SERMON TITLE: Jesus’ Faithfulness; Our Folly
TEXT: Mark 14:27-42 (ESV)
SPEAKER: Josh Hanson
DATE: 4-3-22
Watch the sermon here.
Take notes here.
As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or are joining us at our North Main campus — the one thing I want you to know is that God loves you and that I love you too.
Before we get to the sermon, I want to give you an announcement about something going on in the city of Findlay — something you may already be aware of as it’s being shared on social media and other forms of communication. And — this may feel a bit unusual — but hopefully you’ll understand why I’m announcing this to you and — even more important — I hope you’ll choose to participate in this event. There have been a few occasions — over the past few years — where I’ve been asked by Findlay’s mayor for some help. For example, she’s asked me to come and pray at a few different community events that she’s hosted. Another example would be her asking if I would take a sermon I had preached and submit it to the Courier as a series of articles to help unify our community — she thought the message was something the community needed to hear.
Well last December, our mayor sent out a call for people in our community to join the Findlay Forward Outreach Committee. Our city council has hired an outside organization to survey our community in order to put together a 5-10 year strategic plan for our city. And — in order to get input from as many people as possible — an outreach committee was put together in hopes that our various networks would get as many voices heard as possible from our community in this process. The elders of Gateway and I discussed the opportunity, and it was agreed that I should submit my name for the committee — resulting in me being selected to be part of the committee.
So that’s the background for this announcement. Again — after talking all of this over with your elders — as your shepherds we want to make sure that your voice is heard during this process as a strategic plan is put together for the city of Findlay. We want to encourage you to participate in one of the workshops that will be taking place in order to gather feedback from the community. The dates are April 6 and 7 — with two different meetings on April 7th. You can go to findlayforwardplan.com to find out more information about the locations and times for these community workshops.
But — as your elders — we feel that your voice being heard is so important — that we’ll be hosting a workshop at our County Road 9 campus on April 25 at 6:30pm — an event specially planned for you — our Gateway congregation — to have your voice heard as the future of our community is being put together.
Each of these workshops will last about an hour and is open to Findlay residents but also to those who have a reason to want to speak into the direction of Findlay’s future — maybe you work in Findlay, or go to school in the community, or your church is located in the community — hint, hint — hopefully you get the idea. The bottom line is this: We’re not telling you what to say at these meetings — we just want you to have the opportunity to have your voice heard.
The information gathered during these meetings is what will be used to put together the strategic plan of our city for the next 5-10 years. So this is not a time for silence but a time to speak up. We’re not telling you what to say — this isn’t some sort of a show of support for a particular candidate or political party — your elders simply want to make sure that your voice is heard in this process. So mark your calendars for April 6 or 7 — if you’d like to go to one of the community workshops — findlayforwardplan.com is the website to find more information. Or plan on attending a special workshop for you — Gateway Church — that we’ll be hosting here at County Road 9 on April 25 at 6:30pm. And that’s what I have for the announcement.
A few weeks ago, we returned to the gospel of Mark. This is when we began part two of our “This is the End” series. Back in February we found Jesus teaching on the end times — that was the first part of our series. And now we’re in the final days leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. So we find ourselves heading towards a different end — the end of Jesus’ life and ministry. And — today’s passage — should both humble and comfort all of us. For we’ll be humbled by our folly and comforted by Jesus’ faithfulness. So let’s turn to our passage for today.
If you have your Bible please turn with me to Mark chapter 14. We’ll be looking at verses 27-42 together today. Here are the words found in Mark chapter 14. Beginning in verse 27.
“And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same. 32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”” (Mark 14:27-42 ESV)
Christ is faithful. He’s faithful to us even when we’re unfaithful, foolish, and full of ourselves. Only our pride will reject his faithfulness. Only our pride can downplay his faithfulness — or downplay our unfaithfulness, foolishness, and our ability to be so full of ourselves. And our pride leads to blindness — us being incapable of seeing the beauty of Jesus’ faithfulness and the reality of our folly.
If we look at the way many think these days — we find an interesting relationship people have with the idea of faithfulness. Faithfulness is something still held in high regard. Faithfulness is something still cherished — in relationships, in employer and employee relationships, and so on. Faithfulness is cherished — yet it’s seemingly a rare commodity — it’s difficult to find these days. And faithfulness — as you may already know — is something highly valued in Scripture.
Yet — a key difference — between the thinking of our day and what we find in Scripture — is how we’re taught to respond to unfaithfulness — especially to our own unfaithfulness. For example, Scripture tells us to own our unfaithfulness — to admit it — to not think of ourselves as rarely unfaithful — as if we’re more or less the last living faithful person on the planet — but to see ourselves clearly — as someone who struggles to be faithful just like everyone else. Whereas the thinking of our culture teaches us to shift blame when we’re unfaithful. Point the finger in any direction — it doesn’t matter which way you point — as long as you make it clear that your unfaithfulness isn’t your fault — it’s the fault of someone else. Even if what you point to is personal happiness — “Let’s not say I was unfaithful to my spouse — let’s say I was discovering happiness with my true soulmate.”
And all of this has resulted in us living in a weird time where people — just as easily as they switch their loyalty from one business to another — will now switch loyalty from one church to another — or swap one relationship for another — even one spouse for another — sometimes never demonstrating faithfulness in any of their relationships. Even in their relationship with God.
Yet the gospel sets us free to be able to admit and acknowledge our unfaithfulness. The gospel helps us to see how our sin nature — our pride — what the Bible calls our flesh — is what keeps us from being honest with ourselves and with others — even with God — when it comes to our folly and unfaithfulness. Our sin is what convinces us that — even as we demonstrate unfaithfulness again and again — our sin nature will convince us that we’re actually being faithful and are pleasing God with how we live. Did you hear that? Our sin nature will convince us that God is pleased with us as we’re being unfaithful to others and to him. How sick is that?
Yet as we believe the gospel — and experience the freedom God offers to us — where we can admit our unfaithfulness — what we discover is God’s grace and mercy and Christ’s perfect faithfulness to us — his faithfulness to us in spite of our folly.
So let’s return to our verses for today and begin by being honest with ourselves about our folly — let’s be honest about our unfaithfulness. We’re in verse 27.
“And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.” (Mark 14:27-31 ESV)
Last week — in our text — it was revealed that Judas was going to betray Jesus. Today — we see that the other eleven disciples will do the same. Yet none of this takes Jesus by surprise. Like we saw last week — even all of this is written about in Scripture. The Shepherd will be struck and the sheep will be scattered. Jesus is the Shepherd — his disciples are the sheep. Bad news before the Good News. The bad news? Jesus will be struck — killed — and the disciples will all run away. What’s the Good News? Jesus will be raised from the dead.
And — similar to Judas — Jesus predicts Peter’s betrayal. And he uses the same Old Testament Minor Prophet — Zechariah — that we alluded to last week with Judas’ betrayal — Jesus quotes Zechariah again. In Zechariah — chapter 13 — we read “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, the man who is my partner,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Strike down the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered…” (Zechariah 13:7a NLT)
This is “what was written” that Jesus is referring to in verse 27 of Mark chapter 14. And — again — Jesus is the Shepherd — and he says that he will be struck. In the original language — the word “strike” — implies a violent death. (George L. Klein, Zechariah (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2008), 385.) And Jesus indicates that it’s his Heavenly Father who will ultimately strike him. As one Bible scholar tells us, “Clearly, Jesus viewed himself as God’s Suffering Servant.” (Thomas Constable, “Notes on Mark,” https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/mark.pdf.) The Suffering Servant described by the prophet Isaiah.
“He was despised and rejected — a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. 7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. 8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. 9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. 10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. 11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. 12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.” (Isaiah 53:3-12 NLT)
And — it is written that — as the Shepherd is struck — the sheep will run in all directions. And Peter appears to have missed Jesus’ point completely. And — in missing Jesus’ point — he demonstrates folly. Peter — in hearing Jesus’ words — I’m guessing — looked around at the other disciples — then turned back to Jesus and said, “Jesus, even if all of them run away — I won’t. I know you said this is written down somewhere but — not me Jesus. I’ll be faithful to you no matter what. I’m. Not. Running.”
And his words sound noble. They sound faithful. They sound inspiring — until Jesus responds to him with, “Peter, you’re going to deny even knowing me in just a few hours.” And the word Jesus uses — that we translate as “deny” — means “passionately deny.” Kind of like, “Peter, with all of the passion you’re using right now — in saying you’ll be faithful to me no matter what — in just a few hours — and with even more passion — you’ll deny that you even know me.”
And what’s Peter’s response? “Even if I must die — I won’t deny you.” “Jesus, you’re wrong.” Folly. Foolishness fueled by the pride of his flesh that leads Peter to say words that — rightfully so — make us all cringe because we know that he’s about to deny knowing Jesus.
As someone has said, “Jesus’ reply should have caused Peter to realize his weakness and seek help. Instead, he dug in his heels, and virtually told Jesus that he would…prove him wrong…Peter didn’t know how weak he was, a problem most disciples of Jesus share with him. He would have to learn the hard way, through failure.” (Constable, “Notes on Mark,” https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/mark.pdf) And there it is — Peter didn’t know how weak he was — a problem we all share in common with him. Peter trusts in his own strength — in his own faithfulness — which was utter foolishness, folly, and — ultimately — results in his unfaithfulness.
And though we may not betray Jesus exactly like Judas did — or even exactly like Peter — we all easily blind ourselves to how spiritually weak and unfaithful we are on our own. All of us rely too heavily on our own strength and power — even the godliest among us are prone to this — for this is the temptation of our flesh — to trust in our own strength and power and faithfulness which always results in our folly, foolishness, and unfaithfulness.
But can we admit this about ourselves? Can you admit this about yourself? And — I know, I know — how much easier this is to see in others. It’s easy — isn’t it — to see the foolishness of others — the folly of others — the unfaithfulness of others. May that remind us of how blind we are to our own unfaithfulness — we so easily see this in others and not in ourselves. Like Peter — we look around at others — make a judgment call about them — and then think we’re not like that. Why do we do this? Because though the great hymn says “I once was blind, but now I see” — if we’re honest — far too often we close our eyes to our own folly — or we squint so it’s hard to see our foolishness — or — the illustration Jesus gave was “we see the speck of sawdust — in the eye of others — while missing the two by four that’s sticking out of our own eye” — a two by four of unfaithfulness.
And — it’s not just that we’re thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think — like Peter does when he says — “I’ll never betray you, Jesus” — it’s not only then that our folly shows itself. For we’re about to see the disciples fall asleep again and again while Jesus tells them to stay awake and keep watch and pray. If you remember — from weeks earlier as we looked at the end times — one of the things the people of God are to do — while living in the end times — is to stay awake and keep alert. And — in our verses — these are the commands Jesus gives to the disciples on the night of his betrayal — just hours before he will be killed. And they all fail — all of the disciples fail to stay awake and keep alert and to pray. A path of folly — of foolishness — of unfaithfulness — a path we’ve all traveled. Failing to stay awake — to remain alert — to be watchful and spiritually on guard. While Jesus — our Savior — walked a different path — one of faithfulness.
And the path you’re on will either lead to a life of regret or a life of repentance. And — in comparing how Judas and Peter both respond to their failure and folly — it’s been said, “The difference between a life of regret and a life of repentance is where you turn to for redemption. Judas felt deep shame for his actions. He turned to the high priests, to religion. He sought to undo his sin himself, literally throwing money at his problem. Judas wanted to pay for his mistakes, and he ultimately did. Peter turned to Christ. He accepted his Savior’s forgiveness and correction, and responded to his call. Rather than being crippled by his failure, Peter was able to move into a deeper relationship with Jesus.” (https://www.cru.org/us/en/blog/life-and-relationships/hardships/do-you-feel-like-youve-failed-god.html)
Which will you choose — a life of regret or repentance? Where will you turn to for your redemption? And I know that — for some of us — we can beat ourselves up because of how we’ve failed Christ. Where we beat ourselves up so much that we feel unworthy of forgiveness — undeserving of his love. And — you know what — none of us deserve forgiveness. None of us deserve Christ giving his life — in our place — for our sins — so we might be redeemed. None of us deserve his love and faithfulness to us. Yet — as someone has helpfully said, “Some of us have a hard time believing in God’s faithfulness because of how we have behaved...Do you think you did something that [has changed] his character?” (Francis Chan)
You see, God is faithful. He loves his people. He’s promised to redeem them. This is who Jesus is. And the Good News of the gospel is that there’s nothing you can do that’s so bad that will change his character and make him unfaithful or unloving or cause him to change his mind in redeeming you — if you believe in Christ. How great of news is that! Your worst day won’t change the fact that — through your faith in Christ — God has, does, and will always love you. Again, how great of news is this to your soul? For it’s news promised to us — news guaranteed — because — in love — this is what Christ has accomplished and offers to all of us — because he is faithful to us.
And this is what we turn to now. Jesus’ faithfulness. We’re in verse 32.
“And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”” (Mark 14:32-42 ESV)
What good news offered to us today. Jesus was and is and will always be faithful. He is the faithful One in whom we put our hope. Not our faithfulness — his. His faithfulness is the foundation of the hope in which we have. And look at what he faced and — yet — remained faithful.
In verse 34 — we read — “He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”” (Mark 14:34 (NLT)) Or — as another Bible translation tells us — “He plunged into a sinkhole of dreadful agony. He sank into a pit of suffocating darkness.” (Mark 14:34 (MSG)) They’re in a place called Gethsemane — which means “oil press” — an appropriate name for the place where we see Jesus pressed by the reality of his death that’s just hours away. Gethsemane — where Jesus is pressed in on as he “meets the dreadful silence of heaven. There’s no reassuring voice from heaven proclaiming, ‘This is my Son, whom I love.’ No dove descends; no ministering angels come to serve him. God has already spoken, and his Son must obey.” (David E. Garland, Mark (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011).)
And — as I said earlier — Jesus tells the disciples to stay awake and alert and keep watch. He knows Judas is on his way with others to arrest him. He places the majority of the disciples to be sort of an early alarm system for Judas’ arrival. Then he takes Peter, James, and John with him — a bit further away — to pray.
And here we learn another important lesson from Jesus. What’s the lesson? The lesson is that one weapon we have at hand — to help us face and defeat temptation — is prayer. As it’s been said, “The Christian most prepared to conquer temptation is the one who prays and plans against it.” (David Mathis, “Do You Pray Against Temptation?,” October 4, 2018. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/do-you-pray-against-temptation.) When you pray — how often do you pray for the strength to not give in to temptation? How often do you pray — “Lead me not into temptation” — as Jesus taught us to pray? (Luke 11:4b (ESV))
The same three disciples who were with Jesus when he raised Jarius’ daughter from the dead — back in Mark chapter 5 — the same three who saw Jesus transfigured as he spoke with Moses and Elijah — in Mark chapter 9 — the same three disciples who — along with Andrew — privately asked him about the temple being destroyed — in Mark 13 — the three men who Jesus spent more time with — who he invested in — who he imparted wisdom and knowledge and revelation of who he was to a greater degree than the other disciples — these three men Jesus commands — he commands them! — to keep watch after admitting to them the agony he was experiencing. Jesus is vulnerable — transparent about his agoney. And asks his friends to pray for him. And three times they fall asleep.
After waking them up — Jesus tells them to “watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Mark 14:38a (ESV)) What temptation is he referring to? Though I can’t say with certainty, I can’t help but imagine it’s the temptation they’re all about to give in to — the temptation to betray him and run away. The temptation Peter just declared he would never do.
And — I can’t help but think of the three times Peter will betray Jesus — as we see Peter and the others fall asleep three times instead of keeping watch and praying against the temptation they’re about to face. It’s as if Mark is wanting us to connect the dots between Peter’s giving in to temptation — three times — and this missed opportunity to pray — by falling asleep three times.
But it’s late at night, right? We get it. They’d just eaten a big meal. They’ve been drinking some wine. Their bellies are full and it’s a late hour. Let’s not be too hard on them, right? And what does that teach us all? Exactly what Jesus tells us. The body — our flesh — is weak.
Our flesh is weak. Our body is weak. (NLT) We are weak. Yet — as we’re reminded in a song many of us learned as children — “they are weak, but he is strong.” And do you remember the good news in this children’s song? It’s the words that come next. In spite of our weakness — in spite of your weakness and my weakness…“Yes Jesus loves me.” But what power there is in changing the lyrics to “I am weak, but he is strong — yes Jesus loves me.”
And he does love you. I hope you know his love for you.
As one pastor has said, “The gospel is this: ‘We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” (Tim Keller) We’re unfaithful — but Good News — Jesus is faithful.
And this is where our verses come to an end — with the hour of Jesus’ betrayal at hand. Time’s up. It’s time for Jesus to be handed over to sinners and to be put on trial even though he’s innocent. He’ll be convicted of crimes he did not commit. He’ll be crucified because of our folly. Yet he won’t run from death. The disciples all run — but not Jesus. Why? Because he is faithful. He is faithful. Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, how humbling it is to see your faithfulness to us. How comforting. How assuring. In a world that appreciates faithfulness — yet is slow to offer it — may we remember to not define you and your faithfulness by what we so often experience in this unfaithful world.
Spirit of God, give us your strength and power — we pray — so we are a faithful people. Faithful to you and your calling. Faithful to one another. Faithful in living in the freedom we’ve been given — freedom to acknowledge when we’re unfaithful and not point the finger and blame others — but to repent. You’ve given us eyes to see — help us to open them so we see the beauty of the forgiveness you offer to us.
And — Jesus — what can we say but thank you for your faithfulness to us. If — like Peter — we look around at others and think “Not me, Jesus, I’ll be the only one left who’s faithful to you” — you are so kind to us even though you know and see the weakness of our flesh — our folly — our unfaithfulness that may be a few rooster crows away. Help us to be compassionate and patient with each other — to find reason to rejoice in the glimpses of imperfect faithfulness that we see — for you are at work in all of your people. Help us to encourage one another as we see your faithfulness in each other’s lives.
Father, Son, and Spirit — keep us awake. Help us to keep each other awake. Like a mother gently waking up her infant child from a nap — may we show each other your gentleness. And may you wake up the spirit of any who hear my voice who today is the day of their salvation. Wake them up so they respond to your voice and believe in your Son. In whose name we pray. Amen.
May you go able to admit that though you are weak and often unfaithful — yet remember that Christ is strong and he is always faithful. Amen.
God loves you. I love you. You are sent.
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