Triumph Through Tragedy John 18:1-2 Triumph in the Final Days Triumph in Gethsemane

Triumph Through Tragedy John 18:1-2 Triumph in the Final Days “Good News” in dark days. Why? Jesus’ death was followed by a resurrection! This is the fulfillment of all of Jesus’ promises! Without the tragedy, there is no real triumph; without darkness, we can’t truly see the light! John records this time as a blessing. The other Gospel writers record the human weaknesses of Jesus. John chooses to emphasize Jesus’ control over these events. Not Prophesy but Promise!

Triumph Through Tragedy John 18:1-2 Triumph in the Final Days Jesus should be our example in suffering. Some think of suffering as something to be endured until God removes it for His glory. Some look on suffering as something for God to transform, to take away, or to ease. Some look beyond the dark days of suffering to glory, essentially to ignore it. The completion of all these is in the acceptance of suffering in its fullness for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom.

Triumph Through Tragedy John 18:1-2 Triumph in Gethsemane Contrast of Eden and Gethsemane In Eden, all was perfect. In Gethsemane, all was horrible. In Eden, Adam and Eve negotiated with Satan. In Gethsemane, Jesus sought God’s face. In Eden, Adam sinned. In Gethsemane, Jesus suffered. In Eden, Adam fell. In Gethsemane, the Redeemer conquered.

Triumph Through Tragedy John 18:1-2 Triumph in Gethsemane Contrast of Eden and Gethsemane In Eden, the conflict was by day. In Gethsemane, the conflict was at night. In Eden, Adam fell before Satan. In Gethsemane, the soldiers fell before Jesus. In Eden, the race was lost. In Gethsemane, the Savior’s own were redeemed. In Eden, the sword was drawn. In Gethsemane, the sword was sheathed.

Triumph Through Tragedy John 18:1-2 Triumph in Gethsemane Contrast of Eden and Gethsemane In Eden, Adam took the fruit from Eve’s hand. In Gethsemane, Jesus received the cup from God’s hand. In Eden, Adam hid himself. In Gethsemane, Jesus boldly showed Himself. In Eden, God sought Adam. In Gethsemane, Jesus sought God. From Eden, Adam was “driven.” From Gethsemane, Christ was “led.”

Triumph Through Tragedy John 18:1-2 Triumph in Gethsemane A contrast between good and evil Adam and Eve entered Eden as a place that was perfect, without sin or death. Jesus entered Gethsemane facing physical and spiritual death. A contrast between God and Satan Our first parents spent time talking to Satan. Jesus spent time talking to God.

Triumph Through Tragedy John 18:1-2 Triumph in Gethsemane The contrast is of Adam and Eve falling instantly versus Jesus prevailing through fervent prayer. The basis of this contrast is found in Romans 5:12-21.

Romans 5:12-21 (NASB) 12  Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13  for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

15 But the free gift is not like the transgression 15  But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16  The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.

17  For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ 18  So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men

19  For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20  The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21  so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Triumph Through Tragedy John 18:1-2 Application Are you a believer in Jesus Christ? Do you recognize that, as a result of Adam’s sin, you are separated from God and that Jesus is the only remedy for that separation? As a believer, do you see tragedy or triumph in the cross? How about your life?