CRUCIFIED

     (The Gift of Relationships)

  Matthew 26:36-44 (and selected texts) 10-14-07

            His Depth of Relationship with The Father : We have said many times the entire Bible is a story of a desire for relationship.  True fellowship is born out of that.  Jesus was all about that and it dictated His activity.  Not society, not His wishes, not anything else, His relationship with the Father and what came out of that.  V.39, 42, and 44.  “OH MY FATHER” Jesus is constantly referring to His Father.  The book of John alone will verify that.  I cannot overemphasize what goes on in my heart when I hear the word father from my children.  It is an immediate pull on my ears and heart.  We have relationship.  So here is Jesus saying, “OH MY FATHER” three times.  There is this dependance on Jesus’ relationship with  His Father, and the love contained in that to make an urgent request to be released from the cross.  V39, “If it is possible let this cup pass from Me.”  Surely there must be another way, something short of death  that His Father will come up with.  Surely God doesn’t expect me to do this “senseless” thing before me?  Ahh, but remember the activity of Jesus is not dictated by what is reasonable, by society, or by his own needs, but by His relationship.  For the “Father loves the Son.” (Joh.5:20) That makes all things possible.  Oh the love of the Father flowing in Jesus changes everything.  Do you have that?

            His depth of Relationship with His Friends: V.36-38.  Do you see the closeness?  The desire for them to be near Him?  The desire for them to “stay here and watch with me.”  He took these guys to the mountain to hear the Father speak, and to see Moses and Elijah appear.  He spoke to them privately.  The irony is that while they slept He was getting ready to die for them.  If you want to see more read John 17. In John 15:15 “Jesus said I have called you friends.”  Vs 40 again Jesus prevails upon His desire for their partnership in this thing, and again in vs. 45.  All throughout every  epistle this theme of “fellowship,” “relationship,” “friendship” is urged.  It is the whole body thing.  Jesus cannot claim a relationship with the Father without living a desire for fellowship with His disciples.  Luke 22:15, with “desire, I have desired to eat this Passover with you.”  It is everywhere in His life.  Do you have that?

            His deliverance from His rights: V. 39,42,44.  “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”  You see, crucifixion, the gift of relationships,  can only come when you are delivered from your rights.  I didn’t say what is reasonable, fair or agreeable to others.  No way Jesus should have to go the cross.  He had a lot of good counselors to say that to him.  “Never, never should this happen to you!” “You deserve better, Jesus.”  Ah, but He has prayed deliver us from the evil one before, and in this passage keeps telling them not to fall into temptation.   BUT this was not an event, this was a style of living for Jesus.  John 13: 1-5, 12-17.  He loved them to the end.  Now get this picture: The “King of Kings,” creator, Lord, Son of God suddenly, as Has done 33 years before when He left the glory of His Father and the heavens, pushes away from the position and takes a servants posture.  Then he tells them this was their privilege.  Do you have that?

            Contrast: Luke 22:24-27, The disciples are arguing over who is the greatest.  In  Matt. 20:20-28 James and John’s mama comes with her son’s and asks for a position in the new church.  Jesus gives the job description, are you able to be what I am?  Oh yes, of course!  Jesus goes on to say He isn’t about positions he is about pouring out His life as a “waiter at the table” and a “servant.” 

            His Death for Redemption: V.42, 44.  The language changes here.  Huge change but hardly noticed at first.  This is no longer “let this cup pass,” this is now “if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done..”  This is powerful.  This is “If I cannot be redemptive to the world unless I drink it, bring it on!”  Oh my Father, deliver me from anything that will keep me from being redemptive to my world. 

            Recently, there has been talk about the impact Bob Carroll had (and Elaine) still has on this body fellowship. Truths were shared about his laying down his life for others.  It was mentioned how he supported our young people by being supportive of them even though their music was  maybe not his favorite.  I have great appreciation for someone who sacrifices for what others need..  What about the reverse of that?  Two of our friends, Stephen and John, often talk of how churches across this nation are divided over music styles.  Two and three services go on so I don’t have to sit through what someone else enjoys.  Why I don’t even have to be in the same “worship” service with those who are not like me.  Wouldn’t it be something to hear, we gave up our preferences and desires several times and sang a bunch of Bob’s songs, not because I loved that music, but because I  loved Bob.  What would a church like that look like?  Are we teaching our young people the beauty of giving up their way for another’s needs?  Maybe not, and maybe we are cheating them in preparation for marriage and the relationships of  life.  Maybe we are even giving them a distorted picture of  Go, but maybe they are stronger than us in that area. .  Imagine the beauty of a  body that find’s joy in “not my will.”  Joel mentioned to me on two different occasions now, how young people told him they weren’t needing a recreation room, that they could get that anywhere.  They were coming here to learn and get deeper in Christ.  Guys, the ultimate depth is “Oh My Father... not as I will but as you will.”   

Oh my Father, if the ONLY way to be redemptive in my world is to be crucified to self-sourcing, self- desires, let me drink of Your will, Your cup!  I want to be redemptive.