] Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 

                  

Judas shunned this great love with the kiss of betrayal.


There are only two people in the Gospels that you read who have kissed Jesus. One was an act of worship one 

‭Luke 7:36-38 NLT‬ [36] One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. [37] When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. [38] Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

The other was an act of betrayal.

Matthew 26:48-49 NLT [48] The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” [49] So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. [

             

B. What makes this betrayal so bad is that Judas acted with complete knowledge. 


Judas had both eyes open to the truth. He knew what he was doing. He understood who Jesus was but wanted no part of that type of Messiah. He had enjoyed three years of helpful instruction from the Master. He had been confronted with the best evidence about Jesus’ mission in the world. He did not act out of ignorance he acted out of foolishness.

               

We may actually know more than Judas. We have the advantage of two thousand years of Christian history. We know the outcome of his death on the cross. If we refuse him a place in our lives, we, too, are rejecting Him and His message and sinning against knowledge.  We too would be acting out of foolishness.

               

C. He aligned himself with the enemies of Jesus. 


Some scholars believe that Judas was manifesting his inner resentment of Jesus not being the Messiah that he envisioned, through his betrayal of Him. He would get even by turning Jesus over to his enemies. Whatever the motivation, it made Judas one with the enemies of Jesus. What attitudes and actions have we taken toward the Lord Jesus?

               

III.  What was the destiny of this folly?  Judas’s folly is best seen when we consider the end. There is a temporary, and eternal destiny.

               

A. Temporarily, there is despair. 


When Judas realized that Jesus was going to be crucified, he went back to the priests with deep regret. He wanted to return the money they had given him, but they mocked him. In despair he cast the silver coins on the floor and rushed out to end it all.


‭Matthew 27:3-9 NLT‬ [3] When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. [4] “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” [5] Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself. [6] The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.” [7] After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. [8] That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. [9] This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says, “They took the thirty pieces of silver— the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel,


Suicide was the ultimate gesture of despair. It was his way of saying, “Nothing can ever bring meaning to my life. My life is no longer worth living.”


What is important to note here is that Judas didn't have a repentant heart, he had a remorseful heart. Remorse is okay if it leads to repentance but if it doesn't it's just worldly sorrow. 


‭2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT‬ [10] For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.


With what happened after Judas threw the money back at the moneychangers, we see he only had worldly sorrow, not godly sorrow. 


Notice the difference between Peter and Judas. Peter denied knowing Jesus. But when the rooster crowed he and Jesus locked eyes. Then Peter remembered that Jesus told him he would betray him and Peter thought that would never happen.


When the truth hit Peter he went out and wept bitterly. When the truth hit Judas he went out and hung himself. Peter's remorse was more about what he had done to Jesus, Judas' was more about what he had done to himself. Although part of it had to do with being sorry he betrayed Jesus, the focus turned to himself and his fears. 


They both had guilt and shame over what they had done but Peter stayed and Judas fled. He couldn't live with what he had done so he ended his life.

             

Allowing Jesus Christ to be Lord of our lives is the only thing that puts us in touch with God’s ultimate purpose for our lives. Any other center for your life will fail.   Judas had refused the only one who could give meaning and purpose to his life.

               

B. Eternally, hell. 


According to Acts 1:25, Judas’ ultimate destiny is the one that he deserved.


‭Acts of the Apostles 1:23-25 NLT [23] So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. [24] Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen [25] as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” 


In other words, Judas went to hell, a place of eternal separation from Jesus Christ.   Although his end was tragic, hell is the logical end of a life without Christ.

               

Judas’ destiny was directly related to his decision and this action. When we consider the end of Judas’s life, we have to agree with Jesus that it would be better if he had never been born. He acted like a fool. 


Let’s consider where our decisions and deeds are leading. Jesus is our example. It might be a good idea to put a sign up in your room that says, “What would Jesus do.”That would answer all the difficult questions. And let’s try to be like Jesus. Let’s do everything for Him; pray to Him, sing to Him, witness for Him, teach for Him, preach for Him, and live for Him.

               

 Conclusion


It's important for us to see Judas in the proper light so that if any of his behaviors reside in us, then we will be compelled to do something about it. We want to address sin when it starts, not wait for it to grow and become out of control. We want to have right reactions to our sin. We want to react like Peter did, not Judas. 


Let’s Pray

Father God, thank you for working in us godly grief that produces true repentance that leads to eternal life. It is easy to follow the wrong path of worldly repentance where we’re only sorry that we got caught. Continue to give us a willing spirit toward good deeds and serving others in Your glorious name. Our specific prayer today is that you remove every thought or intention of our hearts that does not draw us closer to You.


Tuesday, June 4, 2024

The Face of Faithfulness- John




We are continuing the series “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”, which is a series of biographical sermons where we look at the faces of the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross.

Today we want to focus our attention on the Apostle John. His face beneath the cross is the face of faithfulness.


Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.(John 19:25-27)

 Scripture Reading: 

‭John 19:17-27 NLT [17] Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). [18] There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. [19] And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” [20] The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it. [21] Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’” [22] Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.” [23] When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. [24] So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did. [25] Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. [26] When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” [27] And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. 



 Text: 


‭John 19:25-27 NLT‬ [25] Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. [26] When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” [27] And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. 



Introduction


We are continuing the series “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”, which is a series of biographical sermons where we look at the faces of the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross.


Our first face was of Barabas, the face of favor or grace.  Barabbas deserved to die.  But in the providence of God, Jesus took the place of Barabbas so this great truth of the gospel might be revealed.


Romans 5:8 NIV‬ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


Then we looked into the face favor, the face of Simon of Cyrene


‭Mark 15:21 NIV‬ A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. 


Simon may have felt that being forced to carry Jesus’ cross was the worst thing that could happen to him, but it soon became his greatest blessing. It changed his life and the life of his family.

Last week we looked into the face of failure…the face of Simon Peter.


Mark 14:72 NLT And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.


Jesus knew that Peter would fail.  Peter’s failure came as no shock to Jesus. He didn’t just see him for what he was; He saw him for what he would be and the same is true even when we fail.  


Today we want to focus our attention on the Apostle John. His face beneath the cross is the face of faithfulness.


Christianity began with a group of men gathered by Jesus, but at the cross Christianity resembled a women’s movement. Four faithful women stood with Jesus until the end. One of them was Mary, Jesus’ mother. Her sister was also there. Mary Magdalene was another of the four, and with her was the wife of Clopas. Of the twelve men Jesus made apostles, only one was faithful to the end.  That faithful man was John.


 A study of John’s presence at the cross will help us in the pursuit of our faithfulness.  Today i want to talk about;


  1. The extent of faithfulness

  2. The inspiration for faithfulness

  3. The reward for faithfulness


 I. What should be the extent of our faithfulness? The scope of our faithfulness? The magnitude of our faithfulness?


Years after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, John wrote a letter inspired by the risen Lord to the church in Smyrna. 


‭Revelation 2:8-11 NLT‬[8]  “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive: [9]  “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. [10] Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. [11]  “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death. 


In the letter, to Smyrna the Lord admonished that suffering church, “Be thou faithful unto death”.


Here is ‭Revelation 2:10 from the KJV‬ [10] Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 


Instead of saying “be thou faithful unto death”, you could say; “Be faithful for all of your life.” It was a call for faithfulness regardless of what life might bring. 


John had this kind of faithfulness. It is the kind that a couple promises to each other in their wedding ceremony: “until death do us part.” It is interesting to ask a couple as they approach marriage, “Under what circumstances will you seek a divorce?” Their answers are always revealing. Some confidently reply, “Under no circumstances.” As a pastor, I like that response, but I also know they will be surprised by the difficulties that will test this commitment to faithfulness.

               

The cross did not force John away from his commitment to Jesus. He intended to be faithful until the end of his life.               

               

 B. Faithfulness unto death.


Scholars debate the extent of the danger actually facing John as he stood at the foot of the cross, But we can plainly see, by their absence, that the other apostles felt there was danger  for them at the cross. 


Anyone who has seen an angry mob knows that with a mob on the loose no one is safe and Jesus was on the cross because of the actions of a mob. 


‭Luke 23:13-16, 18-25 MSG‬ [13-16] Then Pilate called in the high priests, rulers, and the others and said, “You brought this man to me as a disturber of the peace. I examined him in front of all of you and found there was nothing to your charge. And neither did Herod, for he has sent him back here with a clean bill of health. It’s clear that he’s done nothing wrong, let alone anything deserving death. I’m going to warn him to watch his step and let him go.”[18-20] At that, the crowd went wild: “Kill him! Give us Barabbas!” (Barabbas had been thrown in prison for starting a riot in the city and for murder.) Pilate still wanted to let Jesus go, and so spoke out again. [21] But they kept shouting back, “Crucify! Crucify him!” [22] He tried a third time. “But for what crime? I’ve found nothing in him deserving death. I’m going to warn him to watch his step and let him go.” [23-25] But they kept at it, a shouting mob, demanding that he be crucified. And finally they shouted him down. Pilate caved in and gave them what they wanted. He released the man thrown in prison for rioting and murder, and gave them Jesus to do whatever they wanted. 


The danger to John must have been real. Yet he was ready to face even the possibility of death because of his desire to be faithful to the Lord.

                  

Even if it cost him his life, he would not run away. This is the quality of faithfulness that the Lord wants in each of us. If our faithfulness has limits then it is flawed.

                           

II. What was the inspiration for John’s faithfulness?  

               

Why did John stand beneath the cross while the others hid in fear?   Was it a sense of duty that compelled John to stand beneath the cross? 


We must admit that such a sense of duty helps us to be faithful in hard times. A sense of duty keeps a soldier in his place of danger when others might flee. It keeps a son or daughter faithfully attending to the needs of aging parents. But the real secret of faithfulness goes much deeper than just a sense of duty.

               

John gave a clue as to why he was there by the way he identified himself.  It's in our text


‭John 19:25-27 NLT‬ [25] Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. [26] When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” [27] And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. 


John identified himself as “the disciple he loved”.                   

Now we know that Jesus loved all of the apostles just as much as he loved John, but this man, John, seemed to have a special capacity to receive that love. He had a special awareness of that love. He seemed to know better than the others that Jesus was bound to the cross by his love for them.   John's presence at the cross was a response to that love.


I want to read something that Jesus said to His disciples after the Last Supper and before His arrest.  It's in John chapter 15.


‭John 15:9-17 NLT‬ [9]  “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. [10] When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. [11] I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! [12] This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. [13] There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. [16] You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. [17] This is my command: Love each other. 


If Jesus could die on a cross out of love for him, John could surely stand by the cross through the ordeal.  Gratitude and love compelled him to do it.  

               

This is the secret of Christian faithfulness. Thankfulness and love  will keep us faithful in our service. It will keep us faithful through all kinds of persecution. It will make survivors out of us.


‭Matthew 22:34-40 NLT‬ [34] But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. [35] One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: [36] “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” [37] Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” 


If we waver in our commitment, we need to be renewed by a fresh awareness of how much we are loved by Jesus.


“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”


‭1 Peter 3:18 NLT‬ [18] Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

               

III. What’s the reward for faithfulness?

               

John’s faithfulness beautifully illustrates the rewards that faithfulness to Christ will bring.  Faithfulness will bring the approval of Christ and it will bring the trust of Christ. 


Jesus showed approval to John for his faithfulness. It may have been conveyed to him by a look from the cross. Can you imagine the difference in the look John must have received from that which Peter received in the moment of his denial? The look Peter received sent him into the night weeping in shame, but the look John received sent him home to take care of Jesus’ mother. While John does not describe that look, we can imagine the look of trust and love Jesus must have conveyed to him..


Jesus promised in one of His parables that faithfulness to him will result in a final and blessed, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”


Remember the parable about  the three servants where the master gave each of them money for them to invest.  Two of them invested what they were given and they doubled it.  They were faithful with what was entrusted to then by their master. Here is the result of their faithfulness:


‭Matthew 25:21, 23 NLT‬ [21]  “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together! ’

[23]  “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’


Here's what the master said to the unfaithful servant  


‭Matthew 25:26-30 NLT‬ [26]  “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, [27] why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ [28]  “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. [29] To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. [30] Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’


B. The trust of Jesus is the greatest reward for faithfulness. 


John received this trust in Jesus’ special request from him from the cross. As Jesus neared death, he thought of his mother, Mary.


While she stood by the cross brokenhearted, her firstborn Son made provisions for her needs. 


‭John 19:26-27 NLT‬ [26] When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” [27] And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. 


Although Mary had other children, John was the one who cared for her.  Jesus trusted John with a very special responsibility.

               

Could anything be greater than the Lord of glory trusting us with a special assignment?  Special assignments are  reserved for those who have proven themselves to be trustworthy through their faithfulness.


‭Matthew 28:18-20 NLT‬ [18] Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. [19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. [20] Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”


Conclusion


John’s example of faithfulness is especially encouraging for those who are facing trials. Maybe you feel like you are in an extremely difficult place. What should you do? Jesus says “Be thou faithful unto death.” Do it because of Jesus’ love for you! You will find the rewards for such faithfulness to be more than enough. As you meditate on Jesus’ love, take a place of faithfulness with John beneath the cross.


Thank you, God, for the life you have blessed us with. Thank you for the opportunities that we have been given and for the strength to make the most of them. Thank you for guiding us through difficult times and for giving us the courage to face whatever comes our way. Most of all, thank you for your unconditional love and support, which has seen us through every challenge and kept us going. You are an ever-present source of comfort and hope, and we are deeply grateful for all that you have done for us.