Friends,
Two
of the greatest love stories ever told. The one, at Camelot…the other, at
Calvary. Two of the noblest kings ever to live. The one, King Arthur…the other,
the King of the Jews. There are many comparisons and contrasts between Camelot
and Calvary, but one scene from Camelot illustrates a great theological dilemma
that only the cross could resolve. We
start with a scene from Camelot, where the immoral relationship between Queen
Guinevere and Arthur’s most trusted knight, Sir Lancelot, has divided the Round
Table. When the scheming Mordred catches them in an encounter, Lancelot
escapes. Guinevere is not so fortunate. She faces a trial. The jury finds her guilty
and sentences her to die. As the day of
execution nears, people come from miles around with one question on their minds:
Would the king let her die? Tragically
but resolutely, Arthur decides: "Treason has been committed! The jury has
ruled! Let justice be done!" Arthur
stands high in a castle window, as Guinevere enters the courtyard, she walks to
the unlit stake. Arthur turns away,
emotion brimming in his eyes. A herald
mounts the tower where Arthur has withdrawn -- “Your Majesty. Shall I signal
the torch?" But the king cannot
answer. Arthur’s love for her spills
from his broken heart: "I can’t! I can’t! I can’t let her die!" Seeing Arthur crumble, Mordred relishes the
moment: "Well, you’re human after all, aren’t you, Arthur? Human and
helpless." Tragically, Arthur
realizes the truth of Mordred’s remark. Being only human, he is indeed
helpless. But where this story ends, the greatest story ever told just
begins. Another Execution Scene. Another
time. Another place. Another king. The
setting: A world lies estranged from the God who loves it. Like Guinevere, an
unfaithful humanity stands guilty and in bondage, awaiting judgment’s
torch. Could God turn His head from the
righteous demands of the law and simply excuse the world’s sin? Like the wicked
Mordred, Satan must have looked on in delight:
Without even waiting for His Guinevere to look up in repentance, the
King stepped down from His throne, took off His crown, laid aside His royal
robes, and descended His castle’s polished steps into humanity’s pockmarked
streets. That scene in the movie was an epiphany of understanding. Suddenly, it
all made sense. We know now why He had to die, why there was no other way. When
love and justice collide, only the cross offers a happy ending. (Philippians
2:6-8) (From Ken Gire’s book Windows of
the Soul. Copyright © 1996 by Ken Gire, Jr. Zondervan Publishing Houses.)
It
is just over a month until Easter. We
will consider the story of Jesus’ betrayal, death, burial and resurrection…the
most important events in the history of the world. After Jesus’ High Priestly prayer in chapter
17, the private ministry of the Lord and His disciples has now ended, and the
public drama of redemption is about to begin (John 18:1-11).
Man will do his worst, and God will respond with the very best. This
reminds us of what Paul shares in Romans 5:20, “But, where sin abounded, grace
did much more abound.” Perhaps the best
way to see and understand the truths of this section of Scripture, is to pay
attention to the symbolism that is involved.
First, we have the Garden of Gethsemane (which means “oil press”), and
which is located on the west side of the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. Jesus
would often retreat to this garden to pray, rest, and meditate. (Luke
22:39) Human history began with a
garden…the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8ff), and the first sin of man was
committed in that place. Jesus is
obedient to His Father when He comes into this garden, and…because of His
obedience…righteousness and life are available for all who would trust in
Him.
Now,
Jesus has been rejected by His people and at the very moment is being betrayed
by one of His disciples. Jesus is fully
aware of what lies ahead of Him. He
leaves eight men near the entrance, and then takes Peter, James and John and
goes into another part of the garden to pray.
Judas has lived with Jesus for perhaps three years, and has listened to
Him teach…yet, He does not really know Jesus. The traitor brings soldiers armed
with clubs. The word “band” means this
number is equivalent to a Roman cohort -- 600 men! Judas wants to be certain
that he has enough men to handle the job, apparently…if only he had a clue at
all, as if the Father couldn’t dispatch 600 men with but a whisper. He has no idea that the Lamb of God is going
to meekly submit, and that there will be no battle. Jesus understands what is about to take
place. Judas expects some sort of deception, so he arranges to identify Jesus
by kissing Him (Matthew 26:48-49). The
kiss is a sign of affection and devotion…so the fact that it is used for
betrayal symbolizes just how base an act of treachery that is taking place.
Jesus
shocks both Judas and the officers by boldly presenting Himself to them. He has nothing to fear and nothing to
hide…He willingly lays down His life for the sheep. By surrendering, Jesus helps to protect His
disciples from harm…He keeps them safe not only spiritually, but physically as
well (John 17:11-12). It is fascinating
that all of the soldiers draw back and fall to the ground when Jesus tells
them, “I am He.” Perhaps their fall is a
manifestation of Divine power or an exhibition of the majesty of Jesus…we do
not know. What we do know is this --
Jesus is in control of this situation. The
Jewish leaders had tried to arrest Jesus on a number of occasions, and always
without success. They may be prepared
for conflict, but when they are met with surrender and calm, they are overwhelmed.
All
of the disciples have courageously affirmed their devotion to Christ, now Peter
decides to prove it with an act of violence.
He draws out a sword and decides to bring the fight to those present…he
cuts off the ear of the servant of the high Priest, a man named Malchus…like
this provocation had any chance of succeeding.
Peter obviously has not understood Jesus’ plan…that this is going to be
a “spiritual” battle, and not a physical one. The sword represents rebellion
against the will of God. His spirit,
heart are not yet in the right place…but, they will be. Jesus does not need Peter’s protection…as He
could have called 10,000 angels to come to His defense. Jesus’ miracle in healing Malchus’ ear
symbolizes and reveals Jesus’ grace toward us…and so the story will move ahead.
So
in case some left it out or forgot to mention it when they explained what it
meant to be a Christian, let me be clear: There is no forgiveness without
repentance. There is no salvation without surrender. There is no life without
death. There is no believing without committing. Kyle Idleman, "Not a Fan" (p. 35)
There
are so many lessons to learn from this event.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace who came not with a sword, but with grace
and love. This is not a political
statement in my estimation…and those who would use this event to defend
pacifism do so out of context, in my estimation. But, what we do understand is that Jesus
wants us to live lives of surrender…and to understand that we are not going it
alone in the spiritual battle against the world and Satan. He is willing to come along side of us and
fight our battles. He sent His Holy
Spirit to do just this…to empower us to live lives based upon His estimation of
matters in this life, and not from our own standards, as exemplified by
Peter. It really does come down to a
choice that we have to make every single day – am I going to live for Christ,
or am I going to live for myself.
Blessings,
Don