BARTHOLOMEW
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer jerry@schmoyer.net
http://india.christiantrainingonline.org/
When Jesus forced Judas’ hand at the Passover meal and told him He knew he was going to betray Him it threw the religious leader’s plans way off.
-wanted to wait until AFTER Passover (people gone
-lost only inside man if didn’t act (already paid $)
-Hate pushed both on ahead instead of waiting
To UPPER ROOM, gone!
sharp enough to figure out – Gethsemane!
where slept each night (‘home’)
Me NOT SHARP ENOUGH
Just tired, confused, tired, too much thinking!
Still hung up on Him saying we’d deny Him!
How could He be so wrong about us???
I guess I was just thinking @ me that night
MY NAME IS BARTHOLOMEW
“Son of Tholomew” (Mt, Mk, Lk)
GOSPEL OF JOHN: NATHANIEL “gift of God”
Nathanael Bartholomew
CANA: hometown (Jesus’ first miracle)
PHILIP, friend, brought to Jesus
student of scripture
sincere heart, but prejudiced
sought truth, believed without proof
PERSONALITY
hair uncombed, shoes untied
shirt hanging out in back
mystic dreamer – absent-minded
enjoyed life – not rush, not overly ambitions
not deceitful – rep for honesty, no hypocrisy
CALLED TO BE DISCIPLE
nothing recorded @ with Jesus
AFTER RESURRECTION
to Asia Minor with Philip
Roman Porcounsel’s wife healed & saved
he ordered Philip & Bath crucified
Philip crucified, Bath escape to Armenia
Armenia: barbarian king Astyages had him:
-flayed alive
-beheaded
-cast into sea
TRANSITION
enough about me, back to Jesus
We knew Passover was over an the Feast of Unleavened Bread would be starting
We didn’t know all that was to happen that night, though
Looking back it is obvious Jesus knew …
AT THE END OF LAST SUPPER
Jesus’ last words strange – didn’t understand until later…
John 14:30 “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, for the evil prince of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will freely do what the Father requires of me so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.
ON THE WAY TO GETHSEMANE
Sang when meal over, and as walking
songs used: Psalm 113 – 118
What thoughts did these verses bring to mind in Jesus?
What words of comfort?
Psalm 113-114 Praise the Lord. Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,the One who sits enthroned on high,
Ps 118:22-24 22 The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;
23 the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
words brought back childhood memories of stories of God’s
deliverance for His people
each had own thoughts as walked …
quiet, still, peaceful night – world looked perfect
looked over at Jesus
what was He thinking?
JESUS TAUGHT US AS WE WALKED
Presently He started talking
passed some vines, used them to teach us
Vine and branches
LOVE to us reaffirmed once again
Stand faithful when opposed
Coming comforter – Holy Spirit
Victory in Jesus
We discussed these things back and forth
Some asked questions, Jesus answered
Kept walking slowly toward Mt of Olives
like Jesus in no hurry to get there, but HAD to
CROSSING THE KIDRON
cooler when we left city and went down to the crossing of
the Kidron
dry creek bed most of the year, bubbling stream in spring
noticed Jesus pause and watch the water flow
looked different – darker somehow
OF COURSE! The blood from ¼ million lambs!
Slaughter had already started
Really seemed to hit Jesus hard!
WHAT KEPT Him going?????
LOVE put our/your needs first again
Remembered the day, seemed like lifetime ago
John the baptized pointed & called Him
Passover Lamb, takes away sins of world
He Himself called self GOOD SHEPHERD
come to lay down life for the sheep
He must have been thinking the same thing Himself …
PRAYED AS WALKED (John 17)
presently He started praying as He walked
This gave a little insight into what He was thinking
PRAYER FOR HIMSELF
“Father, the time has come. Reveal the glory of your Son so that he can give the glory back to you. For you have given him authority over every man and woman in all the earth.
PRAYER FOR DISCIPLES THEN
Now I am leaving the world, and leaving them behind, and coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your own care-all those you have given me-so that they will be united just as we are, with none missing. During my time here I have kept safe within your family all of these you gave me.
PRAY FOR YOU WHO ARE DISCIPLES NOW
I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from Satan’s power. They are not part of this world any more than I am. Make them pure and holy through teaching them your words of truth. As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world,
ARRIVE AT GETHSEMANE
by the time we got to Gethsemane I was really TIRED
fasting all day, then big meal in stuffy room
now late at night, relaxed, tired
looking forward to getting some zzzzzzzz’s
Gethsemane good place to rest
where Jesus had been sleeping lately
‘GETHSEMANE’ – “Olive Press”
place where people brought OLIVES & GRAPES
(show poster)
Garden resort from heat of Jerusalem
no crushing going on now – done in fall
Rich owner gave Jesus key, slept there
CAVE nicely cared for
OLIVE TREE = GOD’S REL TO ISRAEL
common, important tree in Israel
unfruitful trees cut down
Fruitful ones produce fruit for Master
Healthy ones send out shoots which become new trees
Holy Spirit symbolized by olive oil
Olive used for nourishment, healing, light = HS same
‘Messiah’ – “anointed One” – with Olive Oil
Believers would also have same Holy Spirit
When we entered the Garden we started looking for places
to roll up in our cloaks and sleep
It became obvious sleep was the furthest thing
from Jesus’ mind though
Didn’t realize until later what it all meant to Jesus
-crossing Kidron (red from blood of 1/4 mil lambs)
-knowing Judas & rel rulers on way, end near
Good Shepherd going to lay down life for sheep
-needing our support all evening, especially then
All I wanted to do was get to GETHSEMANE and get some ZZZ
Jesus warned us “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”
Took John, James & me with Him to one side
NEEDED our support that evening
Concerned @ us failing, sinning, too
LOVE for us motive wanting us to pray
reason HE was going through this first place!
We could see it was AGONY for Him!
Anticipation of all sins forever
Terrified of hell
Never experienced awfulness of sin (us for granted)
Separation from Father unknown
Overwhelmed with grief, swept with unrest
Felt like pressure of it would kill Him then/there
Greatest battle fought by human being ever!
PLEA 1: REMOVE THE CUP
Went off a ways by self
Had to face future alone
Fell to ground as if wounded, face downward
Crying loud and deeply (Heb 5:7)
Almost out of control
“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from e. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
over and over
Submissive to God’s will, not own will
Because LOVED us!!! you!!!
ANGELS APPEARED around Him!
-some drive back demons tormenting Him
-others to soothe, minister, comfort, peace
Then they withdrew and battle continued again, harder
Battle not removed, but strength given to withstand
(Paul and thorn in flesh)
Cold night, Jesus sweating
BLOOD mixed with sweat
so much pressure tiny capillaries in skin breaking
Looked at OLIVE PRESS nearby!!!
Loss of body fluids culminate on cross, thirst
early stages of dehydration, shock
DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THE STRUGGLE WAS ALL ABOUT???
Cup = hideous sin, guilt, repelled by it!
-perfect, sinless, withdrew from sin, pollution
eternal pain, emotional pain, separation from God
+love for man, to have us with Him forever
“I’ll drink it so Eileen (etc) can live!”
Last I remember, I guess I dozed off (very tired!)
Next I know Jesus shaking, waking, warning us
Said we needed to pry for we’d be tempted, too
“Spirit is willing, body is weak”
Sure, I’ll pray, just let me rest my eyes a minute
Later found out what happened
PLEA 2: HELP ME DO YOUR WILL
Prayed same thing again
Committed to go thru with it, but shrank from it
Barely remember Him waking me 2nd time, too far out
PLEA 3: HELP ME DO YOUR WILL
Waiting before often worst time
Emotional pain worse than physical anyway
Something happened during this time
Angels, direct, ???
Jesus had the peace to go ahead
Prayed for us as we slept!
GETHSEMANE quiet, sounds of night (snoring)
think, meditate, Mary, heaven…
lights moving in distance, coming
hear muffled sounds far away
run? escape? easy to do
stayed to be arrested, picked place Himself
protect Mark’s family, innocent in Jeru
Jesus the VICTOR, not the VICTIM
WOKE US UP, hard, very tired – coming soldiers and mob
JUDAS, ETC. ARRIVE
Judas: Satan-possessed, hate, greed
Religious Rulers: night arrest illegal, no charge
Temple police: 20 + Jewish soldiers
Roman Soldiers & Officers: up to 500+
Armed mob: Afraid of Jesus’ ‘army’ from Galilee
HE KISS
Judas: to front, ahead of others, as if alone!
ME confused, uncertain, didn’t know @ Judas betrayal
Soldiers, rel rulers, mob confused me!
Jesus steps toward him to meet him
Judas: “Hello, Teacher. Glad to see you!”
Hug & kiss (deep, long, warm, loving)
on cheek (equals)
Jesus: “Friend, do what you came for.”
(“You aren’t fooling me, but still LOVE you.’)
Kiss a SIGNAL, others rushed up to us
ME surprised, confused, fully awake
JESUS in control of it all
“Who do you want?” (making them say it)f
“Jesus of Nazareth” illegal: no charges, warrant
Others surprised -find Jesus easily
-admit Who He is
-seem unafraid
“I AM HE” – voluntarily turn self in (no trap)
I AM = YHWH
Immediately all stepped backwards & fell down
PINNED to the ground
Judas (Satan-indwelt) helpless, too!
Jesus still standing!
one single, unarmed, tired man take on
small army, win with one word!
*prove He voluntarily turned self in
*show power, ability to leave if wanted!
(one day all unbel bow before Him)
(judge whole world with a word)
Lets them up (could still be pinned there today)
Did this make any impact on them?
“Who do you want?” again, same answer
-no change in their hearts – ignore what happened
(YOU knocked down by Jesus, get up & do again)
-by own words say only Jesus, not disciples
“Then let these men go.”
(Jesus running show, giving orders)
LOVE put their needs first again
Satan wanted us dead, too (Job)
He knew we couldn’t have withstood arrest
ATTACK WITH SWORD
Me confused, surprised, afraid – HAD to do something!
Me get knife from Passover, rush past Jesus, attack
Take on whole Roman army with table knife!
Missed head, cut off lobe of right ear
(good it was unarmed servant, not soldier)
Trying to give Jesus time to get away
Dangerous: almost started riot where us killed
-Jesus not die on cross for sins
-no disciples to spread word afterwards
Last time: “I won’t let them kill You”
“Get behind me SATAN”
SATAN’S ATTEMPTS TO KEEP JESUS FROM CROSS
1. Abel killed, line cut off
2. Jews intermarry, end line
3. Moses & Egyptian boys killed
4. Line of David, Ahab kill all
5. Hamaan, Esther’s time
6. Herod kill Jesus/Beth. babies
7. Offer kingdoms of world without cross (Tempt)
8. Multitudes make Jesus king (free food)
9. Nazareth, etc. – attempts to stone Jesus
10. Postpone crucifixion until after Passover
11. Peter – “I won’t let them kill You!”
WHY: *Satan’s doom sealed on cross
*Our salvation paid for on cross
Why indwell Judas to turn Jesus in?
Didn’t know it would turn out this way!
Wanted Him dead any way, ASAP
Jesus saw through it right away, didn’t fall for it!
Jesus: “Put away your sword. All who draw the sword will die by the sword. I will drink the cup the Father has given me.”
Healed Malchus’ ear (last miracle)
“Pardon him, he means well but doesn’t know what he is doing!”
Jesus to me: “Don’t you think I can call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than 12 legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
12 Legion = 80,000
1 angel killed 185,000 in Sennacherib’s army at one time, what could 80,000 do?
I felt bad enough as it was (failed)
Jesus saying I shouldn’t have tried! – Acted without thinking again…
Not just reprimand for me, though, but for all
JESUS IN CONTROL of it all!
“Am I leading a rebellion that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I say in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”
DISCIPLES FLED
I didn’t wait for any more, saw opening in back & was gone! out of there! (others same)
Completely forgot promise to not desert Him
Looked back for one last glimpse before behind tree
Knocked Jesus to ground, tying hands & feet with ropes chains
I ran and ran, didn’t even realize I was crying
Pent-up emotion, fear, confusion, love, guilt
Tried not to think – @ self, @ Him
WHY did He do it?
So easily could have:
Not come to Gethsemane in first place
Walked away while we slept
Allowed all pinned to ground and left
Followed my lead and freed self in riot
Called angels to deliver Him
Why didn’t He? only one reason I could think of
He LOVED me, He LOVED YOU!!!
Do you feel that love?
Do you allow Him to show you that love today?
Do you thank Him for that love?
Have you thanked Him for going to the cross for you?
NAILS didn’t hold Him there, just love for you & me
Do you love Him because He so loves you?
Do you love Him more than anything or anyone?
Even family? Even self?
PRAY SILENTLY
(Kneel)