Before the title mission (John 18:1-7)
[John 18:1-18]
[1] ♠ After Jesus had said these words, he and his disciples went out to the other side of the Kidron brook, and there was a garden there, and he went in with them [2] ♠ There was a place where Jesus often met with his disciples, so Judas who sold him. [3] ♠ Judas came there, bringing with him the army and his servants from the chief priests and Pharisees, with lamps and shields and weapons [4] ♠ Jesus, knowing all that was about to happen, went out and said, “You [5] They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." He said, "I am." Judas, who betrayed him, also stood with them. [6] When Jesus said to them, "I am", they withdrew and fell to the ground.
The mission of the Lord was the cross. In the final preparation stage, the Lord showed service by washing the disciples' feet. As we enter chapter 18, we are preparing for the missionary process. Here in verse 1 is the Garden of Gethsemane. All Christians are missionaries. The Lord has given every Christian a mission and a gift. Is your life becoming a life that glorifies the Lord? I hope you will learn the life of a missionary from the Lord through today's text.
A missionary is one who lives by the word.
Soldiers and crowds are approaching with swords and clubs to arrest Jesus. Even in the overwhelming fear, the Lord is waiting boldly. The Lord said [I am] and lifted Himself up. In order to carry out our church, family, and personal missions, we need the courage to move forward by relying on the Word, although there are obvious fears and difficulties. It is also necessary to have the courage to move forward while giving yourself up for sure. The Lord speaks to Joshua. “Only be strong and courageous, and keep and do all the laws that Moses my servant delivered to you, and do not turn to the left or to the right, and you will prosper wherever you go.”
The Bible says that the great tribulation is coming. The tribulation is so terrifying that Jesus said, [If you do not reduce the tribulation, no one can overcome it]. Are you ready? This strength to bear comes from the truth of the Word. Jesus' life itself was a life to fulfill the Bible. Each of your words and actions must align with the Word to create strength. The same goes for our church and your family. The purpose of the Lord's coming to this earth is to declare an all-out war against Satan. Before the battle of Mount Calvary, the most important battle in the war against Satan, he is showing the image of a courageous missionary to obey the Word as a missionary to instruct the mission of the cross.
We live in 20th century America and think that we have no hardships. Think about what kind of persecution you have and what kind of fear you have. This is a view that does not see the whole of war. There may be some ease in life here, but looking at the world and the times, we cannot see how much Satan is trying to overthrow and destroy the Lord's people. Through the last days, we see attacks on churches and attacks on leaders. One of the shocks I have seen through my life in the United States is a building that falls during 911, and the other is that a church representing our immigrant church fell. I would like to ask what you will do when the great tribulation of Revelation comes. The Lord asks if we can drink the cup of the Lord together. He says that anyone who wants to come after me must deny himself.
We have a mission. There is also a cup of mission to drink every day. Do you have boldness? If you do not follow the Word, there is no hope. In verse 10, Peter pulled out his sword and cut off the servant's ear. The Lord is about to undertake a great mission, but Peter raises his sword and shows Peter who does not live according to the Word. We must follow the way of Jesus, not the way of Peter. I hope that you will live the life of a missionary by living according to the Word.