John 18:1-14 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden… I. HEIGHTS OF PRIVILEGE MAY BE THE DIRECT COURSE TO THE LOWEST FALL. Any light may be resisted. Sun-blindness is the most incurable. Privileges misused foster pride of power and personal conceit. Promotion may inspire self-respect and unselfish devotion, but there is no certainty that human nature will so respond. In rich soil and under favouring skies weeds will thrive quicker and stronger than good seed. A loving Providence may appoint us lowly station because only there should, we be safe from fatal temptation. II. THE POWERLESSNESS OF BRUTE FORCE OR ANGRY PASSIONS TO STAY THE MARCH OF REDEMPTION. The beaten brand flames the more. Ocean steamers turn the fury of headwinds upon their furnace fires and speed their way with accelerated motion. Heaven's resources are always equal to any emergency of earth's weakness or perfidy. There are no surprises in its one campaign. III. GOSPEL METHODS HAVE PRIMARILY TO DO WITH PERSUASION AND NOT WITH FORCE, They that take the sword shall perish by the sword if weapons of force are used when the situation calls only for the power of example and the urgency of self-sacrifice. IV. THE TRAITOR'S KISS DID NOT CEASE ON THIS NIGHT OF BETRAYAL. In all the years malice and hostile schemes use the same device of friendly approach as a cover and blind. V. THE INFINITE POSSIBILITIES OF HARM WITHIN THE POWER OF AN INFERIOR PERSON, VI. THE MOTIVES OF HEAVEN'S REDEMPTION FOR EARTH MUST BE SELF-ORIGINATING: THEY CAN FIND NO OCCASION IN EARTH SAVE IN ITS TOTAL WRETCHEDNESS AND LACK OF WORTH, VII. NO AMOUNT OF SIN OR DEPRAVITY CAN PERMANENTLY BLIND THE SOUL TO ITS GUILT AND PROPER SELF-CONDEMNATION. Our lesson were incomplete did we not forecast the ending of the betrayer's earthly career. He, like every man, carried within his bosom all the materials and instruments of righteous judgment. The lost sinner is an eternal suicide: and he needs no other accuser than himself. (S. Lewis B. Speare.) Parallel Verses KJV: When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. |
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