April 30-May 2, 2010
John 18
Pastor Jon Wehner
As we read what is considered to begin “The Passion Narrative” in John 18, I am reminded of a dramatic production that reflected Mel Gibson’s own passion in 2004. As you know, his movie depiction of the arrest, trial, crucifixion and burial of Jesus was surrounded by much controversy. It’s interesting that many persons in the film industry where doing all that they could to keep his work, “The Passion of the Christ,” out of movie theatres. I believe that the controversy revolved around the notion that the Jewish leaders of that time were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Now let’s fast forward to the book of Acts and expose the short-sighted thinking of the disgruntled film critics. Acts 2:23 reads, “This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.”
The Passion Story needs to be at the forefront of our knowledge of God. It reminds us continually that God’s plan - however disturbing - was to restore our relationship with Him through the gruesome execution of Jesus. Yet that’s not the end of the story, as we read in Acts 2:24, “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”
Now that’s a story worth sharing!
Did you know that Pastor Jon grew up in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan? The city in which he lived covered two square miles, which served as home to 36,000 people.
