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[0:00] Psalm 84 and we sing from verses 1 to verse 6. The words also are on the screen. How lovely is thy dwelling grace, O Lord of hosts to me, the tabernacles of thy grace how pleasant, Lord, they be my thirsty soul longs vehemently ye faints thy courts to see my very heart and flesh cry out, O living God, for thee down to the end of verse 6 to God's praise. We'll stand to sing.

[0:30] Amen. How lovely is thy dwelling grace, O Lord of hosts to me, the tabernacles of thy grace how pleasant, Lord, they be my thirsty stole of heaven free ye faints thy courts to see my very heart and flesh cry out, O living God, for thee be behold the sparrow fight death out and house wherein to rest the swallow also for herself hath purchased said an end in thy in thy own heart her will she say her young was for me bring

[1:57] O thou almighty Lord of hosts who art my God and King blessed are they in thy house that dwell they ever give thee praise blessed is the man who strength thou are in whose heart are thy ways who passing third obey God's way then into dig up wells or so the rain that fall as down the pools with water hills our heavenly father we thank you for this your day we thank you for this place which becomes your house as your people gathered together in the name of

[3:15] Jesus and we thank you that with the psalmist we are able to say how lovely is thy dwelling place O Lord of hosts to me we thank you Lord for your grace and we acknowledge Lord that it's because of your grace that we are able to come into your presence we acknowledge that we are sinners and you are a God who is holy and so we have no way to come near to you if we are left in our sin but we thank you that you looked upon us and loved us as Jesus did of those who came before him and we thank you Lord that you have made it possible for those whom you have loved and Lord it's all of grace it's not of our works it's not of our religious activity it's all of grace Lord we thank you for the cross where we see the grace of

[4:16] God being worked out where Jesus who was innocent stood in the place of those who were guilty and we Lord admit that we are those who are guilty in thought and word and indeed we sin against you that's our nature and that is the activity of our lives and we pray Lord that you would forgive us that you would wash us in the blood of the lamb that you would cleanse us from all sin and that we would be those who receive your mercy and your grace we pray that we would be those this morning who are able to find rest in your presence we pray that this would be a day where we know the reality of God with us and we pray that as we wait upon you you would renew our strength that you would refresh us in our souls and that you would set us right because we acknowledge Lord that often we go off course so take us back we pray to that place where you would have us be open your word up to us and so we pray that he would help us that he would be our teacher in listening and preaching

[5:35] Lord that we would know your help as we look to Jesus the author and the perfecter of our faith we pray Father that you would bless us as we gather together and we pray that not only for ourselves but for every denomination that meets around us we pray Lord for fellowships that in these islands and across the nation and across all nations we ask Father that you would be with your people who are under pressure just now those who are persecuted we think of Christians in North Korea where there is constant relentless opposition to the gospel of Jesus we pray Father for Christians in China who have met in such numbers and have seen such extraordinary growth in past years and yet at the moment are under a systematic attack from the government to close down churches and to persecute the people of God we ask that you would uphold them Lord and as the authorities apply pressure that we would see your hand at work and your church building and your people protected we ask father also that you would be with the church in

[6:58] Vietnam as we read of a country there that is increasingly under pressure and has no freedom to worship you we pray that you would sustain your people or that you would build your church and we pray for Malawi as we look forward to hearing about all that you have done and are doing there in and through your people we ask that you would continue to bless the work that nurse Marian and others were involved with and encourage us as we hear about it we pray for Iona as well as she has gone to Canada we thank you for her safe arrival there and we ask that you would use her in your service and bless her in your service as she ministers with young children who are in difficult situations in Canada we we pray for those who are grieving and the loss of loved ones in past weeks and months and we ask father that you would be to them the God of all comfort we pray for those who are housebound and who are sick and we pray that you would draw near to them as they would know that they are not forgotten by your people and that they are not forgotten by you

[8:12] Lord minister to them in the power of the Holy Spirit we pray as they are in their homes we pray for those in hospital as well some from the congregation some from the community some who are elderly Lord who are conscious also of those who are very young and in hospital and we ask Lord that you would meet each one at the point of their need that you be at considering the prospect of treatment over future months we ask especially for them that you would prepare them and that you would help them that the treatment that they receive would be effective we think especially we in Davidson ask father that your hand would be upon him and Shona we pray also for Murdo and Glasglotini and Marion's brother and as they await chemotherapy we ask father that they would know your presence beforehand and throughout we ask lord that they would know your healing hand upon them to hear our prayer take away our sin and help us to keep our eyes fixed upon

[9:23] Jesus for we pray these things in his name and for his sake amen how are you all today all fine hey Christy it's very hot today isn't it it's like a greenhouse in here the sleepers amongst you there's a few of you you're going to be struggling today I might be struggling myself boys and girls I want to just tell you a wee story well it's not so much a story it's just about something that I was doing a week or two back have you ever been sent out to the garden to do some work in the garden put your hand up if you ever get sent out to the garden to do some work boys and girls change days is all I can say well I was down at the church a couple of weeks ago and we were doing some work around the place and one of the things that

[10:27] Janine said said that we needed to do was we needed to pull out some of the bushes that were in one part of the ground and so I started on that Alistair at the back was with me as well remember that day Alistair yeah we were pulling out the bushes and we came to one bush it was over beside the surgery and it was only the bush was only about maybe that size just that off the ground would that be right Alistair just about that size so Alistair and me we thought this will be no problem to pull out I wonder why John Angus didn't pull out himself in a second and then we started to pull didn't we and we started to pull and we pulled and we pulled and we pulled and the thing would not budge and the harder we pulled the more solid it seemed to be it was only that size and I'm a bit bigger than that and Alistair's a bit bigger than that he's a strong lad younger than me so why can we not just pull out in a wee second do you think what was floating it in the roots how big do you think the roots were listen the bush was about that size off the ground how big do you think the roots were do you want to stand up so everybody can see this is the first guess you said that size a second ago now it's going to that size okay that's a good guess good guess any more going Roddy the size of me so that's are you talking wide or tall tall to not so big so size of me that size it's off the ground good guess any more guesses

[12:30] Katie no any more guesses so Jono says that size no that size and John Roddy says that size Alistair can you remember how long was it it was massive if the bush started see at the corner of this table I think the roots would have gone all the way over to about here I thought the roots were going to be under Kirstie McKellar's office at one point and so we were digging weren't we and we were digging and we were pulling and we had a crowbar and we were pulling up and digging around it and the roots were absolutely massive and they went this way and they went that way and they went every way so that's what made it so solid so when the wind blew the bush just stood firm and when a couple of guys came along and started to pull it and push it it just stood firm because the roots were so long and they made the bush so strong what do you think that's got to do with us well here's the thing you think god wants us if we're if we're christians you think god wants us to be shaky or solid your hands up you want you think he wants us to be shaky what about strong and solid for him strong and solid because in this world there's lots of things if you believe in jesus that shake you i was reading this morning about boys and girls in vietnam who are christians and the government is doing absolutely everything to shake them to say don't believe in jesus anymore but they're staying strong sometimes not even in vietnam but sometimes if you're a christian and you're in school somebody might say to you what were you doing that weekend and you'll say well i was at football all right that's good i was at a party very good what were you doing on sunday i was at church i was at church and you kind of think oh no this is this is a bit awkward and they might laugh at you certainly boys and girls would laugh at me when i was your age for going to church so sometimes you just feel like you're getting shaken but god wants us to be strong how can we be strong and have long roots that keep us steady do you know what well we can ignore them that's one of the things that would be a good thing to do maybe but how can we be strong that's not actually happen in the playground how do you think we can be strong as Christians here's your clue read the bible what else can we do that makes us strong pray pray every day do you remember the song what does it go like do you all know that song it's funny let me hear it

[16:21] Kirsty you start and we'll all sing together look at this Kirsty are you falling asleep good respec later Again. Read your Bible.

[16:56] Everybody join me this time. Read your Bible. Pray every day, pray every day, pray every day.

[17:06] Read your Bible, pray every day. And to grow, grow, grow. Let's pray together. Lord God, we thank you for the Bible and we thank you for prayer.

[17:21] We thank you that when we read the Bible, we hear you speak to us and you give us food for our souls. We thank you that when we pray to you, you're listening. And we're able to speak to you and to tell you everything that we're thinking.

[17:34] And we thank you, Lord, as we do that, both here in church and in the private place in our own rooms. We grow deep roots that keep us steady and strong when we're in a world sometimes that likes to shake us.

[17:47] So help us, we pray, to be strong and steady, to have deep roots. And we ask it in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you, Bible's priest, to John chapter 18.

[17:59] John chapter 18. And we'll read in from verse 38 and then over into John chapter 9. So we're picking up here as Jesus is in the hands of Pilate and Pilate asks questions and interviews Jesus.

[18:24] And this is part of an illegal trial that was happening very, very early in the morning, before six o'clock in the morning. And at verse 38, this is God's word.

[18:35] Verse 38, we read Pilate saying, What is truth? Pilate asked. With this, he went out again to the Jews and said, I find no basis for a charge against him.

[18:47] But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of Passover. Do you want me to release the king of the Jews? They shouted back, no, not him. Give us Barabbas.

[18:59] Now Barabbas had taken part in the rebellion. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head.

[19:10] They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again saying, Hail, king of the Jews. And they struck him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.

[19:31] Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, Here is the man. Behold the man is the literal translation.

[19:44] As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, Crucify, crucify. But Pilate answered, You take him and crucify him.

[19:56] As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him. The Jews insisted, We have a law. And according to that law, he must die because he claimed to be the son of God.

[20:09] When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid. And he went back inside the palace. Where do you come from? He asked Jesus. But Jesus gave him no answer.

[20:22] Do you refuse to speak to me? Pilate said. Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you? Jesus answered, You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.

[20:37] Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin. From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free. But the Jews kept shouting, If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar.

[20:51] Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar. When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the stone pavement, which in Aramaic is Gavatha.

[21:06] It was the day of preparation of Passover week, about the sixth hour. Here is your king, Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, Take him away, take him away, crucify him.

[21:23] Shall I crucify your king? Pilate asked. We have no king but Caesar, the chief priests answered. Finally, Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

[21:37] Amen. May God bless that reading of his word to us. Neil Cameron will now read us a word of prayer in Galilee. Amen. Porter knows far to the king of our youth.

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[23:16] I always take back and all of it. Enjoy, the services of the house.

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[28:08] We're going to sing again to God's place. And we sing from Psalm 2. The words are on the screen. I'll read from verses 10 to 12.

[28:20] I'll read from verse 10 to 12. Now therefore kings be wise. Be taught ye judges of the earth. Serve God with fear. And see that ye join trembling with your mirth. Kiss ye the sun.

[28:32] Lest in his eye ye perish from the way. If once his wrath begins to burn. Bless all on him that stay. These verses we sing in Gaelic. And remain seated to sing. And we sing in Gaelic.

[28:48] And we sing in Gaelic. And we sing in Gaelic. So you sing in Gaelic. And you sing in Gaelic. And you sing in Gaelic. Peace be upon you, Lord God, God, gates, phone, Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.

[29:41] Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.

[30:02] heavy There You THE END Oh, oh!

[31:32] After all, we are scared, We are menjadi reachable, like In his height- trunk, With me please to join chapter 18 or 19.

[32:23] We'll pray. Heavenly Father we thank you that there is blessing offered to us when we come and honour your Son Jesus.

[32:36] We thank you that there is an escape from the wrath that the just deserves that our sin attract. We thank you that there is salvation offered.

[32:47] There is no escape if we neglect it but there is absolute assurance of security if we receive it and we pray. In fact even as we look at this passage today that we may be assured one and all that we are recipients of the salvation that's offered to us in Christ.

[33:06] And we ask it in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. As we look at this passage progresses it seems to veer off in another direction.

[33:43] And sometimes as we are coming to the conclusion of the book or the film everything that we expected has been turned upside down. And we just don't know where we are at.

[33:55] And the gospels are full of that. And today I'd like us to look at John 18 and to John 19 and probably come from that angle.

[34:07] We are so familiar with these gospel accounts that sometimes we fail to be shocked. We fail to be surprised by the reality of all that's recorded.

[34:18] But if this was the first time we were reading this. If we didn't know the story so well and we find ourselves now at this junction. I think we would be shaking our heads in disbelief at all that was going on on this particular Friday morning.

[34:38] Early on the day where Jesus would be crucified. And yet we won't come to this today but the reality is that the greatest twist of all is still to come.

[34:52] This is Friday. But the greatest twist of all, of all history, is still to come. So what do we see here in this passage today? Various points.

[35:04] I'm not going to tell you how many because I don't know how far we'll get through them. The first point that we see here that is in the gospel plot is the disciples were discouraged.

[35:17] The disciples at this point were discouraged. And if we'd gone back a wee bit, we wouldn't expect that of a disciple. A disciple is one who's called to be with Jesus.

[35:29] A disciple is one who's close with Jesus. So we would expect them to be encouraged always. But as we find the disciples here at this point, they are profoundly discouraged.

[35:43] And that's a massive understatement. We can't put it strongly enough. But we think about the mind and the life of a disciple. For three years, these men had been walking so close with Christ.

[35:59] Jesus had called them to be with them. Jesus had called them to follow him. And they left everything. And they followed him. They invested their whole lives in these three years where they could be with Jesus.

[36:16] And for these three years, as time went on, there would have been massive blessing and encouragement after encouragement as they were with Jesus. As he watched them heal the sick.

[36:28] We've been praying today for those who are sick. The disciples saw Jesus just with a touch or with a word heal so many people who were sick.

[36:38] What encouragement that must have given them. These supernatural miracles. So many of them. And yet they're just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what's recorded.

[36:49] The disciples, they were there. They watched them with their very eyes. The teaching of Jesus. Had that other word, the authority.

[37:03] Every time he spoke. And what encouragement it would have been for the disciples in that. As the crowds got bigger and bigger and more and more enthused as Jesus' ministry went on.

[37:20] The disciples must have just been day by day thrilled and encouraged by all they were seeing. And all they were part of. You know, we hear sometimes these testimonies about the revival in these parts.

[37:38] People who were actually there. And we think, or at least I think, how amazing and encouraging would it have been. To have actually been there.

[37:51] When all that was happening was happening. And yet how much more so for the disciples. As they ministered alongside God the Son.

[38:04] For these three years. But then one day. From the perspective of the disciples.

[38:15] Out of the blue. Judas Iscariot. Who was one of them. From the beginning. And who was trusted to hang on to the money.

[38:27] And who sat around the communion table with them. And took the bread from them. And passed the cup to them. One who was with them in everything. From the very beginning. He turned.

[38:40] And he betrayed Jesus. And in a flash. The authorities pounced. And in that garden.

[38:51] That was such a cherished place for them. A place of prayer. In flooded the officials. And the soldiers. With their papers. And their weapons.

[39:03] To arrest Jesus. And had Jesus not stood up in their defense. They would have gone too. And so now. At this present time.

[39:13] The disciples. They're on the run. They're fearful. For their lives. They're trying. Not to get caught. They're trying. Not to get killed. So how discouraged.

[39:28] They must have been. And how discouraged. They were. We know that. You can imagine. The conversations. Between them. Where they said. To one another.

[39:38] This is not how. It was supposed to be. All that we enjoyed. All that was. So amazing. What a blessing. That was. But. How did we get here? This is not how.

[39:51] It was supposed to be. And yet. This is exactly. The way. It was supposed to be. Because Jesus. Told them. Many times.

[40:02] In advance. Disciples. This is how. It's all going to play out. This is what's. Ahead of you. We just need to.

[40:13] Flick back. Five chapters. Or so. To John. Chapter 12. And that. Verse. 20. And following. I'm watching. The clock. Today. So I'm not going to read it.

[40:24] But. You can. See in the title. Even in the NIV. Bible. Here. These verses. From verse. 20. And following. Are an account. Of Jesus. Explaining to his disciples.

[40:35] Why he must die. We could flick. To Mark. Chapter 8. Verse 31. And we. Hear Jesus. Say to the disciples. There. He began to teach them.

[40:46] That the son of man. Which is how he described himself. Will suffer. Many things. And be rejected. By the elders. Chief priests. And teachers. Of the law. Paul. And that he must be killed.

[40:59] And after three days. Rise again. We could go to Matthew. 16. 21. Almost exactly the same words. Recorded by Mark.

[41:10] And recorded by Matthew. Of Jesus. Telling his disciples. He must suffer. He will be rejected. He must be killed. But he will rise again.

[41:25] At this point. The disciples. Are in terror. Jesus. Is. Being. Tried. Unjustly.

[41:37] The authorities. Are. Looking for them. Pointing the finger at them. Saying. Are you one of his people? As far as they were.

[41:49] Concerned. In all likelihood. In their minds. They thought. The plan. Of Jesus. For progression. Of ministry. Had been torn up. They were discouraged.

[42:07] But if they had just. Been able to recall. The words. Of Jesus. Then they would have been. Able to see.

[42:19] That this was not. Off track. This was exactly. On track. And everything. That was happening. That was so. Traumatic.

[42:32] Was in line. With what Jesus. Predicted. And the application. Here for us. Is simply that.

[42:42] We will. Day by day. Hang on. To the words. Of Jesus. It's that simple. How important.

[42:55] It is. For you and I. To have. Our Bibles. Open. Day by day. In order. That we will be in. And hanging on.

[43:05] To the words. Of Jesus. We will be in. Because. Often when. You and I. Feel the heat. Rising. When. We feel. That the pressure. Is on us.

[43:16] When people. Turn against us. And when. We. Start to find. That circumstances. In our lives. Or those. That we love. Just become. Hostile. And difficult. To deal with.

[43:26] Very very quickly. We can become. Disorientated. We can become. Discouraged. And we're in danger. Of giving up. And so we need.

[43:39] To be. Regularly. Daily. Reading. And recalling. And hanging on. To the words. Of Jesus. The disciples.

[43:51] Felt like everything. Was falling apart. But the reality. Was. And we can see. It now. God. Was working out. His most. Majestic.

[44:02] Plan of all. In the deep. Darkness. Of all. That they were. Experiencing. And the promise.

[44:13] Of God. Is that he. Is. Always. Working out. His purposes. Many of us. Are very private. You know.

[44:23] We don't tell each other. What's going on. In our lives. We say. It's fine. How's things. Fine. Often. Things are not fine. Often.

[44:36] We have a. Straight face on. But we can be. Falling apart. And discouraged. Inside. And so. When. We are in that. Place.

[44:46] As at times. We are. We have to be. Hanging on. To God's word. Remembering. That. We've been taught. In God's word. Romans chapter 8.

[44:57] We know. That in. All things. So it's underlined. In my bible. Twice. All things. In all things. God works.

[45:08] For the good. Of those. Who love. If you love. Christ. If you're one of God's people. Then you can be.

[45:19] Absolutely. Certain. That no matter. How difficult. Things are. No matter. How. Chaotic. Life. Seems to be. God is working.

[45:32] He's working. For your good. He's working. For his glory. So trust him. Be encouraged. Keep hanging on. To his word. The second point.

[45:43] Here. So the first point. Is the disciples. Were discouraged. The second point. Here. Is the rebel. Is released. We can hardly.

[45:55] Go through. A day. Without. Seeing us. A story. On the news. Or reading it. In the paper. About some act. Of terrorism. And when there's been.

[46:05] An act of terrorism. We have an account. Of the act. Of the atrocity. The carnage. That's being caused. And then. If there's a suspect. Or if there's someone. Who's being caught.

[46:16] We have this. Picture. Of the terrorist. On the. The newspaper. Or in the news story. On the television. They're caught.

[46:26] They are. Detained. They are tried. And. They are put in prison. Usually for a long time. Because these people. Are serious. Criminals. These are dangerous.

[46:38] Damaging people. The terrorist. Is probably the. The public. Enemy number one. In our day. In this very uncertain. Uncertain.

[46:49] Uncertain. Uncertain. Day. And. When we read about. Barabbas. We have to see. This is the kind of character. We're dealing with. Barabbas was no.

[47:02] Peppy thief. Barabbas wasn't. You know. Some lovable rogue. Who just happened to. Trip over. And end up on the wrong side. Of the law. Barabbas.

[47:13] Was. To quote one of the commentators. A bandit. Arrested. For homicidal. Political. Terrorism. Serious criminal. A dangerous.

[47:25] Dangerous. Character. He's away. In prison. With good reason. Likely for a long time. Perhaps on death row. Verse.

[47:36] 40 of chapter 18. Tells us. He had taken part. In a rebellion. This kind of political. Rebellion. But the. The most important thing. To say about Barabbas. Here. Is that he was guilty.

[47:49] Barabbas. Is in prison. He's named. As a. A terrorist. A one who's taken part. In a rebellion. He's guilty. He has.

[48:00] Every good reason. For being locked away. Jesus. By contrast. On the other hand. Is innocent. So Barabbas. Is guilty.

[48:11] Jesus. Is innocent. And Pilate. Just said that. Three times. In verse 38. Pilate says. To the crowds. I find no basis.

[48:21] For a charge. Against him. And then he repeats it. In verse four. We can see that. The beads of sweat. On Pilate's. Forehead. As he. As he begins to. Get. Get more and more.

[48:32] Panicky. About what was going on here. He brings him out. And he says. Look. I am bringing. Him out. To tell you. That I find no basis. For a charge. Against him. And again.

[48:42] In verse six. He tries a third time. As for me. He says. I find no basis. For a charge. Against. This Jesus. Jesus.

[48:54] Innocent. Barabbas. Guilty. And yet. Barabbas. The rebel. Walks free. And Jesus.

[49:06] The repeatedly. Innocent one. Is condemned. Try and think about Barabbas.

[49:17] That morning. In a cell. Condemned. Imprisoned. No hope.

[49:27] For the future. Maybe many years. In solitude. Maybe very little. In terms of years. Before execution.

[49:38] But he's condemned. He's lego. And by lunchtime. He walks free. He's declared innocent.

[49:51] No restrictions. He's. He's a free man. What had Barabbas done. To. To deserve this.

[50:03] Nothing. So why was he free. Because of Jesus. Because of Jesus. And.

[50:14] You've probably got this already. But here. John. Presents to us. Another picture. Of our salvation. Because we.

[50:27] As sons of Adam. Have taken part. Have taken part. Since Genesis 3. Willingly. We have taken part. In a. Continual.

[50:37] Rebellion. Against God. That's our nature. We are rebels. And we look at our lives. And we look at our hearts. And we see that. What we are by nature.

[50:48] We live out. In our. In our actions. We are rebels. Rebels. Against God. We are guilty as sin.

[51:01] We deserve. Punishment. And yet. Jesus. Steps. From time. Into eternity. Into time.

[51:13] And he. Who was innocent. He who. Knew no sin. Became sin. And he shed his blood. He went.

[51:23] To this cross. That we are seeing. Coming ever closer. And he shed his blood. So that. You and I. Might be saved.

[51:36] 1 Peter. 3. And verse 18. Says. For Christ died for sins. Once for all. The righteous. For the unrighteous.

[51:47] To bring you. To God. One of the commentators.

[51:58] Says. The events. Of that Friday. In Jerusalem. Led not merely. To one rebel. Being released. From prison. But to the release.

[52:09] Of millions. Across the world. And throughout. History. The question. For you and I. Is.

[52:20] Are we one of them? Do you see yourself. As you look at Barabbas. Do you see the.

[52:31] The story of. Your salvation. As you see Barabbas. Walking out the door. Into freedom. For did he do nothing.

[52:44] To deserve that. Freedom. What have you and I done. To deserve the freedom. That's offered us. In Christ. Nothing. It's all of grace.

[52:57] But we have to receive it. To have you received it. The disciples. Are discouraged. The rebel.

[53:10] Is released. And the third point. Here. Is the authority. Is afraid. And we dipped into this. In John 18. In the previous. Sermon.

[53:21] And we can't. Avoid this. As we come. To John 19. We see Pilate. The authority. And he is afraid. Sometimes in life.

[53:32] We. We have these moments. You know. Where. We think to ourselves. What have I done. You know. These kind of moments. You know.

[53:42] Maybe you're thinking about. Getting a new kitchen. And. You're thinking about. Getting a new car. Or something like that. You're not very keen. The rest of the family is keen though.

[53:53] And so you're out. On the mainland. And all of a sudden. You find yourself. In a kitchen showroom. Or in a car showroom. And you're getting pointed. In the direction of a. Of a car. That's.

[54:04] Very appealing. Or a kitchen. That looks very suave. But. You're increasingly uneasy. As all this is going on. And then a salesman meets you. And he starts to. Give you the chat. And the pressure.

[54:15] Starts to build. You know you need the kitchen. You don't want it really. But you know you need it. Everybody else in the family. Wants it. And is absolutely sure. That you need it. The pressure is rising.

[54:26] And the salesman is. Continuing with this. With this pitch. And he puts pressure on you. And they put pressure on you. And all of a sudden. You find yourself. And you're signing a contract. For a new kitchen.

[54:38] Or for a deal. On a new car. And you walk out. And everybody is slapping you in the back. Great decision. Wonderful. Wonderful. And you get home. And you open your bank statement. And you're thinking.

[54:48] What have I done? What have I done? You know. You get that sense.

[55:00] You know. On a much. Graver. Level. It's a totally inadequate illustration. But you get a sense of that. On a much. Graver.

[55:10] Level. With pilot. Because pilot. Here is a man. Of depression. Everyone. Is looking at pilot. Everyone.

[55:21] Is shouting. At pilot. They want a decision. They want a signature. They want permission. Given. So that they can go and. Crucify Jesus. And he's the Roman official.

[55:33] He's the only one. Who can sign the papers. His. Call. Is the call. That they need. And pilot. Feels this pressure. So what does he do?

[55:46] You know. If we look at verse one. Pilate took Jesus. And had him flogged. The soldiers. Twisted together. A crown of thorns.

[55:57] And put it on his head. They clothed him. In a purple robe. And went up to him. Again and again. Saying. Hail. King of the Jews. And they struck him in the face.

[56:11] And everything that's going on here. Is unquestionably. Unquestionably unjust. From the way Jesus is questioned. The fact there's no witnesses.

[56:23] There's no. Protection. There's. Nothing afforded to him. To give him. Any kind of. Legal rights. It's all unjust. Unjust. The flogging.

[56:35] The flogging. At this stage. Is unjust. The activity. Of the soldiers. To Jesus. Is unjust. Everything is unjust.

[56:46] Pilate. Verse 38. Has just proclaimed. That he finds Jesus. To be innocent. And yet. He gives the order. To have. Jesus flogged.

[56:57] Flogged. And the. The word. That's used there. For flogged. There's three levels. Of flogging. The order. That Pilate gives. To have Jesus flogged. Is the most severe. Kind of flogging.

[57:07] And most people. Who under. Went this kind of flogging. Died in the process. Pilate gives. And Pilate gives the order. And Pilate will have seen.

[57:21] All this unfolding. Pilate will have seen. The disfigured body of Jesus. Becoming. Increasingly. Bloody and battered. As his orders are followed.

[57:35] And so in verse 4. Pilate intervenes. Once more. Pilate came out. And said to the Jews. Look. I am bringing him out to you. To let you know. That I find no basis.

[57:46] For a charge against him. When Jesus came out. Wearing. The crown of thorns. And the purple robe. Pilate said. To them.

[57:57] Here is the man. Here is the man. Behold the man. Now what is going through.

[58:09] Pilate's mind here. We are not told. What is going through his mind. But I think. Pilate was probably. Trying to.

[58:20] Invoke sympathy. From the crowns. For Jesus. So all this could stop. At this point. Jesus.

[58:32] Now. Would have been. So. Badly. Battled. That. That it would have been. Very difficult. To look at him. He would have been. Virtually.

[58:43] Unrecognizable. So many people. Died at this point. And yet.

[58:53] Jesus. Battered. Bloodied. As he was. Would not. Lay down. His life. Because the work. Was not yet done. So.

[59:04] Pilate. Takes Jesus out. Before the crowd. And says. Behold the man. Look at him. Look at him. Look at him.

[59:14] Look at your fellow Jew. Look at. This human being. In the state. That he is in. And maybe Pilate.

[59:28] Is thinking. Maybe when they see him. Like this. There will be some. Kind of compassion. And they will put their hands up. And say. That's enough. He's had enough.

[59:42] But they didn't. Did they? Verse 6. As soon as the chief priests. Some of their officials. Saw him. They shouted.

[59:53] Crucify. Crucify. But Pilate answered. You take him. And crucify him. As for me. Said it again.

[60:05] Said it twice already. Let me say it again. As for me. I find. No basis. For a charge. Against him. The Jews insisted.

[60:17] We have a law. And according to that law. He must die. Because he claimed. To be the son.

[60:28] Of God. When Pilate heard this. He was even more. Afraid.

[60:38] Afraid. The authority. The authority. Of that place. The top man.

[60:49] Of that area. Was afraid. And you know. He was right. To be afraid. Because Pilate.

[61:00] Was not in right. Relationship. With Jesus. Pilate. Was not. Trusting. Jesus. Pilate. Was not. Honoring.

[61:10] Jesus. Jesus. And he should have been honoring Jesus. Because the claim.

[61:23] That Jesus made. To be the son. Of God. God the son. Was. And it is true. And I know.

[61:34] This is not. Something that's. Said so often. These days. And I know. This is not. Something. That is popular. To say. These days. But I'm called.

[61:44] To say. You and I. Should be afraid. If we're not. In right. Relationship. With Jesus. If we are not.

[61:57] Trusting him. But rather. Are siding with the crowd. If we are not. Honoring him. But are thinking.

[62:08] More about ourselves. And our reputation. And our skin. Then we stand with Pilate. And we should be afraid.

[62:19] Of Jesus. Because he will be our judge. If we will not receive him. And trust him.

[62:31] As our savior. Psalm 2. Which we sang. We'll finish with this. Is a psalm.

[62:42] That previews the cross. And it's a psalm. That gives a very clear word. Many years in advance. Of the cross. It's a word.

[62:53] From God. To Pilate. And all like Pilate. Verse 10. Of Psalm 2. You can read it. Later. I'll read it just now.

[63:05] Therefore. You kings. Be wise. Be warned. You rulers. Of the earth. Serve the Lord. With fear.

[63:17] And rejoice. With trembling. Kiss the sun. Looking to Jesus here. Kiss the sun. Lest he be angry.

[63:29] And you be destroyed. In your way. For his wrath. Can flare up in a moment. Blessed. Are all.

[63:40] Who take. Refuge in him. Are you taking refuge.

[63:51] In Jesus. Or are you refusing. To trust him. Those who take refuge.

[64:01] In Jesus. Know the blessing. And the assurance. 100%. Of salvation. And heaven. Those who do not.

[64:17] Have any reason. Rationally. Spiritual. To be fearful. How shall we escape. The letter. To the Hebrews.

[64:28] Says. If we neglect. Such great. And costly. Salvation. And the answer is. We won't.

[64:41] So today. If you hear his voice. If you know that. Godly fear. That our sin.

[64:54] Causes us. To sense. Today. If we think. If I was taken. From this world. I am not safe.

[65:09] Trust him. Pilate's day is gone. Your day is now. Don't refuse him.

[65:21] Find refuge. In the Christ. Who loved you. And who laid down. His life for you. So that you could be with him. Eternal.

[65:34] We will pray. Heavenly Father.

[65:47] We thank you for the. The wonder of the good news. Of the gospel. And yet. We are conscious today. That.

[65:59] It. Is. All the more wondrous. Because. Of the bad news. That. We are able to avoid. Because of the gospel. We acknowledge.

[66:09] That we are sinners. We acknowledge. That our sin. Causes us. To be worthy. Of the punishment. The wrath of God. But we thank you.

[66:20] That you loved us. Enough. To send. Your son. Into this world. The innocent one. To take the punishment. For the guilty ones. The righteous one.

[66:32] To stand. In the stead. Of the rebels. And we thank you. That if we. Receive Jesus. If we. Trust him. Then we are promised.

[66:43] That we. Will be secure. In time. And for eternity. Some of us here. Like we are fearful. As we think about. The prospect of eternity.

[66:55] And Lord. We know that we. Should be fearful. If we are neglecting. To trust Christ. So we pray. That today. If we hear your voice.

[67:05] We wouldn't harden our hearts. But that we would. Trust. Jesus. And Lord. That we would know. The assurance. Of our sins forgiven.

[67:17] Of wrath avoided. Of hell. Avoided. And heaven. Secured. That we would. To hear our prayers. And work.

[67:28] By your spirit. In our lives. As we go from here. And we ask it in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you.