Easter at the Anchor
Matthew 20:17-19, He took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to Him. 18 “Listen,” He said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence Him to die. 19 Then they will hand Him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day He will be raised from the dead.”
John 18:1-11, When Jesus had finished praying… 3 Judas came into the garden, guiding a detachment of Roman soldiers and temple police…all of them carrying torches and lanterns and armed with swords and spears. 4 Jesus, knowing full well what was about to happen…He stepped forward. He asked, “Who are you looking for?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. Jesus answered, “I Am He.” 6 And the moment Jesus spoke the words, “I Am He,” they fell backward to the ground! 7 So once more, Jesus asked them, “Who are you looking for?” As they stood up, they answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus replied, “I told you that I am the one you’re looking for…” 10 Suddenly, Peter took out his sword and struck the high priest’s servant, slashing off his right ear! 11 Jesus ordered Peter, “Put your sword away! Do you really think I will avoid the suffering which My Father has assigned to Me?”
1. He stepped forward willingly
John 18:4, Jesus, knowing full well what was about to happen…stepped forward.
Hebrews 9:22, …without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
2. He stepped forward in authority
John 18:4-5, “Who are you looking for?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. Jesus answered, “I Am He.”
John 18:6-8, And the moment Jesus spoke the words, “I Am He,” they fell backward to the ground! 7 So once more, Jesus asked them, “Who are you looking for?” As they stood up, they answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus replied, “I told you that I am the one you’re looking for…”
John 10:18, No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it again.
John 18:11, Jesus ordered Peter, “Put your sword away! Do you really think I will avoid the suffering which My Father has assigned to Me?”
3. He stepped forward fully
Jesus stepped forward fully so we could be forgiven completely.
John 18:10, Suddenly, Peter took out his sword and struck the high priest’s servant, slashing off his right ear!
Peter couldn’t see that Jesus had something better for him on the other side of surrender.
What’s your next step?
“Whenever, wherever, however You want me, I’ll go. And I’ll begin this very minute. Lord, as I stand up from this place, and as I take my first step forward, will You consider this is a step toward complete obedience to You? I’ll call it the step of yes.” —Brother Andrew