Beyond Sunday with Pastor Nic

Faith and Betrayal: Unveiling John 18

Nicholas Williams

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Imagine standing beneath ancient olive trees, feeling the cool breeze on your skin as you ponder the weight of the world. As night falls in the Garden of Gethsemane, join me, Pastor Nick, in exploring this momentous time when Jesus faced immense pressure before his ultimate sacrifice. Together, we’ll draw strength from His profound journey, finding parallels with the trials of our own lives. We’ll reflect on my personal visit to this sacred place and consider how these moments of intense challenge can shape us, much like the pressing of olives transforming into precious oil.

In this episode of Beyond Sunday, I share the story of a beloved church member enduring his own time of hardship, drawing inspiration from Jesus’ example of resilience and grace. As we gather around an impromptu service in a hospital room, we witness how faith and community can uplift even the heaviest of hearts. Discover how embracing the pressures of life can lead to growth and transformation, and find solace in the serenity Jesus maintained amidst chaos. Join us as we uncover the powerful lessons from the shadowy groves of Gethsemane and apply them to our own lives.

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Speaker 1:

Welcome to Beyond Sunday, where we bridge scripture with daily living. I'm Pastor Nick, and today we journey into the tranquil yet tense atmosphere of the Garden of Gethsemane in John, chapter 18. Here, under a canopy of ancient olive trees, the air thick with the scent of crushed olives, we find Jesus in a very profound moment of decision. Back in 2019, I had the privilege of going to Israel, and one of the places that we stopped when we got to Jerusalem was the Garden of Gethsemane. And as we walked through that garden, seeing these ancient trees and watching the view of Jerusalem in the distance, looking at the Kidron Valley in between, seeing all these moments and imagining Jesus being there, it's really breathtaking to realize that this was a place, the Garden of Gethsemane, that Jesus went multiple times to pray. This isn't a one-time moment, even though that's the story we all remember, but within the story, john, the writer of this gospel, tells us that this was a place that Jesus took his disciples. Often, that's how Judas knew where Jesus would be that night. John, chapter 18, we see this incredible story unfold. Now, just for a moment. Imagine the soft rustling of leaves, the cool night breeze, the distant city lights as a backdrop. This isn't just any night, though it's the eve of the greatest sacrifice in history. Any night, though, it's the eve of the greatest sacrifice in history, and you're there. You're witnessing the calm before the storm In the shadowy groves of Gethsemane, where olives are pressed to release their valuable oil. Jesus experiences immense pressure as he prepares to take on the sins of the world. If you remember, in John, chapter 17, he said Father, the hour has come. Glorify your son, that your son may glorify you. Then Jesus goes on to start this journey, walking towards the Garden of Gethsemane, and at some point in chapter 17, he pauses and he begins to pray out loud for the disciples and what they're going to be against. He's praying for the future of the church. He's praying for you and me. He looks up to heaven and he begins to pray, and this was such an impactful moment for the disciples that they wrote this prayer down so that you and I could witness it several thousand years later. And then, after that, he makes his journey to the Garden of Gethsemane. Now, personally, think of a time when you felt the weight of the world on your shoulders, your thoughts heavy like the dense air before a storm.

Speaker 1:

Many of you know him. He's one of our church members, a beloved church member that has been faithful in serving, and about 23 days ago he had a stroke that has changed his life and it has been a sad, hard journey that the hospital Sarasota Memorial has not made easy, but we are walking this journey with him every day. And as I walked into his hospital room this afternoon, he was sitting there. Somebody had put an iPad in the room that he could watch Sunday's sermon, and so he had Sunday's sermon going. He had called one of the nurses in the room that he could watch Sunday sermon, and so he had Sunday sermon going. He had called one of the nurses in the room to watch the sermon with him. One of the pastors from the church and his wife were there as well. And so I walk in and there's this mini church service going on and as I talk and I hear the message and if you are a public speaker, you know the worst thing in the world is to have to sit and listen to yourself speak.

Speaker 1:

Some of the things I talked about yesterday in this sermon were these hard reflections of what Jesus went through, but that we also go through. Jesus, too, felt this weight on that evening, yet his was the weight of the world's salvation. For a moment, think about that when you and I feel overwhelmed. Remember the olive press. Just as pressure releases the valuable oil from olives, your times of pressure can yield strength and virtue. Embrace these moments, knowing that they are shaping you.

Speaker 1:

Jesus is there in the garden and as Judas approaches with a band of soldiers history tells us there was probably 60 to 100 people that came, their torches flickering like fireflies in the dark, jesus remains a figure of serene authority amidst the chaos. He says who have you come for? They say jesus of nazareth and his response to them is that I am he. And when he says that, his voice steady, causing the soldiers to stagger and fall back. This is john, chapter 18, 4 through 6. I wish I could have witnessed that moment. This is one of those moments in scripture that I think, man, it would have been incredible to see 60 to 100 grown men, soldiers, who were ready for battle, armed, to take on the Prince of Peace. And when he said his name, that I am he, it threw them back on the ground To stand there and watch. That had to have been comical, but also overwhelming to know the weight of Jesus's name. It's not like they were posturing for defense. They weren't ready to battle in that moment. They are literally falling to the ground.

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His calm amidst betrayal is a lighthouse standing firm. It's light, steady and sure against the crashing waves of a stormy sea. And so you and I, we face moments like that. When faced with betrayal or confrontation, imagine yourself as the lighthouse Stand firm in your integrity, your light unwavering, guiding others even in tumultuous times. Now, if you know the story, jesus is arrested, peter tries to fight back, pulls a sword. I don't know who gave Peter a sword, but Peter pulls a sword, cuts off a guy's ear. Jesus tells him to stand down, shields the guy with the ear problem no-transcript. And then he's arrested, he's bound up and he's taken away, the disciples just standing there watching him go.

Speaker 1:

He goes to a couple of different places. He goes to Annas' house first. Who was the high priest previous to the current high priest? The current high priest was Caiaphas, and that is Annas' son-in-law, and it's a family affair here, but for some reason they took Jesus to Annas first, and basically because he still was the one running the show. He may not have been in the position anymore, but he had the power. Annas questions Jesus when he gets frustrated. He sends Jesus across the street to the Sanhedrin and Caiaphas and he enters a situation there. And then eventually they take him to see Pilate.

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And as Jesus stands before Pilate, the clash of two kingdoms becomes apparent the transient pomp of Roman power versus the internal, unshakable realm of Christ. As he's talking John 18, verse 36, he says my kingdom is not of this world. I can't imagine what Pilate was imagining in this moment or what he was experiencing. He was already up against a hard situation. He knew who Jesus was. Based on the questions that he asked him, he didn't feel that there was enough evidence against Jesus. In fact, eventually he tries to wash his hands of the whole situation. But truth is he knew. And so, as Jesus says, my kingdom is not of this world. I wonder what Pilate thought. For you think of a leader who chose the harder right over the easier. Wrong. Their actions? A beacon of truth in a sea of compromise. Their legacy, like a starry night, guides those navigating the dark. So how can you embody the values of Jesus' kingdom in your daily interactions? Perhaps it's choosing peace over conflict, truth over convenience in your workplace or your home?

Speaker 1:

I made a post last night. I actually shared a post in one of my stories on social media of another pastor that wrote a post. The post was pretty ambiguous but it was very triggering for a friend of mine and they started messaging me almost immediately, attacking me and how dare I post that? What does that mean? And at first I really was a little naive, thinking they had biblical questions, but then I realized that it triggered them and so I asked them hey, did this trigger you? This was not anywhere related to what you think it was, so how did this trigger you?

Speaker 1:

I would like to say that we got to an easy resolve, but truth is I try not to spend much energy on people that are triggered. My life is not spent being triggered by everybody else's posts and comments. I think that is a huge waste of energy and relational and emotional energy within us, and so I just don't live in that world, and so when other people are triggered, I don't allow them to take me into their world either. For some of you that do, maybe this is a great reminder. You don't have to have the feelings that other people have you that do. Maybe this is a great reminder. You don't have to have the feelings that other people have. You don't have to enter their emotional roller coaster just because they're on it. It's okay to say, hey, I'm going to let you deal with that, I'll pray for you, but I'm out, which is essentially where I landed in this situation. I chose peace over conflict. I chose truth over convenience.

Speaker 1:

Now back to the story. Even as chaos unfolds around Jesus, jesus' focus remains on safeguarding his disciples, ensuring not even one is lost. In verse 9, he says I've not lost one that you have gave me. It's so interesting in this moment for me because he is challenging the soldiers. They're there to arrest Jesus and, more than likely, arrest those that are following Jesus. And Jesus takes command of the situation and basically says you can take me, but you can't have anybody else, and they listen to him. You can take me, but you can't have anybody else, and they listened to him.

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Picture a shepherd in a wild, wind-spent field, braving the elements to gather his scattered sheep. Jesus, even in his darkest hour, is that shepherd calling us to safety. And so here's a practical tip for you Be a guardian in your community. Look for those who are struggling or isolated and reach out. Your actions can be the shelter they need from life's storms.

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Now the fifth thing I want to talk to you about is truth and sacrifice. In the cool stone-clad halls of Pilate's palace, jesus' conversation about truth and his identity cuts through the political and philosophical rhetoric like a sword. Jesus stands there and Pilate looks at Jesus and says what is truth, his voice echoing off the cold stone walls filled with weariness and cynicism. Verse 38. Now for you, contrast Pilate's luxurious but hollow palace with Jesus' humble but profound presence. One represents earthly power, fleeting and fragile. The other, eternal truth, enduring and incorruptible. The other, eternal truth, enduring and incorruptible. Reflect on your own leadership and daily interactions. Are they more like Pilate's palace, focusing on appearances, or like Jesus, rooted in truth and integrity? I want to challenge you to aim to lead people by example, prioritizing what is righteous and true. Now, today's journey through John 18 has shown us the serene strength of Jesus as he navigates betrayal, confrontation and his destiny. Each step on this path is a lesson for you and I on integrity, on protection, on the power of divine truth.

Speaker 1:

Thank you for joining me today on Beyond Sunday. May this week inspire you to walk in the truth of Christ, confidence and compose, no matter the trials you face, until next time, live with courage. Until next time, live with courage and love without limits. Now, very quickly. Spoiler alert don't miss next week's podcast. I've been working on something for almost eight years now. I say that, and I paused it for about seven of those years, but I've been working on something that I want to share with you. It's coming out in January, but next week I'm going to tell you what it is and how you can help me. So do not miss next week's podcast. Thanks for listening today. Hope you have a great week.