Is There Any Hope Wars Wars Wars And

Is There Any Hope?

Wars…

Wars…

Wars…

And More Wars

Trapped in Busy-ness

Addictions

More Addictions

Poverty

More Poverty

Prisoners

IS THERE ANY HOPE?

Operation Freedom John 19: 31 -42

John 12: 24, 32 “ 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit… 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. ” (ESV)

What about the cross?

Jesus’ Mission “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name. ” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again. ” (John 12: 27 -28 ESV)

Jesus’ Mission “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. ” (Luke 4: 18 -19 ESV)

In the Garden And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. (Genesis 2: 8 ESV)

In the Garden And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. ” (Genesis 2: 16 -17 ESV)

In the Garden So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3: 6 ESV)

In the Garden When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. (John 18: 1 -2 ESV)

Sabbath Rest Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. (Genesis 2: 1 -3 ESV)

Sabbath Rest You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. (Deuteronomy 5: 15 ESV)

Creation of Family [On the sixth day] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1: 27 ESV)

The Sixth Day Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. (John 18: 28 ESV)

Re-creation of Family When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19: 26 -27 ESV)

John 19: 31 -42 • it was the day • The sixth day (day of Preparation, and so before Sabbath) that the bodies would – Jesus is on the cross not remain on the – Jewish leaders concerned about cross on the Sabbath traditions and rules (for that Sabbath was – Anticipating Passover a high day)…, 31 Since

John 19: 31 -42 • 31… The Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. • Jewish leaders ask Pilate for a favor – Soldiers deal with the crucified victims – Soldiers testify to Jesus’ death – Jesus is pierced • Blood and water flow from Jesus’ side

John 19: 31 -42 • 38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. • Joseph asks Pilate for a favor – Joseph and Nicodemus deal with Jesus’ body – Joseph and Nicodemus testify to Jesus’ death – Jesus is bound in cloths and spices

John 19: 31 -42 • 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. • Jesus is placed to rest in a garden

John 19: 31 -42 because of the • The sixth day Jewish day of – Jesus is in a tomb Preparation, since the – Those who love Jesus concerned with tomb was close at honoring Him hand, they laid Jesus – Passover is fulfilled there. (completed) • On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. • 42 So (Luke 23: 56 b)

Contrasting Actions Those who reject Jesus (vv. 31 -34 a) A. The sixth day (v. 31) A. Jesus is on the cross B. Jewish leaders concerned about traditions and rules C. Anticipating Passover B. Jewish leaders ask Pilate for a favor (vv. 31 -34 a) A. Soldiers deal with the crucified victims B. Soldiers testify to Jesus’ death C. Jesus is pierced Those who love Jesus (vv. 38 -42) B. Joseph asks Pilate for a favor (vv. 38 -40) A. J & N deal with Jesus’ body B. J & N testify to Jesus’ death C. Jesus’ body is cared for A. The sixth day (v. 42) A. Jesus is in a tomb B. Those who love Jesus concerned with honoring Him C. Passover is fulfilled (completed) C. ? ? ? (vv. 34 b-37)

The Focal Point 34… and at once there came out blood and water. (John 19: 34 b)

Living Water Flows On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. ’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7: 37 -39 ESV)

For a Testimony 35 He who saw it has borne witness— his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth— that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken. " 37 And again another Scripture says, "They will look on him whom they have pierced. “ (John 19: 35 -37)

Water, Blood, Spirit This is he who came by water and blood— Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. (1 John 5: 6 -8)

Creation and Re-creation At Creation At Re-creation • Family created on the sixth day • Sin enters the world in a garden • God rests after His work of creation • New family begins on the sixth day • Sin is defeated in a garden • Jesus (God) rests after His work of deliverance and re-creation

Drawn to the Cross • All are drawn to Jesus and His Cross – Some, because they are attracted by the selfsacrificing love demonstrated there – Others, because they seek to destroy that same love • All make a decision at the Cross • Joseph and Nicodemus found liberation from man-made rules and traditions at the Cross

Operation Freedom