Slide into darkness

Illustration: Water slide – blacked out version – no control – victim of events

Jesus – victim of events
Humanity’s malevolent, deliberate, responsible actions
1. Chief Priests and elders of the law (no Pharisees as with political establishment) v.3-5 – assembled, plotted, not feast and fear of
2. Judas Iscariot – why? Picture of deepest/darkest but not suspected by disciples. Prepares and lies – just like us (It isn’t me, Master? v.25 – cp. not Lord v.22)
3. Greed, lust, ambition, anger – drivers of the story (?)

Jesus – controller of events
Cooking in kitchen on Mothering Sunday
Illustration: white water rafting, role of paddle – too weak
Illustration: rugby player bashing through to line – too strong
Illustration: net fishing – travel in one direction, wide net pulls into the centre

1. not Romans – controlled crucifixion penalty, but v. 2 – no idea
2. not chief priests/elders – ran he religious/ political show, but v.4 – not a clue
3. not the Gospel writers – burial anointing (cp. Messiah) incident, but v. 13 – not forgotten
4. not the disciples – close friends and confidants of Jesus but
a. v.8 – out of step with Jesus’ thinking
b. v.17,19 – following orders
c. v. 31-32 – cp. Zech 13:7 – out of step with Jesus’ thinking
5. not Judas Iscariot – plotting to betray but v. 23-25
6. not Peter the top apostle – determined to follow unto death but v. 33-34

Jesus – controller / sovereign
1. knows the future – crucifixion
2. knows the betrayer – Judas Iscariot
3. knows the depth of betrayal
4. knows the will of God and accepts it – “if it is possible” becomes “if it is not possible” v.39,42

Slide into darkness
Controlled not uncontrolled
Everyone thinks they are in control, but only Jesus is
Pure example of Rom. 8:28

Two responses
Hold to the sovereignty of God (world and devil hates that)
Be open to the sovereignty of God = make a Kingdom of God difference in your life

What holds you back? Greed, lust, ambition, anger, gain, selfishness, pride.

In the darkness, walk in the light
– be Jesus = by our attitudes
– proclaim Jesus = by our words
– act Jesus = by our deeds