DOCSLIB.ORG

John 19:38-42 FBC 3/29/15 “Coming out of the Closet.” It's Used to Refer to Someone Who Comes out Publicly Ab

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
John 19:38-42 FBC 3/29/15 “Coming out of the Closet.” It's Used to Refer to Someone Who Comes out Publicly Ab John 19:38-42 FBC 3/29/15 We start with Joseph. What does John tell us “Coming out of the closet.” It’s used to refer about him? He’s described as * Joseph of to someone who comes out publicly about Arimathea, which suggests he was born in the something they’d previously kept hidden. It’s town of Arimathea, located about 20 miles used most often of those who come out of the northwest of Jerusalem, just east of the seaport closet sexually, as when people publicly identify city of Joppa. themselves as gay or lesbian. It’s also been used What else does John reveal about Joseph? of those in liberal dominated institutions like Read vs.38b academia and the entertainment industry who * 38 …being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one come out of the closet to identify themselves as Joseph was a secret disciple. You could say “conservative.” that he was a “closet Christian.” He bought into This morning we’re going to meet a couple of who Jesus was and what Jesus taught…but men who “come out of the closet” – not sexually secretly. He was hesitant to publicly identify or ideologically, but spiritually. And they did so with Jesus. at the moment when it was the most difficult. Why was he hesitant? Why was Joseph a Their names are Joseph and Nicodemus. And secret disciple? they chose to publicly identify with Jesus at a Read vs.38c very tense time – immediately after the public * 38 … for fear of the Jews, execution of Jesus – an execution that brought It was because he feared the Jews. And who delight to the peers of Joseph and Nicodemus. were “the Jews” John is referring to here? And Let’s meet these two men who demonstrate why would he fear them? faith and courage. The Jews in this context refers to the Jewish [Turn to John 19] leadership – the Jewish Council – the Sanhedrin – The death of Jesus seems to have impacted of which Jospeh was a member! them greatly – and cemented in their hearts and [Turn to Mark 15] minds the impact that His life and teaching was Read Mark 15:43 having on them. * 43 Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent Last week we saw how details of the death of member of the Council, who himself was Jesus were fulfilling Scriptures – and that Jesus is waiting for the kingdom of God; and he the Lamb of God whose death results in gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, forgiveness and eternal spiritual life for those and asked for the body of Jesus. who follow Him. And we also learned that the Joseph was a prominent member of the Jewish leaders were in a hurry to get Jesus buried Council. That meant he was one of the 70 so as to not defile the Sabbath. That meant He’d members of the Sanhedrin – the supreme ruling have to be buried quickly, which provides the Council over Jewish affaires. That was the same opportunity for a couple of His followers to come Council who pushed for the crucifixion of Jesus – out of the closet to openly identify with Jesus. the same council who, as we saw in our study of So after Jesus’ death was confirmed by the Acts, would continue to harass the followers of Roman soldiers, we read: Jesus. Read vs.38 And Joseph wasn’t just a member of the * 38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, council, he was a prominent member of the being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for Council. He was a distinguished, notable fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might member of an elite group, the most powerful in take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate Judaism. And Matthew 27:57 further indicates, granted permission. So he came and took away he was a wealthy man, which likely contributed His body. to his prominence. Claiming the body of Jesus was a bold and So when John tells us Joseph was a secret courageous move. The more we consider what disciple for fear of the Jews, it means he was Joseph and Nicodemus did, and the climate in living in fear of his own colleagues – his fellow which they did it, the more we can appreciate members of the Council. Peer pressure had been their courage. keeping him in the closet. The council was on record as despising Jesus – which made it Another thing we know is that Joseph was not difficult for one who was intrigued by Jesus. alone on the Council in his belief in Jesus, nor in One things that seems to have set him apart his attempt to give Jesus a proper burial: from the majority of his peers is his sense of Read John 19:39a spiritual expectancy – he was * waiting for the * 39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by kingdom of God. He was anticipating – even night, also came, yearning for – the coming Messiah and the Nicodemus and Joseph had something in establishment of His kingdom. And sometime common. Up until that point, it seems both of during the ministry of Jesus, Joseph concluded them had been somewhat secretive or reserved in that Jesus was the One for whom he was waiting. their commitment to Jesus. Luke also gives us insight the kind of man Nicodemus first appeared in John’s account in Joseph was. While confirming what we’ve John 3, as the man who had first come to Him already learned, Luke adds further insight: by night. Read Luke 23:50,51 [Turn to John 3] * 50 And a man named Joseph, who was a Read 3:1,2 member of the Council, a good and righteous * 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, man 51 (he had not consented to their plan and named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God; God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs He was a good and righteous man. His faith that You do unless God is with him." in Jehovah influenced his life. He lived his faith Why did he come to Jesus by night? Perhaps out in daily life. He was a man of character. it was the only time Nicodemus was able to get Luke also informs us that Joseph was not in together with Jesus. But it’s not a stretch, agreement with the majority of the Council – he knowing the circumstances in which Nicodemus * had not consented to their plan and action. found himself, that he may have used the cover of Joseph was not in agreement with the decision of darkness to keep others from noticing this visit. the Council to push for the death of Jesus. That’s And it’s also possible, in light of John’s use of why John describes him as a secret disciple. symbolism, that the darkness symbolizes the And you can probably imagine how hard it would spiritual condition of Nicodemus, who comes to be to be a lover of Jesus among haters of Jesus. Jesus, the Light of the world. Maybe you don’t have to imagine that. Maybe You could can understand why Nicodemus you’ve already been there – maybe you are might not want others to know about his visit to currently there. You may know all too well how Jesus. He was both * a Pharisee (the strictest of hard it is to stand out from the crowd – especially the strict), and like Joseph, a ruker of the Jews, a a crowd of your peers – whether they be fellow member of the Council. And like Joseph, he was students, neighbors, or coworkers. spiritually minded. You can tell by what he said It hadn’t been easy for Joseph. But he refused to Jesus: to go along with the Council. As Luke put it: he Read 3:2 had not consented to their plan and action. * 2 … "Rabbi, we know that You have come How that failure to go along with them from God as a teacher; for no one can do these manifested itself, we do not know. Perhaps he signs that You do unless God is with him." wasn’t at their latest sinister, early morning Nicodemus recognized what most others on meeting. Or perhaps if he was there, he did not the Council did not – that Jesus was sent from voice agreement with their actions. Or perhaps God. Jesus went on to tell Nicodemus that he he even verbally objected. We don’t know for must be born again or born from above. His birth sure whether his lack of consent was manifested into the nation of Israel was not enough. As the by refraining from speaking up, or by speaking Gospel of John reveals, Nicodemus needed to be up. But we do know he did not support their re-born through personal faith in Jesus. actions. That meeting with Jesus must have left an impression on Nicodemus. It seems his suspicion that Jesus was sent from God was confirmed from the area of Galilee!). And it seems either during or sometime after that meeting. Nicodemus said no more. Why do I say that? It seems that both Joseph and Nicodemus were [Turn to John 7] secretive disciples. But they were not alone, as Some members of the Council and leading John suggests in chapter 12.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • John 19: the Crucifixion of Jesus
    John 19: The Crucifixion of Jesus TEACHER RESOURCE hen Pilate took Jesus and had him bench in the place called Stone Pavement, in Tscourged. And the soldiers wove a crown Hebrew, Gabbatha. It was preparation day for out of thorns and placed it on his head, and Passover, and it was about noon. And he said clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” They cried to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify And they struck him repeatedly. Once more him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I king?” The chief priests answered, “We have am bringing him out to you, so that you may no king but Caesar.” Then he handed him over know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus to them to be crucified. came out, wearing the crown of thorns So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross and the purple cloak. And he said to them, himself he went out to what is called the “Behold, the man!” When the chief priests and Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There the guards saw him they cried out, “Crucify they crucified him, and with him two others, him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt Pilate also had an inscription written and put in him.” The Jews answered, “We have a law, on the cross.
    [Show full text]
  • Small Group Questions “Behold the Man” John 19:1-16 Introduction
    We realize you may not be able to discuss c. If you are a Christian, how is your view of all the questions. Pick the ones you like. submitting to authority different than the view of Small Group Questions many people in the world around you? “Behold The Man” Discussion Questions John 19:1-16 Read John 19:1-11 Previous message summary: Jesus is being questioned by 2. What has Pilate already concluded about Jesus? the Roman governor, Pilate. In this conversation, we see that Read John 18:31, 38b. How has Pilate already tried to Pilate asks a series of questions to determine if Jesus is guilty free Jesus? Read John 18:39-40. of anything that would merit crucifixion. Pilate asks if he is King of the Jews in order to determine whether or not Jesus is a a. What does Pilate now do to Jesus? political threat to Rome. Jesus responds by talking about his b. What do the other Gospel writers say about Jesus Kingdom and the fact that it is not of this world. Jesus goes on being flogged? Read Matt. 27:26; Mark 15:15; & to tell Pilate the purpose for which he came into the world, Luke 23:22. How severe was this flogging? which is to bear testimony of the absolute truth, which is found when we listen to God. Jesus tells Pilate that he is not a c. Read Isaiah 53:3-5. What had been prophesied political threat to Rome, but his real purpose is much greater (700 years before Jesus) about the way that than Rome.
    [Show full text]
  • John 19:17-42
    Sunday, July 21, 2019 FBC Vidalia Dr. Ricky Cummings Evening Service Series: Christ the Logos – A Study of the Gospel of John Sermon: The Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus Christ John 19:17-42 Facts about the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ: Jesus was crucified between two criminals. John 19:17-18 (ESV) 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. A sign was written above Jesus stating, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews”. John 19:19-22 (ESV) 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” The soldiers divide up Jesus’ clothes. John 19:23-24 (ESV) 23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things, The women who stood near the cross John 19:25 (ESV) but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
    [Show full text]
  • New Life: John 19 Pastor Carlos Sibley Sunday, April 14, 2019
    New Life: John 19 Pastor Carlos Sibley Sunday, April 14, 2019 Open your Bibles to John 19. We've worked our way over the course of several months now through this Gospel, beginning back in the fall in chapter 1. Now we come to John 19, and it is a heavy chapter. The prayer this week and the prayer this morning has been that each of us would somehow feel the weight and the worth of this chapter. It is what I would call the "what happened" chapter more than the "why it happened chapter." What happened in chapter 19 will be expounded on and applied and taught to us from Acts through the end of the New Testament. We have the account, we have the facts of what happened to Jesus Christ the day He died. This is the cross chapter. If you were looking for one chapter in God's word that would give you the most succinct, clear details of the arrest and trial and burial of Christ, it is John 19. It is a chapter that if you read it over and over and over again, it'll keep you close to the cross. Today, I want us to look together and see what happened in the life and death of Jesus. Let’s start in verse one: Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.
    [Show full text]
  • SCENE #1: John 18:1-14 EVANGELIST: When Jesus Had
    SCENE #1: John 18:1-14 EVANGELIST: When Jesus had finished praying, he left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, JESUS: Who is it that you want? EVANGELIST [SOLDIERS]: “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. JESUS: I am he. EVANGELIST: And Judas the traitor was standing there with them. When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. Again Jesus asked them, JESUS: I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go. EVANGELIST: This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me." Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. But Jesus commanded Peter, JESUS: Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me? EVANGELIST: Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in- law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
    [Show full text]
  • John 19) Questions: Week Nineteen Jesus Sentenced to Be Crucified - John 19:1-16
    The Crucified Son of God (John 19) Questions: Week Nineteen Jesus Sentenced to be Crucified - John 19:1-16 Topics: Beliefs, Character, Circumstances, Convictions, Fear, Hardheartedness, Hypocrisy, Jesus Christ, Peer Pressure, Power, Self-centeredness, Status, Truth Open It 1. *What pressure tactics do special interest groups use on politicians? 2. In what ways do people sometimes compromise what’s important in order to advance their career or status? Explore It 3. What did Pilate and the soldiers do to Jesus? (19:1-3) 4. To what conclusion had Pilate come concerning Jesus? (19:4-5) 5. How did the Jews react when Pilate presented Jesus to them? (19:6) 6. What did Pilate want the Jews to do with Jesus? (19:6) 7. *Why did the Jews insist that Jesus had to die? (19:7) 8. How did Pilate respond to the Jews’ demands? (19:8-9) 9. What authority did Pilate claim to have? (19:10) 10. What authority did Pilate really have? (19:11) 11. What did Pilate try to do for Jesus? (19:12) 12. *How did the Jews pressure Pilate to give in to their demand to crucify Jesus? (19:12) 13. *How did Pilate respond to the Jews’ pressure tactics? (19:13-16) 14. Whom did the crowd claim as their king? (19:15) 1 Get It 15. What would you have done had you been in Pilate’s situation? 16. *What position or possession might you be tempted to preserve at the expense of doing the right thing? 17. *When and why might we allow the pressures of the moment to compromise our beliefs or standards? 18.
    [Show full text]
  • The Life of Moses
    Lesson 20 To learn in this lesson: 1) the divine kingship of Jesus 2) the Jews' rejection of Him. 3) John 18:28 – 19:16 the Gentiles also rejected Him through the person of their representative: Pilate. Jesus’ Civil Trial Discussion Questions: Memory verse: “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and 1) Why did the religious leaders bring Jesus to Pilate and what can we deduce familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and from the initial proceeding of the trial? (28 to 38). we held him in low esteem.” (Isaiah 53:3 NIV) Long before the Jewish leaders had Jesus arrested in the garden, they had determined to kill Him (John 11:47–54). However, the Jewish council did not have the right to execute prisoners, so it was necessary to get the cooperation and approval of Rome. This meant a visit to the Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate. There were three stages in both the Jewish “trial” and the Roman “trial.” After His arrest, Jesus was taken to the home of Annas and there interrogated informally (John 18:12–14, 19–23). Annas hoped to get information that would implicate Jesus as an enemy of the state. He wanted to prove that both His doctrine and His disciples were anti-Roman, for then He would be worthy of death. Stage two of the Jewish trial took place before Caiaphas and whatever 2) “Shall I Release the King of the Jews?” (18:39—19:7). In this part of the trial, members of the Sanhedrin the high priest could assemble at that hour of the night what can we learn about the Jewish nation at this point of their history? (Matt.
    [Show full text]
  • The Crucified Son of God (John 19) Notes: Week Nineteen
    The Crucified Son of God (John 19) Notes: Week Nineteen John 19 (HCSB) Jesus Flogged and Mocked 19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. 2 The soldiers also twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and threw a purple robe around Him. 3 And they repeatedly came up to Him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and were slapping His face. 4 Pilate went outside again and said to them, “Look, I’m bringing Him outside to you to let you know I find no grounds for charging Him.” Pilate Sentences Jesus to Death 5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the temple police saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate responded, “Take Him and crucify Him yourselves, for I find no grounds for charging Him.” 7 “We have a law,” the Jews replied to him, “and according to that law He must die, because He made Himself[a] the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever. 9 He went back into the headquarters and asked Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus did not give him an answer. 10 So Pilate said to Him, “You’re not talking to me? Don’t You know that I have the authority to release You and the authority to crucify You?” 11 “You would have no authority over Me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above.
    [Show full text]
  • TITLE: the CRUCIFIXION of JESUS SCRIPTURE: John 19:17-30 BIG
    TITLE: THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS SCRIPTURE: John 19:17-30 BIG IDEA: If any of us ever wants to fully understand the extent of God’s love for us, we need not look any further than the cross of Christ. In this passage we see the wounds of Jesus, and as believers we understand that these wounds are intended for us. We see His suffering and recognize that it is our sin being paid. The world may look at this picture of Jesus and see someone mocked, beaten, and defeated, yet in reality, this is the pinnacle of history. It’s the moment where sacrificial love is most clearly demonstrated and where the weight of Christ’s divine power is most firmly felt. 1. THE CRUCIFIXION – READ John 19:17-27 CONTEXT: This account of the crucifixion is the shortest of the four accounts, and the detail that John gives is unique to his Gospel alone. John records the crucifixion, so we might know that Jesus really did suffer, He really did die, and He really did rise again to be our King. John contrasts two groups of people who are observing the death of Christ; the soldiers and the women. On one hand, we see soldiers seeking the spoils of Jesus’ death, or in their mind, His only remaining value. On the other hand, we see a group that loves and cherishes Christ and sticks with Him even though the risk is great. A. Do you think it could ever be dangerous for us to become too familiar with the cross? How might you explain the need for the crucifixion to someone who has never heard the gospel? B.
    [Show full text]
  • Gospel Readings
    Gospel Readings 1) A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (5:1–12) Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them: ‘How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy the gentle: they shall have the earth for their heritage. Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted. Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied. Happy the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them. Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God. Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God. Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all Kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.’ The word of the Lord. 2) A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (11:25–30) Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
    [Show full text]
  • “Guilt and the Cross” John 19:23-37 March 14, 2021 Faith Presbyterian Church – Morning Service Pastor Nicoletti
    “Guilt and the Cross” John 19:23-37 March 14, 2021 Faith Presbyterian Church – Morning Service Pastor Nicoletti We continue, this morning, in the Gospel of John, and his account of the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Please do listen carefully, for this is God’s word for us this morning. 19:23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
    [Show full text]
  • A Dramatic Reading for Tenebrae from the Gospel of John Arranged by Doodle Harris for the Youth at Highland Presbyterian Church, Louisville, Kentucky
    A Dramatic Reading for Tenebrae from the Gospel of John Arranged by Doodle Harris for the youth at Highland Presbyterian Church, Louisville, Kentucky Reading 1: Reading #5: Narrator #1 Narrator #2 Narrator #2 Jesus Jesus Annas Pilate Reading 2: Caiaphas Narrator #1 Phillip Reading 6: Jesus Narrator #1 Thomas Pilate Peter Jesus Caiaphas (from choir loft) Reading 3: Woman (from choir loft) Narrator #2 Annas (from choir loft) Thomas Phillip Reading 7: Peter Narrator #2 Jesus Thomas (from choir loft) Soldier Reading 4: Jesus Narrator #1 Jesus Annas Caiaphas Soldier Woman 1 READING #1 (Narrator #1, Narrator #2, Jesus) John 1:1, 1: 3-5, 3:16-17, 12:44-46 Narrator #1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Narrator #2: All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and life was the light of all people. Narrator #1: his life was the light of all hope. Narrator #2: his life was the light of all love. Narrator #1: the light shines in the darkness. Narrator #2: And the darkness did not overcome it. Narrator #1: the darkness could not overcome it. Narrator #2: For God so loved the world, that God sent his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life. Narrator #1: Indeed, God did not sent the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
    [Show full text]