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120406GF Who Crucified
Good Friday Message
WhoM didthey crucify?
john 18-20
Tonight we are gathered at what for centuries has been called: Good Friday.
Good Friday is just one of a string of events that fill of the greatest week in the Universe since Creation. These are:
The Momentous Events of Passion Week
Now, where are we in this Passion Week? Here is a quick reminder of the momentous events of Passion Week:
| DAY | Event | References |
| Sunday | Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem | Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19 |
| Monday | Jesus clears the temple | Matthew 21:12, 13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45, 46 |
| Tuesday | Jesus’ authority challenged in the temple | Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8 |
| Jesus teaches in stories and confronts the Jewish leaders | Matthew 21:28-23:36; Mark 12:1-40; Luke 20:9-47 | |
| Greeks ask to see Jesus | John 12:20-26 | |
| The Olivet Discourse | Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21:5-38 | |
| Judas agrees to betray Jesus | Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10, 11; Luke 22:3-6 | |
| Wednesday | The Bible does not say what Jesus did on this day. He probably remained in Bethany with his disciples | |
| Thursday | The Last Supper | Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:2P-25; Luke 22:14-20 |
| Jesus speaks to the disciples in the upper room | John 13-17 | |
| Jesus struggles in Gethsemane | Matthew 26.-36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1 | |
| Jesus is betrayed and arrested | Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14-43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12 | |
| Friday | Jesus is tried by Jewish and Roman authorities and disowned by Peter | Matthew 26:57-27:2, 11-31; Mark 14:53-15:20; Luke 22:54-23:25; John 18:13-19:16 |
| Jesus is crucified | Matthew 27:31-56; Mark 15:20-41; Luke 23-26-49; John 19:17-30 | |
| Sunday | The Resurrection | Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 20,1-18 |
On this Good Friday, our focus is upon the day that mankind murdered its Maker. As we turn to John 18, we begin to look at the most complete and reliable record of the Good Friday events. As we read the following verses, analyze with me just WHO it was that they crucified! First we see:
The One Crucified Had a Name Above All Names
As you turn to each passage and follow along as I read, look for the answer to these questions.
Question One: Who can make an entire army fall flat on their faces by just speaking His Name out loud? Only Someone with: a Name above all names.
In John 18:1-11 a key to understand what happened in Gethsemane is in the Greek word speira: translated “detachment, band, cohort” in our Bibles.
Technically this term refers to what was 1/10 of a Roman Legion of 6,000, or 600 soldiers. It could also refer to an auxiliary that had 760 foot-soldiers if they were joined with 240 mounted soldiers; but as a minimum, it would refer to at least 200 soldiers or guards that were armed with weapons (Matthew & Mark adds: “swords and clubs”[1]) and having oil lamps and torches.
So through the darkness as Jesus is on His face, sweating blood, crying out as prayed, this crowd of hundreds comes walking and searching in the darkness, as if looking for an armed criminal. That is the setting of Gethsemane’s arrest scene here in John 18.
Now as I read these words we are asking this question: Who can make an entire army fall flat on their faces by just speaking His Name out loud?
John 18:1-11 (NKJV) When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”
So: Who can make an entire army fall flat on their faces by just speaking His Name out loud?
Only Someone with: a Name above all names.
Who has a name above all others that every knee shall bow before? Jesus Christ our Lord, declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.
In John 5 He said that an hour is coming in which all will hear His voice, even those in the grave.
That’s whom they crucified on Good Friday, and that’s whom we’ve come to adore and honor tonight. Second we see:
The One Crucified Had No Fear
Now look at v. 12 as we ask:
Question Two: Who can face an army and not flinch, who can face torture and stay calm, and who can hear hate-driven, lying accusers and calmly answer? Only someone with: No Fear.
In John 18:12-24: Who is absolutely fearless? Who asks us to fear not? Who said that they can keep us in perfect peace if we fix our minds upon them?
Jesus Christ our Lord, declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.
John 18:12-24 (NKJV) Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself. 19 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.” 22 And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?” 24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
So: Who can face an army and not flinch, who can face torture and stay calm, and who can hear hate-driven, lying accusers and calmly answer? Only someone with: No Fear.
That’s whom they crucified on Good Friday, and that’s whom we’ve come to adore and honor tonight. Third we see:
The One Crucified Had Perfect Knowledge
Now look at v. 25 as we ask:
Question Three: Who can precisely describe events in the future with absolute certainty and detailed accuracy? Only Someone with: perfect knowledge.
John 18:25-27 Jesus demonstrates His Deity as before the dark hours of Gethsemane describes each minute detail: the number of Peter’s denials, the timing of Peter’s denials, the resulting transformation of Peter from fearful denials to bold proclamation.
Jesus Christ as the Son of God in all His glory knows all. Jesus as God the Son is omniscient. Jesus is the One who said Follow Me, I can be your Shepherd, I can lead your life. Don’t let your heart be troubled, trust Me.
Jesus had already explained what was going to happen as we see recorded in John 13:38. Peter was going to deny Jesus, he would do so three times, and Peter would so that denying in the darkness of night before the second crow of the rooster. All of the pre-Gethsemane details are in the Four Gospels[2]. It happened as He said. Jesus Christ our Lord, declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.
John 18:25-27 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.
So: Who can precisely describe events in the future with absolute certainty and detailed accuracy? Only Someone with: perfect knowledge.
Good Friday is just one of a string of events that fill of the greatest week in the Universe since Creation.
Tonight we celebrate the One who was crucified for our sins, and soon when we gather back on Sunday it will be to celebrate that the One they crucified, and buried: Rose again for our justification.
The One they crucified on Good Friday, we’ve come to adore and honor tonight.
The One Crucified Had a Name Above All Names: So we might bow before Him in Worship!
The One Crucified Had No Fear: So we might trust Him with all our fears!
The One Crucified Had Perfect Knowledge: So we might Follow Him as our Shepherd through life!
[1] This event is recorded in Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; and Luke 22:47-53.
[2] Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-38; and John 13:31-38.