The Finale: Jesus' Arrest and the Passover Lamb

This message begins a series called "The Finale," walking through John's Gospel and culminating on Easter weekend. The scene is Passover, which has been ongoing since John chapter 11, into chapter 12, and chapter 13. The speaker explains that for the children of Israel, the most important event in their history was the Exodus, the Passover, and God repeatedly reminded them, "Am I not the God who led you out of Egypt?" The expectation for the children of Israel was that the Messiah would come during Passover, not just any day. Passover was a time of looking back to remember what God had done, in order to see what God was doing, looking back to look forward. The principle for this weekend is that God is at work in ways we may not comprehend, referred to as the Deuteronomy 29:29 principle. Deuteronomy 29:29 states, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." The message then picks up in John chapter 18, verse 12, where Jesus is arrested and led to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Caiaphas had advised the Jews in John chapter 11 that it would be expedient for one man to die for the people. The speaker explains that Annas was the high priest from AD 6 until AD 15, removed by the Roman governor, but still recognized by the Jews as the high priest according to Mosaic law, even though Caiaphas held the office. The high priest questions Jesus about his disciples and teaching in John chapter 18, verse 19. Jesus responds that he has spoken openly in synagogues and the temple, saying nothing in secret. An officer strikes Jesus, and Jesus asks why he is struck if he spoke correctly. Annas then sends Jesus to Caiaphas. The speaker makes three observations about this pre-trial: first, the Jews attempted to rig the system, breaking Jewish law and tradition by not asking witnesses and striking Jesus. Second, Jesus drives the action while maintaining his innocence, which is theologically essential as he is the perfect Passover lamb. Third, God even uses the misguided, as seen with Annas and Caiaphas, who unknowingly spoke prophetically. The speaker uses Paul, formerly Saul, as an example from Acts chapter 9, who loved God and persecuted Christians, but whose life radically changed when Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. The message concludes by encouraging listeners to consider where they have discounted God's work, what they need to get comfortable not knowing, and how to trade what they think they know for the truth, using John 3:16-17 as an example of growing in understanding.