2015.9.6 礼拝

2015.9.6 礼拝

2015.9.6 John 18:1-14 “Empathize with Christ’s Suffering”

Before Jesus was arrested, he prayed in Gethsemane (Mark 14:35-36) saying, “Father, my Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want.”

If Jesus Christ was really the Son of God, he would have known everything to come – his arrest, suffering, death on the cross and even his resurrection. But from his prayer in Gethsemane, it might present a shade of doubt about Jesus being the Son of God. Despite the detail in Matthew, Mark and Luke, this suffering is not mentioned in John 18:11, but rather shows that Jesus is willing to be put on the cross. So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”

Then, which is true, the descriptions in Matthew/Mark/Luke or John? They are both true and there is no contradiction because:
・Jesus did not accept the cross without difficulties. Jesus came as 100% human and shared the same agony as any other human.
・Jesus did not take the cross reluctantly. He was being obedient to the will of God.

We must accept him as he is – the Son of God:
・We may find it difficult to understand the mystery that God took the form of a man.
・We can learn the reason why God took the form of a man from the Bible.

①It is the love of Jesus that he demonstrated his weakness.
・He showed his love in a way that we, sinful as we are, can understand. Being sinful, we have weaknesses. Therefore, Jesus demonstrated his love through his weakness.

Hebrew 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
・Jesus’ love could not have been acknowledged if he only pretended to be like a man.

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

②Jesus proved that he could “be obedient at times of weakness” for our sake.
・There is no need of obedience if there was no “test”. We realize the necessity to submit especially when we are in difficulties.

Hebrew 5:7-10 7.During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8.Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9.and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10.and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

・Jesus is the example of obedience. Being 100% God, he was also 100% human while on earth. He understood what it takes to be a human, therefore, he could be the perfect example.

Philippians 2:6-9 6.Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7.but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! 9.Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is about every name.

③Obedience with love could cause isolation.
・Obedience brings about a personal relationship with God. Jesus experienced being alone with God. Likewise, we may feel isolated when we are obedient.
・Obedience provides peace. In Japan, people tend to give in to peer pressure, however, God has given us a different gift from each other. It is better that we do not give in to peer pressure, but have a personal relationship with God, which gives us peace.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Know the will of God and constantly ask what is good and pleasing to God.